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The Year of Reading Deliberately
I know I’m not the first person ever to say this and I’m certain not to be the last. Twitter is a breeding ground for new ideas and virtual Miracle Grow for seeds that have been germinating in your head. The other night, I was reading a conversation with Vassily from 1330v, Michelle from GalleySmith, and Rebecca from The Book Lady’s Blog. They were discussing their reading plans for next year, which is a rather hot topic this season with new challenges being announced.
I’ve been thinking about it off and on since October, remembering that at about the same time in 2008 I was ruing the over abundance the ARCs and Review Copies I said “Yes!” to. In 2008, I put myself on a rigid reading and reviewing schedule that I about ¾ accomplished before I released my grip on my stays and started accepting more ARCs and Review Copies. I didn’t relish the idea of creating another self-punishing reading schedule, especially since I wanted to devote most of November to Neil Gaiman – and all but one of those books were gifts or things I’ve purchased over the years. Besides, why make things I love – reading and blogging – into something I hate? Even if I did, what would prevent me from ending up right back where I am now at the end of 2010?
It was after joining Vassily, Michelle, and Rebecca’s conversation on Twitter that I honed my thoughts and, to my mind, discovered the missing piece: being thoughtful about my reading choices, both on my own shelves and from those things offered to me. I then dubbed 2010 my Year of Deliberate Reading. Here is what that means to me:
- Going through my personal TBR pile and review those books I’ve wanted to read. By remembering what I have of my own, they are more likely to come to mind when I’m ready for my next book. I might even do a better job of organizing them so that if I’m in the mood for Gothic, I know exactly where to look.
- Doing the same for my unsolicited books. I haven’t felt obligated to read or review them for a long time now. Even still, there are many that have caught my eye and I don’t want to forget about them.
- Developing some sort of system to make sure that I eventually get to all of the books to which I’ve officially said “Yes.” I still like way that Jaime from Confessions of a Bibliophile works her system – one book from each of her piles in turns. I think that should work.
- Being very deliberate in my decisions for each and every ARC and Review Copy I’m pitched. I have this propensity not to want to miss out on something, but the truth of the matter is that I am missing out on the books that have been gathering dust on my shelves. The world will not come to an end if I pass up on an incredible book. It’s not as if I won’t otherwise ever have the chance to read that novel. That is what libraries and book stores are for in the first place.
Most importantly:
- Taking the time to ask myself what I want to read every time I go to pick up my next book.
Reading is very much a way that I make “me” time. Taking up that time with obligations (no matter how happily agreed to) to other people negates that “me” time more often than not. Then, reading becomes a chore. Thankfully this is one thing over which I have complete control. I appreciate the opportunities offered to me, but I will be taking my time to research them before saying yes. Would those books intrigue me if I were looking at them on the book store or library shelf? If not, do I think I would grow as a reader as a result or am I interested in expanding my horizons with it? If not, then I will say no. I’ll be the first to admit that saying no is hard for me.
I also realize that the definition of reading deliberately is unique to each person. In fact, my own definition may change over time. There are plenty of ways to be deliberate about what I’m reading. So long as I make my decisions consciously – my eyes wide open – I am doing what I’m setting out to do.
I’m not fool enough to believe that just because I make this resolution that I’ll follow through with it. I need to make myself accountable:
- Beginning this month, I’m planning on resurrecting my monthly wrap-ups. I’m going to include a section on how I feel I’m doing with my decision to read deliberately. I may even include a running tally on my reading backlog from before, when I was not so deliberate.
- I have also started (you’d better sit down for this – I’ll wait. OK, you’re ready) my first GoogleWave about reading deliberately. I will be using that to put down my thoughts as well. Please feel free to email me with your account information if you’d like to join the discussion.
Slightly Off Topic… I’m not terribly hip to the comings and goings with GoogleWave, but it’s an interesting way to keep track of a conversation. One fun thing I discovered about Google Wave is that if you are in a wave while someone starts to reply, you can watch them type. I’ll be curious to see how that technology goes once it is out of beta testing. Maybe I’ll know what to think about it then.
So, as we get ready to embark on a new year and a new decade, I plan to move forward with purpose. What are your reading plans for the future?
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December 3, 2009 | Filed Under About Literate Housewife, Reading Deliberately
Comments
36 Responses to “The Year of Reading Deliberately”
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Jo-Jo
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm1Reply to this comment.Good for you! I have been much more selective with the books that I accept for review so I’ve found my reading to be a much more enjoyable experience. Some people may have noticed mostly positive reviews on my blog for the last few months, but I think that is because I’ve only been reviewing books that I actually want to! I have never heard of a google wave so I am going to have to look into that.
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Jaime
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm2Reply to this comment.I agree with everything you’ve said! It’s so easy to forget about the piles of books that *aren’t* review copies that I was dying to read once upon a time. I’m trying to work harder to read more of those.
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Ti
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm3Reply to this comment.I have 2 books (total) that I promised to review. That’s it! These past three months I have been clearing all of my ARC stuff off the shelf and now I want to read my own stuff! I still plan to request certain titles but only ones that I want to read anyway.
I still have books that I purchased last year that have no been touched. PURCHASED books!
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Stephanie
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm4Reply to this comment.I think Reading Deliberately is a superb idea. I am constantly trying to keep a balance with what I read. I do have a system in place for the most part–I do much the same thing Jaime does by rotating between library books, review copies, etc. If one or more categories starts getting overwhelming or more time sensitive though, I’ll take a week or two to focus on reading only from that category to try to get it under control.
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Kathy R (Bermudaonion)
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm5Reply to this comment.Oh, how I wish my reading plans were as well thought out as yours are. I usually just think ahead a book or two.
I’m like you, I have trouble saying no, but really, I don’t get asked all that often. I’ll be watching your progress and rooting you on. Good luck!
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Angela D.
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm6Reply to this comment.I absolutely LOVE this idea of reading deliberately. My reading has been anything but deliberate this year. I’m struggling just to find time enough to read and I have so many books to choose from that it has gotten overwhelming. My list of books that I want to read just keeps growing so much faster than I can get anything read. I’m going to keep adding titles to the list as I see them but I think I’ll choose my books off the list more carefully so I’m reading the ones that I am most interested in first.
I haven’t got a clue about Google Wave but maybe I’ll look into it.
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Valerie
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm7Reply to this comment.Excellent post, Jennifer. I’ve seen my TBR pile grow to a new record this year; I haven’t gotten very many requests to review books (until recently) but when I have, I’ve put a lot of thought in whether it’s one I’d want to read in the near future. I’ve also steered clear of a lot of challenges (even though a lot look like fun) because I want to be in control of what I read, when I feel like it.
I really like your idea of organizing your TBR according to genre. I will have to try to do that with mine; after all my bookcases tend to be organized that way.
Here’s to a good reading year for all of us!!
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Sandy
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm8Reply to this comment.You trendsetter you! I’m proud of you, and am on the same track with you I think. I’ve decided that I will accept no more than one ARC a month. And if I accept none, that is OK too. I am contstucting my reading challenges around those wonderful books that are collecting dust on my shelves. I want space, and want freedom! Power to the readers! (I’ll calm down now…)I’d love to get in on your Wave discussion on this. I think I may be under Nawrotsandy. I don’t know. I’m like an idiot bumbling around in there.
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Emily
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 pm9Reply to this comment.Can’t wait to see what you end up reading! You’re right — this isn’t supposed to be something that you hate, and I think that by reading “deliberately” you’ll avoid killing the joy of it all.
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Nicole
Posted: Dec 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 pm10Reply to this comment.Wonderful idea. I am choosing all of my challenge books from my personal shelves this year and will be concentrating more on reading from what I have. I have no idea what I am on wave I’ll try and send you my info when I have a chance and can figure it out because I would ver much like to follow the wave.
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rhapsodyinbooks
Posted: Dec 4th, 2009 at 12:04 am11Reply to this comment.I love your ideas – they are very helpful. I especially like the separating into piles. And being rational! I really need to come up with a plan like yours!
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Carrie K.
Posted: Dec 4th, 2009 at 2:04 am12Reply to this comment.Wonderfully said, Jennifer – and this is something I am planning to work on in my reading in 2010 as well.
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Lisa
Posted: Dec 4th, 2009 at 2:27 am13Reply to this comment.This sounds like a great plan. I think I’m going to take some tips from you cuz I got myself in the same situation this year.
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Literate Housewife
Posted: Dec 5th, 2009 at 12:53 am14Reply to this comment.Thanks for all of your support! It sounds like I’m not alone in what I’m wanting to do. I am so jealous of Ti only having 2 review copies left. You go, girl! I’m also really liking the idea of taking challenges and shaping your selections for them around books you already have. That is a challenge in and of itself, isn’t it? There are so many great ways we can mix things up.
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Beth F
Posted: Dec 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am15Reply to this comment.I wish you lots of luck. That’s my goal too. I have way too many unread books in this house. I have loved most of the ARCs I’ve accepted, but I just can’t keep up. I have enough pressure from work, I really don’t need more from what is supposed to be my escape time!
I’m on the wave and plan to follow along all year.
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Michelle
Posted: Dec 5th, 2009 at 4:09 pm16Reply to this comment.I won’t bore you with a repeat of what we’ve discussed in the Wave but I think this is a fabulous way to ring in and spend the new year. In my short time blogging I’ve found that it’s easy to over obligate and over extend yourself and that’s just with the stuff that you really really love to read and do. Add in the stuff that you’re only slightly less interested in and you have yourself a big fat plate of overindulgence!
I’m hoping to be careful to be far more deliberate in 2010 as well. what remains to be seen is how successful I am with that. haha Looking forward to watching your progress.
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pingback:
Posted: Dec 6th, 2009 at 2:24 am17Bookish links for Saturday, December 5, 2009 | BOOKS AND MOVIESReply to this comment.[...] ~ Jennifer is planning to make 2010 the Year of Reading Deliberately. [...]
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lilly
Posted: Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:21 am18Reply to this comment.It’s wonderful plan you have here ans something that I should peruse myself. While this year I am proud to say that I read a lot more book than I could ever imagine, I also feel that my reading has been all over the place, not deliberateness, no pattern and a lot of chaos really. I think that I will try to be more focused on what I read and deliberately choose the books I really, really want to read (that includes limiting the number of review copies I agree to read).
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Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
Posted: Dec 8th, 2009 at 11:46 am19Reply to this comment.I think this is an excellent goal and strategy and wish you luck with it. I’ve been more deliberate in my ARC acceptances, which has made me more conscious of my reading choices. But the shelves are still overflowing.
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Margot
Posted: Dec 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pm20Reply to this comment.I have been doing some serious thinking about this subject and then I read your post and it all came together. And, you gave it a name. I’m going to start the new year reading what I want to read, when I want to read it. I’ll fit in the currently unread ARCs as best I can. Thanks so much for putting my thoughts down on this post.
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SuziQoregon
Posted: Dec 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm21Reply to this comment.I love your Reading Deliberately plan. I declared 2009 to be my year of being very selective about challenges and it’s worked great. I overcommitted myself to challenges for a couple of years and it was a hard habit to break. I’ve put the fun back into my reading with less scheduling of my reading and more space for spontaneous TBR shuffling depending on what whim strikes. It’s allowed me to truly focus on the books I want to read instead of the books I think I need to read for a challenge. When reading was a chore or felt like homework due to challenge obligations (I’m incapable of letting a challenge go unfinished once I join) it took away some of the fun.
I don’t request or get many review books, so that’s never been a hurdle for me. My goals for 2010 are to continue the balance of Challenge reading and spontaneous reading as well as balancing library books with books I’ve purchased.
I’ve added so many books to my wishlist that I really need to focus on picking and choosing the ones I read. It’s hard.
I’d love to join your Google Wave.
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Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
Posted: Dec 9th, 2009 at 5:39 pm22Reply to this comment.Good luck with your plans! I am trying to ensure that I don’t accept too many ARCs so that I can still read a large number of my own books. It is hard to resist them sometimes, but I think it is important to enjoy reading and never feel pressure to meet deadlines. I hope that you suceed in all your goals and have a fantastic 2010.
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Petunia
Posted: Dec 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm23Reply to this comment.These are great ideas. I try to read deliberately but there are some many distraction of “the plan.” Good luck on your endever.
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S. Krishna
Posted: Dec 10th, 2009 at 11:49 pm24Reply to this comment.I think reading deliberately is a wonderful goal – I might make that an unofficial goal of mine as well for next year.
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Robin of My Two Blessings
Posted: Dec 11th, 2009 at 3:51 pm25Reply to this comment.Excellent idea and have kept it mind as I signed up for challenges. I made sure that with the majority of challenges I already owned the books. We have so many given to us or inherited over the years. Time to start reading them. I’m going to enjoy my reading. It shouldn’t be stressful or a have to do thing. It should be fun and relaxing.
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pingback:
Posted: Dec 13th, 2009 at 11:46 pm26The Sunday Salon – December 13, 2009 (the “Year of Reading Deliberately” edition | BOOKS AND MOVIESReply to this comment.[...] more deliberately. These conversations prompted Jennifer at Literate Housewife to dub 2010 “The Year of Reading Deliberately.” The idea is to make a conscious effort in the New Year to be deliberate about our reading, [...]
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Carrie K.
Posted: Dec 13th, 2009 at 11:48 pm27Reply to this comment.I decided to do a “year of reading deliberately” post, too: http://booksandmovies.colvilleblogger.com/2009/12/13/the-sunday-salon-december-13-2009-the-year-of-reading-deliberately-edition/
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Rebecca Reid
Posted: Dec 16th, 2009 at 10:33 pm28Reply to this comment.I love the title “Year of Reading Deliberately” and it properly goes back to what I want to be doing afterall. Thanks for the title, I’ll have to ponder what it means for me!
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pingback:
Posted: Dec 27th, 2009 at 7:06 am29Sunday Salon – New Year’s Resolutions « Rhapsody in Books WeblogReply to this comment.[...] are some other resolutions out there I like, such as “reading deliberately” from The Literate Housewife Review. And I even like my own, from Book Blogger Appreciation [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Dec 31st, 2009 at 12:16 pm30I’ve got ninety-nine problems, but a book ain’t one. « The Book Lady’s BlogReply to this comment.[...] whose posts I’ve read but have failed to keep track of) have beaten me to the punch with great posts about their 2010 reading [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Jan 2nd, 2010 at 5:04 pm31Random Reading Challenge : literatehousewife.comReply to this comment.[...] defining reading deliberately for myself, I’ve looked at several reading challenges for 2010 that will help me live up to [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Jan 4th, 2010 at 8:30 pm322010 – The Year of Reading Deliberately | Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?Reply to this comment.[...] The Literate Housewife [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Jan 4th, 2010 at 9:50 pm33Reading Goals: A Year of Reading DeliberatelyReply to this comment.[...] with young adult and children’s fiction then several intrepid bloggers want to find it (Jen,Vasilly, Carrie). There are some books which I am committed to read for blogging projects I am [...]
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Literature Goddess
Posted: Jan 5th, 2010 at 4:55 pm34Reply to this comment.Love the idea of placing your TBR pile into genres…I think I’ll do this too.
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pingback:
Posted: Jan 10th, 2010 at 10:19 am35Sunday Salon: Deliberately « Ardent ReaderReply to this comment.[...] a year of “reading deliberately,” which I saw first on Vasilly’s blog and then again by Jennifer of The Literate Housewife Reviews, and it seems that it’s becoming the catch phrase of the [...]
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Karen @ Planet Books
Posted: Jan 13th, 2010 at 6:39 pm36Reply to this comment.I think that this topic is my favorite one this year. I read “Hey Lady, Watcha Reading’s” post a few moments ago about this same thing and I agree with you both whole heartedly. I have actually removed requests to authors/publishers for review copies from my blog and am looking forward to going back to just reading books I own and buy because I want to read them. The only pressure to read a book this year will come from my book club but I don’t think I will mind reading those titles. They’ve been good reads so far!
Happy Reading!!
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