1.09.2009

//reading resolutions 2009//

Finally Friday!  I'm ready for a relaxing weekend where I can prop my feet up and get some reading done.  That of course is what I'm ready for - my to do list says something different.  But priorities, priorities, right?!  So inspired by Book Barrage's post, I've brainstormed my own reading resolutions.  

1. Last year I think that I barely read four non fiction books.  That's got to change.  I'm note quite sure when I began to put aside that genre; it just happened.  I know that I am missing out.  Still, because I believe in taking baby steps I think I'll set my goal to be a 5 to 1 ratio for 2009.  I already have two checked out from my library.  Now let's just get my butt in gear, set aside the fiction for a bit, and read them!

2. I'd love to be able to read every day, and if I included keeping up with blogs, the short stories that we discuss in my class, essays that I grade over the weekend...well, then I could probably achieve that.  But reading for *me* is completely different.  Curling up with a book, crinkling the pages, making notes or underlining sentences or marking paragraphs is my therapy.  So I guess, resolution #two is that I promise myself to take time out for me-reading at least five days a week.

3.  After looking over my reading from last year, I never really stepped too far out of the standardized novel.  Knowing this, I've decided to incorporate more short story collections this year.  

4. Lastly, I am not a reader of fantasy/sci-fi. I never willingly pick up a book in this genre (I don't really include the HP or Twilight series here).  In college, while earning my Lit degree, I purposefully took a Science Fiction course because I knew I would never read anything on my own unless an assessment was being held over my head. It's silly really. Also, in this time I decided that there were two reasons why I had no affinity toward this genre (1) I found that the names were often too difficult to pronounce in my head, and therefore, I'd become less likely to form an attachment. , and (2) I'm a more character driven reader by choice and from what I did read, science fiction tended to be more plot driven. I also realized while in that class, that I didn't really care for Heinlein, but really dug Gibson.  Oh yeah and I guess the only author that makes the exception with my anti fantasy/sci fi genre is PK Dick.  But, I ramble(!)  I resolve to read at least 3 - this is huge, people- books from this genre.  

Well there you have it. Between the challenges, my new resolutions, and just what looks good as the year progresses, I think I'll be staying busy!

6 comments:

  1. There are so many great non-fiction reads out there! It might help you ease back into the genre by going for 'books about books.' Those are always fun. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh great suggestion. I've also considered picking up more memoirs. Since I'm more into character development rather than plot developments in fiction, memoirs might be the crutch I need to hobble into the realm of non fiction.

    Do you have any science fiction suggestions? I'm even weaker in that genre!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I read Stranger in a Strange Land last year, and it did leave me cold. One of my favourite sci-fi authors is Peter F Hamilton, who writes "Space opera" although that might be a bit daunting to start with as his books tend to run to over 1000 pages! A couple of standalone sci-fi novels I've read and really enjoyed are Stone by Adam Roberts and Sister Alice by Robert Reed. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chris,

    Science fiction is generally plot driven, but there are some exceptions. If you like dark characters, then Richard Morgan is an excellent bet. No hard to pronounce names either. Iain M Banks has all kinds of unpronounceable names but he is also quite literary.

    Note, I adore science fiction and may be biased.

    Tripp

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't read science fiction, so no suggestions there. But Carl's Sci-Fi experience probably has so many you'll feel overwhelmed. :D (He blogs at Stainless Steel Droppings, in case you didn't know.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Maree - Oh gosh, it's good to hear someone else felt similar to me about Heinlein. I know that he was the first in the genre to put a female in lead (Friday), but still!

    Tripp - I think you sold me with "dark" and "no hard to pronounce names". Richard Morgan's name will be added to my TBR

    Eva - Thanks for sharing a new blog!

    ReplyDelete

Talk to me!