Reading Resolutions 2010

(This post was intended to be my Sunday Salon post, but in my attempt to rescue a poor puppy from the freezing cold weather yesterday I'm a day late.)

It's that time of year again to reflect on last year's reading resolutions and create new ones! I have to admit that this is one of my most favored times of year. I love reading the best of books (yours, Amazon, NYT, etc.) and seeing what you're goals are for the new year.

First, a reflection on last year (2009):

Goal 1 - In 2008 I only read four non fiction books, so for 2009 I wanted to read a 5 to 1 ratio. FAIL! But, I did read 15 books so that's got to be something right? Baby, baby steps! LOL.

Goal 2 - I wanted to make sure I took time out for "me" and read at least 5 days of the week. YAY! I'm going to say that I met this one, even though I have know way to prove it. I'm merely basing it on my average of pages read was 80 per day. I know that I had gone days without reading this year, but I must have made up for it somewhere!

Goal 3 - I wanted to incorporate short stories into my reading repertoire. FAIL! What I did realize this year though is I'm not a big fan of the short story. I don't know why but they don't satisfy me. Maybe this will change with time, but for now I'm accepting it and movie on.

Goal 4 - Not being a huge science fiction fan, I wanted to read at least 3 science fiction novels. FAIL (?) I truly only read one science fiction novel: Never Let Me Go. *But* I did read a handful of science fiction/fantasy young adult books: Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Forest of Hand and Teeth. So, maybe I met this one?

Now onto 2010's resolutions....

Goal 1 - I have to do something about my TBR list. And wait, let me clarify, my TBR list of books already purchased, mooched, received that I have on my shelf glaring at me. I created a separate LibraryThing account that lists all of the books that I own and haven't read. I've "originally" named it MustReadBooks(!) and the list sits at 171. So here's the thing, I realize that I will not be able to read 171 books this year. I also realize that it would be insane for me to lay down the law, if you will, and not permit myself to add to this collection (you and I both know that there are some awesome books coming out this year) or check out books from the library (I have signed up for some really cool challenges to push my limit). So, my goal is to at least read 50 books from my stack and by the end of the year and give away at least 20 that I realize I have no intention of reading anytime soon. It's not clearing my shelf, but this goal will at least put a dent in it!

Goal 2 - I want to re-read some of my booky favorites this year. In the past, I've always felt kinda guilty re-reading, ya know? It's like, there are so many fantabulous books out there that I haven't even read why re-read something that I know I already love. But then, I hate thinking back to these incredible books and going, "Damn, I remember that was awesome. I just don't remember really *why* it was awesome." And luckily enough for me, there's a challenge just for this thing!

Goal 3 - Poetry. Poetry. Poetry. Enough said. At least three collections (I will not include novels told through poetic conventions - collections only!)

Cheers and happy reading!