2010 Reading Resolutions

So, I have looked back at my year in 2009. Now it is time to look forward.

I didn't realise that I hadn't set any reading goals in 2009. That was something I normally do, but obviously either didn't want to last January or never got around to it. The thing is, my goals remain pretty constant most years. They generally involve reading a certain number of books, reading more Australian authors, and that at least some of the books I read should be books that I already own but haven't read yet. This year isn't all that different.

Read 125 books -  Over the last few years this number has consistently reduced. In 2006 and 2007 I aimed for 200 books. In 2007 I said that this was a reduced amount because I needed to get a new job. In 2008 I aimed for 150 books because I really, REALLY needed to get a new job! This year, I finally have the new job, and because of reduced commuting time, I have much less reading time, so the number of books I am aiming to read has dropped again.

Read 10 books that I owned as at 31 December 2009 - Every year I read less books that I own than come into my house. This is my attempt to try to make sure that I read at least a few that have been on my shelves for a while.

Reading Australian authors - Every year I look at my list of reads and think, gosh, I don't read enough Australian authors. This year I am aiming to read at least 10 books by Australian authors. I also joined in the Australian Authors Challenge to try and help me meet this goal.

Read some Jane Austen - A couple of years ago I aimed to read Dorothy Dunnett, and didn't manage to even crack open a book, and still haven't in fact. This year, I intend to rectify what I feel is a major gap in my reading. I have never read anything by Jane Austen. I have watched a couple of the adaptations that are around and liked them, so we will see how we go with reading some of her books.

Perpetual Challenges - Last year, one thing that I didn't do very well at all is read for the perpetual challenges that I am signed up for like The Pulitzer Project, the Orange Prize Project, and the Complete Booker. This year I would like to read at least one book for each of these, if not more.

Review more - Over the last couple of years I have allowed myself to get very lazy about writing reviews of the books I read. I still start a blog post for every book, but not enough of them see light of day! This year, I am going to try to write at least one review a week, preferably more. Need to get back into the habit. I know that that really isn't many, but I do also want to be a no guilt blogger as well, because at the end of the day blogging is supposed to enrich our lives and be fun and not something that we are slave to. Just looking at this one though, I haven't written a review yet this year! Gah...already behind! LOL.

So, that's it. My reading resolutions for this year.