I usually wait until mid to late January before posting my reading plans or goals. Mainly because I'm very optimistic about my superhuman capabilities during the start of a new year but much of that enthusiasm fades over the next couple of weeks. I tend to believe I can read more than ever but reality is usually closer to how much I averaged in previous years. So, to allow myself the opportunity to dream big and then plan well, I take the ambitious goals for a road test during the first couple of weeks of the year. If they still look achievable, great! If not, I will part ways with those that are a stretch. The numbers I have an arbitrary number set in Goodreads for this year but it's not a number I will quote as I tend to change it often and it is intended to factor in the many picture books I read with my kids. But that said, there are three numbers I would like to improve this year (last year's stats in parentheses) - total number of pages read (approx. 11k), average n
One of my favorite aspects of a reading hobby, other than the reading and the book buying and the library hounding and the cataloging and the bookshelf decorating, is the part where I pick my next read. In fact, when I am close to the end of my current book, I am already deciding my next book.
Sometimes, it is a straightforward choice. I usually always have a stack of library books, and I just go from one to the next. With library books, the decision is easier. The books have to go back soon, sometimes, there's already a long waiting list. Besides, I'm better about reading books I picked recently as opposed to books I picked up eons ago. But if there are no library books at home, then I pick something from the shelves. There's always something that I'm hoping to read.
Unless I just got off a really awesome book. Then no book appeals to me. That's what I got myself into last night, when I spent a good four hours trying to figure out what to read. I had just finished reading my first proper Neil Gaiman book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which turned out to be an amazing read. Gaiman can tell a story well and make you want to be in it. I didn't have much success with his Coraline, so it was absolutely refreshing to find his newer book so much more enchanting and hard to put down.
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Which makes the next read always a very challenging one. I usually like it to be as engaging as the one I just finished, but no matter which I pick, it could fade in comparison to the great big read before it. That makes it hard to choose one - should I go for a lighter read and risk getting into a dud or should I just pick a read I feel confident about and risk it paling in comparison to my expectation from the book?
I'm not sure. Before you think it any other way, I love being in this spot. Deciding what to read is part of the whole enjoyable reading experience. You pick a book at a certain time, fully expecting to enjoy it. Besides, there are a couple of books waiting for me at the library - two titles I am really looking forward to reading. But the library's closed today and I just need a nice enjoyable book to read in the meantime. I'm sure I'll know the right book to read - I'm already tossing between Dave Eggers' Zeitoun, and Jojo Moyes' Me Before You.
Comments
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
(My vote is for Zeitoun!)
I can't plan it out like some people too.
I'm more of a mood reader.