Literary Exploration discussion

Anyone have any reading goals (for the year or lifetime)?

My only goal this year is to try new things like different genres and authors I've never heard of. I see people with goals like x amount of books or x number of pages but I'd rather not feel pressured into reading that much. To me it takes the fun out of reading and just makes it a competition.

I aim to read 100 books a year and I want to read the entire 1001 books to read before you die list.

But if I don't; then I had fun trying

120 books this year. I am on track to hit it having read 43 as of today. I read 126 last year so its not outside of my reach although I was out of work for 3 months last year so I may have to push it during the summer months.

That sounds like heaps, but I've read 42 books so far too; well done

I would rather not have such a list,because I know I'd read no matter what.And watch movies...Also there are wonderfully gifted writers in my mother-tongue, both in fiction and non-fiction, and I enjoy reading those too. those books of course I cant share with you:-)

I like having an X amount of books to read goal, Kim, because it makes me feel like I should read more. It pressures me to keep reading when I'm feeling lazy or want to watch a mind numbing movie instead.

That said, I read 250 books last year, and this year I have the modest goal of 150 (due to starting med school). I'm almost always behind on my goal by a few books, but that's because I've been tackling larger books this summer ('epics') which is another thing I wanted to start reading more of.

Like Knowledge Lost, I want to read all the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die, even though I think most of them are stupid and crap and really don't deserve to be on that list. :P

I'm not sure if I will end up reading the entire 1001 books, but I think it's a good way to discover books and create my own 1001 list ;)

I decided to go with the 1001 books before you die list, cuz I'm still new to reading and it was a great way to find what I liked, and secretly (maybe not so secretly) I want to be a literary snob

I'm participating in a reading challenge in another group in which I picked 12 books I've had at home for years but haven't finished. I've discovered that 1) there are reasons I haven't finished them 2) I don't even stick to my own reading lists 3) Never put more than 2 books you've found impossible to finish on any one list and 4) I'm never participating in another challenge since I'm clearly incapable of meeting goals!

My lifetime goal is to read enough books that I feel more relaxed about how many books I have left that I want to read.

I don't think that's happening either.

Kim wrote: "My only goal this year is to try new things like different genres and authors I've never heard of. I see people with goals like x amount of books or x number of pages but I'd rather not feel pressu..."

This is a good challenge Kim. I might do something like this.
The number of books hasn't really been my goal: I read approximately a book a week (some books may take a few days and some - like "Ulysses" that I read last year - took me a couple of months (as I read all notes and annotations as well). Plus, English is not my native language (I read in Russian a lot faster). So, I am happy with the quality not the quantity of my reading. And this idea of expanding the range of what we read is really great. I for instance stopped reading science fiction and fantasy when I was about 20 and I might revisit these genres now.

I want to read more of the classics. I've finished Anna Karenina, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Madame Bovary to name a few. There are books that I know I want to read before I die, not all of them will be considered classics and I don't actually have a list. I just know them as I come along them. It's difficult to explain.

No matter what, I want to keep my passion for reading going even if it can be difficult to find time and concentration to do so. I've always loved reading and want to keep that up for the rest of my life. :)

My reading goal this year is to have read all Jane Austen novels. I have three to go: Emma, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. If I still have time I'll read the short stories too.

I set my books read-goal here on GR for this year at a low 25, partly because I joined a bit late this year and partly because I hate when reading becomes a chore. My literature studies at university left me a bit allergic to I-should's when it comes to reading.

Minna wrote: "My reading goal this year is to have read all Jane Austen novels. I have three to go: Emma, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. If I still have time I'll read the short stories too.

I set my boo..."

My best pal and I had this same goal (all of Austen) - I gave up after three - I realized they were basically the same, and I could not get into the plots or characters - I'm just too far removed from spending my days worrying about a husband (got one!) and my neighbors love lives! Best of luck to you!!! I probably gave up too early!

I would love to read all of Agatha Christie's books!

Kim wrote: "My only goal this year is to try new things like different genres and authors I've never heard of. I see people with goals like x amount of books or x number of pages but I'd rather not feel pressu..."

I think most people put goals to be more planned readers, and to spare more time regular reading. I guess it is nothing to do with pressure.

Jackie wrote: My best pal and I had this same goal (all of Austen) - I gave up after three - I realized they were basically the same, and I could not get into the plots or characters - I'm just too far removed from spending my days worrying about a husband (got one!) and my neighbors love lives! Best of luck to you!!! I probably gave up too early!

Yes, the books are somewhat similar. Austen admitted that she had the same premise for all her novels. I find this annoying in many books, but the plots and events differ enough between the books I've read so far that it keeps me interested in them. I also like Austens literary style.

How did you pal do?

I am at 52 books, 2 books past my reading challenge. I'd like to hit 100 this year, but I'm stepping myself up in increments, it's a more realistic way to do it for me :) I'm also working on reading all of the Banned/Challenged Books, from the various lists I can find.

I'm planning to read over 52 books this year. I've just finished my 20th book this morning.

I've slowed down these past couple weeks. A combination of slow books, cleaning and organising, and gaming has been the cause. Once these rabbits die of myxomatosis I'll move on to something a little more exciting.

I'm at 55/60 books and 20886 pages!

I am aiming for 50 books before end of September 2013 - which looking at some other posts is quite a conservative number! However anything more is just unrealistic - I work full time, study for my MA part time and still have to find time to dance in a semi-professional troupe and remember that I have a boyfriend! :P

I tried to do the "1000 books to read before you die" list, but found it was zapping the enjoyment out of reading for me as there were some books I just know I won't read. However, it did introduce me to some new authors i hadn't read before.

I'm at 60/60 books and 22414 pages :)

Congrats Ellie!

I stumbled into the mystery/detective/crime genre after being mesmerized by the character Lisbeth in Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I then had to read the next two in the Millennium series. From there I continued with Nordic crime themes and discovered the Jo Nesbo series and the Nordic Noir reading group in GR. Michael Debdin's Aurelio Zen Italian detective series followed which was on TV here in Australia, Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti also set in Italy was next and finally The Australian Jack Irish series by Peter Temple. Hence my goal has been to work through these writers and enjoy this newly discovered genre.