My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly writer goals, and it’s time to share…
Reading Goals
Do you set reading goals for yourself each year?
I’ve always been an avid reader, so setting goals for reading books comes naturally to me. Last year, my goal was 50 books, and I ended up at 53. I added more Christian living books as well as several business/productivity books to the mix. I’m glad I did! They were terrific additions to my list.
The first book I read in 2017 was The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. What an inspiration! I learned so many things from this one. Dayton, Ohio was a hotbed of new ideas around the turn of the twentieth century, and many inventions originated in Dayton. Wilbur and Orville Wright fascinated me–how in the world could two brothers work together constantly, not to mention live together, and not drive each other bonkers? The book does mention their tempers and stubbornness, but I’m impressed by their dedication to the pursuit of flight.
Right now I’m reading Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. This book isn’t for everyone, but it IS for me. I love data and theories and trying different ways to get more done. It’s really helped me think about how I structure my day.
I’m still debating what my first novel of 2017 will be to read, but I’m guessing it won’t take me long. Fiction is delicious! The bulk of fiction I read is Christian romance, but I throw a classic or two in and sometimes I even try a new genre. Last year I read my very first cozy mystery. It was a fun read, and I plan on trying another author this year.
Here are a few titles I added to my Must Read in 2017 list:
If by Mark Batterson (Christian living book)
Their Surprise Daddy by Ruth Logan Herne (Love Inspired)
Still Life by Dani Pettrey (Christian Romantic Suspense)
True to You by Becky Wade (Christian Contemporary Romance)
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (Classic Literature)
The Regional Office is Under Attack! by Manuel Gonzales (General Fiction)
Additionally, I always read several Love Inspired novels, a few random novels from the library, a handful of business books and any nonfiction that catches my eye. Fifty seems to be a good number for me, so I’m sticking with it!
Do you always read the same genre? Do you add non-fiction to the mix? Any reading goals this year?
Have a terrific weekend!
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Hey Jill! I haven’t set a reading goal before, but I read a lot! So, this year I figured I would keep a list. So far I have read 11 books. I read a book outside my normal genres. It was a Christian zombie book. I love SyFy abnormal animals movies, like Lake Placid, Megashark vs Giant Octopus, Dinoshark, just to name a few lol, but had never read a book in this subject. Marcy Dyer put out a call for beta readers and I jumped on the opportunity. Oh my! What a book! I felt like I was in the movie. This book was Contagion and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Contagion is about “a ragtag group of survivors trying to make a life for themselves in spite of the outbreak of weaponized rabies.” I had to stop every couple of pages for my heart rate to slow down lol. I’m eager to try new books in new-to-me genres this year. I love biographies and always have several I read through the year. Between beta reading, editing, being on street teams to read and review, and just reading, I read so many books. Can’t wait till December to see what that total looks like!
Ooh, Contagion sounds so freaky! I read The Hot Zone years ago, and I still remember it vividly–freaked me out!! Good for you for tracking your books! I’ve done it for years. And now I keep a digital list on Evernote App on my phone. Makes it so easy to go back and find a book I’d read. Woohoo!!
It’s like reading goals are in the water this January! Everyone is talking about them! 🙂
I do mostly read within my genre (contemporary romance), but when I started doing daily reading with bebe, I decided to try to break out of that rut – so I’m doing not one but two reading challenges this year! GAH! The first is a read/watch challenge (each month has a theme and you’re supposed to read a book and watch a movie/documentary/tv show with the same general ‘theme’…the theme for January is ‘beginning’ — so I’m reading the first in a new series I’ve been meaning to read but skipping over). The second is a 50-books–this-year challenge. I’m excited to expand my reader horizons (in addition to fiction, I’m adding some self-help/daily living type books, some craft books, and several memoirs).
Check you out! TWO reading challenges! I’m impressed! I love your plan. I usually read a few memoirs or biographies each year, too, so if you find a good one, let me know!
Yes, I participate in the Goodreads reading challenge. Last year, I surpassed my goal and I plan to do the same this year. 🙂 I read Christian fiction and non-fiction. My husband only reads non-fiction. I love, love, love to read.
Ooh, I’m digging your enthusiasm! I love, love, love to read, too! Let me know how your goals go!!