Like many others, my reading focus this year will be less amount quantity and more about substance. I may re-read old favorites instead of rushing to read the newest buzzy book. I may linger with one book longer than anticipated and let the author’s words permeate deeper than they otherwise would.
I am on a mission I am calling #TBRTakedown I have such a backlog of books I have bought but never read. This past year I counted my books and categorized read and unread. Currently I have read 127/344 (37%). My goal is to get to at least 50% read by the end of the year, with no additional purchases until then. Wish me luck! (and you can follow along as I'm hoping to document this on my substack lol)
The strategy that I have employed the last few years - if I can even call it something so formal as a "strategy" - is the one I'll employ this year: taking personal recommendations from people I know & picking up ideas along the way from writers and publications I trust. I add them to a "menu" of books, as opposed to a "to read" list, per Oliver Burkeman's advice. Creating a "to read" list just turns it into an obligation, whereas a menu is something from which you can pick an option without feeling obliged to eat everything as fast as possible. Works for me.
This year, my goal is to read through the 21 Westerns Every Man should read. I’m off to a slow start but I’m really enjoying Riders of the Purple Sage so far. Honestly, never thought I’d be into the western genre but after reading Lonesome Dove with Jeremy in 2023, I’ve change my tune and now the west is calling.
Yes, joined the slow read for War & Peace and also excited to read the unabridged version of Les Miserables! Hoping to read a lot more classics and nonfiction this year. My first nonfiction reads for the year are Atomic Habits and 7 Habits for Growth
I'm also joining the substance reading crew this year. But a few that are exciting to me right now: The Three Body Problem, East of Eden, and Oathbringer. Excited to see what the year brings!
This year I’m determined to get through a number of books I’ve purchased but which have been sitting on my bookshelves for several years unread. I have an omnibus volume of Graham Greene which I want to tackle; the early Shirley Jackson novels in the Library of America edition; Babel Tower by A. S. Byatt; the Ripley novels by Patricia Highsmith. I’ve already made a start on “A History of the Bible” by John Barton, bought almost four years ago.
I know this feeling. There are a few unread Greene books on my shelf too. I’m resolved to read “It’s A Battlefield” this year if only because I like the title. For me, the big goal is to read more of Sir Walter Scott for the simple reason that they’re pretty funny and clever.
I'd like to get into "The Great Conversation," to try & broaden myself;
"Lincoln's Melancholy," because as Lincoln was I find myself in a position of leadership while also with a history of being in treatment for mental illness
And several by P.G. Wodehouse after his citation as an inspiration to the British satire boom in my current road read, Humphrey Carpenter's "A Great Silly Grin."
Kingsolver has a lot of books. If I could recommend one, it would be Flight Behavior. Or Prodigal Summer. And for nonfiction: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.
This year I am planning on the Big Read books for my “paper “ reading
On audio I am planning to go ancient world. I listened to the Iliad last year and hope to do the Aeneid next year. I plan to listen to the Odyssey this year and then maybe something inspired modern inspired by it. I’ve heard Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, Margaret Atwood’s Penelopiad, and Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain were all inspired by it so will try one or more of those
I’m setting a goal to read more plays, at least one every couple weeks. I read so many in college and really miss diving into them. I’m also hoping to get to the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. I also have a ton of non-fiction I’ve been meaning to read so I plan to tackle that tbr pile.
I have a few small presses that I'm excited to dive into: Split/Lip Press, Two Lines Press, Dorothy Project, and Transit Books are high on the list. Plus the huge number of NYRB books on my shelves...they have too many good sales! Happy New Year!
I have been reading the Slow Horses series by Mick Herron and plan on reading more of them. I also plan on reading "A Place of Greater Safety" by Hillary Mantel that has been on my shelf for too long. Emily Wilson's new translations of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are also on my list. Along with the books from The Big Read.
I just started The Armor of Light by Ken Follett and it’s really good. I have loved this series of his. I have so many books on my TBR list that I would like to get to some of those this year before I buy anymore. Ha! Not likely! I’m also wanting to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings again this year. I haven’t read them since around 1979 or 1980. We’ll see. I read a lot so hopefully can accomplish all of this along with The Big Read selections as well.
Like many others, my reading focus this year will be less amount quantity and more about substance. I may re-read old favorites instead of rushing to read the newest buzzy book. I may linger with one book longer than anticipated and let the author’s words permeate deeper than they otherwise would.
"I may re-read old favorites instead of rushing to read the newest buzzy book."
Preach! 🙌 I'm so sick of new book hype.
Agreed, new book hype is just a by-product of social media (which I don’t use anymore). So much book hype feels forced and artificial. Yuck!
Oh, yes!
I am on a mission I am calling #TBRTakedown I have such a backlog of books I have bought but never read. This past year I counted my books and categorized read and unread. Currently I have read 127/344 (37%). My goal is to get to at least 50% read by the end of the year, with no additional purchases until then. Wish me luck! (and you can follow along as I'm hoping to document this on my substack lol)
Great goal!
The strategy that I have employed the last few years - if I can even call it something so formal as a "strategy" - is the one I'll employ this year: taking personal recommendations from people I know & picking up ideas along the way from writers and publications I trust. I add them to a "menu" of books, as opposed to a "to read" list, per Oliver Burkeman's advice. Creating a "to read" list just turns it into an obligation, whereas a menu is something from which you can pick an option without feeling obliged to eat everything as fast as possible. Works for me.
Love it. Burkeman's approach is great, isn't it. I'm also more and more relying on human recommendations over any listicle or algorithm.
This year, my goal is to read through the 21 Westerns Every Man should read. I’m off to a slow start but I’m really enjoying Riders of the Purple Sage so far. Honestly, never thought I’d be into the western genre but after reading Lonesome Dove with Jeremy in 2023, I’ve change my tune and now the west is calling.
Ah, what a great list to work through! Among the most fun I've had with a reading project.
Yes, joined the slow read for War & Peace and also excited to read the unabridged version of Les Miserables! Hoping to read a lot more classics and nonfiction this year. My first nonfiction reads for the year are Atomic Habits and 7 Habits for Growth
Ditto on classics! Great picks.
I'm also joining the substance reading crew this year. But a few that are exciting to me right now: The Three Body Problem, East of Eden, and Oathbringer. Excited to see what the year brings!
Is the new Sanderson on your list, too? Though I guess it's coming so late in the year, it might be hard to finish in '24 haha
It is on the list, but we'll have to see if I'm feeling up to a year end Sanderson sprint haha
I'm planning to delve more deeply into writers like CS Lewis. I feel like there's a whole genre that I somehow missed all this time.
Great choice. I always feel refreshed when reading him.
This year I’m determined to get through a number of books I’ve purchased but which have been sitting on my bookshelves for several years unread. I have an omnibus volume of Graham Greene which I want to tackle; the early Shirley Jackson novels in the Library of America edition; Babel Tower by A. S. Byatt; the Ripley novels by Patricia Highsmith. I’ve already made a start on “A History of the Bible” by John Barton, bought almost four years ago.
"This year I’m determined to get through a number of books I’ve purchased but which have been sitting on my bookshelves for several years unread."
This *could* be my resolution every year. Ha!
I know this feeling. There are a few unread Greene books on my shelf too. I’m resolved to read “It’s A Battlefield” this year if only because I like the title. For me, the big goal is to read more of Sir Walter Scott for the simple reason that they’re pretty funny and clever.
I've never read Greene.. someday soon!
I'd like to get into "The Great Conversation," to try & broaden myself;
"Lincoln's Melancholy," because as Lincoln was I find myself in a position of leadership while also with a history of being in treatment for mental illness
And several by P.G. Wodehouse after his citation as an inspiration to the British satire boom in my current road read, Humphrey Carpenter's "A Great Silly Grin."
I also have Lincoln's Melancholy on my shelf. :)
Kingsolver has a lot of books. If I could recommend one, it would be Flight Behavior. Or Prodigal Summer. And for nonfiction: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.
Thanks Jean! Appreciate the rec.
This year I am planning on the Big Read books for my “paper “ reading
On audio I am planning to go ancient world. I listened to the Iliad last year and hope to do the Aeneid next year. I plan to listen to the Odyssey this year and then maybe something inspired modern inspired by it. I’ve heard Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, Margaret Atwood’s Penelopiad, and Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain were all inspired by it so will try one or more of those
Love it.
În 2023 I discovered that there are almost 300 Star Wars books out there, wich kind of blew my mind.
Going to start reading those.
Also I hope to read more of the Harry Bosch novels, currently at the Scarecrow.
Other than that, I plan to advance in reading tom clancy s novels, I ve just started the red cardinal .
At the end of 2023 I ve started Vikram Chandra s (?) Sacred Games, wich I plan to finish too.
Nice! There are indeed a bajillion Star Wars novels.
I’m setting a goal to read more plays, at least one every couple weeks. I read so many in college and really miss diving into them. I’m also hoping to get to the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. I also have a ton of non-fiction I’ve been meaning to read so I plan to tackle that tbr pile.
Oh cool! I've read very few plays. Good luck.
I have a few small presses that I'm excited to dive into: Split/Lip Press, Two Lines Press, Dorothy Project, and Transit Books are high on the list. Plus the huge number of NYRB books on my shelves...they have too many good sales! Happy New Year!
Ah, fun! I love the NYRB editions.
I have been reading the Slow Horses series by Mick Herron and plan on reading more of them. I also plan on reading "A Place of Greater Safety" by Hillary Mantel that has been on my shelf for too long. Emily Wilson's new translations of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are also on my list. Along with the books from The Big Read.
I have those Wilson translations high on my list as well. Hoping to get to them this year.
I just started The Armor of Light by Ken Follett and it’s really good. I have loved this series of his. I have so many books on my TBR list that I would like to get to some of those this year before I buy anymore. Ha! Not likely! I’m also wanting to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings again this year. I haven’t read them since around 1979 or 1980. We’ll see. I read a lot so hopefully can accomplish all of this along with The Big Read selections as well.
Follett is just great. And I have LOTR high on my re-read list too. Only been 5-6 years for me, but I always enjoy revisiting it.