One of my 2009 resolutions (and I *am* calling it a resolution because it’s something I’ve resolved) is to read more. As in WAY more. More being as many books as I can scarf down. Since network TV is turning into a crapfest of reality programming, forgoing all things story and canceling the shows with true character and heart (yes, I’m still ticked off about losing Firefly AND then Journeyman AND now Eli Stone), I’ll be going back to books to unwind. (I’ve chosen TV for a long time because at the end of a long writing day, I didn’t have to keep my eyes open to enjoy the dialogue!)
The last two weeks of ‘08 were wonderfully relaxing, though I was glad to see ‘09 arrive as it meant structure would return to my life, or at least as much structure as I ever have. 
While lazing about and clicking through to links posted at Twitter, I saw bunches of blogs around the web about reading challenges (this post at Maw Books Blog links to a LOT of the challenges readers can join). I’m participating this year in eHarlequin’s 2009 Book Challenge; I’m on a team (for now) with Lori Borrill, Elle Kennedy, Juliet Burns, Tracy Wolff, Loreth Anne White, and Laurie Gold. I like eHQ’s challenge because of their commitment to donating books to the National Center for Family Literacy. (You don’t have to be a member of a team to participate. Just set up an account, sign in, and post reviews!)
eHarlequin’s challenge does require at least 50% of the books read and reviewed be published by Harlequin or Silhouette or any of the single title imprints like Mira, HQN, Spice, Red Dress, etc. With the number of books I’ve downloaded from the site, and the number I’ve ordered this last year, that’s not going to be a problem. And it also lets me participate in the Read Your Own Books Challenge since, well, I have all these books! Another one I’ve decided to tackle is the 999 Challenge, reading 9 books each in 9 categories in ‘09, and for extra credit, doing so by 09/09/09! (Yes, that’s 81 books, but I’ll give myself the full year!) Another challenge I’m going to do is the New Author Challenge. For this one I’m going to read 25 new to me authors.
What I love about finding these challenges across the web is meeting new readers, making those friends, and discovering recommended books outside of my usual comfort zone. The romance community is awesome, but also insular, so stepping into the bigger reading world has been fun. If I stick with the plan (and how often do I NOT stick with plans), I will read at least 81 books this year. That’s only a book and a half (or so) a week, and really. With nothing on TV worth watching, how hard can it be?
I’ve made a page where I’ll post all the books as I read them and apply each to its challenge. I’ve also put an Amazon widget in the sidebar with books I’ve pulled off the TBR pile to read for the month. I might change my mind on those because I’m fickle that way, but for now, the books in that widget are my January choices to read. Some I’ll give away as I finish them. Others I’ll put into a box and give that away later on.
What about you? Are you participating in any Reading Challenges or have you set any personal reading goals? Is your TBR as overwhelming as mine? What are you reading right now? (I’m in the middle of two books, and enjoying both of them!)
I’m not participating in any official challenges, but I need to set a goal to read something outside of the romance genre this year. While I don’t consider the In Death series truly romance, it’s still Nora, so I don’t think that really counts.
I’d say more, but it just occured to me I could save this for a blog topic tomorrow. After four years of blogging, I’m starting to hoarde ideas. :)
by Shannon Stacey January 5th, 2009 at 12:39 pmLOL on hoarding ideas. I’ve read outside the genre for so long, that I’m having fun reading categories again. I think I just needed a break from what I write!
by Alison January 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pmI’ve looked at a challenge here and there, but always decide against it because in the end, the only one I can really do is my own one — to read as many books in one month as I possibly can. Alas, that’s enough for me at the moment! LOL :)
Lois
by Lois January 5th, 2009 at 1:58 pmLois – Sounds good to me!
by Alison January 5th, 2009 at 2:25 pmI am not participating in any challenges. I read appx. 1 book per day, and am reading The Rustler by Linda Lael Miller today.
by Estella January 5th, 2009 at 2:58 pmI set my own goals for reading for the year. I plan on reading at least one new-to-me author a month, at least 2 books from my tbr pile(must be bought before 2009), read more e-books since I got an e-reader, and give away books each month(ones I don’t plan on reading again or I duplicate copies).
by Liza January 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pmI’m not participating in the reading challenge. I’m currently reading “Midnight Sins” by Cynthia Eden.
by Jane January 5th, 2009 at 3:14 pmI turned off the television over a year ago. Occasionally I will watch a special show but for the most part I find watching tv a waste of time. I love to read. Because it is only my husband, Sweetie cat and me at home I can usually read to my heart’s content. I always have at least one book with me wherever I am. I really enjoy reading about men in uniforms whatever the genre. I am reading more new-to me authors. On my tbr list right now is your SG-5 series. Looking forward to hours of enjoyment with those books.
by Kathy G January 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pmKathy – There is a TON of TV I agree is a waste of time, but I can’t tell you how many nuggets and gems I pick up and twist into something I use in my books. Just a one liner will sometimes set off all sorts of ideas. It’s got to be a well written show, tho, and there are some with excellent dialogue and plot points and arcs.
by Alison January 5th, 2009 at 4:11 pmI plan to participate in eharlequin’s 2009 Book Challenge. I was part of last year’s challenge but ended up running out of time to post about 14 reviews that I’m still working on posting over there. As soon as I’m done with them, I’m going to officially sign up for this year’s challenge. I may look into others, but with working full time and going to school again full time, I’m not sure just how much time I’ll have.
by Karin January 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pmI’m not participating in any challenges, but my TBR pile keeps growing. When authors I enjoy write trilogies, I will buy them as each book comes out, but wait for the final one before reading them. I have a hard enough time waiting for the next book in a series(SG-5 being one of them) – after I finish the book, I want the next one now!
by Mary January 5th, 2009 at 5:24 pmJust finished Casting Spels by Barbara Bretton and John Grogan’s Marley And Me.
In the next few days, I’m going to be thinking about what challenges to do this year. I do like the LibraryThing one.
by Nicole January 5th, 2009 at 9:10 pmI’m participating in five at the moment, two of which I’m hosting.
War Through the Generations–reading 5 WWII books.
1% Well Read in which I’m meant to read 10 books off the 1001 books to read before you die list.
Dewey’s books Challenge–to remember a beloved book blogger who passed away this past November.
And the two I’m hosting…LOST books challenge (reading books featured on the show) and buy one book month and read it. :)
Good luck with your challenges!
by Amy January 5th, 2009 at 11:46 pmOooh, I hadn’t seen the 1% Well Read one. I’ll have to search it out. I did tailor mine to allow me to take advantage of all the books I own, though buying new ones is never that much of a hardship!!
by Alison January 6th, 2009 at 9:57 amNo challenges for me… I have been digging my way through a bunch of Historicals that I have… Read Read Read, gotta love it!
by Colleen January 6th, 2009 at 11:32 amHi Alison! Thanks for these links… I have to research and decide which I may join!! Since I read/listen to 20 books or so a month this could be fun. Just not sure 50% would be Harlequin and I need to check out the other options!
by MarthaE January 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pmI am sooo tempted to take on the 999 challenge, too …
Reading definitely beats out television at my place!
by MsBookish January 9th, 2009 at 11:49 pm[...] the eHarlequin reading challenge …. for which I, too, have signed up … as part of the RED HOT READER’S team (Alison explains it so much better than [...]
by Author Loreth Anne White January 14th, 2009 at 4:45 pm