I posted my resolutions for the new year on Wednesday. These were personal goals that I want to work on. But, I have some blogging and reading goals for the year too.
Last year, I got in a serious reading and blogging slump. I just didn’t have the motivation to read. And, while I wanted to blog, I felt like I had nothing to blog about and no motivation to think of something to blog about. This year, I want to get out of both of these slumps and I think having some goals will help me do it.
Reading Goals
I only read 24 books last year. With my slump, I say that’s pretty good, though, because I still surpassed the number I read the previous year (but I was in school and working full-time that year). This year, I want to read at least 25 books. I hope to read more, but I’m starting off slow so I don’t feel too pressured to keep it up, making me go further into my slump.
I’ve also decided that if I’m not into a book by the time I’ve read 100 pages, I’m going to stop reading it. I may or may not choose to pick it up again at a later time.
I’m also going to read what I want when I want. I’m not going to be dictated by release dates, review schedules, or even my book club. If the book just doesn’t sound interesting to me at that particular time, I’m not going to force it on myself.
I think the latter two decisions will help me get out of my slump more than anything else … I hope.
Blogging Goals
I’ll continue to blog both about books and personal things. But, I don’t want to be dictated by a schedule. So, no more Weigh-In Wednesday posts. Even though these helped me with my weight-loss goals last year, I felt very frazzled every Tuesday evening and Wednesday day. It took the fun out of blogging (and getting healthy). I’ll still give updates every once in a while; they’ll just be when I feel like it.
I’m only going to participate in two memes from now on, and I won’t participate in them every week. I love the Top Ten Tuesday meme by The Broke and the Bookish, but I don’t always feel like I have something to add. I’ll keep participating when I feel like it’s relevant to me. I also love the Follow Friday meme by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read because it’s a great way to meet more bloggers. But, again, I don’t always feel like I have anything to say or I feel like the question is too much of a repeat from a time before. So, I’ll keep participating when I feel like it.
I want to comment more. Last year, I commented quite a bit, but I feel like I stopped commenting as much as I did because I got bogged down. One of the things I love about blogging is the interaction with others and I really miss that.
I want to do more discussion posts. Those are the posts I love to comment on because of the natural interaction they create. I want to create that type of an atmosphere on my blog.
I want to loosen up a bit. My writing is so stiff! I know it is. It’s my need to be technically correct on everything. I don’t let my voice flow like it ought to and I want to develop that more.
Anyway, I think these are good things to work on during the year. And, I look forward to what this year brings and see how I’ll improve.
What types of reading and blogging goals have you set for the new year?
About Jenni Elyse
Blogger. Reader. Movie watcher. Social media addict. Crocheter. Time waster. Animal lover. 
All good goals. I need to put books down that I’m not enjoying too. I always force my self to finish them. Sigh.
We can help each other with that goal!
Sounds like perfect goals to me! I think they are all pretty much my goals too.
Thanks! I’m glad they’re your goals too! We can help each other out!
When it comes to not being into a book, usually I start skimming a little bit because I’m so curious about the end, even though the story is frustrating me. Sometimes I’ll hit a good spot and the story gets better… sometimes it stays the same. It’s sometimes better to just stop reading it too, especially when there are much better books out there!
These are great goals for you! It feels good to rework what you want out of your reading and blogging life.
That’s a good idea to skim the book to see if it gets any better. That would at least give me something to shoot for, lol. If I hadn’t pushed through Precious Bane, I wouldn’t have finished it and I’d have missed out on that lovely story. Thanks for the advice!
Great goals! One reason I don’t ask for ARCs is cause I don’t want the pressure. I like to read what I want too. I also do the 100 pages thing. I think if I give a book 100 pages, it is generous, and I have stuck with it long enough to know I’m not interested.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t ask for ARCs. It’s so prevalent among book bloggers; I felt like the only one.
These are good goals!!
My goal, this first week of the new year, is to clean out my Reader, and get back on a blogging schedule. I got overwhelmed …. and then got just plain lazy. So, I’m planning on getting my butt back into a schedule. And commenting more on other people’s blogs, like yours! That too!!
That’s a good goal to work on first. Fortunately, I cleaned out my reader in December and have a pretty good way to keep track of posts now. And, yes, I need to comment more! I’m excited that you’ll be blogging more often again. I love your blog and posts and look forward to commenting!
I have the same problem with my writing sometimes…it’s not as expressive as I want it to be. Great goals!!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has that problem. You and I should work on it together!
Such inspiring goals! I really like allowing yourself to just read what you feel. I get into slumps when I have too much that I HAVE to read. I look forward to following along with you again this year.
Thanks, Jessica.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets in slumps. I’m looking forward to getting out of it this year. 