Category Archives: Challenges

My Reading Goals and How it’s Okay Not to Make Them

The title of this post is the direct result of the cold meds running through my system. This entire week has been me just trying to make it to the weekend. I’m almost there, but not quite. I am still sick and haven’t had time to go to the doctor. Work is still crazy. It’s raining cats and dogs and my office is like a meat locker which translates to flippin’ cold (although I’d use a different word if I said it in person).

I wrote reviews this week. Interesting reviews that probably need to be re-written before I post them. The influence of medication on writing can be powerful. Reading books while sick can also be interesting too. I’ve read so many and yet, they are all so strange to me now. I’ve had nightmare after nightmare of worlds gone wrong. Those have not been fun but the conversations I’ve had about them have been entertaining.

What was my point? Oh! I won’t be making my reading goals this year. I can’t even blame it on me being sick. I got stalled with one book and it just went downhill from there. I don’t participate in challenges but I do set a reading goal for myself each year, and usually I make it. This year? I won’t. I am nineteen books away and currently reading a chunkster so I’ve given myself permission to not make my goal this year. There. I said it. I also promised to finally read a book by Austen and that didn’t happen either.

And it’s okay.

It’s okay because the month is flying by and December is coming up fast. I want to savor it a little bit. You know, squeeze out as much as I can before I have to take all the decorations down again.

It’s okay because there are winter concerts to attend, and show tickets to buy and visits with people that I haven’t spent time with all year.

It’s okay because there are new recipes that I want to try and there is nothing better than a weekend of cooking when it’s rainy and cold outside.

It’s okay because we still have to find THE pic for the Christmas card. I had planned to take one last weekend, but The Girl had a monster of a fever blister so that was definitely NOT the time to take one.

It’s okay because the pup sits on my head while I am reading anyway.

It’s okay and at the end of this year, I’ll set another reading goal (just for fun) and start the whole process all over again.

So if you find yourself struggling with your goal, I give you permission to say “It’s okay” because it really is. And if it really bothers you, you can just cheat and change your goal and then feel like a winner again.

See? I have an answer for everything.

48 Hour Read-a-Thon (Fun x 2)

48 Hour Read-a-Thon Button

Isn’t this the cutest button?

Wallace over at Unputdownables is hosting a 48 Hour Read-a-Thon. You heard that right. 48 hours of fun. That’s double what we’re used to and it starts this Friday, July 30, 2010.

I know that I won’t be able to participate for the entire 48 hours but I will be reading as much as I can and posting a few updates as time permits. I need this badly because my vacation was supposed to include a lot of reading and with the rowdy campers and monstrous mosquitoes and the last-minute switch in plans, I never got to read! I’ve been reading all week but I am still behind.

So… what do I plan to read? Here is a short list:

  • The Stand by Stephen King (gotta finish it!)
  • Coming Up For Air by George Orwell
  • The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (for book club which meets very soon)
  • One Day by David Nicholls

As you can see, nothing earth shattering as I have mentioned all of these within the past week. If I can finish a couple of these and start the others, I’ll be really happy.

If you have a pile that you need to get through, why not join us? Details can be found here. It’s always more fun to read together.