Reading Resolutions: 2018

Reading Resolutions: 

2018

So, 2017 is finally at a close. As I am writing this the year only has four hours and forty-five minutes left. I must say that I am glad that this year is at an end. While I had the experience of a lifetime this year where I lived and studied in one of the most beautiful places on earth: The Adirondack Park; I am ready to move forward and try to skuttle through current and future political changes. Reading War and Peace for the first time is by far a high for me and gave me the courage to break out and read/think about many dense and philosophical issues which the world is facing. With my new found courage from completing War and Peace I know that I can read anything I set my mind to, including Infinite Jest by: David Foster Wallace. Twenty-seventeen has been a year of growth and discovery for my reading life, shifting reading tastes heavily into literary fiction and classics, reading fewer books, reading War and Peace, re-branding my blog, and so much more.

With another year gone and a new one on the cusp it is time for me to lay out my reading resolutions for 2018: 

Reading Goals:

1. Read a majority, if not all of Charles Dickens major novels.
1. This one is fairly self explanitory, I would like to read most of Charles Dickens catalog in 2018. This reading challenge alone is daunting with the length of his works only increasing as his years at the craft progressed. This goal came to me when I watched the film The Man Who Invented Christmas earlier this fall. After seeing this film I realized how brilliant DIckens was as a writer and that I had never completed one of his novels, thus I needed to rectify that. Reading his works never intimidated me, his plotlines always intrigued me; however it was a matter of finding an edition that I could see the font in that limited my progress. Armed with the new Vintage Classic Dickens Set I am ready to race through his books in 2018 to discover the genius that was, Charles Dickens. 
2. Read more classics
1. In this goal I just mean to read more acclaimed literature, both Classics as in Greek and Roman literature, and Victorian, modern, and Elizabethan classics. In fulfilling the Charles Dickens challenge I will complete this goal. 
3. Buy fewer books
1. I have come to the conclusion that I own far, far, too many unread books on my shelves to in good conscience continue to acquire copious amounts of new ones. To slow my acquisition process in 2018 I will limit my book buying to two books per month. This will still allow me to collect those novels that I eagerly await, while also forcing me to not place orders of 5+ books at once. In this same goal I would like to read the newly acquired books within two months after acquiring them.
4. Read 52 books

Blogging Goals: 

1. Post twice each week 
1. Eventually I would like to work my way back to three posts each week, however with my University schedule and the other reading goals. These posts will fall on Wednesdays and Sundays for the time being. I look forward to making more content in the new year!
2. Host giveaways bi-monthly 
1. These will allow me to show my appreciation to my readers every other month by offering you all a chance to win a book I loved, or would like to read. In doing this I would also like to buddy-read these books with the winners to create more of an inclusive conversation around the books that I read; instead of me sitting alone and typing my thoughts. 

Through these goals I hope to accomplish many things in the upcoming year, first and foremost to read more phenomenal books, second to chat more about my experiences with you all, and third to help my blog grow. I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who has stuck with my blog even through the transition in my reading tastes, and I hope we all will have a happy and prosperous New Year!

Happy New Year!