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Thursday, January 3, 2013

It's a new year, so I must challenge myself!!

I would love to read more books in 2013 than I did last year. I read more than 70 books in 2012, but I had a really good head start before my first semester of grad school. I go back to school at the end of the month, and I just don't think it will be possible to read more than 70 books this year. I had to lower my reading goal to 65 books (Update: As of Jan. 20 I changed it to 60 books. Needed to be more realistic!). I hope I reach it.

I'm also challenging myself to not buy any books (I will make exceptions for textbooks) for one month. I have some books on order, which I purchased with my Christmas money in December. So I figure those don't count. As much as I would hate to, I can turn away a piece of cake. But I have SERIOUS problems walking out of a bookstore without purchasing something. I can and will still accept review books. I know my fellow book lovers will agree, it is REALLY REALLY hard to not buy books. I just want to see how long I can last. If I make it one month, I will try to go a little further. It will also help keep a little extra money in my wallet!!

I'm also thinking about broadening my horizons. For the most part, I stick to contemporary and non-fiction books. I have had a serious mental block with paranormal and dystopian books. I like my books to be based in reality. I never thought it was worth my time to get involved with the mythology of made up worlds. That way of thinking is cutting me off from some really good books. After watching several Youtube videos, I feel like I need to get in on the fun. I'm starting off with the Beautiful Creatures series. Although I seem to have ordered the set at the wrong time. The hardcover boxed set is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, and nearly 10 days later I'm still waiting for my books.. However, no matter what happens I will NEVER, EVER read the Twilight series. I glanced at a copy of the first book once, and I was not impressed. The movies haven't changed my perception either. I watched five minutes of one of the movies, and the rather wooden acting was a huge turnoff.

I do have one more challenge for myself in 2013. I must read at least 10 books from my personal reading pile. I haven't read a book from personal pile in nearly two years. I'm always putting a premium on review books over my own personal pile, and that has to stop. I love the books that I'm pitched, but my personal pile is suffering for it.

No. 1 on my personal pile....

I feel so out of the loop with this one. I feel like every blogger has read The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I actually bought this book the week it came out, but that was a year ago!! It's been collecting dust on my shelf every since. I have never read a John Green book, but I love the Youtube videos he does with his brother Hank.

No. 2.....

I hear Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn has a seriously twisted ending.

No. 3.....

I love non-fiction just as much as fiction. I have heard nothing but good things about Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

What's up next?

There are a lot of books I want to get to within the next two months. Most of them are review books, and they look pretty good.

Believe Like a Child by Paige Dearth -- A young child tries to rebound from a painful childhood, which included sexual abuse.

Dizzy by Arthur Wooten -- A Broadway actress is stricken by a chronic illness, and must re-evaluate her life. It's a fictional memoir based on the author's own experiences.

The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn -- Your neighbors have a little secret. Could it be murder?

Hysteria by Megan Miranda -- A teenage girl has killed her boyfriend. She can't remember how, but she knows it was self-defense. I loved her last book, Fracture, so I hope this one is just as good.

Ten Days by Janet Gilsdorf -- A child's illness takes its toll on the family.

Cherokee Talisman by David-Michael Harding -- A fictional look at the Cherokee nation.

Saving Each Other by Victoria Jackson & Ali Guthy -- This one is non-fiction. A close-knit family struggles to help their daughter through difficult health problems.

Lace by Shirley Conran -- Another erotica book, except this one is a chunker at nearly 800 pages.

There is so much more I have to get to, but I figure this is a good list to start off 2013 with.

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