New Year’s Resolution

OK, I have to get this down in print before I lose my resolve. I’ve done New Year’s Resolutions before, and I can’t really remember any of them, but I do know I never got past the first month or so. If that. This year I hope to do better, mostly because this is something specific, not general or overwhelming like “I will exercise more” or “I will learn Spanish”. And also because this is something I’ve thought about a great deal over the last year or so.

As anyone who’s spent much time with me can attest to, I read LOTS of books. Lots. Great amounts. Not as many as I used to back in high school, or even college, mainly because of work and house and other life activities becoming more of a priority, but still a sizeable amount - probably 3-4 novels a week. I read at work during lunch, at home in the evenings before going to bed, on the weekends anytime I can… OK, it’s kind of an addiction. Or an escape. Or vicarious adventure seeking. Hmm.. maybe I’d better not get into an in-depth psychoanalysis of myself in this case, I might not like what I find.

Anywhoo. Having read God knows how many books throughout my life, I typically have pretty strong opinions about the books I read, the writers’ styles, characters, plots etc. Mostly I look at what kind of reading experience the books provide. I’ve often thought, “what the heck were the publishers thinking about letting this part of the book go through?” or “wow, there’s lots of typos in here… doesn’t anyone proof read these?” and “I could do a better job at picking out good books than some of these publishers!” And so, for my New Year’s Resolution, I’m going to write at least a short review of every book I read for the next year. This will also provide me with an ongoing record of books I’ve read and authors I like, which will be great because I sometimes find a new author whose book I enjoy, and after returning the book to the library promtly forget who wrote it. Annoying. I’ve also started to read books and gotten halfway through them before I realize I’ve read them before. Also annoying, as I usually remember what happened then. And, this will give me something to blog about regularly, and a chance to be opinionated and pretentious. What fun!

I am by no means a well-rounded reader, having a tendency to stick to books written by familiar authors and in limited genres (I do NOT read thrillers, except the occasional Anne Stuart, and hardly ever Westerns, or dramas, or Sci Fi unless it’s by someone I know etc). So part of my resolution will be to randomly pick a book off the shelf at least a couple times over the next year. Although if I grab one and it looks scary or weird or sad I probably won’t read it. But I’ll TRY.

I would love any book suggestions! Although if it’s your favoritest book ever make sure to let me know so I’ll only say nice things about it. And I won’t read non-fiction unless it’s a funny memoir of the Patrick McManus variety, because I want to be entertained when I read, and I really don’t want to have to try too hard to get through the books I read. Reading is supposed to be fun! It’s not college anymore people.

Oh yeah, and this year I resolve to exercise more regularly, and be nicer to people even when they’re dumb, and try new activities, and refresh my Spanish, and write to people via snail mail more, and email people more, and comment on people’s blogs more, and go to bed early enough (oops, already not doing well…), and keep my house cleaner, and organize my closets, and drive more responsibly, and budget my money better, and try cooking new recipes, and to be more adventurous with my appearance and clothing, and send out birthday cards and Christmas cards in a timely manner, and always -ok, typically- be on time, and and and…. I think that’s it. Ooh, I want to learn to sing better. And be a better listener. And know when to stop…

Happy New Year everyone! Hope the coming year is one filled with adventure, and self-awareness, and all sorts of fun things.