Do you plan out what you’re going to read?
I don’t. Ever. And let me tell you, it’s starting to become a problem. Really, it’s odd that I haven’t done any reading planning – I love to plan! I plan and track everything!
For some reason, though, I’ve continued to read like I always have: picking up whatever looks cool at the time when I finish something. Sure, sometimes this makes sense. I love to just peruse my shelves and grab something that catches my eye.
Other times, my haphazard TBR approach leads to me feeling disorganized and like I’m not using my time efficiently.
In 2021, I set a modest 25 book reading goal, and I hit I believe 48 books finished. Woo! For this upcoming year I’m going to aim for 35 books, solely because we’re moving in the spring (more details on that later – it’s going to be a wild move) and life is going to look VERY different for the second half of the year. I’d rather set a low goal and surpass it than have extra pressure to get a ton of reading done on top of mothering, wife-ing, homeschooling, and writing.
So, without further ado, here are a few simple reading goals I have for 2022, leaving plenty of space for random reading, thrift store finds I just must start immediately, etc.
Keep in mind I almost always have 2-4 books on the go at once, so that helps.
In no particular order…
1. Finish reading The Odyssey
Self-explanatory. I started it. It’s very good, but it keeps getting pushed aside compared to modern, easy reads.
2. Read at least one other classic work
My current goal for this is Pride and Prejudice and (very short) Julius Caesar.Yes, a lame goal, to be sure. But I have spent too many years of my life reading ZERO classic works. Maybe I’ll do a post on my interest in educating myself on classical literature and how difficult that can be when coming from a place of ignorance. Hmm.
3. Read A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
This has been on my TBR for quite literally 15+ years. My dad loves it and “loaned” a copy to me that I’ve had forever. Oh, and it’s quite Catholic, which is neat.
4. Read The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn
There was a time when I was ripping through a mountain of spiritual as well as apologetic or historical books about Christianity. But like a lot of converts, I began to slow down a bit, and this past year I felt like my faith-based reading was lacking. I’ve had this book for a while and since I’ve been doing a lot of Bible reading and studying, I think it’ll be very interesting.
5. Finish the Staff & Sword series by Patrick W. Carr
This series is just everything I want in life right now. You can read my 5 star review of book one on the blog here. I also gave 5 stars to book 2, but kept that review to my Goodreads.
I just got book 3 in the mail, and I want to start it as soon as I can. ‘Cuz it’s gonna be awesome.
6. Read The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
That cover, y’all. I almost always read books way “late”, so it would be cool to read a series that’s not like 5 books in already. I hear a lot of good things about this book and this author.
7. Read the second Blades of Acktar book (by Tricia Mingerink)
I really enjoyed the first book in this Christian fantasy series, and I reviewed in on the blog. Tricia Mingerink (and her pen name for more general clean fantasy Tara Grayce) is someone I admire as a writer. She clearly works extremely hard and I love supporting indie authors!
8. Read Moonscript by H.S.J. Williams
Another indie Christian fantasy book. I see this one all over the place getting excellent reviews. I don’t read much by way of faeries or elves, but I’m intrigued. Also, I love the cover.
9. Procure and read more Tess Gerritsen
I already own the rest of the books I need for my goals this year, but I’m on the hunt for moreTess Gerritsen novels. Fortunately, they seem to go on sale on Kindle and show up at the thrift shop quite often. I’ve read 3 Tess Gerritsen novels in the past few months, I’m hooked. I reviewed the most recent one here. I want to read more of her Rizzoli & Isles series as well as her standalones.
10. Procure and read Michael Crichton
My best friend loves his books, I’ve never read any, but who doesn’t enjoy Jurassic Park?! I really want to read The Andromeda Strain and State of Fear. Another one I’m thrift shop hunting.
11. Read or re read some Stephen King… procure if necessary!
Okay, I own a few, and I’ve read more than I own. I have been reading his books since I was a preteen, so they have a special place in my heart, especially since my dad enjoys them, too. His book “On Writing” is my favorite book for authors of all time.
HOWEVER, I broke up with him for several years thanks to his clownishly ridiculously bad political views. Look, I get it, I read tons of books by people I disagree with but… it’s just too much at times, lol. I am choosing to remain ignorant of his Twitter and so forth going forward, because I do so love his stories.
I want to read his fantasy series, and I am going to just keep an eye out at thrift shops for any of his books that I don’t own. My husband just finished reading Misery which was his first King read ever, so I will probably re-read that fairly soon.
Okay, after writing this post for the last hour, this seems very doable 🙂
What are you guys reading next?
