So far October has been a great reading month for me – I’ve finished eight books (including Bleak House, which I began in August). Last weekend’s Readathon obviously helped, as well as the fact that I’ve had a week off work. I’m back to work tomorrow, so my reading will probably slow down again now – that’s okay though, as it will give me a chance to catch up with all the reviews I still need to post.
I’ve become aware recently of the increasing number of bloggers who like to read from lists, whether it’s a list of must-read classics, the longlist or shortlist for a literary prize, a list of books from a specific publisher or a list for a personal challenge. Compared to a lot of people, my reading has no real structure at all. When I finish one book, I just choose another from my shelf almost at random – whatever I’m in the mood for next. I also try to only sign up for challenges that allow flexibility and where sticking to a list is not essential. I do wonder though whether it would be a good idea to try to plan my reading more than I currently do. There are so many books that I keep saying I want to read ‘sometime’, but ‘sometime’ is disappearing further and further into the future!
What do you think? Do you like to read from lists or do you just read whatever you feel like reading?
Before I go, I want to mention that yesterday was my first Blogoversary! It’s hard to believe it was a whole year ago when I decided to start a book blog. The time seems to have flown! I’d like to say thank you to everyone who reads my blog, and I’m looking forward to the next 12 months!
Happy Blogoversary! I like to read from lists. These are lists of my own making. I’m currently reading from about 3 lists plus some random books add. It may take me up to or sometimes more than a year to complete a particular list. Some list are for books that I want to remember to read, or specific themes etc. I also like reading other people’s lists so, of course, I would encourage you to draw up a few :).
I think I’ll probably draw up one or two lists of books I want to read in 2011, but will try not to put myself under too much pressure to complete them. Good luck with your own lists, by the way!
Happy 1st Birthday, Helen! 🙂
Congratulations on such a wonderful blog with tonnes of books that I am interested in – I always look forward to your posts. Keep up the good work.
Boof x
Thanks Boof! 🙂
Congratulations on you blog’s first birthday!
I read from my own lists, and am only signed up to two challenges, one of which isn’t really happening any more. My own lists are just books I really want to read, so at the moment it’s a short list of classics to be read by sometime soon. Other than that I’m pretty much like you.
I signed up to far too many challenges this year. They all sounded so tempting!
I get bored quickly if I try to read from lists…I’ve tried, but it doesn’t work. I like challenges that are flexible and let me choose from a pool of books that I can change whenever I want.
Happy blogoversary! I only found your blog in the past few months but I’m glad I have.
I don’t like having to make lists for challenges because I know I’ll end up reading something entirely different! And thanks – I’m glad I found your blog too.
Congratulations on one year of blogging, Helen!
As for lists, I’m great at making them both horrible at sticking to them… once a list is actual a physical list rather than an idea floating down in my head, I seem to grow bored of it in no time. But I do keep an eye on award lists for reading suggestions.
Thanks Ana! I’m better at making lists than sticking to them too. I often look at the award lists and make a note of any books that appeal to me, but I’m not too bothered about reading the whole list.
I like to look at lists, but ultimately read whatever I feel like.
Happy blogaversary! Today is mine– how weird is that?!?
Oh, happy blogoversary to you too, Ash! 🙂