I should confess up front that I’ve never really been one to plan ahead with my reading. I’ve always read on a whim, whatever my reading mojo feels it must read – and in fact if I feel I *should* read something it often puts me off. However, since starting to blog about books I have started to focus a little and plan my forthcoming reads a tiny bit – and I have often managed to stick to the plans! I greatly admire those who can decide what they’re going to read for the next month (or indeed the next 12 months) and then stay on track.
Having said that, I am going to set myself a few goals for 2013:
1. Read more books from the TBR – and conversely try to purchase a few less…
2. Heavenali and lots of other lovely LibraryThing VMC group members are having a Barbara Pym readalong for 2013 and so I shall be joining in and reading a Pym a month – as the books I have by Pym are on the TBR this will help with goal 1!
3. Simon at Stuck in a Book is having a group read of Julia Strachey’s “Cheerful Weather for the Wedding” in January – as I have already read this book once, I shall join in and this will help with goal 4:
4. Heavenali is hosting a month of re-reading in January – which I think is an admirable thing to do because as she rightly points out, “That first experience of a book can’t be entirely re-created, but it can be enhanced.” I won’t commit completely to re-reading only, but I shall re-read as many titles as I can fit in alongside my new reading.
5. I have started to collect Anthony Powell’s “Dance to the Music of Time” sequence, aiming to get a set in lovely vintage orange Penguin. As there are 12 books, I’ve decided to commit to reading one a month. They are, after all, slim volumes and I think I should be able to manage this – and it is less intimidating than sitting down to read all 12 in one session!
So, to specific books for January:
Some Tame Gazelle – the first of the Barbara Pym titles
A Question of Upbringing – the first of the Anthony Powells
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding – I have this lovely Penguin version
Happy Moscow – a new translation by Robert Chandler which is therefore a re-read (as I read the previous translation from the library) and a new read!
One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich – another dual purpose book as this is also a new translation
Other possibles on the soon-to-be-read-hopefully pile are in the picture below – whether I get to them or get distracted is another matter, especially as there are all the Christmas and birthday books to think of. I think I need a month off work to catch up……
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Jan 02, 2013 @ 08:52:28
I didn’t used to make plans either. I now try to plan what I am going to read each month – but I don’t make myself stick to it if I really don’t fancy something suddenly – it does help me to know what will be coming up. I am so looking forward Barbara Pym, I have already started Some Tame Gazelle. Also looking forward to the re-reading.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:55:55
I do agree that trying to have a loose structure does help – especially if you’re blogging! But I like to leave myself leeway for an impulse read. I have dipped a toe into Some Tame Gazelle and enjoyed what I’ve read so far – so once I have finished the current read I will get started on it!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:18:45
I love your idea of reading one book of a series each month – that sounds like an excellent plan. I haven’t any 2013 reading plans – I know my inconstancy only too well!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 15:43:21
I’m very fluid with my reading plans too – but I figured one book a month wouldn’t stress me *too* much!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:21:30
When I started my blog I joined about a million reading challenges, and enjoyed choosing books for each one and making sure I read them within the challenge time frame. After a while, however, I realized I was planning my reads months in advance and it took all the fun out of it. Now I have goals, similar to yours, and like Ali I plan what I’m going to read each month, but I’m OK with changing that plan if something better comes along.
I like your goals a lot, and I’m glad to see you’re taking on “Dance”. Did you know there’s a book-a-month group read on LibraryThing, as part of the 75 Books Challenge group? Let me know if you’d like more info on that!
Also, a month off work to read sounds divine!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 15:42:35
The book-a-month group sounds intriguing – yes, please point me in their direction! Looking forward to “Dance” very much!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 15:55:01
Here’s the main thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147074, which includes links to threads for the monthly reads. You don’t have to be a member of the 75 Books group to participate (it’s a very active/chatty group, and some find it overwhelming). Just “star” the threads you’re interested in so you can find them easily. I finished the series last year so I won’t be joining in — just think of me as a cheerleader on the sidelines!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 16:09:44
Brilliant – thanks Laura!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 18:32:07
I don’t know Pym’s work and suspect she might crop up on my century reading list for one of the trickier years. I do love these reading years and reading month events though, one of my favourite things about being a book blogger is not just seeing the one off reviews but seeing a blogger’s understanding deepen with a particular author or genre.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 18:41:14
That’s a very good point Alex – I certainly found my view of Elizabeth Taylor changed and matured as I read more. And it ties in with what I’m finding as I write more about books – I’m thinking about them more deeply and why I like them and what they’re saying to me – which is a nice thing to get out of blogging!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 23:27:32
i’ve learned over the years not to plan too much and not to sign up too much, but direction is good. I’m trying to read the books that call, with a few long term projects to remind me what’s important.
I read ‘Dance’ a long time ago and loved it. I passed my copies on last time I moved house, but bought the full set of tv tie-in editions in Oxfam some time later, because I ‘dlike to read it again one day.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 10:32:19
I have high hopes for “Dance” – so many people seem to love it!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 15:20:24
What a good idea to read “Dance” one a month (why did I never think of that?). I’ve got a new-ish edition of the whole thing in 4 volumes and I was quite pleased with them when I got them, but now I’m positively drooling over the thought of them in orange Penguins, I just love the cover you showed here! I hope you enjoy them – I’m rewatching the TV adaptation at the moment.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 15:57:40
It just occurred to me as I was thinking about reading for the new year – then Laura pointed out to me there was a thread to do just this on LibraryThing – so there you go, I can do this in company!