That’s a good question on a number of levels really, as 2020 was something of a hideous year and frankly 2021 isn’t looking any better at the moment… Add in the fact that as a rule, I’m rubbish with challenges or events and you get the picture… However, I *am* going to commit to a couple of things in the first half of the year and we’ll see how it goes!
First up is Japanese Literature Challenge 14 from Dolce Bellezza:
I pretty much always try to take part in this but don’t always succeed. I love Japanese Lit, though, and have any number of books I could read, so I will try..
Coming up in April, I will be co-hosting the 1936 Club with Simon from Stuck in a Book; our clubs are always such fun and this looks to be another great year – do join in if you can! 😀
I don’t know if there is a formal challenge for this, but I want to spend as much time as possible in 2021 reading from the stacks; Mount TBR is in a ridiculous state, desperately needing pruning and I would like to make some serious inroads. So I shall try to limit the incomings and read what I have (which is enough to keep me going for a lifetime). Will I be able to resist the lure of the new and shiny? We shall see.
There are, of course, all manner of reading events in the second half of the year; Women in Translation month, for example, which takes place in August, as does All Virago/All August – I sometimes try to combine the two. And November is stuffed to the gills with challenges, from Non-fiction November, to Novellas, to German Lit Month and many more. I usually try to do those too, but that’s not for a while so I shan’t worry about them now!
Apart from that, I plan to keep it fluid and read what takes my fancy. However, there *is* one rather special reading event in which I shall be taking part… But you’ll have to wait for more news on that! ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 09:33:19
I did some pruning in 2020, but the books never left the house. They are as locked-down as I am!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:40:33
Same here – there are several boxes waiting to go somewhere, but I don’t know when it will happen. And as they’re still in the house, there’s always the danger they’ll get reprieved….
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:49:04
Yep. Eugen Roth knew what he was talking about … https://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2019/11/14/a-comic-poetic-interlude-on-culling-books/
Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:20:55
He’s spot on! ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 09:57:05
Leaving us on a cliffhanger there…
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:39:51
Oh yes….. ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:17:52
Ah – I’ve picked the same week for my Iain Banks Reading Week as the 1936 Club. However it’s the school hols – can do both! Intrigued to find out what the secret plan is…
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:39:42
No worries – as you say, it’s school hols. As for the secret plan – all will be revealed soon! 😀
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:09:05
Oo very intriguing, Karen!
I am going to join in with Brian Moore at 100, otherwise just our clubs, I think!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:37:44
😀 Yes, the clubs are a must of course! I shall try to be restrained about the rest!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:22:24
I may actually join in a few reading challenges this year starting with the Japanese Literature one. What I’d really like to do is get on a more regular blogging schedule. And I look forward to hearing about your special project.😊
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:37:14
I’ll definitely dip my toe into reading events when they take my fancy, and Japanese Literature is a must! As for the special project – watch this space…. ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:37:24
I am so glad to have your along (I hope! But, no pressure!) for the JLC14. And, I have already chosen my book for the 1936 Club (love those!!!). In fact, I want to read it now. Best to you in 2021, xoxo
Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:43:18
Well, I’ve started at least one read from Japan, so I’m in! And I’m glad you’ll be joining us for 1936. Happy new year! x
Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:13:57
Happy New Year and luck with your challenges! Intrigued by the cliffhanger!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:19:39
All will be revealed….. ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 15:18:15
I plan to engage in a few challenges this year for the first time. Looking forward to that.
Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:18:35
It’s good fun, particularly if it’s something to do with the kind of book you love – though having said that, it’s always nice to be challenged! Happy reading!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 15:31:05
I want to read mainly from tbr and try not to acquire too many books in the first few months of the year, but we’ll see, I have already spent some of my Christmas book vouchers. Despite not wanting to be tied into lots of reading events I am planning on read some Patricia Highsmith for her 100th anniversary some Brian Moore with Cathy and some Anne Tyler with Liz. But will dip in and out as the mood takes me.
Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:17:51
The same here, and I have already spent my modest Christmas voucher too (oops). But I have been shuffling the shelves today which always throws up treasures I’d forgotten about – so I shall try to pull as many from the stacks as possible and if they fit in with the events or challenges that’ll be fine!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 17:38:40
I did actually improve Mount TBR last year. I cleared off a bunch of books in May, a lot of them unread textbooks, as a Covid project, and since all of my favorite charity sales were shut down this year, I bought many fewer. Yeah! It’s an ill wind…
Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:37:03
Well done! I missed out on the charity shops alas this year, but it didn’t stop my online shopping… ;D
Jan 01, 2021 @ 17:47:45
Looking forward to the 1936 Club with two books lined up! Happy New Year x
Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:36:11
Excellent! Look forward to seeing what you read. Happy new year to you! x
Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:30:20
That’s not to say I bought none… 😉
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:35:52
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jan 01, 2021 @ 21:34:21
I decided last year not to do any ‘challenges’ but just to join in with shorter reading events. That was a lot less stressful – I could participate even if I read only one book! So I’m likely to take the same approach this year – the calendar is already looking full so I may need to do some slimming down.
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:36:55
I’m the same – long challenges often are problematic, even self imposed ones! But being able to dip in with just one book often works!
Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:31:05
I won’t plan ahead for challenges as I know I’ll lose the mood but if they do appeal and if I’m in a good place and if it is cheap or on my shelf I’ll jump in. The TBR HAS to be my priority. It is stressing me out! 🤪🤪🤪🐧
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:35:31
I’m often the same – planning ahead is fun but often ruins things. Agree with the TBR – mine is getting a bit threatening… 😬😬
Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:44:07
All plans are vague as usual, but I do have four books from 1936 so I should be right for that one…
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:34:27
Excellent! I do always manage to stick to our clubs, probably because I can choose from such a range of authors! 😁
Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:48:42
I simply copied and pasted my plans from last year — 2020 felt like treading water. Keep the site running but don’t do anything major….
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:33:41
Sounds like a practical plan… 😬😬
Jan 02, 2021 @ 01:17:29
I’m afraid I’m the world’s worst at rising to Challenges, which doesn’t stop me from entering them! So much fun, to gloat in advance over those wonderful books; so easy to forget what happened in last year’s Challenges. I hope to join you in the 1936 thing (it was a very good year) and I’m presently reading a great collection of Japanese short stories (Where The Wild Ladies Are) . . . .
I am all on tenterhooks to hear the new project!
Jan 02, 2021 @ 08:33:21
I’m often the same – I get terribly enthused about these things but by the time they come around I’ve moved on! 😁 1936 promises to be a great year but unfortunately my first Japanese read wasn’t so brilliant…. 😬
As for the new project, all will be revealed…
Jan 02, 2021 @ 14:35:00
That’s still a lot of challenges, but I’m sure you’ll rise to them, Karen! I’ll try to join in the 1936 Club for mid April, but naturally I won’t guarantee it — you’ll see from my 2021 plans posted in a few days time I’ve already overfaced myself, even though I’ve arranged it in a more manageable form.
Jan 02, 2021 @ 15:17:52
I don’t know about that, but I’ll do my best if it fits in with my mood. Hope you can join in with 1936 – it’s a very good year!
Jan 03, 2021 @ 13:41:32
I feel your trepidation for reading plans! I will join your 1036 Club and I have one or two read alongs with Cleo. That’s all. Like you my TBR is falling everywhere and I need to finish reading what I own already or atleast make some progress before I buy any! I was very good in December but then with so many social events in December, my reading time was limited ….now comes the true test of not giving into temptation!
Jan 03, 2021 @ 14:13:34
Ah, the temptation of books. I give in all the time, despite my best resolutions! But this year I shall focus on doing my best to read more of what I already own, and not hanging on to what I don’t want or won’t read again. Fingers crossed! 😀
Jan 03, 2021 @ 19:54:24
I was listing my goals on Bookish Beck’s post and completely forgot Nonfiction November – oops! I will try to do 1936 club but only allowing myself to use TBR and maybe owned books. I must have one / some from then however. Happy 2021 reading xx
Jan 03, 2021 @ 19:57:43
I like Non Fiction November (but then I like non-fiction!) And I do have plenty on the TBR so that’s fine! 😀 Happy 2021 and good luck on getting that TBR down! xx
Jan 07, 2021 @ 06:59:17
Yes, you dare!
Jan 07, 2021 @ 09:19:23
😀 Yes, I think I do!
Jan 10, 2021 @ 19:37:17
I am afraid that with the decision to dedicate most of my free time to the around-the-world project, I ‘sentenced’ myself to buying more books and reading on my phone and Kindle because 90% of the books I own are European or American literature. So, I won’t be making a substantial dent in my library any time soon.
Looking forward to the 1936 Club!
Jan 10, 2021 @ 20:10:41
Not to worry – I always feel we should read what we love, regardless! Looking forward to the 1936 club myself!
Jan 15, 2021 @ 22:55:48
Ohhh, and here I was just asking which year it was: thank you! It’s bold of you to make plans….shhh, don’t tell yourself.
Jan 16, 2021 @ 11:41:31
I shan’t. If I sneak the plans past my subconscious I might just get away with it!!!
Feb 15, 2021 @ 23:07:20
I’m glad you shared your plan, it reminded me of 1936. I may join you, as I have 2 of them on my Classics TBR: Double Indemnity, by James M. Cain, and The Swedish Cavalier, by Leo Perutz. I’ll be listening soon to Cards on the Table (Hercule Poirot series), also published that year
Feb 16, 2021 @ 10:36:07
Excellent! It does sound like a great year and you can never have enough Christie in my view! 😀