At the beginning of this year, I wrote a post recapping my 2007 books purchased and read. At the bottom, I came up with a list of goals for 2008.
Since the year is about 1/4 in, it’s time for me to take stock of how I’m doing.
- Read at least 71 books (one more than last year seems like a reasonable goal)
So far I’ve read 24 books.
- Read David Copperfield
This is the goal I’m most unlikely to complete.
- Read 3 Vonnegut books
I’ve read two so far, one new and one re-read: Armageddon in Retrospect and Slaughterhouse Five. I’d like my next one to be Player Piano or Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons
.
- Visit 10 bookstores in the city that I haven’t been to yet
I’ve visited these bookstores for the first time this year:
1. Argosy Bookstore
2. McNally Robinson
3. Bookberries
4. Corner Bookstore
5. Crawford Doyle Booksellers
6. Oscar Wide Books
7. Left Bank Books
8. Book Off
9. Kinokuniya
The 10th will probably be Bank Street Books.
- Attend at least 20 book events
I’ve attended 5 book events so far this year:
1. Geraldine Brooks
2. Jeffrey Eugenides and George Saunders
3. Vendela Vida
4. Lisa See
5. Ben Karlin
I should have been to 7 events so far, but I won’t go into that now because the missing of event 6 was heartbreaking and the missing of 7 was heartbreaking and maddening. But alas, by the end of April I should be able to go to at least 3 more, if all goes well.
In February, I added a new goal. I decided to re-read Pride and Prejudice, and read all five of Jane Austen’s other novels this year. I’ve read Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion so far. I’m not sure which one I’ll read next, but I’ll probably save re-reading Pride and Prejudice for last.
So I’m doing better than I expected. I’ll take another look at this halfway through the year.
This month I’ve already bought an ungodly amount of books. I’m currently reading The Gathering for a new book group I joined. I’ve never been in a real book group, and I’m excited.
(This post was brought over from emilyw.vox.com. Click here for the original post and comments.)
