Ah, it’s that time of year again – to discuss my goals for the year. I think this will be a pretty short post because things are simple this time around since I’m trying to stick to mood reading for most of the year and my blogging will follow suit.
- Goodreads Challenge – 100 Books. I’ve had this set for the last few years and have smashed it so it’s not a huge ‘challenge’ anymore but it’s a goal I always set for myself nevertheless
- Continue to read sequels / work on finishing off series I’ve started. This is low-key a goal of mine every year. I do pretty good with it but also I start so many new series each year it feels like this will always be a reoccurring goal. 🙂
- Only request ARCs / accept review requests if the book would fit my mood. This is a big one. There’s a lot of books that I’m excited for but there are specific types of books that are ‘mood reads’ for me. Usually if they have a lot of romance or comfort or are by a favorite author then I’m good to go. I’ve gotten myself stressed over having to read books on a schedule so I’m really cutting back on review books, again. I didn’t accept a lot last year and I’m going with the same strategy this year as it’s worked out well.
- Small monthly TBR’s. I’m sticking with smaller TBR’s this year as that’s seemed to work out well through most of 2020 for me.
- Stop joining so many challenges. I have a problem and it’s that I like to join in things. So I’m going to do my best to just say no. LOL
- Plan ahead for blogging. I’ve been trying to stay ahead of my blogging–making sure I read any review requests in a timely manner and also have a bank of scheduled posts. Having a calendar for my blogging has been a HUGE help in staying ahead of things and I’m continuing with that this year.
And that’s about it. I’m trying not to stress myself out over blogging and reading this year. Inevitably I will because I can’t help but put a lot of pressure on myself (it’s just the type of person I am) but I’m going to try not to and at the very least try and not add anything extra that will make me stress too much. Do you have any goals this year? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to chat!
Way Too Fantasy 
Good luck on your goals!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks, Evelyn!
My goals for this year:
Convert picture books into ebook format
finish two of the rough drafts I’ve started
Those sound like great goals, I hope you’re able to accomplish them!
I honestly haven’t figured out my goals yet, but I’m focusing mostly on reading and reviewing review books. I’d also like to add in my own TBR but I’ve tried that before and it doesn’t work very well, lol. I doubt I’ll join any challenges other than Goodreads, but we’ll see!
That’s always a good goal! I know if I had a ton of review books waiting for me I’d want to get through those first. Hopefully you’ll be able to work some of your other books in too though. Good luck! 🙂
Great goals, Lisa! I also feel similar to you with requesting/accepting ARCs and planning ahead and joining fewer challenges 😂 Last year I also kinda went wild with joining blog tours but since I’ve had more time to really mood read in December I realise how much I’ve missed it so will defo be doing that more this year too. Good luck with these goals 🙂
Yeah, it feels good to be able to relax somewhat and just read what you want sometimes. I don’t do well with reading on a schedule, it seems LOL. I hope you get more mood reading in during 2021, Dini!
“Only request ARCs / accept review requests if the book would fit my mood” is probably my biggest too. I need to stop requesting everything that looks kind of interesting and stick with the “OMG I have to read that” titles. I want more time for books off my shelbves.
Yeah. It can be tough sometimes because we want to read *everything* and realistically, we’re not always going to get the time or be in the mood. I also have a HUGE tbr of owned books so I need to work on that as well!
Good luck with your goals.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, it’s always about having fun!
Thanks! That’s what I’m trying for this year. 🙂
As a newbie blogger/author, I appreciate reading your goals. I don’t even know how the review request thing works. I might explore that a bit with some of my author friends. But then, I don’t have a very big audience yet. Loving your blog!
You should look into signing up for Netgalley and Eidelweiss, they’re where you can request advanced review copies. Some bloggers have guides for them around if you need help (just google). Good luck! Thanks!
Good luck with your goals!! It’s great that you’re trying to get some pressure off of yourself, sometimes review books can feel like a burden rather than, well, a gift lol!
Thanks, Kaya! Yeah, it’s funny, even sometimes when I’m really looking forward to a book having a review copy can make it feel like a chore.
I don’t think that I requested a single book on Netgalley last year. I’ve been popping the idea around in my head lately but I’ve still got a huge stack of books at home that I can work through too.
Book wyrm problems! 😛
I have a HUGE stack to work on too. I think part of my problem is having too many review books means I can’t concentrate a lot on my TBR and then it’s like double guilt LOL. Definitely a book wyrm problem haha.
Saying no to all the wonderful challenges out there can be a real pain!! Also, starting new series is just so good! And there are so many of them! How can you say no to them??
Good luck with all your goals!
I don’t know I guess we’ll see haha. I’ll still be starting new series, I just want to also read more sequels. There’s room for both! Thanks, Susy! 🙂
Thanks for reminding me to set my Goodreads challenge! Going for 100 as well. I read fewer books than previous years in 2020, but I think I can still hit 100 in 2021 😀
I think a lot of us read fewer books last year, understandably. Good luck with your 100 book goal! You can do it!
No goals for me – well, ok, maybe trying to bring my TBR down to a manageable lever, but I’m aware that’s more wishful thinking than anything else… 😀
Oh, that would DEFINITELY be wishful thinking in my case hahaha. No goals is also a good goal! 🙂
Good luck! I’m with you on team mood reader (…and on trying not to request as many ARCs / join too many challenges, although I am weak in the face of temptation 🙂 )
Thanks! Haha, I am also weak I totally get it. We have to remain strong and focused. Don’t get distracted by the shiny! 😉
I didn’t put finish series on my goals list, but I definitely should have. There are just so many outstanding series, and it’s starting to make me itchy every time I look at my TBR, so I definitely need to work on that this year. Also trying to mood read more this year rather than do “supposed to” read books, so fingers crossed we’re both successful with that!
Yes, exactly that’s why I have it as a low-key goal of mine. I don’t know what I’m up to now but last time I checked I had something ridiculous like 90some series I was in the middle of. LOL
Mood reading is great, I’ve been loving it. Of course I got a random book for review in the mail yesterday and even though I know I have zero obligation to it because it’s not something I requested the guilt is already seeping in lol. Good luck with your goals, Mary! I hope we both stay strong with our goals in mind. 🙂
I’m also not stressing myself out with too many goals, in fact my goals mainly centre around improving my blog and organisation. I don’t really get involved in challenges any more – they’re just too, well, challenging. Haha, and I tend to fail – which makes me feel bad. Good luck – I think you won’t need it though because this seems like a well thought out and reasonable set of expectations.
Lynn 😀
Those are great goals!
Yeah, I have the same problem with challenges, which is why I don’t want to get so involved in them LOL. It’s tough because I do like to join things. But I’m going to resist! 🙂
Good luck with your goals! I’m trying SO. HARD. to be picky about my ARCs so I can read my backlist. Fingers crossed for the both of us!
I’m trying to be picky as well. Here’s hoping we can both stay strong and work on those TBRs! 😀