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This week's topic: Bookish Goals for 20251. Read at least one book a week (52 books for the year). I used to read hundreds of books every year, but then I had kids and they require a significant amount of time and energy. My husband also likes seeing my face and interacting with me instead of the backs of my books. 😅
2. Get my NetGalley ratio up to 85%. My NetGalley ratio has been garbage for a few years now because I see something and immediately request or accept it. I need to catch up on what I already have before taking on anything else. My plate overfloweth.
3. Read the physical books on my TBR that are currently just shelf trophies. I am really bad about seeing a book and buying it on a whim and then never picking it up again. In my defense, they look amazing on my bookshelves and I don't want to disturb them. Honestly though... I need to make them more of a priority so I can donate the ones that I don't like and clear up some shelf space.
4. Be a more active blogger. I have missed blogging so, so much, and I want to make it more of a priority this year. I'm hoping for a minimum of two posts a week. 🤞
4. Be a more active blogger. I have missed blogging so, so much, and I want to make it more of a priority this year. I'm hoping for a minimum of two posts a week. 🤞
5. Review the books I've already read. During my blogging hiatus I read a lot of books that never got reviewed. I have them marked on my Goodreads and want to make sure I take the time to review them this year and get caught back up.
6. Read more nonfiction. I don't dislike nonfiction, but it's not my go-to whenever I pick up a new book. However, there are several that I want to read and conveniently already own, so there's no reason for me not to. I keep telling myself I'm not in the right headspace or mood for them, but now I think it's more of an excuse to skip them for something else that's "exciting" or fantastical.
7. Finish series I've started and forgotten about. I know we've all probably done this... where we've started a series and then just forgot to finish it. Or maybe the next book wasn't out yet and then we never went back to it. I want to track down those forgotten series and finish them.
8. Prioritize my Book Club book. Some friends and I have been in a Book Club for a few months now, and I always seem to put the Book Club book on the backburner, even when it's a book I've recommended. It's like as soon as I have to read a book, I no longer want to.
9. Keep a reading journal to help with reviews. If I don't immediately review a book after I finish reading it, all of my key points and thoughts go out the window. I want to be better about journaling and writing down my thoughts as I have them in order to write better and more specific reviews.
10. Engage more in the book blogging community. It made me sad when I realized a lot of people I used to blog with no longer have active accounts. I want to engage more and make new friends and form new relationships with the people in the community now. (If that's you, let's be friends!)
These are all great goals! I hope you achieve them. I’m trying to engage more in the book blogging community, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really love the people I've met and interacted with, so it's definitely a goal I'm going to make a priority.
DeleteI've been trying for years to get my NetGalley ratio up, and I've decided I just don't care anymore, lol. I do envy those readers who are so on top of that!
ReplyDeleteThat's been me as well. 😅 I'm trying to care a little more about it because there are a lot of books on there I WANT to read and just haven't made time for.
DeleteOOoh nice set of goals!! I find I have to write my reviews immediately after finishing the books for the same reasons you mention. My initial thoughts and feelings would get forgotten and I would likely mess up plot points or character details too! That's why I take the notes to help me write the review, but I leave feelings and such out since I make myself write the review before moving onto the next read! I also have been trying to read more from my TBR pile. I did good with this last year so I am hoping to do more of the same this year!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all of your goals!
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Hiiiii Jessica! I did really well with my TBR pile when I participated in Beat the Backlist challenges, but I'm hoping I can manage it without the added incentive, lol. I think keeping a notebook or journal around while I'm reading will help! I used to have sticky notes and paper everywhere and then I'd have to make sense of it. 😅
Delete"I am really bad about seeing a book and buying it on a whim and then never picking it up again. In my defense, they look amazing on my bookshelves and I don't want to disturb them."
ReplyDelete😂
"It made me sad when I realized a lot of people I used to blog with no longer have active accounts. I want to engage more and make new friends and form new relationships with the people in the community now. (If that's you, let's be friends!)"
Yep...there are some who went M.I.A. and maybe will come back (as it's your case), some who disappeared completely...and there don't seem to be many new bloggers around, if any - most people prefer BookTok or Instagram...Then again, in the current political climate, maybe blogs will make a comeback, since the other places are getting more and more toxic. Which reminds me, if you ever decide to make a Bluesky account, look for me there! (I'm @offbeatya.bsky.social). The place is rather nice for now.
Good luck with all your goals, and again, welcome back!
Ohhhh what's Bluesky?? I'll have to Google it later. The only social media I have is Instagram and I'm trying to use it less. I miss when it was just pictures posted and interacted with. I get caught up in Reels and doom scroll. So far this year, I've been blogging instead of doom scrolling, so I count that as a win. :)
DeleteIt's so good to see and interact with you!!
Every single one of your goals for this year are ones that I am working towards as well. =P
ReplyDeleteI am in the same boat with my Netgalley. I need to catch up on those reviews and get my ratio up to a respectable percentage.
I also want to be more active with my blogging. I like that it is a record of my bookish life, almost like a scrapbook of my reading. I sometimes put blogging on the backburner when I'm struggling with my mental health so I need to find a healthy balance.
Reading more nonfiction is a goal that is making it's first appearance on my goals list. I have always wanted to read more nonfiction but never actively tried to so this year will be interesting. I really want more variety in my reads.
Oh gosh, there are so many series that I need to finish as well. I am a series junkie. I need to create a spreadsheet of all my series and keep track of all the books I need to catch up on.
I am also interested in creating a book journal. I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos about book journals and have been getting so inspired!
I desperately want to be more active in the blogging community. I don't really have anyone that I talk to on a regular basis that I would call a friend in the bookish community. It's sad because my family members aren't the bookish sort so I want to gush about my reads but normally don't have anyone to fangirl with. If you want to be bookish buddies then I am down. We definitely have a lot in common from what I can tell. I love fantasy and comics and I'm also a mom. I am branching out this year with different genres but my go-to genres are fantasy, romance, and science fiction. =)
Good luck with your reading goals for this year! =D
Well we're already friends on Goodreads (whoop!), and now I'm following you on Instagram and Bloglovin'! It does seem like we have a lot in common. :)
DeleteCreating a spreadsheet for the series you haven't finished sounds like a GREAT idea. I don't know if I have the time for it, but definitely something to consider down the road.
Good luck with your goals this year as well! I can't wait to see your progress.
These are great goals. Seems like many of us need to work on our Netgalley feedback ratio.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about the Kindle Scribe on my blog. I do it. It's nice to read on a larger screen. The journal section is good and there are different styles you can choose from. I also make a notebook for each book I read so I can make notes along the way for writing reviews later. The one thing that's a bit difficult is the size. It's too big to put in my pocketbook and it's a bit awkward to travel with. So, for reading I'm usually using my Paperwhite which is easier to travel with. The Scribe stays home. Hope that helps.
It seems to be a common theme amongst book bloggers, lol.
DeleteThat does help! Thanks so much. ❤️
Welcome back! Good luck with your goals this year :) I'd also like to read more non-fiction and owned books this year. I have the same struggle with book clubs so I've never participated in one haha but it might be nice to do one with friends. The book blogging community is growing on Buesky so maybe we'll find you there? 😊
ReplyDeleteI joined Bluesky! Although, I have no idea how to find anyone on there, lol. I'm in a group chat with two of the Book Club members, so we push and encourage each other to read the book club book on time. It just doesn't always work. 😅 Our monthly Zoom meetings give us a chance to chat and catch up though, which is nice.
Delete(If you had a Twitter account, I recommend Sky Follower Bridge to find your mutuals who may have moved to Bluesky.)
DeleteFeel free to add your link to Sunday Salon anytime you like!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks! I might do that once I get back in the swing of things. :)
DeleteI don't request much anymore and don't accept anything I wouldn't already have read. I understand it's hard to write those reviews, especially when you have a lot going in real-life! Good luck on all your goals, Lindsi!
ReplyDeleteI've stopped requesting also! I told myself no more until I got caught up. However, sometimes those NetGalley emails come through and say "Read Now for 72 hours" and I just can't resist. 😅
DeleteWelcome back! I hope you check in with the blogging for sure. We are a dying breed. I think we are all guilty of not reading our own books, but it's good to put that goal out there in the universe. One books a week is a great goal. That's a lot more books than the average American. No shame. Good luck with all these goals!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that if I keep saying I'll tackle my physical TBR, that I'll actually do it. I'm really trying to make it happen this year. I think it will also make getting back into blogging easier to not have that hanging over my head.
DeleteYeah, I think people have mostly transitioned to TikTok or Instagram Reels. Neither are my thing. I like the look and feel of blogging, and I enjoy the more personal relationships you can form with people. Take us for example... we've known each other for years! You're not just a face on my screen I see for 15 seconds every once in awhile. Not knocking the people that do that, it's just not for me. :)
I have to take pretty copious notes while I'm reading a book or else I can't remember the details of the story for a review. My aging brain just can't keep up! Ha ha. Good luck with all of your goals!
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT (on a Thursday)!
I don't necessarily need copious notes, but I do need to review it right away! Having little snippets or thoughts really help with writing them though. Plus, it's fun to see my reading progress throughout the year and have a physical reminder of it.
DeleteGreat goals! I've started reading more non-fiction too. I especially love biographies. I hope you have a good weekend! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think I've ever read a biography, unless reading Iacocca in High School counts. 😅 Oh wait! I did listen to Tom Felton's book and really enjoyed it! Maybe I just need to read about people I'm genuinely interested in. :)
DeleteAck, yes, ditto with the Netgalley ratio... it's around 70, I think? Maybe?! I even have reviews written that I need to submit...
ReplyDeleteYou're doing better than I am then. 🫣 It's gotten so bad that it will likely take me all year to catch up. Hopefully you're able to attain yours sooner!
DeleteThese snow flakes on your bookshelf are very calming. I hope you are able to achieve all these goals. Hoping to see you more around the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks! I had to do some digging to remember how I'd done them previously. I'm out of practice! I plan on being around a lot more. This is definitely something I want to carve out space and time for going forward. :) It's so good to see you again!
DeleteMy favorite of your goals are #7 (finish up series) and #9 (keep a journal to have notes for reviews). I would like to do both of those.
ReplyDeleteOne series I really need and want to finish is The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. I just have The Queen of Nothing left! There's also the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, and the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh. So many!! I hope you're able to get to yours. :)
DeleteI'd love to be friends! :) Your goals are so relatable, especially #1 (my husband, too, likes to see more of me than the cover of the book I'm currently absorbed in lol), #6 (I challenge myself to read at least one nonfiction per month), and #7.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Hi. :) I try to be present when he's home and the kids are around, but sometimes I just want to curl up and read uninterrupted. I like the quiet moments when he's playing a game and I'm reading, although there are several games I also like to play. 😅 It's hard to choose sometimes.
DeleteThese are all great goals! Making book club books a priority can be hard. Even when they're books I really do want to read, there's always so much else to read as well, and I sometimes struggle to fit the book group books into my schedule at the right time, then feel either guilty or stressed when I haven't finished before our discussion! Good luck with all of these!
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly this! Sometimes I'm not in the mood for the book or don't have time to fit it in with other commitments. It makes it feel more like work than fun. 🫠 I'm glad my friends are understanding, lol.
DeleteGood luck with all your goals! Catching up in series and reading more nonfiction are on my list, too. And thanks for commenting on my blog earlier. :D
ReplyDeleteOf course. :)
DeleteAnd thank you! 2025 is going to be the year of catching up! Lol.
Improving my NetGalley shelf is definitely a big goal for me this year too.
ReplyDeleteI feel like my NetGalley ratio and my physical TBR HAVE to be priorities this year or I will forever be drowning in books.
DeleteThese are all great goals! So many of us want to make reading the books on our shelves a priority this year, hopefully we will all do well! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier in the week, sorry it has taken me so long to get over here!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? We all seem to share that particular problem (although is having a lot of books REALLY a problem?). ;)
DeleteThat netgalley ratio is my nemesis!! I don't even want to see how low it is!!
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly scared to look, but I know it's BAD. 🫣
DeleteI love how you described some of your books as shelf trophies 😂 I feel like I did the same thing for a while kind of though. I'd obsess about getting a book then put it on my shelf and kind of forget to pick it up 🙈 or else I'd get nervous about not enjoying it as much as I expected to and be so wary of being let down that I'd let it sit there unread. I've gotten much better at picking up the books I buy but I have a massive backlog to catch up on between those books and a big chunk of ex library and 3 for £5 purchases from many years ago 🙈
ReplyDeleteI've never read a non fiction book but I'm hoping to try a few this year too. I have my eye on a 2025 release so at the very least I intend to try one 😂 borrowed from the library though, not purchased.
Ooh A Book Club sounds fun. I hope you manage to get into the swing of picking the books up. And your blogging goals are lovely. A lot of people that I used to talk to disappeared during lockdown or whilst I wasn't posting so there are people I miss too.
Good luck with all of your goals. They sound well thought out and achievable. Whatever you pick up I hope you have a lovely book filled year.
Thank you so much! It's really hard not to buy books impulsively and then leave them sitting on our shelves. 😅 We buy them with the best intentions, but like you said... sometimes I worry they won't live up to my expectations. I'm hoping to finally catch up this year!
DeleteMy Book Club friends are good about reminding me before the meeting every month. I just want it to feel less like a chore, since I know I'll probably end up liking it.
It really is 😂 I'm kind of relieved it's not just me that does that tbh as I was sort of worried it was 🙈 good luck catching up this year though.
DeleteMaybe you could try remembering why you wanted to pick it up to begin with for the ones already on your TBR? I do understand the chore thing though. That's actually why I stopped keeping track of what I needed to read on my physical TBR, it was turning it into too much of a to do list and pushing me into slumps.
I don't have a list or anything, but I can look at my shelves and pick out which ones I haven't read yet. :)
DeleteSame here so I don't know why I felt the need to make the list to begin with. I find it helpful with my unowned TBR as that's easier to forget but not for my owned one any longer.
DeleteI love your goals! The reading journal is such a good idea. I love my little reading tracking journal!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Do you use a digital tracking journal? I like the idea of them but haven't tried one.
DeleteLindsi!! I am SO glad to see you again! These are fantastic goals and totally attainable. We both need to hold each other accountable in regards to NetGalley, for sure, lol. As you saw, My State of the Arc is not very stately right now, and is basically a dumpster fire. I have GOT to get these reviews written. So excited to see what you read in 2025, and let me know what non-fiction you're interested in, that's still my #1 love.
ReplyDeleteI started and still need to finish I Am a Girl from Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro! I was really enjoying it, but it got lost in the chaos of my life.
DeleteI'm so happy to be back!! We'll definitely hold each other accountable this year. ❤️
I should have added journaling to my list of reading goals this year. I haven't kept up with it as much as I used to. That's a good one. These are all great goals! And I am glad to hear you are going to be blogging more. I hope to do the same--like you, at least twice a week. Sometimes it's hard to juggle everything. Good luck with your goals, Lindsi!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I know there will be weeks when I blog more than others, but I'm hoping to at least be consistent. 🤞
DeleteGodo luck with your reading goals. One book a week is a good one. I need to get my NetGalley ratio up also, I dug myself into a hole over there. Happy reading! I love the snow falling effect.
ReplyDeleteSaaaame. I really need to get out of the hole and fill it with dirt. 😅 And thank you!
DeleteI totally know what you mean about putting the book club book on the back burner. I used to do that, too. I read so much, I never understood why I couldn't get that darn book read on time! Good luck with all your goals.
ReplyDeleteI think my brain sees it as a "chore" once I'm told I HAVE to read something by a certain date. Like when we were in school and had assigned reading.
DeleteExcellent goals and I'm also bad about buying books then letting them collect dust! I can also relate with needing to write reviews right away or my thoughts can't be gathered as easily anymore. I also try to write notes down sometimes but I need to be better about it. Also, I'd happily be your bookish friend! :D Thanks for visiting my blog earlier.
ReplyDeleteVeros @ Dark Shelf of Wonders
Whoop! Hello new friend. 😉 My physical TBR is definitely a priority for me this year!
DeleteI need to look at what series I still haven't finished. I know there are some and it's always a nice feeling to mark a series "done" even if only mentally. :) Should have been one of my 2025 goals! Also, yes! Reading more from my shelf is a repeat goal of mine. I'd like to have more of them read rather than just collectors of dust. Thanks so much for visiting my list this past week.
ReplyDeleteTracking them down is definitely going to take me awhile. 😅 Maybe I'll make a shelf on Goodreads for "incomplete series" or something to help me keep track.
Delete