On Friday I posted about the books I’ve read in 2012 and mentioned I have only two reading goals for this upcoming year. Both are a result of some soul searching and a longing to nurture my reading life. Curious now? Here they are:
The Lucy Maud Montgomery Journals Read Along:
I first read these journals a decade ago and firmly believe they will be books I re-visit throughout my life. Already a number of you have told me via blog comments, email, or even Christmas card that you plan on reading along. Watch for details in the weeks ahead.
Forgo Goodreads and a public “Currently Reading” list for the year:
I love the opportunity to talk about books. Goodreads has been a wonderful place to both get recommendations and comment on friends’ selections, but this, along with my easily accessible currently reading page, has left me exhausted, friends. I know few of you are so interested in my reading that you check in regularly to see what’s going on, but just the thought that I’ve made this very special aspect of my life so public has drained me considerably. I’ve talked a bit about this here and here.
Part of being an author in the age of social media means maintaining a public persona. I’m finding that while I enjoy this, right now, I’d like to reclaim my reading as something private, something for me only. I will be beholden to no one this upcoming year and am already relishing what this will mean for me as a reader. I’m an introvert, remember? I crave privacy and am trying to intentionally build it in where I can.
This doesn’t mean I won’t blog about reading! I can’t imagine never talking about books. There will be On My Nightstand posts, posts that highlight books in various ways, currently reading discussions on my May B. Facebook page. What you won’t get is a blow-by-blow of everything I’m reading. That I’ll keep in a journal I started and have faithfully kept since 2005. I’ll continue to read your recommendations over at Goodreads. And I know I’ll click over just to see the pretty covers in my own collection. But there will be no new postings there.
What are your reading goals for 2013?
This comment has been removed by the author.
Weird. I commented and it duplicated the comment, so I deleted one and now they’re both gone! Anyhoo, Happy New Year!
It seems to be a Blogger quirk in with this template. I could see it in my inbox, though!
I understand what you mean about Goodreads… I have the same difficulty balancing my need to be interior. I actually started my Goodreads account when I started falling behind in my reading journal–it was easier to type while nursing a baby than to write in a little notebook! But since I don’t want to make all my reflections public, keeping track of those reactions has suffered. I’m not sure how I’ll resolve this, but I’m glad you’ve reminded me to think about it.
I HAVE found several books I loved through your goodreads reviews, though, so do keep recommending ones you liked here, please!
I hope you have a beautiful and very blessed new year, Caroline!
I’m glad others can relate to the Goodreads dilemma. It’s wonderful to keep a record of what I’m reading and so good to get recommendations from others/see what they’ve picked up. It’s the public nature of it all that has gotten to me. And truthfully, who goes and looks at my list of books? Probably very few people (though some do look at my currently reading list, according to my blog stats). I really think my decision to share some but not all of what I’m doing will help me to feel my reading is my own again.
I will continue to check in there. Promise. Happy New Year to you, too, friend.
I think that’s interesting, Caroline, and I totally understand! At times I feel overwhelmed by social media, even though it keeps me current and connected. Good luck with your reading goals, and enjoy some private time!