Here we are, the first day of July and the beginning of the second half of the year. Seems like an appropriate time to check in with my 2008 reading goals to see how I am doing.
- Finish Clarissa. Still not done but I am further along than I was and have reached page 1070.
- Finish Herodotus. This is definitely moving along. I am on book VII out of IX.
- Finish Guermantes Way. Um, I had a brief Proust reunion and then it all went to pot. I’m sure he will make a good showing in the second part of the year.
- Challenges. Finished the Japanese Challenge. Finished the Outmoded Author Challenge. Had to skip Once Upon a Time because school was too busy. What’s in a Name is going along okay. And Planet Earth 2008 is stalled at the moment. RIP Challenge is still on the horizon but I have a fear I won’t be able to finish it because it coincides with the quarter I am due to take statistics in school.
- Read Gilgamesh. I am currently not reading any poetry so I have been flirting with the idea of picking this up.
- Read Plato. Um I might be able to start in on him by the end of the year.
- Read various Greek plays. I didn’t have The Persians on my original list, but I will be reading that probably after book VIII of Herodotus. I hope to fit in Orestia but that might be stretching it.
- Read The Winter’s Tale by Shakespeare. Saving this one for winter.
- Re-read Pride and Prejudice. Not likely to happen.
- Read A Tale of Two Cities. Doesn’t seem likely at the moment, but then one just never knows sometimes.
- Buy fewer books. Hahahahahahahahahaha! Who was I kidding when I said this?
Some parts of the plan are going well and other parts have gone awry. Such is the nature of most of my reading goals. So far this year I have finished 20 books and abandoned two others. I usually have about five or six more books read by this time of the year but school really has cut into my reading time. There is nothing to be done about it. I am looking forward to spending Independence Day on Friday lolling about and reading. I hope to finish The Raw Shark Texts because it is due back at the library the next day and has a hold on it so I can’t renew it. I hate when that happens.
How are your reading plans for the year going?
My reading plans are going well except for some of the challenges, but I’m starting to play catch up, and I will post later this week my favorite reads from the first half of the year. Oh, and read Gilgamesh. I just finished reading it and would love to hear your take on it. So fascinating when compared the the myths in Genesis. I’m moving onto some of the ancient Mesopotamian creation myths now.
LikeLike
Uuuuh, nice weather we’re having!
I think I’ll be happy if I can finish everything I’ve started, plus the Planet Earth challenge. Must. Surf. Less.
LikeLike
I think you are doing beautifully! You know, I didn’t make any reading plans this year and I’ve noticed I’ve really been struggling with my reading, so I’ve decided for the second half of the year (I did a mid year check in my journal re: resolutions) to read six classics – it’s time to start challenging myself again!
LikeLike
Glad to see most of your reading plans are coming along swimmingly. I need to get a bit further into Herodotus and I won’t feel quite so overwhelmend for year 2 of my 10yr reading plan. I’m a bit behind at the moment. (It might be all those other books I mooched or bought – nahhhh!)
LikeLike
Emily, glad to hear your reading plans are going so well. And since you told me to read Gilgamesh, I will get right on it 🙂
Sylvia, you crack me up!
Courtney, thanks though it doesn’t seem like it. I like your plan to read six classics in the second half of the year.
Verbivore, I’m sure you’re right, those mooched books have nothing to do with anything 🙂
LikeLike
I either read in a fury, knocking down two books in a week or two or I’m super slow and totally get out of the rhythm. I don’t do lists; I tend to read more in bursts of the same thing. I’ve read I think three or four Wodehouse novels this year, I just finished Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and I’m practically tripping over myself to get the new books (I caved in and bought it from Amazon! Bad self!) I also got Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, which was recommended by a friend. Right now I’m reading Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire to keep me busy. It doesn’t help that I work in a publishing house where I get free books. I recently read one of our books and re-read a few of the Harry Potter novels. It’s amazing I have time to work, eat, exercise and sleep with all the reading I do!
LikeLike
Um … I’ve forgotten what my reading goals were, and I’m not sure I want to look. I think I made them fairly vague, though, so I’m probably okay 🙂 You seem to be doing well, especially considering all the school stuff going on — you finished a lot of challenges!
LikeLike
I thought Dorothy’s reading goal was … not to set goals? I could be wrong. ;p
But a half-year review is a good thing. It’s reflection, and just checking in.
Nothing wrong with buying books. It’s money better spend than say: booze, cigarettes, hard drugs, gambling …
LikeLike
I’m right on track with my reading plans since I decided this year to abandon reading plans. I’d been viewing books as work when in reality, they’re a joy. Well. Maybe not Clarissa.
LikeLike
Stefanie your reading plans are going great in my opinion. I mean look at the books you are reading, there are some serious books there!
I should do a mid year review too. I think I said buy less books too but we know there’s just no hope for that one 🙂
LikeLike
Good choice of Plato…I like what he says in The Republic about the importance of music and physical education in education as a balance with the other pursuits.
Also the quote: there are three classes of men (people): lovers of wisdom, lovers of honour, lovers of gain.
We would all like to be categorized under the first, but…
LikeLike
I think you’ve done really well considering you are also in school! I think the only thing I’m accomplishing with my goals is reading a short story a week–that’s something anyway. I’m trying to avoid challenges, but if I can read one or two books for them I feel satisfied. I still want to read Shakespeare this year, too!
LikeLike
it is a truth universally acknowledged that at least someone around the world will be re-reading pride and prejudice at any given time. funnily enough, i am currently “at least someone”. i recently had a huge austen resurgence. i am just finishing up marguerite yourcenar’s memoirs of hadrian which makes me want to go back and look at some roman and greek classics too. i studied gilgamesh a couple of years ago. as well as the difference between that epic and western canonical texts (as emily pointed out above), the gaps and extant parts give you a palpable sense of the distance between that time and ours. gives me shivers!
LikeLike
Sara, it would be very dangerous to work somewhere like you do and get free books. But in a way, that is also a bookworms dream:) It sounds as though your reading year thus far has been very full!
Dorothy, you made me laugh! The only reason I know what my goals as is that this year I posted them above my desk. I see them everyday but usually I just see the first two reminding me to read Clarissa and finish Herodotus.
Dark Orpheus, it is good to check in now and then. And I like your way of thinking. Of all the things I could spend my money on, books are not bad at all!
Carrie, yes books are a joy. I find years when I have at least some skeleton of a plan I am able to focus better than in years that are random. But being too specific is stifling, it ceases to be fun as you note.
Iliana, thanks for the encouragement! It is just silly to say we will buy fewer books isn’t it? Especially with HPB sending us coupons in the mail!
Paul, well if the gain is the getting of new books…just kidding! 🙂 I tried to get to Plato last year but it didn’t work out so I am hoping this year it will. I have The Republic on my shelf just biding its time.
Danielle, thanks! I think reading a short story every week is quite an accomplishment. I tried it couple of years ago and only managed it for about two months.
Estelle, LOL I suppose you are right on that one 🙂 I have Memoirs of Hadrian on my TBR pile somewhere. And between you and Emily I’ve decided Gilgamesh will be cracked open in the next few days!
LikeLike
Glad to hear your reading plans are going so well – especially with school to contend with too. It’s a tough balancing act. I’ve just finished my exams, so am getting back into swing of reading. Reading your post has made me think of my own reading goals this year. Shall have to go off and have a think about how it’s going – thanks for prompting that!
LikeLike
Logophile, it is tough balancing act isn’t it? I hope you have a nce break from school and get in lots of good reading!
LikeLike