Vote 2008: My Reading Challenge

For the weekend before the last weekend before Christmas, it ended up being pretty low-key.  Well, at least for me.  For me, all my gifts for others have been shipped (mostly by their originating companies) or have arrived here and just need to be wrapped.  I voluntarily discharged myself from Todd's Christmas shopping expedition after the first stop... without the dead weight (or "helping"... haha), he was able to get through all that he had left (which was quite a bit). 

Todd's parents will be joining us for Christmas Eve and Day, before they all head over to NM to see the rest of the family the day after the big day.  Food-wise, we're keeping it simple... and what's becoming our tradition of offerings of Mexican cuisine... which I guess is not all that strange... after all, it is called "Christmas" when you want both red & green chile sauce on the same plate.

But now, onto the subject of this post... and it is not so much a vote, but a request for a brainstorming session for what should be my reading challenge for next year.  The 10k page challenge was a good (and quite successful) one.  Given I am on pace to finish up with a smidgen over 12k, a repeat of the 10K challenge doesn't seem... well... challenging.

In the past few weeks, I have considered not having a reading challenge next year.  I feel that I am back in the habit enough that I don't need a goal line for motivation.  And while I know this blog is for "me"... and I have no plans at all to stop doing book-related blogs posts... with the exception of a few folks, me thinks the whole thermometer graphic tracking device was viewed as pretty hokey.

While I will (yet again) attempt to employ reverse psychology don't expect much feedback, here are the options I am considering:

a) No Reading Challenge - just read and blog about the books I read (though, of course, I will secretly maintain my anal-rific ... ooh, that sounds dirty... reading/book spreadsheet)

b) 1-2-3-4-5 Challenge -- upping last year's goal of 10,000 to the numerically pleasing 12,345 pages (and just a bit over what I will end up with this year).

c) More Than Last Year -- kinda generic, but simply topping whatever ends up being this year's final page tally... and in the spirit of "being green" -- it's recyclable each and every year!

d) Something Else -- this is where you come in

Although I would love/welcome new ideas, option "d" comes with a whole bunch of restrictions... basically boiling down not putting a limit the books I can read... i.e. "read this # of books" challenge would discourage me to read "big" books... "read only the classics" is a noble idea (and something I considered), but I want the ability/flexibility to read the "hot" book or an author I that I may be in the mood for.

And speaking of voting... and for the last time...  today is the last day for the 2007 GLBT Verve Awards. While the percentages have changed,  for the past week or so, I haven't budged much from being 2.5-3% out of the winner's circle.  I don't imagine things will change... but if you haven't done so... my fragile ego would appreciate a vote for Best Entertainment / Gossip Blog... of course, ignoring the fact that this post does not qualify as either "entertainment" or "gossip."

Comments

[Todd]

I'm thinking 10,000 pages of historical biography/political memoir. :)

[Gail]

I like option 2, but option 3 also has its appeal if only for striving for more.

[Beth]

How about a reading goal of 12,444 or 13,111 pages? Those are just arbitrary numbers off the top of my head. You start the new year with your book choice and then subsequent books either 1) you research 3 or 4 and then leave it up for a vote- the most picked by the W&C readers that's the one you read. 2) Have W&C readers choose a book for you - anything's game, and you give it a go. Just some ideas for ya!