New Year, New Books!

You can see why it's kind of hard for me to get my favorite spot on the sofa!! 

I love January (almost as much as I love September) for the chilly evenings capped with hot chocolate, oranges that grace the kitchen table, the snow that falls lightly on the cedars (but almost never sticks very long around here) and the fires in the fireplace. I appreciate all of these things especially now that I live somewhere I can actually experience them (sorry, South Beach, it wasn't you....it was me!) But the thing I love the most about this time of year, this place I call home? You guessed it......books! Portland is a book town no matter what the temperature is (Have you ever been to Powell's? It's worth a trip to Portland just to see that city of books!) But there's something about this time of year that makes me take notice of all things literary. I can stay inside (guilt-free) and curl up in my corner of the sofa (when it's not taken by Phil), by the fire, with my stack of books. Maybe I'll read a few pages of one, then pick up another or stick with a fantastic story to the very end.

I especially like thinking about books in January because there is so much opportunity! Imagine the books I could read - fiction, non-fiction, self-help (I love self-help books, just ask JSM), cookbooks, memoirs, biographies, the Bible! I'm partial to historical fiction, but regardless of what peaks my interest I always enter any new year with ambitious plans to read many, many, many more books than the previous year. Usually, I'm behind by February, which I blame on the fact that I'm a librarian which means I work in a candy store! Not really, but when it comes to books my eyes are always bigger than the amount of time I have to read. No matter, I still can't resist setting reading goals for myself and imagining the accomplishment I will fee come December 31st when I can say "I've read 100 books!" Some years, its just 25, 10, or 15, but I always start the year with grand ideas. Of course, this year is no different except I've discovered reading challenges! 

What is a reading challenge you ask? Reading challenges aren't just for kids! Of course, they can be a competition among some readers, but a reading challenge is also an opportunity to assess your reading habits and set goals for yourself. Blogher ran this fantastic column a couple weeks ago that got me thinking about my reading challenge for this year: Blogher: Setting Reading Goals for 2013. 

Some things to think about as you contemplate your goals for 2013.....What did you read last year? Did you read things you liked? Did you balance the challenging books with easy reads? What kind of books make your heart sing? Realistically, how much time will you have to devote to reading? What's the one book you've always wanted to read? There are many considerations in setting reading goals, but never fear, no matter what your desires and interests are there's a reading challenge for you. Need a little inspiration? Check out these challenges.....

Good Reads has lots of choices for all kinds of readers.

Want to save a little money and support your local community as you read through 2013? A Reading Challenge for library users from Susan Coventry!

Are vintage children's books your heart's desire? Shelfari has a challenge for you this year!

Is reading about food almost as good as chocolate? You'll enjoy this challenge hosted by Joyfully Retired....

Some of MY picks for 2013!

 As for me, I'll be reading a variety of different books and I already have plenty of books lined up for this year.....I'll be reading these books (and then some, I hope since I signed up for 26 books this year on the Good Reads Challenge!):

Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)

A Duty to the Dead (Charles Todd)

In the Woods (Tana French)

The End of  Your Life Book Club (Will Schwalbe)

The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)

The Shadow of Your Smile (Mary Higgins Clark)

Bright Lights, Big Ass (Jen Lancaster)

The Homemade Pantry: 101 thing you can stop buying and start making (Alana Chernila)

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey (The Countess of Carnarvon)

Food Matters (Mark Bittman)

Happy reading!