Next Steps

Tonight, I will crawl in bed and read for the last night of the 100 book challenge. I have about 100 pages of LOTR appendices to read. It has been an amazing ride. It is such a great feeling to know I accomplished this goal. Thanks to all my family and friends who supported me along the way. Facebook you have been an awesome way to connect so many friends and family to the blog.

As I look forward to 2014, I am taking time to create life goals and reading goals. While I do not plan on reading 100 books next year, I think I am going to read 52 books. I have spent much time debating about how to handle the blog. While I will keep my Goodreads shelf pretty up-to date with books I am reading, I think I am only going to post 3-4 times a year about the books I am reading. I have other goals and interest that I want to spend on 2014. However, I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you all. Maybe I will change my mind. 

A few Baltimore friends have asked if I would start a book club. I think I am going to put a few feelers out to friends in the area to see who is going to be interested ( I am already in one and joining another in 2014). We will see how this adventure goes.

Finally, I am so excited for some of my reads in 2014. Throughout the year many books were recommended to me. I also just had some I wanted to read. Here are some of the books I know I am reading in 2014:

Divergent Veronica Roth

The Goldfinch Donna Tartt

The Game of Thrones George Martin

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close  Jonathan Foer

Here is a link with my 2014 shelf

With that the year is almost done. Tomorrow, I will post a recap of Return of the King and the Top Books of 2013. 

Happy Reading!

Plan, Read, Reflect, Repeat

I can't believe we are almost two weeks into the new year (and two weeks into reading) and a little over one week into the blog. It has been so much fun connecting with many of you over Facebook, Goodreads, or any other method. Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions however you feel most confortable. For anyone taking on their own reading challenge, I hope everyone is making great progress.

In the last two weeks, I've learn a few things.

1. Time Management is Key 
• I'm not saying reading is necessarily a new hobby, but it does take planning and time in order to be successful. I might also add goal setting. You can't just say I want to read 100 books, you have to determine how many books to read each month as well as about how much time to spend reading each day to meet these goals.
2. Live Life on a Give and Take Spectrum
• So you may not meet your target reading goal every night or eat the perfect diet every day. A friend may come in town or someone may cancel dinner plans. Don't be so hard on yourself for daily goals that you miss the fun in life. The end goal and happiness is way more important (but never get to far behind)
3. Bring People with You on Your Adventure
• Any adventure, challenge or goal is more fun when you are sharing it with others. I am floored by the number of views the blog has had. Even better many of you have joined Goodreads and I have had the pleasure of taking a peak at what many of you are reading. Keep reading, sharing, and joining me on my adventure. I promise we will all have fun.
4. Never Try and Pick Out All of Your Books at Once
• Goodreads is like Pinterest for readers. There are over 1 million books and counting on the site. The more time I spend looking through list, friends books, and recommendations, the more books I want to read. While about eighty percent of the books on my 100 books shelf will stay, I think I may swap a few books that are also on my to-read shelf. Only time will tell.

It has been a great few weeks of reading. I am almost through with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

As Week 3 approches, I am excited to start The Purpose Driven Life and Killing Lincoln!

Happy Reading!