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Behind Her Books

Book reviews, recommendations and stories of literary life.

2021 Reading Goals
Journal

2021 Reading Goals

January 3, 2021

2020, the longest year that ever was, is over. As the seconds counted down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, we collectively held our breath, ready to exhale and say goodbye to that strange, tumultuous year. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think 2021 is a big reset button and we’ll all be back to normal. I’m not naive, but I am sure that there’s hope on the horizon. In terms of books, I’ve thought a lot about what I want my 2021 reading goals to be.

One of the things I realised about myself last year is that it’s easy to get sucked in by the numbers. Instagram, Goodreads, page count, etc. And to be honest, numbers really aren’t my jam. I spent most of my teenage years trying to grapple with why I would need to know half the things I got taught in Maths lessons. If X = 1 then what is Y? Who knows. But I definitely don’t think the point was for you to work out your engagement levels on social media. If X = LIKES then Y is Validation? Urgh, no thanks.

The reason I read is to escape, to learn, to be moved. These are the sort of things that you can’t quantify. So, my 2021 reading goals aren’t going to be driven by numbers. I’m probably not even going to set an arbitrary reading goal on Goodreads (which, by the way, goes against every competitive bone in my body). Instead, I am going to focus on reading things that excite or interest me. The way I did when I was younger and didn’t read to tell people about it. (I realise the irony, this being a book blog, lols). And I am so ready for it!

My 2021 Reading Goals
Read new genres

Last year I dipped into a couple of genres outside of my normal comfort zone (read: women’s fiction) and absolutely loved it! I read more fantasy and historical fiction than I have in years and found them to be some of the most absorbing reads of the year. I’m keen to keep this up and explore new genres this year.

Discover new authors

Similar to the first goal, I am really looking to discover new authors and step away from the formulaic lists of what everyone tells you to read. Shall try not to cut my nose off in spite of my face though – I remember when I was younger I didn’t want to read a book about a certain young wizard because everyone else was which meant it was probably rubbish … ahem. Anyway, this year is the time for rummaging and picking up something from a different voice and perspective.

Revisit old favourites

When I was young I would reread books over and over and over. These days, I honestly can’t remember the last time I reread something. I’ve always thought ‘too many books, not enough time’ and ploughed on to the next. But not enough time for what, I ask? To revisit old friends? To bask in the warmth of a comfort read and remembering why you fell in love with a book in the first place? I think not. Top of my reread list is Little Women and Anne of Green Gables because ladies, it’s been far too long.

Finish War and Peace

Last year I started reading War and Peace as a read-along but got horribly distracted and couldn’t focus. I really want to finish it this year! It’s a tome, so it’ll take me a while, but I really think it’s something that I will feel proud of. Also, my nan always told me of how she read it whilst my uncle was a baby and it took her years of stolen time to get through it, so I’d like to read it so we can chat about it together.

Start the day reading

You’ve probably been reading about everyone’s intention setting or similar, and a lot of it seems over-complicated to me, but one thing I that resonated with me was someone who said that they think about what they could add to their morning routine that would bring joy or calmness. I thought that was such a simple and positive way of thinking about it, so I’d like to add some reading time in my mornings (perhaps instead of watching reruns of Gilmore Girls, again.)

I’d love to know if you have any 2021 reading goals as I’m sure they’re all very different – please comment as I’d love to chat about it!

Most importantly I hope 2021 brings you all health, happiness and some new books.

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(Please bear in mind that as a Hive affiliate, some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you.)

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Slack-Tide by Elanor Dymott

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Megan | Behind Her Books
Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use the parlance of The High Low) ob-sessed. Such beautiful writing and I find myself nodding along in agreement and so many bits, my head is at risk of coming off. Hopefully finish this afternoon then on to uni reading.

What's your plans for Sunday?

#igbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #ghosts
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨ This The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨

This book is the perfect salve to January the l o n g e s t month of the year (I think there's around 300 days in it). Warm, wise, and full of friendship and kindness, I can see why this book was so popular when it came out. With pages full of beautiful illustrations and messages of love, I implore you to read this book. Then lend it to your friends, your family, your neighbour, anyone who needs to remember how much kindness there is in the human heart.

My favourite quote: "When the big things feel out of control ... focus on what you love right under your nose." ♥️
I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do li I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do list for weeks now and I've finally got started 🙌🏻 Yay for progress!

I've not seen many people talking about Slack-Tide on here but I enjoyed it / was frustrated by the characters so I wanted to write up some of my thoughts!

There's a new post up on the blog that I'd love for you to read ♥️

#bookblogger #Bookstagram #bookreview #slacktide #igbooks
First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't start with some Willy Shakespeare? Weird 😜

Had to read that as part of my uni reading as we are exploring what makes certain texts a 'classic' and the cultural impact of them. Finding it really interesting (coz I'm unashamedly a nerd) and also have a deep urge to watch Shakespeare in Love because I feel like it will count as research, right?
⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐ Like most people I can ⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐

Like most people I can't help but start the year by thinking about my plans, goals and dreams for the next 12 months. Can't help it I love a cliché and an excuse to write a list. I've written about my 2021 reading goals over on the blog - would love if you gave it a read. Link is in my bio, luv ya.
Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh ne Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh new year ahead of us.

I don't come to you with big reading goals for 2021 because if last year taught me anything, it's to find pleasure in the things that I love. So this year my focus is on finding new authors, genres, or voices to fall in love with, along with revisiting some of those that I already cherish.

Happy New Year to all my book friends, it's nice to be back.
Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's goin Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's going on with you all?

The past week or so has been busy with uni tutorials, work, getting back into the gym (finally!), and most exciting of all prepping for a little fluffy addition to the household 🐶

Photo is completely unrelated but still so pretty. This was my first from the @mrbsemporium subscription I got for my birthday and they nailed it! Sounds glorious.

How's your week been? Let me know what's going on with you!
Books goals for the last couple of weeks of 2020 ☝🏻

I know right, doesn't feel weird that we're almost at the end of 2020. Life gets busy at this time of year (even in the current situation!) but that doesn't mean I can't squeeze in a few more reads right.

Here are some books I'd love to read before the end of this year. Some new, some I've had on my shelf a few months.

What's on your reading list for 2020? Have you read any of these? I'd love to know what you thought!
Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cov Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cover from Lana Del Ray. I don't read a lot of poetry but I am looking forward to jumping into this one.

2020 Reading Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge
Megan has read 26 books toward her goal of 30 books.
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26 of 30 (86%)
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3 Comments

  • abookowlscorner says:
    January 3, 2021 at 20:28

    I’d love to be able to read like when I was younger again, too! Though, for me, the numbers have never really added that much pressure. The biggest difference is that I’m so much more critical now that I no longer love everything I pick up… Which is kind of sad, in a way.

    As for my 2021 goals, I’d love to read a few more non-British classics! I’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s out there, so I really want to get a bit of an overview this year 😊

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    • Megan says:
      January 7, 2021 at 15:08

      That’s such a good point about being more critical as you get older. Also, that’s a great goal, what is on your list?

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      • abookowlscorner says:
        January 8, 2021 at 06:52

        I haven’t actually made a definite list – I’m such a mood reader that setting a fixed TBR can often make me less interested in reading a book 🙈 But I do want to read some of the more famous American texts this year (I still haven’t read Uncle Tom’s Cabin, for example) and get to some of the great Russian classics (I’m eyeing Anna Karenina). Other than that, I think I’m going to see what I’m in the mood for and what my library has to offer 🙂

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