Reading Resolutions Recap 2022

Amanda

I hope to read more than I did during the year we opened the store (somewhere around 70 books). I think I surpassed 70, but I've been too busy to keep a completely up-to-date tally. I definitely felt pleased that I was able to tackle some of our most interesting new releases throughout the year, as well as experiment with several titles outside my usual reading habits using Libro.fm, our service for audiobooks.

Amy

I completed all of the Outlander Series published to date. Whew! Not quick reads. I also wanted to read more classics this year, and snuck in a few from authors like George Orwell, Hermann Hesse, John Steinbeck, Maya Angelou, and Elie Wiesel. I set a goal to exceed the number of books I read in the previous year. Accomplished? Yes. :) Reading almost always is fulfilling. However, sometimes I read some average books. This is not time wasted though, as it helps me appreciate the great ones! I think I had a few other reading resolutions for 2022, but I can't remember what they were. I guess a reading resolution for 2023 should be to write down my reading resolutions.

Bailey

My goal for this year was to read 100 books, and I've read (so far) 81. For me, I have a lot of non-book reading that I do, so it's good to keep returning to actual books that I'm reading for pleasure. Also, I love lists, and so keeping track of all the books I read and my ratings for them is very motivating.

Britt

I don't set reading goals. I don't want to be focused on a number or a goal instead of the experience. I used to be on Goodreads and I used to track all my books read on my wall when I was a teacher. Each year, I'd shoot for more, until it became about the number. Now, I read what speaks to me. What do I want to learn? How do I want to grow? What do I want to recommend to teachers? What sounds fun? I think reading for the moment has been the best decision I have made in a long time.

Ellyn

I failed my resolution which was to post a review on social media for every book I read. Started out strong, but after February, I was a total loser about it.

The last social media review Ellyn posted, May 2, 2022

Emily

I wanted to read from a more diverse collection of authors, and I did okay! The practice definitely made my reading life better—it's not really surprising that reading books by people who have different experiences than you can deepen your perspective, show you new things, and expand your heart. The practice also translated to new (to me) kinds of stories—new themes, imagery, plots, and characters that made my mental life richer. I was really glad to receive (then read) The Radiant Lives of Animals by Linda Hogan as a gift last Christmas, to dive into Robin Wall Kimmerer's work in class, and to read Roseanne A. Brown's A Song of Wraiths and Ruin duology. Give them a peek if you get a chance!

Jess

I wanted to slow down this year and fully take in everything I read. I succeeded for the most part. There were some audiobooks that I sped up because they weren't as enjoyable as I had hoped and I have a difficult time DNFing anything. For the books I took my time with I do think it made my reading life more fulfilling.

Katie

I wanted to read more nonfiction this year. It has never been a favorite genre of mine, but with the help of my fellow booksellers I was able to find at least one nonfiction book a month that I either enjoyed, or made me think or feel more deeply.

Women Don’t Owe You Pretty by Florence Given, one of Katie’s non-fiction faves

Mariah

This year, my reading resolutions were to finish the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge (which I’ve managed to complete for the last two of the three years I’ve tried) and to read 15 books in translation. I’m scraping in at the last second with my final read, The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2022 to finish the Read Harder challenge, and I also recently finished Tender is the Flesh to be my 15th translated book (notably I don’t count manga in this number, just to make it a challenge. If you read manga, I totally think it could count, though!). I always think Book Riot does such an amazing job curating a list of challenges to expand my reading life and help me consider books I never would have otherwise read. Some discoveries were a delight (It finally got me to read Legendborn by Tracy Deonn which was amazing and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt which I’ve owed for years and never thought I’d get to) and some challenges helped me realize what I still don’t like (political thrillers). Reading more translated literature has also been such a fun journey. I discovered new favorites (A Winter’s Promise and The Dangers of Smoking Bed among others) and had such interesting, mind-opening conversations during our translated book club. I will say that I do still feel so much pressure to “keep up” (even though I read over 200 books!), and I think moving away from a number to strive for has helped with feeling like I have to get through books rather than enjoying them.

Nayeli

My resolutions for 2022 was to read 35 books and so far I have read 37 books so I would say I did pretty well. I have enjoyed all the books I have read this year and I feel pretty proud of myself.

Roxy

Nothing specific. I did however go back and reread/re-listen to all my favorite books: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, the entire Percy Jackson Universe, etc. It was nice to revisit some old friends.

Sarah

My reading resolution this year was to read 100 books (I'm on track to finish out the year strong!).

Vince

Oh, man. In 2022, I told myself I would read outside of my usual genres—classics, contemporary literary fiction, sci-fi/fantasy—and totally forgot my resolution once a shiny, new book landed on my reading pile. The good news: I accomplished my resolution, albeit accidentally. Without realizing it, I’ve spent most of this year in the Middle Grade world. Mainly, I’ve chewed on Rick Riordan’s interpretation of Greek (and Roman) mythology via the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Trials of Apollo collections. I also read my first mystery novels this year! Every genre approaches storytelling differently—fast-paced Middle Grade, whip-smart mysteries—and reminds me there’s more than one way to tell a compelling story.