I didn’t get up early enough yesterday morning, so here is my first sunrise in 2013.
Last year I participated in several reading challenges. While I enjoyed the challenges, I think this year I’ll forego many of them. I can’t skip them entirely since there are a few challenges I really enjoy and the bloggers who host them are good friends. In 2013 I want to read more novels from around the world. A lot of my blog is about travel and I want to travel via books as well. This isn’t to say I won’t be reading any American or English authors, but I hope that half of my reading will consist of works from all over the world.
Also I want to watch more foreign films. In 2012, I joined Caroline and her World Cinema Series; however my participation has been woefully inadequate so far. I love foreign films so why don’t I watch more of them.
Another goal is to travel as much as possible. This one is more difficult since money always factors into this one. This is one of the reasons I’ve decided not to buy many books in 2013. The biggest reason is that I own so many books that I haven’t read yet. It seems silly to have hundreds of books on my shelves that I haven’t cracked the spines yet—yep I’m one of those. First thing I do when I open a new book is break in the spine. Maybe this is why I love used books since they aren’t so stiff. And I love the look of books that have been read—not for show.
I’m a book lover and wandering through used bookshops is one of my favorite hobbies. Not buying any books will be difficult, but I’m going to do my best. There is one book that I’ve been waiting for and I will buy it as soon as it comes out. Can any of you guess which author I hope will publish his/her next book in 2013?
50 Year Project 
You are so refreshing!
And you are so kind 🙂 Happy New Year!
Thanks for mentioning the World Cinema Series. I hope you will join the Literature and War Readalong as well. 🙂
I don’t make a lot of blogging plans but many other pplans. A few more trips would be nice.
I have my first trip booked for this year. I’ll be in Morocco in April. 🙂
A late Happy New Year to you (I had laptop fail the last few days)!
I need to check out your Literature and War selections and see if the library has copies for some. And Morocco! That’s exciting. I can’t wait to hear all about it. Have you been reading any novels from there? Do you have any suggestions? Happy New Year and I hope the laptop is better.
if it is Brandon have you heard the podcast he is part of called Writing Excuses
That doesn’t sound good for Sanderson fans.I hope his excuses are better than mine
This is so excellent and a breath of fresh air!! I am back to work at the college today and have been enjoying sleeping in over the holiday!! I have no resolutions and am only hoping that good health continues. Have a wonderful day 🙂
Good health is the best of goals–it determines a lot of decisions in life. I wish you a fun and healthy year–and thanks for all of the postings you do one on fabulous treats! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this year.
I voted Sarah Waters as I hope she publishes again soon!
I love her writing. My review of Fingersmith should be done in the next couple of days. She has such a talent and can weave quite the tale.
Love the sunrise! Quite beautiful. Happy New Year!
I wish you all the best in resisting the siren call of local book shops. Don’t go in ’em or you’ll be in trouble, lol! Saving book money to travel more is a great goal, so I seriously wish you success and I hope you can do some special traveling this year, and not just in books.
I couldn’t believe the sunrise. Glad I woke up early. Last night on my way home from the theater (finally saw The Hobbit) I passed a bookshop that was open. I stood in the doorway and was tempted to walk in. I didn’t, but did make a trip to the library this morning to get some science fiction books for your event. I love that you are always challenging me to leave my comfort zone. Happy New Year Carl! and I wish you the best of luck with your goals.
Will be interested in your thoughts on The Hobbit. And good for you!!!
Thanks Carl. I hope to get some reading done tonight. And I need to start planning my books for Once Upon a Time. That’ll be here before we know it.
Happy New Year my friend!!!! I like your goals for 2013, but if you’re anything like me, you will break the “no buying books” rule within the first couple of weeks LOL. I always say I’m going to finish my TBR pile before I buy any new books, but then I walk into a bookstore and that overwhelming urge takes over :).
Well you found the best way to keep me on track. Tell me I can’t do it, I’ll do it just to prove you wrong. Some might call me stubborn. And those people are probably right. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too, but stubborn or not I know you will buy books :).
Now I’m even more determined to prove you wrong!
LOL!!
Beautiful sunrise-!!!! I always say that about buying books but it is so easy to One click on Amazon for my Kindle…… I look forward to seeing more travel pictures from you!!!! Happy New Year, TBM!!!!
Oh that one click button is dangerous…I need to stay away 🙂
Good goals for your 2013. Although I gravitate to your travel side, I noticed that pubs didn’t make your list.
Never fear, pubs are part of the travel experience. That’s where we go to reminisce about past trips. Also, we usually head for pubs with travel books to plan future trips. Thank goodness there are seven pubs within half of mile of my flat.
Good to know that it’s an understand part of the process.
Beautiful sunrise
Not a bad start to the day 🙂
Whoops! Didn’t read the question on the poll and voted for who I wanted to publish this year! 😀 You should check out Biblioglobal (http://biblioglobal.wordpress.com/), she’s reading a book from every country. I’m sure she’ll have some great suggestions for your year of worldly reading. Good luck with the non-book buying and Happy New Year!
Thanks. I’ll check out the website! And don’t worry about the poll–I hardly ever follow directions either. I’ll need luck not to buy books. I think I have an addiction 🙂
Oh don’t we all! I’m already thinking of books I want to buy, but I’m telling myself no and if I desperately want it I will just have to hope I can get it from the library.
If I don’t have a book and if the library doesn’t have a copy I won’t read the book–at least that’s what I keep telling myself. This will be an interesting experiment. I tried it last year—and….
I’m guilty of having shelves of unread books too, so I’ve vowed to not buy any more books until I’ve whittled down the stack. As a result, I’m not reading much. Oh, that one-click shopping on Amazon–could be the death of me. 😉
Happy New Year!
Yes–one click is evil. Oh so evil. Happy New Year! I wish you the best.
Hm, Sarah Waters..? 😀
You might be right…or not 🙂
Ah, good intentions, but can you really resist the pull of the bookstore!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you with that resolution but, between you and I, I think you won’t be able to resist!
Lynn 😀
It will be tough. So many of you are doubting me 😉 I’ve already lasted 3 days.
Well done 😉 thankfully this isn’t a leap year so only another 362 days left to go! We want you to succeed really – it’s just we can’t imagine it!!! No more shopping for books. The withdrawal will be immense.
Lynn 😀
I got it right!
Love your confidence!
I voted for Dickens–I believe he has come back as Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory
That would make my year!
mine too especially if we discovered it
I’ll start carrying a shovel wherever I go and see if I can unearth one.
Love the photo!
I almost said (smirking virtuously) “I don’t have any unread books”, but then I remembered the two hiding behind the armchair. I do mostly make do with the library and charity shops. (Oxfam in Durham is good) New year, new challenges!
I wish I was down to two…I’m hoping I make progress this year. I wish you a wonderful year!
I like your 2013 goal…about the book and the movie ftom around the world…I am planning to do the same but maybe only on movie as book isn’t easy to find heer
Good luck on your travel plan…maybe you can visit Indonesia 😉
I would love to visit Indonesia and it is on my list. Not sure about this year, but I hope soon. I’m excited to see your movie reviews.
Hope you will like Indonesia when the time to visit comes 🙂
Sarah Waters
😉
Maybe
Best of luck with your goals for 2013… I know you can do it, and enjoy them:)
Thanks Tania!
Happy New Year!!
Awesome goals for your the 2013 season. I’m loving it. I agree with you on the travel … I so wish I could do it as well but as in both our cases the money issue is always well … an issue. But we’re saving our pennies. 🙂
Ah money–such an evil thing. And if you go to Laguna anytime soon, say hello for me. Actually, whenever you see the Pacific say hello. I do miss it! Good luck saving–we are constantly trying to come up with new ways.
Yes, watch more foreign films! I think Prince Charles cinema plays quite various kinds of films, does it still? And of course there is library and yes, London Film festival in October. Do you often go to charity shops to find books? I used to volunteer in Oxfam in Marylebone, very nice! Lots of choices! Exciting! 🙂 I challenge myself to read more as well this year. Your review helps for sure for my consideration, although it’s not that as easy as in London to find the books you read. 🙂
Haven’t been to the Prince Charles, but we do enjoy the BFI. And the charity shops are wonderful and dangerous since the whole time I keep saying, “It’s for charity so why not buy 20.” But I do love them. The last one I visited I picked up a couple of books by Sarah Waters. Happy reading!
Your mental energy and multiple sophisticated interests are invigorating.
Happy New Year (I don’t know on which date it becomes inappropriate to say this)
Funny you say mental energy since I feel beat today. I need to tap into my reserves. Happy New Year to you–maybe we should stop saying it around Easter 🙂
I share your love of books. My collection has found its way into every nook and cranny it seems. I thrill at the thought of hunting through the shelves of second-hand bookstores. I never know what gem I’ll uncover…especially books that are out of print. I know I’ll never part with some of my precious discoveries.
So difficult to keep up with everyone in the blogosphere, but I’m determined to maintain connections to dear friends like you who pop in now and again. hugs…for doing what your heart desires in 2013! 🙂
I was introduced to second-hand bookstores at a young age and I’ve been in love with them every since. And yes, I have books in every room. Soon I might need to add an addition to my flat to make room. It is difficult to keep up with everyone. I’m hoping this year to stay in better touch. And congrats to you for going back to college. That sounds exciting and I wish you luck!
You’re a dear. It’s wonderful what great friends I’ve met through blogging. I count you among them.
hugs! 🙂
You are so sweet! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. And now I’m looking forward to your stories each week.