I tried to keep my goals realistic this year, and it looks like it was a very good idea. Except for a couple of categories, it looks like I’m right on track. At least with my reading.

However, I’ve found I’m not achieving them in the way I thought I would. My reading habits have changed a lot this year, and on the surface it would seem that this change would hurt my efforts. But no.

To see what I wanted to do this year, look at the sidebar to the right and scroll down a little.

Overall I’ve completed bout 32% of my goals. Optimally, it should be 50%, but considering the way my personal life has been going (health wise), I think that’s pretty good. Especially in that I’ve read nearly half my goal in terms of how many books I wanted to read this year.

You see, I’ve been reading on a whim more than adhering to a list.

You’d think I’d give up and stop doing challenges since it’s been difficult to finish them. But I like the fact that I have goals. I like giving myself choices and opportunities to do something different with my reading habits. Even if that “something different” is to read anything NOT on my lists.

Goes to show I’m called the Biblio Brat for a reason.

Maybe I’ll host a challenge. One where you are required to AVOID reading a book you’ve put on a list for a challenge or otherwise. Something on a whim. A book you saw in passing you just had to pick up and read for no other reason that you loved the cover, the blurb, or well  . . . whatever.

If this has ever happened to you, let me know. Give us a link to your review or let us know if reading something based on a whim was a great experience for you or not. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

A suggestion this summer: If you haven’t read something this year for no other reason than you simply wanted to read it – DO IT. Take stroll through your favorite section of your local library. Head out to a local independent bookstore (new or used) and stimulate your local economy as well as your imagination and love of reading by picking something up that you hadn’t planned  on reading.

Go on, I dare you!