Jess’s New Year’s Book Resolutions

If there was a “Naughty or Nice” list for bookworms, I am very embarrassed to admit that I would be on the naughty list this year.

Let me explain.  Kim asked me to comprise a “Best of 2012” list, and when I really sat down and went through my bookshelf I found several sadly abandoned books. Whether it was school at the beginning of this year, a new job at the mid-point, or the holidays and special occasions at the end, I simply left so many great reads with bookmarks around page 50 or so.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve completed some really outstanding books this year including The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg, Dearie by Bob Spitz, The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, and Paris: A Love Story by Kati Marton, just to name a few. Where I really failed though is in the sheer number of books completed (ironic seeing as I write for a blog named for the act of reading a ridiculous amount of books in a year) and blog posts written. So, in place of a “best of” list, I give you my “2013 New Year’s Book Resolutions” which will hopefully help me land on the “Nice” list next year.

I will not covet thy neighbor’s book.

Book jealousy is becoming a costly problem for me. You know when you talk to a friend or co-worker and they say “Hey, I’m reading the BEST book right now, it’s changing my life. I’ll lend it to you when I finish.” Well, it turns out I DON’T want to wait for you to finish it. In fact, I’m online right now ordering it as we speak. This habit is not only costly, but the minute I get the new book, whatever lovely novel I was reading the night before is demoted to the bottom shelf and the new book occupies the top of the night stand…sorry other book, I’ll get back to you in the year 2050! In 2013 I promise to read one at a time dammit! I will wait for you to finish the book, then we can have a discussion over a glass of wine when I’m done.

I will forge ahead and turn off the television

Since moving in (alone) to my new apartment this year, it has become a habit to flip on the television for background noise even if I’m not watching. Then, when I sit down to enjoy a book and some trashy tv (my favorite) comes on, my attention span is shot and my IQ drops a bit. This year I will turn off the television and give my undivided attention to the words on the page. All those abandoned books deserve it.

When I finish a good book, I will share it with all of you

This section could be comprised of a laundry list of excuses for my absence in 2012, but that wouldn’t help either of us. I hereby promise that when I finish  books this year, whether they be new ones or the bookmarked hardcovers on my shelf, I will be dedicated to writing down my opinions and sharing them with all of our wonderful readers right here at Reflections of a Book Addict.

Happy holidays and a happy and healthy New Year to all of my fellow bookworms!