The Sunday Salon: An Anti-Challenge for Readers (Sept.18)
Call me crazy, but I’ve decided to do an anti-challenge for reading, next year. Yes, I know… it’s only September, and “next year” is still 4 months away (approximately). But, I’m already thinking that far ahead; especially where my reading is concerned.
Yesterday, I posted a nice loooonnnnng ramble about how I’m frustrated with my book reviewing, right now. I’m tired of always saying, “I have to finish my review book(s) first“, whenever I want to read something that catches my eye, or whenever I have to give a reason for why I didn’t read my f2f book club’s choice of the month, or whenever someone offers to loan me one of their books. It’s my most-used phrase right now (other than, “I’m sooo tired!” LOL), and I hate that!
So… I’m offering up an anti-challenge for 2012… because, goodness knows, I don’t need another challenge that asks me to read a certain number of books, or read a certain type of book! I’m burned out on those, too! I’m tired of “obligatory” reading. I just wanna read whatever sounds good for me at the moment… I want to read according to my moods, again — and it’s been a loooonnnnng time since I’ve done that.
The challenge will be called the “CAREFREE READING” challenge. And, it’s where you read books “just for the heck of it”. You read whatever you feel like reading — books that are NOT for any other challenge, and books that are NOT for review! (though, you can still choose to review them after you’re done reading them, as I’ll certainly do that with my books! You just can’t have accepted them as books “for review”).
I need to read books that are just picked at random, for a while. So, that’s what I’m going to do… “after my review books are finished“. LOL.
I have 5 more books to read that are specifically for review. But, that’s okay, because I wasn’t going to take a break from reviewing ’til November, anyway. So, I’m giving myself until then to start with this “vacation”. And, I still don’t know how long my hiatus will last. I’ll decide that later, I guess. But, I know for sure that I’ll at least take ’til the end of April. That’s 6 months, if I start in November. And, in April, the kids’ sports will be over with for the year, meaning I’ll have a bit more “free” time, too.
Right now, those sports practices are just starting back up, meaning I’ll be out-and-about at least 2 nights a week, plus I work late on Tuesdays (’til 7 pm). So, that’s two or three nights, already, per week, that I don’t have the time (or energy) for reading. AND, there’s the fact that I still need to find time to get back to working out on my treadmill, too! LOL
So, yeah… long-rant-shorter? I will definitely need to take an extended break from reviewing so that I can read everything else I want to read, and not feel overwhelmed. 
I am currently reading Susan May Warren’s latest, “Heiress” (Daughters of Fortune, book 1). It finally showed up in the mail, this past Friday! I’ve been waiting for it forever! I just started reading it, though, yesterday, so I don’t yet have an opinion to give you.
I just finished reading “The Power-Based Life” by Mike Flynt, the other night. It was okay, but not as “motivating” as I’d hoped it would be. Either way, there was good advice inside, and I am still glad I read it.
Upcoming reads include: “Shadows on the Sand” by Gayle Roper, “When Bad Christians Happen to Good People” by Dave Burchett, and “Tris & Izzie” by Mette Ivy Harrison (eBook). All of these are for review.
I’m really excited because, this week, I get to order more books from Amazon! I’ve been waiting for over a month (needed to save up for the pile I plan to get). Here’s what I’ve got on my list:
• “Beautiful Outlaw” by John Eldredge
• “The Resolution for Women” by Priscilla Shirer
• “I Remember You” by Harriett Evans
• “Last Journey Down” by Miche Evans
• “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg
• “Reluctant Pilgrim” by Enuma Okoro
• “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake” by Lisa Morrone
I’m also getting a Wii game called “ExerBeat“. It looks like fun!
I’m soooo looking forward to when these come in the mail! I can’t wait, especially for “Reluctant Pilgrim” and “The Resolution for Women“. Both look sooooo good! I’ll leave you with the video for that last one…
I think the Carefree Reading Challenge sounds like a wonderful idea! Every year I participate in reading challenges and the review books start to come in, I always get a little anxious and want to break free and read something for me. It never fails, this happens all the time. I will definitely be watching out for this challenge next year
This is why I have been reluctant to pursue ARCs–I hate HAVING to read anything! That’s why English was one of my least favorite subjects in school- and I’m an English teacher! Thanks for posting this- I think I have decided to not pursue ARCs, even though they’re free books! Well, looking forward to reading your reviews on your carefree reads!
Feel free to check out my Salon post: Adventures in Borkdom
See you for tomorrow’s musing!
Amen! Sign me up for the Anti-Book challenge! I just finished the last book I’m doing for review. Have a long list of books I’m dying to get to!
Sounds like fun!!! Can’t wait!!!
Excellent idea! I’ll be joining you.
Sounds like a great idea. I just did a post about how all of my books are ‘just for the heck of it books’. I gave up on accepting ARCs and doing challenges etc about a year ago. There are always a couple of exceptions, but pretty much I just read whatever I am in the mood for. I find it the most satisfying way to read
I love your WWW Wednesdays and have been doing them for awhile now. This Challenge sounds like the perfect one for me, all along I have been reading in the order that I feel like and the books I want to read. I started one review company but quit it after 2 books….while free books are fun, I don’t see myself as being able to keep up with reading because of obligation, like you mentioned. Life is too short to read something that you don’t necessarily want to…..