I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions. Usually I just set reasonable goals throughout the year and follow through with those. With that being said, I see no reason why I should not at least try and come up with ten bookish goals (as hosted by the Broke and the Bookish) for 2013. If life gets in the way, I expect no one (save me) will know I didn’t accomplish the following (in no particular order):
10. Read more translated fiction. Starting with The Dinner and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared…
9. Interact more with the online bookish community (this is something I’m terrible at, of course it would help if I signed up for book challenges and such – but that level of commitment typically scares me).
8. Participate in The Shining read-along (and really participate, coming this February).
7. In regards to the above challenge, since I am lucky enough to live in Colorado, spend a weekend at The Stanley Hotel. It’s only fitting. And watch this version of The Shining.
6. Be less judgmental of movies/television that have been adapted from fiction (ahem, True Blood). That sort of negativity can’t be healthy. Not everything can be as good as the 2006 Masterpiece Theater Jane Eyre.
5. Listen to the radio drama Neverwhere on BBC iPlayer. Has there ever been a more perfect cast? No.
4. Continue with The Stephen King Project.
3. I would like to get to London this year and visit the British Library (I’m thinking maybe September?).
2. Finish watching the Swedish version of The Millennium Trilogy.
1. Read everyone else’s list and realize how many good ideas I forgot to include. There’ll be plenty and then my to-do list will never actually be completed.
Photo: Anonymous Art of Revolution, Nerdist
flannel and folklore 
I’m with you on number 9- the commitment makes me nervous. I feel like I’ll end up setting myself up for failure with some of the challenges.
LikeLike
Exactly! Plus, if I don’t really know the blogger I feel like I’m forcing myself on them. Even though I know that when people join in things I do, I’m super excited.
LikeLike
I failed horribly with my first ever challenge – and I still had a great time. I say just go for it.
LikeLike
I didn’t even know there was another version of The Shining! I like your Stephen King Project. I’ve never gotten into reading too much of his stuff but my friend is mailing me her copy of On Writing because I mentioned that it looked interesting. Your comment about Infinite Jest has me a little worried but I’m going to commit to at least reading the first 100 pages and then see how I feel.
LikeLike
The second The Shining is actually the one Stephen King prefers (so I hear anyway) and looks a lot more accurate. I can’t wait to read On Writing, I only ever hear wonderful things about it. Infinite Jest, I have no words for it…
LikeLike
AND STEVEN WEBER IS IN IT!!!!!! (so yea, maybe. Maybe I will try to find this version, too.) #shineon
LikeLike
I forgot to add that if you do tackle Infinite Jest, let me know if you hate it. The type of loathing I have for that book is best shared.
LikeLike
Great list, Rory. I too plan to read more translated fiction, and The Dinner is top of my list – it sounds great. I’ve signed up for a translation challenge, if you’re interested, you can find the link on my page. They’re not scary. You just do what you can. If it makes you feel any better, I signed up for my first challenge last year, and I was so crap, I didn’t meet my goals. BUT I still met a great community of people and had fun, so you should try it, see if you like it. Good luck!
LikeLike
I could be tempted by the translated challenge ( even though I decided three challenges was enough).
LikeLike
What’s one more?
LikeLike
I guess if you really want to interact with the community, three is enough. I stopped at two.
LikeLike
I think I will probably sign up after worrying unnecessarily about it for too long. Seems to be how it goes for me.
LikeLike
Hooray!
LikeLike
I also want to become more active in the book blogging world. And isn’t it so hard to judge movie/tv versions of our favorite books? I think after a harry potter related melt down I realized they are very different ball games
my TTT
LikeLike
Love the additional elements to The Shining read. Great that you can visit the hotel. I’ve signed up for some challenges but I create my lists more like wishlists. If I don’t get too it all this year, there is always 2014. I’m adding 2013 time frame to the Short Story Challenge 2012 even though I don’t see that it’s being carried over.
Enjoyed reading your list.
LikeLike
Haha, I love your number 1. 🙂 Are you on Goodreads? I find that the easiest place to interact with other readers. It’s totally low pressure, but I’ve met some fabulous reviewers just by being part of the site. So many good recommendations come my way because of it, however, that I will probably never read everything I want to read!
My TTT post 🙂
LikeLike
I am, but I wish there was some sort of automatic “publish a review on the blog, automatically post it on goodreads” because I am terrible about doing both! I was wondering recently why my goodreads total was so low for 2012 – I forgot to add over half my books there.
LikeLike
Hmmm.. Your no.7 is a stroke of genius *trying hard to find bookish-reason for a city hotel mini-break*
LikeLike
Exactly. And it’s going to happen. I’m thinking February, though it’ll be damn cold. It will make it more authentic, because it will be the same heinous cold as it was in the movie.
LikeLike
What a creative list of goals! I especially like your idea of visiting the Stanley Hotel (though after watching the movie, I don’t think I ever could)! Reading more translated fiction is also a great idea. I’ve got “read more works by authors of color” on my list, but I should have added translated works as well!
Thanks for sharing your list! You can find my TTT over at Bookwanderer!
LikeLike
I had a couple of friends who went in stayed there and they got a picture with something unexplained in it. Fun, but I don’t anticipate it happening to me. Though I do scare easily…
LikeLike
Marilyn for Me, You and Books reads lots of works by women of color if you’re looking for suggestions. I think she has a challenge of that nature on her site. http://mdbrady.wordpress.com/about/
LikeLike
#1 made me laugh 🙂 Great list!
My TTT: http://blueskyshelf.blogspot.com/2013/01/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-goals-for-2013.html
LikeLike
Thanks! I’ve already had to add another goal to my list: get my netgalley under control. So, as my number one goal, it had been quite effective so far.
LikeLike
Ooo I’d add #3 to my list as well if I thought I was going to make it back to the UK this year! I was in London in July and somehow we ran out of time for the British Library 😦
Also… Neverwhere! Ahh!
LikeLike
I don’t know if I’ll make it. I’m heading to Portland, OR and San Francisco in May. I suspect one trip may be all that happens this year, but here’s hoping…
LikeLike
I’m getting to Washington, D.C. in February so I shouldn’t complain! All the libraries there are on my must-see list…
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by Jorie’s Reads today! … I’m happy to see you continue with The Stephen King Project. I like networking best with other “WordPressers,” too.
Happy 2013! I look forward to an awesome year for us!
LikeLike
So many great goals! I like the sound of The Shining read-along but I’m terrified about the thought of staying at the Stanley hotel. I really hope you blog about it if you do. And I’m with you in hoping 2013 is awesome. Have a great year of reading and blogging 🙂
LikeLike
If I do, I definitely will. Here’s hoping it happens!
LikeLike
What is this adaptation of Neverwhere of which you speak!!? I am a HUGE Neil Gaiman fan as well! Jane Eyre rocks!
LikeLike
I don’t know that they’ve released a start date yet, but here is the basic info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhere_(radio_play)
LikeLike
Thank you! Have you ever seen the television version from the 80’s? I wish they would make remake it!
LikeLike
No I haven’t, I just checked it on imdb – how did I not know this existed.
LikeLike
And I love Jane Eyre updates as well. My two favorite so far have been The Flight of Gemma Hardy / Margot Livesey and Jane / April Lindner.
LikeLike
I have read Jane but I have read the Flight of Gemma! I will list that one! Thanks!! 🙂
LikeLike
Delightful post.Congrats.and good luck.jalal
LikeLike
These sound like terrifically fun goals, best wishes on achieving them!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
I know what you mean on #9; I didn’t list it on my list but I thought about it for 2013. I wouldn’t even know where to begin tbh!
The 2006 adaptation of Jane Eyre was gorgeous. You comment on it reminds me that I haven’t rewatched it in quite some time now…
I’ve never listened to a radio drama before but that cast for Neverwhere is amazing! I don’t think I’d be able to concentrate, I’d be too busy flailing over them xD
Good luck with your goals this 2013, it’ll be awesome! 🙂
LikeLike
It really is almost too perfect. And Jane Eyre is nearly always worth rewatching. It is my favorite of the classic novels. I also feel like I am the only one who didn’t enjoy the Michael Fassbender one. The film was pretty, yes, but not too heavily focused on the actual story (irksome).
LikeLike
I have decided not to make any book goals this year and just see how it all unfolds. OR to at least jump in on the very-soon readalongs. Of course, I couldn’t possibly skip The Shining even though I am truly frightened of it. I will be listening to the audio version.
Then again, I always say I want to read more translated works… I was much to US-centric in my settings in 2012, too, which I think is a problem. Oh well.
LikeLike
My goals are very flexible. I set no amount of books to be read, I signed up for no challenges (though I thought about it). I would say this would be the year of “me reading”, but who am I kidding. I am totally a “yes” person. I should add the ability to say no to my goals.
LikeLike
You haven’t been to the Stanley yet? But you must! You really must!
LikeLike
I know! I really want to go there and I’ve always wanted to go to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Neither of which has happened…2013 is the year – for The Stanley at least (maybe).
LikeLike
Um, #5 and #5 and more #5. Yes indeed!
LikeLike
I cannot wait. I’m also about to read American Gods for the first time. Auspicious start to the year.
LikeLike
Nice list! I also have number 9 on my list. Number one is really a good one, lol :)) I’ve already seen some of the lists, and I keep on thinking, how come I didnt include that in my list?!
Happy 2013, and good luck with your goals 😀
LikeLike
Thanks!
I never feel like more of a failure than when I read brilliant things that others write. 🙂
LikeLike
Such unique resolutions 😀 All the best with your 2013 Bookish Goals.
My Bookish Goals.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh I LOVE that Jane Eyre, and it has totally ruined all other adaptations for me! I asked for it for Christmas, but Barnes & Noble screwed up the order and sent the one with Timothy Dalton…I don’t even really want to watch it because it can’t possibly be as good!
And I like your #1, mostly because I would also like to do your #2 and 3. 🙂
LikeLike