It’s that time of the year again! You know the drill- I’m gonna say a bunch of resolutions I plan to do this year and then spend the whole year not doing them 😉
Bookish:
10 More Books from My Challenging list
I considered making this less because I didn’t manage to read 10 in 2018, but then I thought, where’s the fun in that? I figured it would be more of a challenge this way 😉
10 Non-Fiction Reads
Again, I didn’t make it to 10 non fic reads in 2018, but I figure I have a whole year to try and hit this goal!
5 Rereads
Because I had so much fun doing this last year! I have some really fun books lined up for this one!
5 Poetry Collections
Cos, why didn’t I read any last year? It’s gotta be the first year where I didn’t even pick up *one* collection- FOR SHAME!
Non Bookish:
Compile notebooks
Another old ‘un but a good ‘un. Not only does the weird part of my brain that likes organising get a kick out of it, but it’ll make my life so much easier in the long run if I do this annually. There aren’t that many for me to go through this year, so it shouldn’t be too bad.
Complete another language on Duolingo
This is probably the most challenging one on the list and I could easily fail this due to lack of time… but no pain, no gain, right? I have previously completed two languages on there, yet the only way I ever seem motivated to go back and practice is if I’m learning a new language at the same time. I actually enjoy doing this (even if I’m still far from fluent in the ones I’ve tried 😉 ) so why not? Plus, Duo keeps sending me messages saying it misses me:

THE DREADED EDITING
Okay, you got me, I’m exaggerating for comic effect 😉 I not-so-secretly actually like editing. HOWEVER, I’ve never undertaken *so much* editing at once. In fact, I’m a little scared about reading my last WIP (it’s not in good shape!!) I have so much to do in this regard, that I figure all the remaining points can be for this one!
And that’s all I’m doing this year! I decided to have some self-control and not add a bunch of resolutions I don’t plan on doing. Maybe I’ll add more goals as the year goes on instead of taking them off the list!
What do you think of my resolutions this year? Do you have any resolutions you plan not to do? Let me know in the comments!
Looks ambitious!
The only one we have in common really is the re-read one, but that is such a given in my reading life now that I don’t even have it as a resolution.It just “is”. Maybe I’ll resolve to do LESS re-reading this year? Only 20% of my overall reading instead of the 25% I did in ’18?
Phhh, the best things about resolutions is simply blowing them off 😀
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hehe yep!
Yeah that’s what I’m hoping it’ll just become a habit again- I used to reread all the time and then fell out of the habit.
hehhehe absolutely! 😉
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Oh man. Duolingo and I have a love hate relationship. It helped me through my German classes and stay somewhat current on my children like level of speaking. I tried to use it to learn Spanish and that was a side goal for 2017-2018. I know a few words and can understand way more but speaking….I don’t think it will happen.
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I can very much relate to that- I have the same kind of relationship- I’ve done a couple of languages on there, but it hasn’t helped much when it comes to speaking 😂
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Some nice goals and resolutions, good luck!!
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Thank you!
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Also love the idea of reading 10 of different types of books!
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Thank you!
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Great goals, I’m sure you will do great at them 🙂
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Thanks very much!!
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You’re welcome 💜💜
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I think those are great resolutions and I gotta admit, while I do get bothered by the duolingo notifications sometimes, I also miss it. I only really am halfway through Norwegian and started the first lesson on Irish, but I never seem to have the time anymore. I need to change that!
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Yeah I get what you mean 😉 ooh that’s really interesting! Good ones to choose! Yeah I feel like I’ve fallen out of practice cos I feel like I never have the time, but I’ve somehow managed to fit it in in the past- so I should give it a go again!
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These are some great resolutions, and I hope you manage to cross them all off by the time the end of 2019 comes around. 🙂 I had a lot of run with re-reads last year so it’s my aim to do more re-reading this year too, also I’d love to get back into learning another language on Duolingo. It was my goal for last year but I gave up very soon into January and I need to sit down and actually be determined to get through it.
Great post, and again great resolutions. Good luck. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much! 🙂 Oh that’s brilliant- same! And yeah- I also had fun with it in the past but have completely fallen out of the habit. Totally get what you mean.
Thanks so much again!! 🙂 ❤
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That’s all right, and something that like it can be easy to fall out the habit right?
Hopefully it’ll be easy to fall back into the habit again! 😀
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Great resolutions! I just posted mine (well, my extra ones) today 🙂 I do love a good re-read and I actually set myself a re-read TBR this year, just for fun!
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Thank you! That’s great!! Me too- that’s brilliant 😀
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Best od luck to you with your goals this year!
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Thank you!
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Good luck this year 🙂
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Thank you!! 🙂
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Good luck with your resolutions! These are some really great ones! I’m currently trying to learn a language on Duolingo, too! I went with French just because I took two years in high school, so I wasn’t starting from scratch (though it’s been like fourteen years). I like it so far, except it keeps asking me to translate “tu es un cheval?” (“are you a horse?”), which I’m sure I will use in conversation all the time. But I’m hoping to get through it this year and move on to another language next year.
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Thank you! That’s great- that’s one of the ones I’ve done before, cos I also did it in school, and it was alright (haha I think they’ve changed it a bit to become a bit more humorous lol 😉 ) I definitely get that- I’m hoping to do a different language now too 🙂
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Good luck on all of your resolutions!
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Thank you!
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Awesome resolutions! I have always wanted to try Duolingo. I just need to sit down and start!
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Oh definitely give it a go and see if you like it! 🙂
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Good luck!!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!! 😊
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Your reading list is very much align with my own interests. If you’re worrying about your lack of poetry reading, Metamorphoses by Ovid is a challenging poem that also meets the criteria for an epic and is composed in dactylic hexameter. Keep your eyes on Cupid. He may be one of the minor gods, but he’s the only protagonist who’s actions are a constant in this work. Only Ayn Rand, with her support for the laissez-faire capitalism and so called ethical egoism, isn’t much of my liking. Learning another language; that’s a though one if you don’t have any concrete motivation to make this effort. And no, I don’t make any resolutions I don’t intend to do. In fact I make no new resolutions as long as the previous ones aren’t dealt with. Even when it takes three years.
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That’s great! Oh thank you- that’s all great to know 🙂 Very helpful! Ah that’s completely fair- I’ve heard similar things about it and (weirdly for a book at the top of my reading list) most people I know hated it- but I feel like it’s something I have to read anyway, just to know what they’re talking about. Yeah it is a tough one. I think that’s very wise 🙂
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Sounds like great reading goals! A lot of these would definitely be challenging for me because I don’t read many non-fiction or classics. Good luck on these!
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Thank you! Ah I understand that. Thanks very much!
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Those are some great goals! This year I would like to try harder to read outside of my comfort zone, which include hopefully checking out more non-fiction and classics as well.
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Thank you! I think that’s a great plan! I’ve tried that before and it worked so well that I still read the different genres I tried 🙂 That’s fantastic- good luck!
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These look like great goals. I’m putting off posting mine as I’m waiting to see which ones stick 😂
I was contemplating a more challenging read (Les Miserable) this year but am kinda doubtful I’ll do it. Also may try the Duolingo thing too. I try to learn the language of places I’m visiting but should maybe start more than 2 weeks before I go.
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Thank you! hahaa totally get that 😂
Oh that’s a great idea- well, if you try it, hope you love it! That’s an awesome idea- where are you headed?
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Nothing definite planned yet but probably Spain or France although everywhere I do go the main language spoken seems to be German, so maybe I should try that.
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Oh brilliant! Yeah that makes sense 🙂 My brother did German on there and he’s pretty good now 🙂
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Some great goals there. Good luck on your challenging list.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Super duper goals! I’m going to just try to stick to consistency. Keep on keeping on!
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Thanks so much! I think that’s a great idea- good luck!
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Good luck!!! These are all awesome goals!
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Thank you!!
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Do you find Duolingo more effective than Rosetta Stone? I want to relearn French and then learn Spanish. I live in Southern California – everyone else here speaks Spanish, I should know it also.
I’ve been reading more NF in the past few years, but I don’t have anything from your list.
As for poetry, I read at least one poem a day – helps me breathe better.
My two biggest resolutions – posted here, not on my own blog, coward that I am – are to read about twice the number of books I read last year, though I’m a very slow reader. And to conquer my query phobia and get my books into the slush pile of agents who may. – will – fall in love with my books and want to rep me. Which of these last two do you think I have a likelihood of accomplishing?
Wishing you the best with your goals.
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Gotta be honest, I’ve never used rosetta stone. I have used it to relearn French and it was pretty good for that (since I had a decent knowledge of the grammar going in). Coincidentally, I think I might try Spanish next, just because it’s another romance language and a lot of people globally speak it (although it’s not generally used in the UK 😉 ) The good thing about duolingo as well is that it’s free.
That’s great! I’ve only just got into NF in the last few years as well.
Ah that’s brilliant- I really should try that- I used to read a lot more for pleasure, but haven’t in a while and want to rectify that.
hehe no worries! I think that’s a great idea! Oh wow, best of luck with that! That’s definitely a massive fear of mine too- but everyone’s gotta bite the bullet at some point right? (and I’ve been assured that nothing bad happens once you give it a go). I definitely think you can do both! Maybe take the latter in baby steps- perhaps even find just one agent to query at a time (and then another and then another 😉 In all seriousness, you should go for it!
Thank you!
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Awesome goals! I’m really interested in your notebook work. Do you daily journal a lot? I’ve been thinking about taking it up to help clear my mind. Anyway, good luck with your goals and happy new year! 💜❤💜
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Thank you! No- I use them for ideas, mostly for different stories/novels. I haven’t actually kept a journal in ten years- it’d be interesting to try again though- I think you’re right about it helping 🙂 (plus I like the look of all these bullet journal things floating about, but am too lazy to try one 😉 ) Thank you!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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I see! That’s cool. I would love to try the bullet journal as well, but it seems time consuming. I hear they’re life transforming though! 😉
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For someone who enjoys poetry, I don’t really sit down to read an anthology. ☹ Good luck with your WIP edits! It’s a goal I’m looking forward to as well!
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Yeah I relate to that sadly- I want to rectify that! Thanks very much! Awesome!! Good luck!
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I’ve been on Duolingo for awhile, but have never finished a language! Still, I think it’s mostly good for vocab. I don’t ever feel like I walk away understanding the grammar.
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Yeah that’s exactly how I feel about duolingo- it’s good for vocab, terrible for grammar. If I could be bothered, I’d put some grammar work on this list, but that might be too ambitious… we’ll see 😉
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I’ve been wanting to read In Order to Live too! I wish you all the best for your goals ❤ especially with duolingo! It's so impressive ❤
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Oh great! I’ve heard amazing things about it! Thank you so much!! ❤
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I’m with you on the editing. My resolution is to put it my all into finishing my second book and focusing on my writing.
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Ah that’s a great goal then- good luck!!
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Thank you. You too!
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I love Duolingo! I don’t use it as much as I should, but I’m thinking of changing that this year. My sister and I are trying to learn a new language together 😊
I’m also going to read more non-fiction (hopefully) and finally read my older books.
Good luck with the reading and the editing! I’m sure you’ll do great 😁
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Oh I’m glad you like it too 🙂 Yeah I relate there. That’s such a great idea- good luck!
Awesome- good luck!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
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An impressive list of resolutions indeed! I refrain from making any resolutions since I won’t probably stick to them.
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I can definitely relate to this “can’t break it if you don’t make it” attitude, but it’s something I want to change about myself – sometimes I wonder what I would learn as a person from making a commitment to measurable self-change. Haven’t done anything about it though!
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You are right, we should change that about ourselves! To be completely honest I have made some resolutions over the years, some have worked out some haven’t, but nothing big actually. Unfortunately, more often than not, the set course of life has prevented me from fulfilling my resolutions. To change that of course is a resolution by itself but it’s difficult since the will is not enough, the right circumstances/opportunities must also arise.
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Thanks so much! I can totally understand that haha!
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Hmm… hopefully this year will be special and you will complete a number of your resolutions! And Duo just enjoys sending people who are unfaithful at continuing Duolingo’s lessons messages like “Duo misses you!” and that kind of thing. It’s crazy how he goes to such measures to show that he cares 💔
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Thank you so much!! hehehe yes they do 😉 Lol! hahahaha yes! 😂😂
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Good luck!
Duolingo is quite cool! I was an absolute beginner, so i had to supplement it with another one, but for learning new words it was great ❤
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Thank you!
Yeah it is! That’s good to know, cos the ones I’ve used it for before I wasn’t a complete beginner, so it’s good to know I’ll probably have to supplement it for something else (cos whatever I try next I’ll be a complete beginner for) ❤
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I’ve never heard of duolingo! So would you recommend it? I want to start learning Japanese 😀
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Yeah I sort of do- I think it’s really difficult to learn a lot from an app and I was just talking to someone else who said that as a complete beginner they supplemented it with something else (I think that’ll work for me this time, cos I will be a complete beginner).
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Just downloaded Duolingo, such a good resolution {not} to do!
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hehe brilliant!
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Have even done the first two german sessions this morning – sadly kids wernt as interested as me!
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I’ve never heard of Duolingo but will explore it, it sounds like a great idea.
I love your goals – wishing you all the best with them, especially the editing one. It will all be worth it. 🙂 Good luck!
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Oh it’s a fun language app/website if you’re interested 🙂
Thank you so much! let’s hope 😉 Thank you!!! ❤
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This is a great list. Good luck with your language learning! I like Duolingo but obviously it only goes so far. I’d love to go on a language course abroad but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do so this year, so in the meantime I’ll just keep practicing online and seeking out reading and listening opportunities. I’ve started following a few Italian-language blogs to try and get some reading practice in (anyone with recommendations of blogs in French or Italian, I’d love to check them out).
Aside from languages, I’m hoping to improve my flexibility by being more committed to stretching, and then there’s the big one of finding a good job for when my MA comes to an end!
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Thank you so much! Yeah that’s what I’ve found with it too. It’s better for gaining vocab and understanding a little better, but not much beyond that. I wanted to try something more substantial, but don’t see myself getting to that this year (too many other things on my plate and it didn’t work out for me last year). I think that’s a really great idea. I do see a couple of French ones now and again, but I’m so useless at remembering that sort of thing! (every time I find it I’m all excited, until I remember I’ve been there before and just forgotten about it 😉 )
Oh that’s a brilliant one! I did want to try and get some yoga goals down, but decided not to push my luck in the end 😉 And very best of luck! I’m sure it’ll go great! 🙂
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That’s a great challenge…good luck!
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Thank you!!
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I should probably restart Duolingo too (my brother is also doing it for his resolution!)
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Oh brilliant- I hope you like it if you do give it a go 🙂
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I’ve been using it on and off since uni, but I opened it for the first time in months after your post! (:
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Great goals! Oh which language would you pick up next then? I’ve tried a few but I’m more inclined to start than to finish. It’s the same problem I have with book series – more inclined to start on than to finish one.
Good luck with your goals 😁
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Thank you! Oh I think I’d like to try Spanish, cos I’ve no background in it and a lot of people speak it… but I don’t know for sure. hehe totally understand that 😉 Thank you! 🙂
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Spanish sounds good! Good luck with that 😁
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Good luck with your 2019 goals. Hope the year is healthy, happy, and successful. ♥
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Thank you so much- that’s really kind of you- you too ❤
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Best of luck for all of your goals! I also want to finish my edits, hopefully we’ll both manage to do just that 🙂 best of luck and have a wonderful new year ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much!! Oh that’s brilliant- good luck!! Thank you- you too!! ❤ ❤
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Good luck with your goals! I hope you have a great 2019!! I tried to learn German a couple years ago and I tried a lot of different free apps and Dulingo was definitely the best one! What languages have you learned on there?
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Thank you so much!! Yeah I’ve tried a couple of others, I think it’s the best one too. I’ve done French and Hebrew, which I had a little background in, but I want to try a language I don’t know at all now.
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Good luck with all of these! I’m also hoping to read more nonfiction this year…. we’ll see how that goes 😅 And good luck with Duolingo wow!! Do you know what language you’re going to learn next?
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Thank you! Ah that’s great- good luck!! I think I’m gonna try Spanish, just because a lot of people speak it as a first language (and it’s similar to French) but I’m not sure!
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That’s an awesome idea! I feel like Spanish is a really good language to know 😊
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Thank you 🙂 Yeah definitely! 😊
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Sounds like some great goals, best of luck!
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Thanks very much!
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Anna Karenina is my big reading goal for this year. I found Maggie Gyllenhaal narrates the audio book so I’m hoping that helps. Also reread the game of thrones series. I’ve mentally convinced myself that if I take my time but the time I’m done Martin will have Winds of Winter ready 🙂 Fingers crossed right?
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Ooh that’s a good one (though I’m not a fan of the first and last part, I do think it’s amazing overall). That’s great! hahahah let’s hope! 😉
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These are great goals! Good luck! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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Nice resolutions! If you haven’t read them yet, I would highly recommend 5 Days at Memorial and The Sociopath Next Door for your non-fiction reads!
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Thank you! Oh I’ve heard of the sociopath next door and want to try it! And I’ll have to check 5 days at memorial too. Thanks for the recs!
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Your welcome, good luck!
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I absolutely love reading posts like this! I love reading about people’s goals! Anyways, I hope you are able to achieve all of these and more 🙂
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I’m glad! Thanks for reading!! Thanks very much 🙂
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If I may, I would recommend contemporary poetry collections by Isabelle Kenyon, Wanda Deglane, Shelby Eileen, Melissa Jennings, & Kristin Garth to begin with resolution #4 . I definitely need to up my editing this year, and read a more diverse selection of books. Ooh, learning a language is a good resolution. That seems to be one I make and get overwhelmed with very quickly!
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Oh thanks very much for the recommendation- I’ll bear them in mind 🙂 That’s very kind of you! Awesome goals!! Good luck! Yeah I completely get that- I’m being reallly lousy about that one tbh 😉
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Great resolutions! What languages have you been learning? I started learning a few with Duolingo but somehow meandered off course…
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Thank you!! I’ve been learning French and Hebrew till now, but I kind of want to start something different that I’ve not done before. I totally get that!
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Ye I started learning French, and I tried German – both of which I did at school. I definitely want to go back to learning French at some point 🙂 it’s kind of shameful I think that I can’t speak any other languages!
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Good luck with reading Maps of Meaning! It seems like it would be such a great read–strangely, even in terms of how to structure a satisfying story, but I’ve heard it is DENSE.
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Thank you! Yeah I’m about halfway through now and dense about sums it up 😉
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