Bookish (and Some Non Bookish) Resolutions for 2019

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 😉

resolutions 2019.png

Bookish:

number 1

10 More Books from My Challenging list

challenging books 2019.png

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 😉

number 2

10 Non-Fiction Reads

non fiction 2019.png

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!

number 3

5 Rereads

Because I had so much fun doing this last year! I have some really fun books lined up for this one!

number 4

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:

number 5

Compile notebooks

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

number 6

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:

duolingo sad

I probably shouldn’t pay attention, because it’s a bit like a needy ex at this point, but I MISS WHAT WE HAD TOO 😉

number 7

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!

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139 thoughts on “Bookish (and Some Non Bookish) Resolutions for 2019”

  1. Bookstooge says:
    Reply

    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 😀

    Liked by 3 people

  2. litlemonbooks says:
    Reply

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Kat Impossible says:
    Reply

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Beth (Reading Every Night) says:
    Reply

    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. 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Stephanie says:
    Reply

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. cryptomathecian says:
    Reply

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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 🙂

      Like

  18. alilovesbooks says:
    Reply

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Sharon Bonin-Pratt says:
    Reply

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Mischenko says:
    Reply

    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! 💜❤💜

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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!! ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Maddie A. says:
    Reply

    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 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    • writingverbaboutwritingnoun says:
      Reply

      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!

      Liked by 2 people

      • MichaelK says:
        Reply

        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.

        Liked by 2 people

  30. Jia Xuan says:
    Reply

    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 💔

    Liked by 2 people

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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) ❤

      Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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).

      Liked by 2 people

  34. Vera says:
    Reply

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. writingverbaboutwritingnoun says:
    Reply

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    • theorangutanlibrarian says:
      Reply

      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! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  38. ivysbooks says:
    Reply

    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 😁

    Liked by 1 person

  44. bookbeachbunny says:
    Reply

    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?

    Liked by 1 person

  48. @k_lpoetry says:
    Reply

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

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