January always bring a rush of things to do. Suddenly everything is happening and it’s a mixture of wrapping up the previous year and setting the wheels in motion for the one that’s just begun.
I have all the usual posts planned for January but I am starting off with my goals this time. I like to set my goals, not for any real reason, but I like to have some kind of plan for the year, even if it doesn’t quite come to fruition. Which is why the past few years with all the *gestures at everything* I have made them simpler targets, but also little things to make me feel like I’ve achieved some things and improved my reading, or even my blogging, in some way.
Bump up my #AussieYAChallenge involvement
First things first, I am still so proud of myself for starting the Aussie YA Challenge, but as creator I didn’t give the attention it deserved. I planted it, attended it for a while, then promptly neglected it. Unintentionally of course. This is why so many of my gardening ventures failed, I forget to keep watering the plants, even though I kept thinking about them or seeing them in the garden.
To rectify this, I am implementing the approach I had when the AWW was up and running. I made draft posts and scheduled them into when I wanted my check in points to be so I had them ready as a reminder, I wasn’t at the whim of memory and time to make something.
In the same vein I am going to try and be more prompt with my reviews on what I do read. Promoting the challenge is one thing, but having little updates and reminders as I post the reviews for what I’ve read will help too.
I am also going to make more deliberate and active choices to pick up physical books as the year goes on because honestly 95% of Aussie YA are physical/ebooks only so it’s going to have to happen. I have to stop myself being distracted by shiny audiobooks from overseas just because it’s easier. I need to read these books I have longed to read for ages, even if it’s hard. The want is there and I have to make myself read them if I ever want to catch up on the amazing books we have coming out of this country.
Read physical books/from my own shelf
It’s not only for Aussie YA I need to read physical books, any physical books would be great. I want to read at least 12 physical books this year, I will force this habit to return because I can’t rely on audio forever. I have three bookcases with books I need to read at home so in addition to physical books I am also going to try and read more from my own shelves too because to be honest that’s where a lot of those 95% Aussie YA books are as well.
Reading Challenges
I have three reading challenges to complete this year. My own #AussieYAChallenge, my Book Bingo, and the Read 25 YA books in 2025 over on StoryGraph. A lot of these should overlap so it shouldn’t be too overwhelming. While I was investigating challenges though I also found an ongoing #LoveOzYA Queer Reads Challenge which I might dip my toe into as well and find some of our great diverse reads.
Share Reviews more
Comparatively to earlier years, I have been a lot better and consistent in posting reviews on my blog, and I have a schedule that works for me. But when I post here I am not as diligent as putting up a written review on StoryGraph as I used to be on Goodreads. I need to dedicate some time and upload all the reviews I’ve done since moving to StoryGraph and putting them up for people to read. I’ll sit down on afternoon, pop on a book to keep me company and spend a couple hours filling up those empty review spots. Another habit I need to get back into.
So that’s my plan. Looking back over this it doesn’t look as simple as I initially thought but I am happy. A little active reading won’t hurt and a chance to share the great things I’m reading can’t be a bad thing either. I am hoping a little patience with myself is going to help, and as with most things I think starting will be the hardest part. But I am also going to try and make myself be consistent. My tendency to lose momentum mid-year and never start again has a strong track record so we can only go in with faith and good intentions right?
