Reflections and 2012 Reading Challenges

As we look forward to the new year, it's also a time to look back and reflect on the old year.  While my blog was originally created in October of 2010, I really didn't become active in the community until February of 2011.  One of my goals for this year was to put more effort into networking in the blogging community, and though I feel I have accomplished that, I know there is still much to still learn as a blogger from both veteran bloggers and novice bloggers.  I still consider myself a novice blogger, and there's nothing wrong with maintaining the mindset of a student.  Even the veterans I follow are most likely still learning, and that's part of what makes them great.

For the new year, I aim to comment more on my fellow bloggers' reviews and review on a more regular basis.  I was very happy with how much reviewing I did in November, and my stats definitely improved in the latter half of the year.  With the amount of books I've squirreled away (like the book squirrel I am), I have more than enough to keep me busy even with the amazing new titles being released in 2012.  Because of all the books I've acquired in the past year, I feel inspired to participate in the 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge.  Here's a picture of some of the titles I'd like to read for this challenge, and here's hoping I can do it in a year!

I'm also going to set myself a more realistic goal on Goodreads for 2012.  This year I felt pressured by wanting to read 75 books, and now that I'm down to the wire, I'm reading more graphic novels in order to attain that goal.  While they are books, I would like to have non-graphic novel titles for the majority (if not all) of my list.  So this year I plan to read 50 books that are not graphic novels for my Goodreads 2012 Challenge.  That's not to say I won't be reading any graphic novels, I just won't count them towards this particular challenge.

2012 promises to be a great year, and I'm looking forward to it as both a librarian and a blogger.  Here's to a new year for all of us, my fellow bloggers and my dear readers!

What reflections do you have for 2011 and what challenges for 2012? ^_^

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books Gathering Dust On My Bookshelf

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library.  This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Books Gathering Dust On My Bookshelf

(In no particular order)

1. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - Ironically, this was the book on my first "Waiting on Wednesday" post. I really loved the exciting summary, but then I saw just how MASSIVE this book was. And it's book 1 in a trilogy! 

2. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - I know, I know, so many people have read it already and it's just been on my shelf ever since Karen pointed it out at a Half-Price Books in Round Rock. I'm not sure why I haven't picked it up, maybe I'm just not ready for it. 

3. Wolfsangel by M.D. Lachlan - Another one from a "Waiting on Wednesday" post that I was excited about! I'm not quite sure why it's stayed on my bookshelf for so long. Perhaps it's because of being the first book in a trilogy. (Inside info on DJL: when it comes to trilogies I will sometimes wait until all 3 books are out before reading all three in one go. Why? Cliffhangers. Prime current example? Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier.)

4. Shine by Lauren Myracle - After hearing the whole fiasco involving her book "mistakenly" being nominated for the National Book Awards, I really should have read my copy. But the topic is one of those that I believe one has to be braced for, and right now, I'm still uncertain if I'm braced enough for it. 

5. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - Same as above.

6. Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton - I think this one was due to my results of the hunt. After reading an awesome review over this one, I was on a serious hunt for it. It took me awhile to find it, but find it I did! And now...it's just staring at me from my TBR shelf...waiting.

7. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - This one, I might have an idea of why I've held off. I fear it might not live up to what everyone else has really built up about it. I know so many people who have enjoyed it and several that have not...so I procrastinate.

8. Unraveled by Gena Showalter - I'm a bit confuzzled by this hesitance. Perhaps I'm concerned by the summary of Twisted, which makes me want to have it on hand before I take on the second book in the Intertwined series.

9. Little Women and Werewolves by Porter Grand, Louisa May Alcott - I really loved Little Women, and while I do enjoy parodies, I'm a little scared to see what Grand has done to change one of my favorite classics.

10. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper - It's just not the right season for this book! Come December, it is going to be read and I will do so huddled under a blanket because it will finally be cold enough for me.

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers post about all the books they have received whether in the mail, if we purchased it, or checked out from our local library.  ^_^ 


Won from Donna at Book Lover's Hideaway for her Giveaway:

Without Mercy by Belinda Boring

Bought: 

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

The Eyes of a King by Catherine Banner
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

From my Library:

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

What did you get in your mailbox this week? ^_^