Holly's Reading Hollow: Let's Get Started

Last year's book and life goals went so well and I'm excited to begin working on my new list of goals! Just as last year, I had 10 book and life goals for 2015!

My Book Goals for 2015:
Disclaimer: Most of the books I plan on reading next year won't overlap in categories but I'm okay if some of them overlap; i.e. in categories #2 and #8

1. Read 5 of my oldest ebooks (added before 2015)

I have an awful time getting to the books on my kindle. I acquire eARCs and purchase older ebooks I've been meaning to get to but then never get to them. Last year I had a similar goal (read 5 ARCs) and didn't meet it, but I have better hopes for this one. i.e. Always You, Thomas & January, Just Remember to Breathe, Maybe One Day, Reason to Breathe, Anathema, On the Island, Breaking Free, Little Women, Stalk Me, etc

2. Read 5 of the earliest books added to my TBR list (in 2012)

I met this goal last year and wanted to do it again because there are still more books I've been neglecting for a long time. i.e. Back to You, The Body Finder, Sloppy Firsts, My Name is Memory, etc

3. Read 5 books I already own

I acquired 31 books in 2014 and read 10 of them, four of which I read within the last couple weeks of the year. Some of them were odd gifts or cheap pick ups from garage sales so I'm not sure how many of them I'll want to read in the end and, therefore, didn't want to put too much pressure on myself to read them if I am just not feeling them, but there's at least i.e. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Since You've Been Gone, Thin Space, The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller, Home Front, Chasing Hope, Night Road, Everneath, etc

4. Read 3 classics

I've never read a classic willingly, but I want to try some out that I'm actually interested in and get a taste of these world renown authors. i.e. Pride and Prejudice, The Three Musketeers, David Copperfield...

5. Read 5 books that inspired Disney/childhood movies

i.e. The Arabian Nights, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Tarzan and the Apes, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, etc

6. Read 5 historical novels and/or memoirs

This year I started getting into historical novels and memoirs. Unfortunately I didn't read that many of either, but that's where this goal comes in! I grouped these two categories together because they kind of have to do with similar subjects: both based off or inspired by real events. i.e. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Sold, I Am Malala, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, etc

7. Finish 5 series I've already begun

Particularly: Anna and the French Kiss, The Mortal Instruments, The Lunar Chronicles, Newsoul, Maze Runner, and That Boy

8. Read 10 new-to-me authors

Keep things fresh! i.e. Rainbow Rowell, Priscilla Glenn, A.L. Jackson, Tarryn Fisher, Steph Campbell, Amie Kaufman, Jennifer E. Smith,

9. Begin 10 series (and maybe binge read them??)

There are so many series I'm missing out on! i.e. The Heroes of Olympus, The Iron Fey, Nightshade, The Darkest Minds, Angelfall, Breathing, Sweet Evil, Ruby Red, The Syrena Legacy, Jessica Darling, Starbound, The Winner's Trilogy, Anathema, The Keatyn Chronicles, Fate, etc

10. Read more Shelly Crane books

I love her Significance and Wide awake series, but I only read two of her books last year. That's a problem that needs fixing! i.e. Smash into You, Collide, Stealing Grace, etc

My Life Goals for 2015:

1. Write my first completed draft

I've started multiple stories, but haven't finished any of them. I struggle with my writing and get discouraged easily, but this year I hope to keep chugging even when it is difficult.

2. Watch 1 new movie/documentary/TV show a week

I added this a list after January for last year's goals and I loved it so I wanted to do it again!

3. Hone crafting skills

Last year I knitted my first scarf, barely started sketching, challenged my design skills by making four Yearbook spreads, helped build a shed, and started making adjustments to my bookcases! Especially recently, the creative energy and inspiration is definitely swirling within me and I must do more with it! I received new knitting, crocheting, sketching, and calligraphy supplies for Christmas, so I plan on using the crap out of those. I also am taking a graphic design (drawing) class next semester, want to finish my bookshelves, and then do more work with wood and paint.

4. Go to my first concert

There were two concerts I wanted to go to last year (Tyler Ward and Bastille) but didn't get to go to either so this is a MUST. X Ambassadors looks promising but we'll see!

5. Educate myself and vote when I can

I didn't register so I wasn't able to vote, but this year I'm determined to make this happen.

6. Develop a healthy living style

Last year my goal was to "get off my butt more", which was an on and off process that picked up the last two months, but this year I want to take it a little bit farther and try to not eat so snacks and sweets so often and exercise at least semi regularly.

7. Consciously appreciate the things and people I have in my life and show that I mean it

Whether this be through reflecting on the good things that happen to me and the people I meet or reminding my family and friends I care and am thankful of them or being patient and thanking strangers.

The rest are a life goals I started last year and want to continue for the rest of my life:

8, 9, 10, & 11? strive to be helpful, honest, kind, and knowledgeable;

12. try new things without fear holding me back;

Check out The Broke and the Bookish to see what other book bloggers aim to achieve in 2015