I have always loved to read. It is something I'm proud to have inherited from my mom.
Before having the boys I would spend a lot of time reading...every night before bed, in the car, on trips, in doctor's waiting rooms, curled up in a chair on the weekend. I read about 40 books a year.
Since the boys, I've not had nearly as much time to read. Occasionally I still read at night before bed. Before it was a necessity...a way to quiet the day's thoughts running through my head in order to get some sleep. Now, I've been known to fall asleep fully dressed...barely letting my head touch the pillow before passing out. When I am this exhausted, I don't need to read unfortunately.
Here are my goals for the next 3 months:
Read one book about or taking place in China -
Empress Orchid (fiction) or Lost on Planet China (travel) or finish Oracle Bones (history)
Read one book about adoption -
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Read one parenting book -
Protecting The Gift or Raising Cain
Read one food science/nutrition/conservation book -
I've started The Omnivore's Delimma but it's a bit technical. There is biology and botany and once they started talking about corn sex, I couldn't stay focused. I wanted to read it. And I wanted to like it. I'm either going to try to finish it or I'll read Food Matters.
I'd also like to read I Was A Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids or get through at least one novel on my shelf, maybe World Without End or The Reader or The Friday Night Knitting Club.
Of the above mentioned books I only own a few. Hint to Scott: Mother's Day!
I just realized that the goals I've listed above are fairly wishy-washy. But what's a busy mama to do? I don't want to set myself up for obvious failure.
If you've read any of the books I've mentioned I'd love to know what you thought about them. Or I'll gladly take recommendations if you have any for the above categories.
Before having the boys I would spend a lot of time reading...every night before bed, in the car, on trips, in doctor's waiting rooms, curled up in a chair on the weekend. I read about 40 books a year.
Since the boys, I've not had nearly as much time to read. Occasionally I still read at night before bed. Before it was a necessity...a way to quiet the day's thoughts running through my head in order to get some sleep. Now, I've been known to fall asleep fully dressed...barely letting my head touch the pillow before passing out. When I am this exhausted, I don't need to read unfortunately.
____________________________________
Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting a reading challenge. Participants set reading-related goals to accomplish between March 20th and June 20 and report back how they are doing.Here are my goals for the next 3 months:
Read one book about or taking place in China -
Empress Orchid (fiction) or Lost on Planet China (travel) or finish Oracle Bones (history)
Read one book about adoption -
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Read one parenting book -
Protecting The Gift or Raising Cain
Read one food science/nutrition/conservation book -
I've started The Omnivore's Delimma but it's a bit technical. There is biology and botany and once they started talking about corn sex, I couldn't stay focused. I wanted to read it. And I wanted to like it. I'm either going to try to finish it or I'll read Food Matters.
I'd also like to read I Was A Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids or get through at least one novel on my shelf, maybe World Without End or The Reader or The Friday Night Knitting Club.
Of the above mentioned books I only own a few. Hint to Scott: Mother's Day!
____________________________________
I also am setting a goal to read more to my boys. Like everything, we go through phases...some times we read a little, some times a lot, and other times not at all. I plan on reading to my boys every day again. I'm not sure when...before bed is actually really difficult for us. Maybe in the morning? I want to read both picture books and a chapter book...maybe finish Charlotte's Web?I just realized that the goals I've listed above are fairly wishy-washy. But what's a busy mama to do? I don't want to set myself up for obvious failure.If you've read any of the books I've mentioned I'd love to know what you thought about them. Or I'll gladly take recommendations if you have any for the above categories.
Oh. THe book on adoption looks and sounds fabulous. I think I'll be picking that one up and appreciate you listing and mentioning it!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte's Web was my favorite as a child. Read it over and over:) I love that title about being a really good mom before the kids. Too funny. That's the great thing about the challenge...your list can be anything you want it to be. Best of luck and happy spring.
ReplyDeleteI try to read too, but fall asleep or end up blogging instead. I wish everyone's blog was in book form, then I would for sure finish a book. LOL Best of luck reading!
ReplyDeleteI roll called under you in SITS today so I wanted to say HELLO! Im a big reader too....sadly not as much as before kids but I still get a lot of books in.
ReplyDeleteCammie
Great list of what you want to do while allowing yourself some freedom - it's not wishy-washy at all - you have goals and you are a busy momma!
ReplyDeleteI am a bookworm too. I read an average of a book a week, sometimes more (like July, when I read 9 books!).
ReplyDeleteI have a stack on my nightstand, and as I finish one, I start another, whatever looks inviting at the time. Chain reading... one, to another, to another.
Keep us posted! I might sign up for the challenge, not that I need much help indulging in my addiction :o)
What a great idea to set the goals! Good luck. I'd love to know what you think about the books.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would read more. Sometimes I think I need to hide the computer! When I do decide to read, I really enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI also tagged you from my blog :)
Thanks for sharing!
Hi! It's nice to "meet" you and congratulations on your adoption in progress. I liked the 20 Things book, and one of my other favorites is Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother by Jana Wolff.
ReplyDeleteI think Oracle Bones sounds fascinating, and I added it to my TBR list.
My kids liked Charlotte's Web but they love Stuart Little even more - it's got a little more action & adventure to it!
I like how you structured your goals, and I don't think you're being wishy-washy. You're just being flexible and realistic! And boy, do I hear you on struggling to find time to read since kids came along... Hopefully, we'll both manage to fit lots of reading in this spring. Thanks for being part of Spring Reading Thing 2009!
ReplyDeleteHi Carey! Oh my gosh, I could have totally written the first part of your post myself! I love reading, and I inherited it from my mom too! Now, I hardly have any time to read!!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you have those reading goals! That inspires me!
I love to read. When we aren't in school, I have been known to read a book a day. Now, I'm not talking Shakespeare or anything!! I did a post similar to this over the summer seeking input on authors. I'll dig it out if you want other ideas!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything on your list but am intrigued by the "I Was a Good Mom" one. I may have to check that out!!
I enjoyed reading your list and seeing the categories you're interested in. A great book with China as its setting is My Half of the Sky by Jana McBurney-Lin. It's about a young Chinese woman who's trying to decide whether to be a dutiful daughter and do just what her parents want her to do, or whether to brand out and make some choices that seem right to her. It is a long book, though, so it may be one you put on your list for when your kids are a little older and you have a bit more time to read ;) I remember those days well.
ReplyDeleteHi, i'm back :) I'm asking anyone who might help with a blogging problem...my posts are not updating to my followers. It is stuck on a post from Monday and I've removed the posts from that day, but doesn't seem to be doing the trick ;(
ReplyDeleteDo you have any suggestions or ideas....anyone?
thanks :)
I love Charlotte's web. It was one of the first books I bought for my boys.
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same problem with The Omnivore's Dilemma. I really wanted to read it but I just couldn't get into it although there were parts that were fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThose look like great goals! Have fun reading this spring.
ReplyDeletefriday night knitting club is an easy read...I buzzed right through it. enjoy.
ReplyDelete