I'm hooking into:
This is a meme hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer wherein everyone gets to share their news for the week. It's a great opportunity to see what's happening out there in the blogosphere, so go check out some other Sunday Posters!
Today's post is going to have a few sections:
1. General Update
2. Christmas in October Wrap-up
3. DNFs
4. Currently...
5. Goals for Last Quarter
1. General Update
I've got a stack of reviews coming: there'll be at least one 'quickies' post this week because I need to catch up on books I've already finished reading for review but haven't posted to the blog yet.
2. Christmas in October
Last week, here on To Each Their Own Reviews, it was Christmas in October! I reviewed five Christmas-themed novels (four romances and one women's lit), and had two lovely guest posts from authors. It was a lot of fun! Frankly, I think it's hilarious that so many Christmas books come out in October. November, sure, you want to get ahead of the season. But I think companies should be catering to Halloween in October. So of course, I had to turn it into a big to do!
If you missed out on any of my Christmas in October posts, here are the links:
3. DNFs
Sometimes I choose to 'did not finish' a book when I'm half-way or so through it, and I'm not enjoying it. I don't like to do it, but when reading becomes a chore, I'm not going to let a bad book slow me down!
I've DNFed a couple of books lately that I've posted about in their own reviews, but I have two DNFs that keep lingering, so I'm reporting them here:
Shattered Blue by Lauren Bird Horowitz
This one is a YA fantasy novel that I actually set down really early on. The story had me rolling my eyes pretty quickly, and I could not get into the world that was being laid out.
SEAL Wolf Hunting by Terry Spear
This is the sixteenth book in a series that I hadn't read before. And unfortunately, I won't be going back to. I disliked the style of the writing, and the tone of the book. Though the blurb still makes me want to pick this one up, I simply can't get past the writing itself.
I've DNFed a couple of books lately that I've posted about in their own reviews, but I have two DNFs that keep lingering, so I'm reporting them here:
Shattered Blue by Lauren Bird Horowitz
This one is a YA fantasy novel that I actually set down really early on. The story had me rolling my eyes pretty quickly, and I could not get into the world that was being laid out.
SEAL Wolf Hunting by Terry Spear
This is the sixteenth book in a series that I hadn't read before. And unfortunately, I won't be going back to. I disliked the style of the writing, and the tone of the book. Though the blurb still makes me want to pick this one up, I simply can't get past the writing itself.
4. Currently...
Reading: I'm just starting Prisoner of Love by Cathy Skendrovich.
Watching: Binge-watching seasons of The League, which has moments of hilarity and moments where it goes a little too far for me (e.g. Rafi could depart and I would be happy).
Playing: For my husband's early October birthday, I conceded and played some EverQuest with him. I've also been playing a bit of Dota 2 and Payday 2.
Feeling: Cold, not loving the change in temperature and that it's only going to get colder until spring.
Loving: Having some really productive days. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hating: Househunting.
Planning: My Nanowrimo novel draft.
Wanting: More hours in the day, always.
Thinking: About how to balance my time spent working and cleaning with play time with my husband and kids.
Playing: For my husband's early October birthday, I conceded and played some EverQuest with him. I've also been playing a bit of Dota 2 and Payday 2.
Feeling: Cold, not loving the change in temperature and that it's only going to get colder until spring.
Loving: Having some really productive days. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hating: Househunting.
Planning: My Nanowrimo novel draft.
Wanting: More hours in the day, always.
Thinking: About how to balance my time spent working and cleaning with play time with my husband and kids.
5. Goals for Last Quarter
I watched a Youtube video recently that was an author, Jenna Moreci, talking about setting goals. She talks about her strategy for getting projects done: She sets 10-20 goals for each quarter of the year, and then reviews them at the end of the quarter. If she's gotten at least half of them done, then she pats herself on the back.
Seems like a good system to me. I'd like to pat myself on the back every three months!
So I've decided to set some goals to see me through to the end of the year, and we'll see how well I do!
- get 33 more blog posts written and posted (this is three a week from now until the end of December)
- update amazon and goodreads with all 2015 reviews from January-April. (I know a few have snuck through without being posted)
- create a calendar with my editing, writing and blog posting goals on it.
- finish editing current two projects
- Nanowrimo - 50K in November!
- buy a new living room couch and kitchen table
- write and post 11 non-review blog posts
- write up 11 weeks worth of meal plans to keep myself *on plan*
- update my inventory of arcs and owned, unread books and ebooks
- plan two themed weeks in 2016
- schedule in some marathons (such as bloggiesta or read-a-thons) to participate in, in 2016
That's 11 goals, all of which would be lovely to complete!
Seems like a good system to me. I'd like to pat myself on the back every three months!
So I've decided to set some goals to see me through to the end of the year, and we'll see how well I do!
- get 33 more blog posts written and posted (this is three a week from now until the end of December)
- update amazon and goodreads with all 2015 reviews from January-April. (I know a few have snuck through without being posted)
- create a calendar with my editing, writing and blog posting goals on it.
- finish editing current two projects
- Nanowrimo - 50K in November!
- buy a new living room couch and kitchen table
- write and post 11 non-review blog posts
- write up 11 weeks worth of meal plans to keep myself *on plan*
- update my inventory of arcs and owned, unread books and ebooks
- plan two themed weeks in 2016
- schedule in some marathons (such as bloggiesta or read-a-thons) to participate in, in 2016
That's 11 goals, all of which would be lovely to complete!
I am more task oriented than goal oriented. Just staying a few weeks ahead on blogging is a big goal for me though. I am here: http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/2015/10/clammy.html
ReplyDeleteSetting goals can be great...as long as they are achievable.
ReplyDeleteI did NaNoWriMo in 2010....and later went on to complete and publish the novel. Enjoy!
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Christmas stuff seems to come out sooner and sooner - I guess that applies to books now too! I need to find some Christmas/ wintery books for the HoHoho readathon next month... I better get busy.
ReplyDeleteI need to update Good reads too, just thinking about it reminds me how behind I am. LOL. Good luck with NaNo!
I like the format you're using for this post.
ReplyDeleteI've started DNFing if a book becomes a struggle. Life is certainly too short.
And I love the goal-setting idea. I'm a goal-setter but sometimes struggle on the follow-through!
I wish I could be more goal orientated long term but I am hopeless but yay for you being so organised! I wish you well with all of them!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!