Booking Through 2022: Goals and More

 

        We are now a little over halfway through the first month of 2022. This year is already going by too fast. I'm planning author events and trying to crank out my first novel of the year. My writing goal this year is to publish at least three works. My reading goal is much higher. 

    Last year I read over 140 books for Goodread's yearly challenge. I was doing monthly book picks for a while but they didn't seem to be gathering interest. I'm not sure if it is how I formatted them, the graphics, or something else. No matter, I've decided to start fresh with something similar but different this year.

    Each of my reviews this year will contain the following information: book title, author name, rating, age level, genre, format read, and a review.

    I've pledged to read 200 books in 2022, which is the highest reading goal I've ever set. It has been a while since I've made a goal I wasn't sure I could meet and it felt about time I did it again. Thus, 200 books. To stay on track I will need to read approximately 16 books a month. That's a lot of reading. It does give me the excuse to read some small works, though. Short stories and novellas make great cleanses between bigger books.

    I'd also like to do a monthly giveaway, where I give away a copy of whatever book was my favorite for each month. I've set up a bracket and rating system to help me determine my favorite book. Basically, I'm listing out every book I give five hearts to each month. Then I pick my favorite out of those five stars and will use a bracket to determine my favorite book of the year. I'll try to keep an updated bracket going for you all so you can see my progress. 

    Along with my monthly picks, I'm hoping to do a monthly round-up. I don't want to flood you with random reviews throughout the month. Some days I have no reviews and others I have six. Weekends are huge reading days for me. So, to make it easier my goal is to consolidate each month's reviews into a single post. 

    I really want to strengthen my brand this year. This means I need to be posting on here more frequently, attending in-person author events, and getting my name out.

    One of the ways I'll be upping my posting is by offering monthly author spotlights. These will be interviews with indie authors about themselves, their families, and their works. Writing these will be good practice for both my journalism and author careers. It will be a way I can combine the nonfiction side of my life with the creative side of my life. Authors who are interested in being featured on this blog may fill out this form. All independent authors, no matter the genre or age level they write, are eligible for spotlights. If there is enough interest it may turn into a bi-weekly thing. For now, though, we're going to start small.

    To draw reads to the author spotlights I'll be posting a monthly Amazon Gift Card giveaway in my Facebook reader group. Which can be found here.

    I'll be posting again on here soon with January's book reviews. Until next time, stay safe and warm.