Bout of Books 18 Begins Monday!

My 2017 reading plans are about to get a big boost: Bout of Books 18 kicks off on Monday.

I love starting a new year with a readathon. Especially when said readathon falls during what is, for me, a vacation week. And when I have big, big reading plans for the new year.

If you’re interested in participating and/or cheering on other readers, hop over to the Bout of Books website. Meantime, here’s how they describe the event:

“The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 18 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.”

Since Bout of Books begins on day two of 2017, this seems like a good time to talk about those big reading plans I mentioned (so grandiosely, ha). My three 2017 reading goals that Bout of Books can give me a boost with:

First, I’m thrilled that Andi at Estella’s Revenge is continuing #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks this year. I am all in that challenge. I participated in 2016 and want to ramp it up in 2017 by continuing to cut down on my book purchases and put a bigger dent in my existing library.

Second, along with the aforementioned, I’m doing the Book Hoarder challenge with Benjamin Thomas at The Writing Train. It’s further incentive to scale my personal Mount TBR. I wrote more about it here. You can find more information at The Writing Train here as well.

Third, my site has a new name that speaks to another of my reading goals for 2017: incorporating more mindful reading of classic books. I’ll be writing more about that in the coming weeks. I won’t only be reading classics, but reading (and rereading) them this year has reminded me how much they have to give. If you’re interested, I’ve begun to explore how here and here.

For the first week of 2017, I’m thinking it’s time to get back to The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. I’d also like to get at least one of my own books read. It might just be Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell or The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley.

What books are you planning to start with in 2017?