David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion

Do you have any goals and/or resolutions for 2014?

My main goal is to work with my agent to find a publisher for my new book, Brew.

My resolution is to try to not get too stressed out about writing sequels!

Great goals, David! But you ought to come up with something personal as well as professional. Of course, you don't have to share it ;)

Hmmm I'll have to think on mine. I need to go and look and see what my 2013 was to see how I did for this year...

To finish a book(Seem have issue with that)
Go back to school, for Nursing.

Okay I found mine, I'm going to use it to make mine for next year. Sorry this will be a long involved process!

Resolutions for 2013:

Reading Resolutions

Read 200 books this year. I feel this is a pretty good goal. Last year, I shot for 120 books, and read 150! So time to up it! Did it!! New goal: 300 books

Keep up and finish all my challenges. I signed up for several, and I'm hoping I can follow through! Did about 75% of them I think. So this year, I will only sign up for 6 yearly challenges, and I think I will try to stick to ones on Goodreads.

Read more adult books. Last year, I read almost entirely YA, which is fine. But I missed my adult time! FAILED. Massively. I need to count, but I know it has to be less than 10! Next year's goal: 25 adult books.

Finish up several series I'm reading. Vampire Academy, Sookie Stackhouse, Stephanie Plum, Rick Riordan's series, and there are several others! FAIL. Again. I finished Vampire Academy, and that was it out of what I listed. So add those others back on for next year!

Blog Resolutions

Try to review every full length book I've read. I did a really horrible job of this last year. I read 150 books, and posted 55 reviews! I'm just sticking to full length book reviews for now. I read a lot of short story and novella ebooks, and those are almost too short to write a review for. Another FAIL. I read over 300 books this year, and I reviewed 103. I was doing great until July. Then I completely fell off the wagon until September, and had a few more reviews (all for David) then nothing until about a week ago. UGH. This year, I'm going to keep the goal more realistic--I will review ALL review book and ARCs I receive. There. That should be more doable!

Make my reviews more interesting. I need to try a few new things. Like maybe added quotes from the book. Things like that. No idea...I think they are probably about the same. I did do a few on video, but those sucked I think! Going to skip this one for 2014!

Participate in less memes, but more blog hops. I do a lot of memes. I've been cutting down the last month. I will stick with the In My Mailbox for awhile. I will continue Top Ten Tuesday and What Are You Reading Monday when I have the time. Aced this one! So its off the list for 2014

Do more giveaways, and try some Book Tours. I am participating in my first Book Tour later this month! I did do this, more in the first half of the year. I actually got a little burned out from it, but I found some fabulous books!! So I will aim for 1 new blog tour a month I think, in addition to any others I already do tours for.

Personal Resolutions

Make some more blogger friends. I've been blogging over 2 years, and I feel like I'm really suffering in this department! Totally did this! I aced this one and had so much fun doing new things, and I did make a ton new friends! Some really close ones, too!

Keep the Mr. more involved in my blogging processes. I've just realized how interested my computer geek hubby is in my blogging and reading. I didn't realize I was excluding him so much! Yup, did this. And it was met either with extreme happiness, or complete boredom. Sometimes, he really wants to know, other times...not so much! Can leave this one off for 2014, just keep doing what I'm doing!

Learn 5 new things this year. I used to keep a bucket list of things I wanted to learn or do, and every year I'd try to knock 5 things off my list. I haven't done that in at least 5 years! So now is the time to get back on it! I might even include some of my adventures in my blog! Not sure on this one...5 new things. Here we go (turning on my brain) 1. Learned how to use a meat grinder. For work. New job in kitchen. Ya know. 2. Learned how to use my webcam! 3. Learned how to record and edit my own videos! 4. Learned how to play "Hearts" (card game). Darryl taught me a few weeks ago. Kind of dumb I didn't know how to play. 5. Learned how to play Apples to Apples. At Holiday Party. That I had a little too much fun at.
Some of those may have been reaching...they weren't life changing or anything, but they will help me in my life, so I guess that's all that counts! So I will make the same resolution for 2014, learn 5 new things!

Another one that wasn't in there was I made a goal to read atleast 100 books released in 2013. I know I did this, at last count I was at 110. So Woot! Making the same goal for 2014!

I don't think I need to add to this. Things are going pretty well in my life at the moment, so just keep doing what I'm doing!

Oh, one that wasn't on the list but is something Darryl and I do every year: Volunteer! We try to volunteer with the kids at least 4 times a year. Same for 2014!

Good one David! ! I want to save more money.... eat healthier and my friend and I are going to collaborate and come up with some ideas to write a book. haha probably for fun but none the less.

Wow, Jenny! Amazing list!!

I'm going to try mine from last year again (which I failed at these past few months!)

Spend less time working and more me time!! I did ok for part of 2013 and then these past few months worked more than ever. BUT although I slept less to do it, I did get more involved with book friends and groups including moderating this amazing group!! ;-)

Shauna wrote: "Good one David! ! I want to save more money.... eat healthier and my friend and I are going to collaborate and come up with some ideas to write a book. haha probably for fun but none the less."

Any book you've written is well worth it!! You never know!! ;-)

Wow, great start all! And holy shmoly Jenny, good luck!!

My 2014 Goals/Resolution is to get a Job and read 40 books.

Well, I figure if you're going to do something, do it right! LOL

Jenny wrote: "Well, I figure if you're going to do something, do it right! LOL"

That's one of many reasons you're awesome :)

My new years resolution is to make a list like Jenny's lol.

I admire people who are so organized Jenny way to go.

Ha! I love that, Tana :)

I'm always torn when I make resolutions. On one hand, it's a list of things I want to change/improve in my life (ie. mostly habits and such). On the other hand, it's a list of things to do/accomplish for the year. For now though, as I've been given a lovely planner - perfect timing! I haven't used a planner for several years now, actually. - I'm leaning towards the to-do list definition of resolutions more, though of course, the habit-forming/changing/breaking is mixed in somewhere. To-do's are just more concrete, I feel. XP

So, included in my list - the important ones! - are:

_ Read (& review) at least 2 books a month. || I know most people do it in the hundreds, but after the drought in reading I've been experiencing since high school, I think I'll start small, then work my way up from there, yeah? :)

_ Do well at work. || I'm starting my first ever full-time serious job this January! 0.o

_ Apply for Masters. || Didn't get to finish this this past year due to personal issues, so I hope I can manage better this coming year.

_ Actually finish my NaNovel, FOR ONCE! || Self-explanatory, I think. :))

And then there are the others, but yeah, those seem to be the main ones, I think. :P

Here's to the new year~! May we all do our best, and find fulfillment at the end of it. Or at the very least, no regrets. ;)

Tana wrote: "My new years resolution is to make a list like Jenny's lol.

I admire people who are so organized Jenny way to go."

LOL Thanks! I used to be more so, but my brain is getting older and fails me sometimes now. Writing things down is a must! I got this way because I have 4 kids, and if someone doesn't take control and run the ship, it would be utter chaos!

Dominique wrote: "I'm always torn when I make resolutions. On one hand, it's a list of things I want to change/improve in my life (ie. mostly habits and such). On the other hand, it's a list of things to do/accompli..."

These are all excellent goals! You should never compare yourself and your progress to others, always continue to improve yourself :) I know lots of people who only read a book or so a month, and there is nothing wrong with that! Just keep on reading!

I've read some scary statistics on book and reading lately, these are just a few I found. These are U.S. statistics.

Total percent of U.S. population that has specific reading disorders 15%
Total percentage of american adults who can’t understand the labels on their prescriptions 46%
Total percent of young people who claim they read more than 10 books a year 56%
Total percentage of U.S. adults who are unable to read an 8th grade level book 50%
Total amount of words read annually by a person who reads 15 minutes a day 1 million
Total percent of U.S. high school graduates who will never read a book after high school 33%
Total percentage of college students who will never read another book after they graduate 42%
Total percentage of U.S. families who did not buy a book this year 80%
Total percentage of adults that have not been in a book store in the past 5 years 70%
Total percentage of books started that aren’t read to completion 57%
Total percent of U.S. students that are dyslexic 15%
Total percentage of NASA employees that are dyslexic 50%
Total number of U.S. inmates that are literate 15%

Oh gosh, those are extremely scary stats! We're leading the charge on making reading cool again!

I like those goals, Layla! GOOD LUCK!! ;)

LOL!! Layla, your creativity never fails to impress me :)

Well besides the obvious cliché New Years Resolution to be more active, fit, eat less *blah blah blah*, I want to write a book review for each book I read. Often times I forget to mark down the books I've read in Good Reads...which is no surprise when it showed I only read 25 books for the whole year. I was like, "what???" Yeah, Im pretty sure I read more then 25 books in the first 3 months in 2013.
So my goal is to write a review for each book that I read this year in Good Reads, maybe transfer some of them over into Amazon, but really it's Good Reads I want to try write for first.
I would love to dedicate my life to reading 300 books for the year, like some, but I go thru lull's where I can't find decent books I like. And sometimes the book can be so down right horrible, I can't even finish it.
So I'll stick with my review goal and who knows what 2015 invites for me :)
Good luck with all your resolutions!

That's a good resolution, Cindee! And something I struggle with as well. I saw lots of bloggers with the same resolution! lol My problem is always review/blogger burnout. I just get that way sometimes. I rarely get reader burnout, but at times I will slow down. I didn't really this year, except for July when I was super busy, so I was able to kick butt on books!

seriously jenny your my reading hero! I thought I had a thirst for books, my friends were always shocked how fast I went thru books. but you put me to shame lol how do you get anything done? and is reading your job? and if so how do i get that job lol.

No, its not my job, wish it was! I just read really fast, and read atleast 2 hours a day :)

Jenny is seriously MY hero!! ;)

Cindee wrote: "Well besides the obvious cliché New Years Resolution to be more active, fit, eat less *blah blah blah*, I want to write a book review for each book I read. Often times I forget to mark down the bo..."

Wow, that's a great goal and us authors really appreciate it! (especially the reviews cross-posted on Amazon :)

Cindee wrote: "seriously jenny your my reading hero! I thought I had a thirst for books, my friends were always shocked how fast I went thru books. but you put me to shame lol how do you get anything done? and ..."

LOL I think Jenny's everyone's reading hero!

Aww you guys! *blushing*

I need to read more books that I own and eventually decrease the number of books in my room.

I think a lot of us should have that same resolution! Me included :)

My resolution is to get accepted to university in Scotland and move there :))

WOW, Taja, what an ambitious goal! I'm rooting for you!!

Taja wrote: "My resolution is to get accepted to university in Scotland and move there :))"

Ah wow! Best of luck!

Thanks guys! You're the sweetest ^^

Taja wrote: "My resolution is to get accepted to university in Scotland and move there :))"

Eep! Soooo exciting! Best resolution/goal I've seen!

Karen wrote: "Taja wrote: "My resolution is to get accepted to university in Scotland and move there :))"

Eep! Soooo exciting! Best resolution/goal I've seen!"

Aw thanks! I'm super scared, but very determined to make it happen :)

Jenny wow
Taja fingers and toes crossed for you.
My resolution was or make no resolutions! I never stick to them and yes you guessed I didn't stick to that I'd either so mine are.
1. Read more.
2. Work less.
3. Make more time for my friends and family,

Simple ones but achievable- I hope!!

My 2014 resolutions:

1. To be joyful each and every day
2. To go on date nights with each of my kids once a month and with my wife once a week
3. To write 3000 words a week
4. To find an agent for MAIDEN
5. To finish the first draft of the sequel

Joanne wrote: "Jenny wow
Taja fingers and toes crossed for you.
My resolution was or make no resolutions! I never stick to them and yes you guessed I didn't stick to that I'd either so mine are.
1. Read more.
2...."

Those are perfect goals!

Chris wrote: "My 2014 resolutions:

1. To be joyful each and every day
2. To go on date nights with each of my kids once a month and with my wife once a week
3. To write 3000 words a week
4. To find an agent for..."

A good mix of personal and professional. I like it!

I have a goal (not a resolution because I always bail on those) to read a book that has been on my TBR for over a year after every other book.

Joanne wrote: "Jenny wow
Taja fingers and toes crossed for you.
My resolution was or make no resolutions! I never stick to them and yes you guessed I didn't stick to that I'd either so mine are.
1. Read more.
2...."

I like this list, Joanne!! Similar to my thoughts!

Chris wrote: "My 2014 resolutions:

1. To be joyful each and every day
2. To go on date nights with each of my kids once a month and with my wife once a week
3. To write 3000 words a week
4. To find an agent for..."

Aaawwww Chris! Love #2! Another great list!!

Tracy wrote: "I have a goal (not a resolution because I always bail on those) to read a book that has been on my TBR for over a year after every other book."

That's a good one. I might try a variation!

I think my goal is graduate from university and go to Germany for my Master. I hope I can do the first and one university accepts me for the second. :)

That's an AWESOME goal, Elif :)