Thursday, December 27, 2012

In Times to Come...

Looking ahead to 2013, two of my favorite "non challenges" are coming up fast.  



Once again, Little Red Reviewer is hosting "The Vintage Science Fiction Not a Challenge".  Any science fiction that appeared before 1979 is eligible.  It runs for the month of January.



Meanwhile over at Stainless Steel Droppings, Carl is coordinating "The 2013 Science Fiction Experience".  Since it goes for January and February, it overlaps with the Vintage Not a Challenge.

The first books I will be reviewing are:

Perry Rhodan #2:  The Third Power by Walter Ernsting
The Door Through Space by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Cap Kennedy #2:  Slave Ship from Sergan by Gregory Kern

I will also be participating in the "Dragonflight" readalong.

Other challenges will be added during the year.

Reading Goals

In 2012, I only read and reviewed 14 books.  During my teen years, it was not unusual for me to read three to four books a week.  For 2013, I set a goal or reading and reviewing 50 books.  Based on my reading levels of the past few years, this looks like an impossible goal.  But if you don't set the bar high you never know what you are able to accomplish.

I will also be tracking my short story reading this year.  My goal for this year is to read a minimum of 52 stories.

In recent years I have got in the habit of watching television shows that are okay just because the television is on.  I have gone back to reading even when others in the house are watching shows.  I do plan on continuing to watch shows that I like (Doctor Who) or always wanted to see (Fringe).  I now have the first four seasons of "Fringe".  It is a show that one of my best friends (Terry) raves about.  He also gave me "Lost Girl Season 1" and both seasons of the old "War of the Worlds".  At some point, I plan on returning to my re-watch of "Star Trek:  Deep Space Nine" and my first time viewing of "Farscape".

As far as graphic novels go, I have the following ones ready to read:

Cerebus:  High Society (this is a re-read)
The Comic Book History of Comics
Critical Millenium
Daredevil Vol. 1 by Mark Waid
From Hell
GrimJack:  Killer Instinct
Invincible Vol. 16 to date
Lord of the Jungle Vol. 1
The Manhattan Projects Vol. 1
Rising Stars
Vampirella Vol. 1 (of the current series)
Warlord of Mars

Based on this list, I had best get back to reading.

Happy Holidays!

3 comments:

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I'm also joining the same non-challenges and looking forward to it. I just posted a review for a book I fell absolutely in love with and wasn't sure if you had a chance to dive into it. Have you heard of Wool, Omnibus Edition by Hugh Howey? It's a self-published book in the US, but released in the UK and Australia by Random House. Simon & Schuster will be releasing a print version in the US in March. It's amazing, my favorite book this year! I'd highly recommend that for you, would love to get your thoughts!

Jim Black said...

I have not read it yet but I just downloaded it to my Kindle. Thanks for the recommendation.

Carl V. Anderson said...

Glad you are participating in both of the events, Jim!

I too am going to keep track of my short story reading this year. I haven't done so in the past and I find that I want to go back and see what I've read and I don't have those records. So fingers crossed I'll keep up with it this year.