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Authors, readers, critics, media − and booksellers.

Lists

Our 2019 Reading Resolutions

by Powell's Staff, December 28, 2018 11:22 AM
Our 2019 Reading Resolutions

I plan to read everything published by Arsenal Pulp Press this year. Memoir, novels, poetry, cookbooks — this progressive Canadian press has a bit of everything and always impresses and inspires. A must for fans of queer lit and intersectionality! — Robin A. 

This coming year I'm determined to rekindle my passion for children's picture books in the hopes that it pushes me to finally finish my own. The imagery and lessons found within these books have stuck with me through the years, both inspiring me as an artist and reminding me at all times to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. What a dream it would be to return that favor to the little humans of our future. — Toma R.

My 2019 reading resolution is to read Mason and Dixon by Thomas Pynchon... and finish it before 2020 arrives. — Aimee A. 

To broaden my figurative horizons, I have implemented a plan to help diversify my literary consumption. Instead of building a fort around me, made up of comfortable (and familiar) genres, I intend on lowering the drawbridge and raising the portcullis to allow through the gates contenders from all throughout the bookstore to earn a place 'pon my shelves. No longer will the “tournament of ages” be limited to fantasy and sci-fi, but to all great tomes that have the potential to captivate, fascinate, and educate.
— Samantha C.

My goal is always 52 books — one a week. I’d like to get through part two of Robert A. Caro’s biography of Lyndon Johnson, Means of Ascent. Moby Dick and The Idiot have been on my shelf for too long and I have yet to read any Margaret Atwood. — Jeffrey J.

My resolution this year is to finally finish reading all my signed books from the authors I've met over the last few years. And to whittle down my GoodReads "Currently Reading" list from 74 to something more manageable, say under 10. — Mecca A.

My reading resolution for 2019 is to read more fiction, and for none of that fiction to be by white men. — Kyan F.

My primary reading preference is literary fiction, memoirs, and children’s picture books (which I read with my two children). While these all give me immense pleasure to read, I’d like to expand my knowledge and read more nonfiction. — Kate L.

This year I'd like to go one for one: for every book I read by a white author, I'm going to read one by an author of color. (Bonus points if the AOC is a woman!) — Carrie K.

This coming year I resolve to read extra books in the expanses of time I'd typically be obsessively refreshing the increasingly terrifying news or committing self-harm by scrolling through mean internet comments. Secondly, I resolve to read the things I want to read at that moment, and to give myself permission to ruthlessly put down books that don't click. — Cosima C.

My resolution is a doozy: I resolve to read one book from each aisle at the Burnside store. Starting upstairs in the Pearl Room and working my way down ending in the Green Room. I know it will probably take all of 2019, but this way I get to read books that I would never pick up on my own (Fishing Lore and Automotive Repair I'm looking at you)! — Keeley H.

For 2019, I plan on reading at least two books in a foreign language and five-plus books of nonfiction such as The Big Burn by Timothy Egan and The World Is Blue by Sylvia Earle. — Ben B.

I've accumulated a lot of books in the last few years, and I'd like to work on reading the books I already own. Additionally, I want to read some of the adult fantasy that has intimidated me. The Name of the Wind, Nevernight, Brandon Sanderson, N. K. Jemisin, etc... I will finally tackle those! — Monica H. 

When Ta-Nehisi Coates published Between the World and Me in 2015, he recommended 13 essential books on race in America. I’ve been slowly working my way through that list, but 2019 is the year I’m determined to finish the books he recommended — and hopefully delve even deeper into the subject. Next up for me is The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist. — Mary S. 

I predominantly read for pleasure and quite often fall victim to the bright lights of new releases and what's popular at the moment. And although there's nothing wrong with that, I do want to incorporate more classics and authors from diverse backgrounds into my reading mix. Another goal to tackle is all 1,266 pages of Alan Moore's Jerusalem. — Michelle L. 

My 2019 resolution is two-fold: I would like to read 5 books each from both Feminist Press and Soft Skull Press, and I am raising my usual 30 books per year goal to 45. I'm ready for the challenge! — Haley B. 

Well, I have to read the Tournament of Books titles, so my resolution won't start until the end of March. After that, I want to rotate my reading with fiction, classic, and a local author. I also want to blast through the impenetrable walls of books that are stacked everywhere in my house. That second part is going to mess up that first part — such is the life of a bookseller. So many books!
— Dianah H.

I'm not putting them off any more. Going to finish every series I've started and loved, but then abandoned for something else. I'm looking at you Inheritance Trilogy, Lord of the Rings, Remembrance of Earth's Past, and yes, Harry Potter. — Ben T. 

My resolution is to read more of the old-school fantasy "greats" like Sanderson, Jordan, and Pratchett, as well as getting out of my literary comfort zone and reading more books outside of my preferred genres. — Thomas B. 

My reading resolution for 2019 is to read more in other languages, particularly Spanish and French as I have been studying those, and think it’s one of the best ways to improve one’s skills! — Arianna F.

I'm currently in the process of moving. With six hardcore readers in the house, we will be moving more than 30 boxes of books into our new place. My 2019 resolution is to get all those boxes unpacked so my old friends can see light once again! — Deana R.

I spent the last several years frantically trying to catch up on all the classics I still hadn’t read. In 2019, though, I’d like to read more new releases, especially those written by young authors and published by independent presses. Plus, I’m giving myself permission to put down the books I’m just not enjoying — no more reading out of obligation! Where’s the fun in that? — Sophie A.



Books mentioned in this post

Mason & Dixon

Pynchon, Thomas

World Is Blue

Sylvia Earle

Moby Dick or, The Whale

Herman Melville

Between the World and Me

Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism

Edward E Baptist

Means of Ascent The Years of Lyndon Johnson Volume 2

Robert A Caro

Idiot

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear, Larissa Volokhonsky

Big Burn Teddy Roosevelt & the Fire That Saved America

Timothy Egan

The Name of the Wind

Patrick Rothfuss

Nevernight: Nevernight Chronicles 1

Jay Kristoff

Jerusalem

Alan Moore
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3 Responses to "Our 2019 Reading Resolutions"

Michael B. January 1, 2019 at 02:48 PM
Keeley H.! Wow! That goal sounds so awesome, not to mention ambitious! I love the creativity of it! I love Monica H.'s goal. I have so many books I've picked up and haven't read. It's time to show some love to the books I have waiting for me on my shelf.

Maeghan December 31, 2018 at 11:15 PM
You are my 2019 reading goal twin Monica H! I plan to read the bigger books in 2019 since I seem to enjoy them more. Mistborn, Nevernight, The Name of the Wind, The Queen of the Tearling, The Fifth Season, A Darker Shade of Magic, and so many more fantastic books I haven't gotten to yet!

Judith Squires December 31, 2018 at 10:47 AM
I'm going to finish "The Big Burn" as well. Timothy Egan is one of my favorites. His book about the Dust Bowl "The Worst Hard Time" is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. I also recommend his great book of Thomas Meagher, the great Irishman who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Finally, out trip to Powell's this summer was a high point; we took our best friends from Illinois, who had never been to Portland or Powell's City of Books. Thank you all at Powell's for keeping books and reading alive! Happy New Year!

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