For the Betterment of Josie

[juxtaposie]

Up until highschool, I was reading 3 or 4 books a month, many of them brick-sized (Wheel of Time, to give you an idea). When I graduated and went out into the great wide world (almost 4 years ago, now), that stopped, almost all together. Of all the things I feel like I have lost, that is the one I miss most - but writing is a close second. My fic count per month has dropped drastically, and I am continuously starting something new when I should be finishing something I've already begun. I used to sew and knit extensively.

So here is a list of things I will do this year, in attempts to better myself:

1) Read at least one non-Star Wars (as of March 30th, I failed on this non-Star Wars point, so fuck it!) book a month (previously read books counting only if I have little to no recollection of them; some graphic novels might apply). So far, so good:

• January - Lamb by Christopher Moore
• February - Watchmen (yes, it totally counts!) by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
• March - (reread) Edge of Victory I and II by Greg Keyes
• April - Neuromancer by William Gibson, (reread) Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham
• May - Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (reread), Heir to the Empire by Tim Zahn

2) I will post at least one fic of more than 1000 words every month, and I will finish a least one previously-begun fic:

• January - Between the Lines (old)
• February - empty
• March - Test Run, Part 1(Star Wars), Test Run, Part 2(Star Wars), Soul Meets Soul(Star Wars) (new)
• April - Untitled(Star Wars), Bedmates (Star Wars), Punchline (Star Wars), Delicate Palates (Repo!),
• May -Inviolable (PPG), Politics (Avatar)

3) I will finish one craft project, of any size, each month:

• January - empty
• February - handwarmers
• March - (attempting) brown fuzzy scarf, (planned for Spring Break) Jedi tunic or sundress FAIL!
• April - sundress (and god is it beautiful!), (attempting, again) Jedi tunic
• May - Jedi tunic (damnit Josie, do it!)

So any book suggestions? Any fic you'd like to see finished? Anything you think I should do with my time that I might find worthwhile? Let me know!

<input ... ></input><input ... >

 

Comments

[essbeejay.livejournal.com]

Tell me you've read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and the over-hyped Neil Gaiman.

[juxtaposie.livejournal.com]

*gasp* How dare you take Neil Gaiman's name in vain! Even if Terry Pratchett had produced a larger number of books of at least the same quality! American Gods was still amazing!

And yes, I have read and loved Good Omens. It was amazing.

[tehlobster.livejournal.com]

I still read too much (though I realize my love for Animorphs does not count as reading books, heh) and write, though you've heard my WOES on how I cannot write to any real length!

As for book suggestions, if reading sci-fi still counts, I really enjoyed Orson Scott Card's Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus. And I think you should give me the Jedi tunic pattern. :D

[juxtaposie.livejournal.com]

Pastwatch is now on the list! I loved Ender's Game, but have never picked up any of his other novels.

And it's an old Simplicity pattern. They might still have it.

[tehlobster.livejournal.com]

Well, tell me what the pattern is and maybe I can stop in at JoAnn's on Monday. :P

I have never read Ender's Game! It was so thoroughly spoiled for me I never saw the point. :/

[juxtaposie.livejournal.com]

Oh, please read it. The writing is so amazing.

[lyraeinne.livejournal.com]

I totally admire your resolve. I am also lousy at finishing things and reading actual books, and I was much better at both before there was School. Though admittedly, I really can't blame all of it on that.

And I was totally all set to recommend Watchmen, before I saw it already on your list. Yay! Good choice, there. :P And I had at least two other books in mind, but now they have gone. Hmm. Will get back to you if I remember.

[juxtaposie.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. Reading used to be my winding down hobby. If I didn't get in an hour of book time before bed I had a hell of a time sleeping. I'm trying to get back into that habit in the hopes that it will up my book count. So far it seems to be working pretty well.

And please do get back to me about the books. I almost always enjoy sci-fi, as well as exceptional fantasy and murder/mystery novels. And I have a kinda of not-so-secret obsession with books involving Indian and Indian-American culture, especially during and pre-WW2. Recommend away!

[erised-wings.livejournal.com]

Has nothing to do with anything. Enjoy it anyways.