New Year's Resolutions

The time of year is prone to the resolution - promises we make ourselves on ways to improve our lives a little this year better than it was last year.

I no longer make the usual ‘more exercise’, ‘cut bad habits’, ‘eat, drink, do, think healthier’… well, at my age I suppose I know now those will fall on empty promises by mid-February… besides, I should also know better that if these are with intent I should keep to them all year long and not just realise them in January.

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So this year I will go for simple changes, easy to stick with AND small enough to actually make a big impact!

So these are the main two ones… hmm, actually, to be honest they were originally three and nr.3 was to blog only once or twice {at most} a day… but, my friends, as you know, I need my blog more than it needs me, and I can’t really cut something that makes me happy, can I?… that’s the whole point of the resolution, right?!

So number one: Draw More.

This will be the hardest {maybe?} as I don’t know how to fit it in my day but I will do my upmost to draw more, which is something I love to do {and really need to keep practicing – as it’s one of those where practice makes perfect!}

The second is to: Read More.

I love reading, I absolutely do! And I have a vast collection of never-read books in my bookcase {and an even vaster collection noted down on a pad!} But unfortunately lately I found myself not reading at all due to lack of time.

Would you believe if I told you that I have been reading ONE single book the whole of last year? Yes, 2011 was solely dedicated to Perfume by Patrick Suskind. And, it’s still dragging into 2012 as I’m only 2 thirds down. Maybe because I haven’t enjoyed it as much as I should {do you also find it overrated?}, maybe I left it too long to read it – I’m sure I would love it at 17. Whatever the reason, it has just been dragging, full stop.

{I could also just put it to one side, you may suggest, but I can’t do ‘quit’… unfortunately}

So my plan is to finish it a.s.a.p. and start with my lovely, very welcome and soul feeding little bundle for 2012.

If you want to know, here they are:

one. One Day by David Nicholls
two. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
three. Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann
four. Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
five. 2666 by Roberto Bolãno
six. Viagem a Portugal {Journey to Portugal} by José Saramago
seven. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen


Only seven books you say? Well, if I read only a FULL ONE it'll be more than I did last year already!

So what about you, what are YOUR 2012 resolutions?

If you have read any of these books, or are planning to read them this year too {or any others} then leave some love/leave your comments.