This is the season for goal setting. And because I love books, my challenge is to set my reading goals.

So yes, it’s definitely about quantity  I have set my Goodreads goal to 625 up from last year’s 500. My chapter book challenge is bumped up to 95 from 75. I’m definitely feeling ambitious. Happily ambitious.

But it’s also about what’s between the pages. After reading Donalyn Miller‘s post about book gaps, I’ve been thinking about what kind of books I would like to read more.

What is missing in my reading repertoire?

I’ve decided I need to read more fantasy stories, more stories set in other countries and more historical fiction. I always learn so much. There are certain genres I don’t read much of – humour for example. But I’m not defining that as a gap just not a current preference. There is only so much time and more than enough books so I am going to happily indulge in titles that I feel will stretch my learning, thinking and knowledge.

Because, my “To Be Read” list is ever growing, I am making a firm commitment to these 20 titles I do not want to miss.

In no particular order:

Sequels, next in a series:

1. The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle 2) (following The Raven Boys) by Maggie Stiefvater (Read July 26th 2013)

2. The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Book 2 in the Ascendance Trilogy following The False Prince)  (Read April 13th 2013)

3. Palace of Stone (Princess Academy #2) by Shannon Hale  (Read March 31st 2013)

4. Insurgent by Veroncia Roth (following Divergent) (Read February 10th 2013)

Titles by authors I have loved:

5. Fourmile by Watt Key (Read February 17th 2013)

6. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys  (Read March 7th 2013)

7. Every Day by David Levithan (Read January 19th 2013)

8. On the Road to Mr. Mineo’s by Barbara O’Connor (Read January 27th 2013)

Historical Fiction:

9. Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood (Read February 2nd 2013)

10. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (Read April 10th 2013)

11. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson (Read January 26th 2013)

12. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak  (Read August 30th 2013)

13. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly   (Read August 24th 2013)

Stories set in other places:

14. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Read May 11th 2013)

15. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper  (Read March 26th 2013)

Fantasy titles:

16. Bigger than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder (Read May 25th 2013)

17. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy (Read December 31st 2013)

18. The Diviners by Libba Bray (Read January 10th 2013)

19. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor  (Read December 27th 2013)

The just because:

20. Shine by Lauren Myracle  (Read March 22nd, 2013)

Anyone else out there have must-read titles in their huge To Be Read pile? Please share!