I don’t know who came up with the term ‘free range reading’. I first saw it used by Heather at The Capricious Reader. Anyways, I’ve interpreted it to mean reading without a plan, without direction or deadlines. Reading just to see where it takes you. I think with blogging so many of us get caught up in reading and writing about the next big book. We are subject to publication dates for the ARCs we receive and we feel pressure to READ, READ, READ. Or at least that’s how I sometime feel.
So I am proposing a period of Free Range Reading between November 1 and December 15. I’ve chosen this period of a couple of reasons: I have very few pending ARCs to review during that period and it will help me clear away the pile of books I intend to read before I get even more books for Christmas.
And I’m announcing all of this now because I don’t want to do it alone. Take a look at your schedule and if you feel like joining me. I’m going to aim to read 5 free range books. That seems like a nice round number. If you’d like to join me, I’ll be putting up a linky on November 1.
52 books or bust 
I love the term “free range reading” It’s something I’ve been doing for a few months now and I’m loving it. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to reading to a plan now. I hope you enjoy your venture into it!
I’ll join in! I decided just before the read-a-thon that I was going to take a break from reading on a schedule for the rest of the year. I was doing a terrible job at it, already, and now I don’t have to feel guilty about it!
And honestly, I think the pressure to review a book within a week or two of its release date is kind of silly. Only in this tiny little blogging/publishing community do release dates matter; most books purchased are backlist. How crazy is it that when a big book comes out, there are tons of reviews for it in one week, and then nothing? I like to think that if I review a book a month “late,” I’m just brining attention back to it 😉
Good point, Leah! I love the thought of bringing attention back to an older book.
I totally agree with you. And besides, release dates usually only apply to one country, and book bloggers tend to have followers from all over the world. Just because something is out in the US doesn’t mean it’s available yet in Singapore or Australia!
I think this free range reading thing is going to be very liberating!
I love that phrase and I hadn’t heard it before! I tend to have big plans in the first 60% of the year. Then I hit most of my reading goals and fgive myself the option of reading whatever I want. I love it!
I have one more ARC to read and then I’m done for 2014. And I’m resisting the urge to request as many in 2015.
I love this idea, and I love the picture of the cow. I do try to do this most of the time, anyway. I don’t request a lot of review books, and my own challenge is very (very!) flexible. In fact, right now, I’m sure everyone else has even forgotten about it. So, I will cheer everyone on who wants to join you in this free-range reading! Enjoy!
I kind of remember your challenge, I think. An author for every letter of the alphabet? Canadian only? Who knows.
Yes, you’re right! I am on letter ‘K’.
I’ll be joining – it has to do with reading and it has a cow on it, how could I not? 🙂 -Tania
Just as an aside, I’m from the Dairy Capital of Canada (Woodstock, ON). We have a statue of a cow. The Snow Countess. It’s true.
I’m jumping in! I usually free range in November and December (though I do plan to read mostly nonfiction in November for the Nonfiction November event).
I know. I’m kind of torn about this overlapping with Non Fiction November, but I figure if I’m free range reading I can read non fiction when I feel like it.
I’m in! I’m doing Nonfiction November, but I’ll be picking up whatever trips my fancy. No plans! Woooooo hoooooo!
I’m so glad you’re in since you were part of the inspiration for it. And it will be easy to squeeze some non fiction in for November.
I pretty much read this way all the time, so why not make it official? LOL
This is such a great idea! I’ve loved it ever since I heard you talking about it on Twitter. I do have a few ARCs to get to during that time period, but hopefully I’ll be able to join you for one or two books! I haven’t had any “no obligation” reading time in a while 🙂
What a great term and I’m in!! I have a bunch of beginning Nov ARCs but I planned on spending the rest of the month (and December) reading books I missed at first pass. This will fit perfectly!
I’ve got a few ARCs still in the queue, but the more I step away from them and go free range, the more fun I seem to have!