I totally hear you, friend. I went straight from reading the longest of Missouri middle grade top titles, to Cybils middle grade round 1 judge, to Newbery. That's been over since January 2014, and I have not returned to my pre-selection committee levels of reading youth literature. About a year ago, I had to have a little talk with myself about how that is FINE. I read occasional titles for reviewing and a handful of work-related requirements, but mostly now I just focus on reading what I want to read. More often than not, recently, that's been adult titles, which is a-okay. I realized that, to do my job, I don't have to have read every single book like I did when I was on committees. Rather, I can read what I'm drawn to, and use my abilities to look to evaluative resources when I need to speak to a title I haven't read. The job is being knowledgeable, resourceful, and conversant in youth lit, not to have read everything. My reading goals are about what I read now, not how much. I feel like I have a much healthier relationship with my reading self since I've sorted that all out.

Love the simplicity of this program. Great job!