A Reading Challenge for 2021
Let’s face it. 2020 has sucked. I don’t need to list out all of the various things that have occurred to create the shitstorm where we currently find ourselves, but I will say that there is a silver lining. We get a new year soon.
New Year’s Resolutions are often a mixture of hope, optimism, and fear.
Hope that we will become a “new” person, or at least change a few things that we don’t like about ourselves. Optimism that we have the power or discipline to do it. Fear that if we don’t, we will remain the person that we were so eager to change.
Every year, I try to track my reading and average one book per week. All goes smoothly for the first few months (like most resolutions). Then I’ll get behind because of work or family and the next thing I know, I’m rationalizing and muttering to myself why next year will be different.
This is the first year that I am adding some accountability by having this newsletter. I hope you continue to read these, because the more subs I have, the more accountable I will feel.
A few stipulations:
-My goal is to average one book per week starting on Friday, January 1.
-When I go on walks, I like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, so sometimes I will supplement my reading by listening to an audiobook. This counts (hey it’s my personal challenge I can do what I want :)
-I will post my personal thoughts and feelings about a book. Thoughts on the plot, characters, and how it relates to an author’s other works, etc.
My main purpose for doing this challenge is to have a cathartic way of sharing my own personal views about something. I literally could care less how many people read it, but if more do then all the better. I’d love to connect with others about their thoughts on a particular book or subject. I think the art of reading has fallen by the wayside. We spend so much time on our devices, that it’s hard to remember when we had none. No cell phones, tablets, or smart watches. Just our thoughts while we read something and used our critical thinking skills to form an opinion (and perhaps chat with someone else about it).
I am excited to begin this in the new year and I hope you join me!