This year I made a goal to read at least one book a month, and so far I’ve achieved my goal! For the month of January, I exceeded my goal and read a total of three books. These books were Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, and Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller. While I’ve only taken a picture of Bitter Orange (poor planning in that the rest I had already returned to the library), it was my least favorite book. The story was a bit slow for me, and only got exciting during the last few chapters of the book. Not a total fail, but could take it or leave it. On the contrary, I thought Small Admissions was a delightful light read. I loved Amy’s writing style and my attention was held throughout the entirety of the book. I would suggest if you’re looking for a light read that also has some substance to the plot line. As for non-fiction, I picked up Essentialism as I had heard many great reviews about it. I made my way through this book fairly quickly and thoroughly enjoyed Greg McKeown’s thoughts and advice on essentialism. Essentially, (no pun intended) it’s about leading a life that is intentionally constructed by you as opposed to all the outside influences that affect our daily lives. This is definitely a go back and reference book, so I purchased a copy for myself. It was that good!
So how has my reading challenge been thus far? Below are a few observations and tips for anyone looking to up their reading game.
Be realistic and give yourself grace. I purposely only set a goal for one book a month because I know myself, and it was quite possible that I wouldn’t be able to reach a goal any loftier than that. While I’m calling it a challenge, reading should be enjoyable, not a pain in your side.
Utilize your library. In the ten+ years I’ve lived in Raleigh, I maybe went to the library (conveniently down the street I might add) only once or twice. Sad. Since I’ve been going more regularly, I have more of an appreciation for the public entities our country provides like our local libraries. When I walk into my library, I get sort of a nostalgic feeling of my childhood when life was simple and less chaotic. These places are gems in the rough where people come to learn, escape, or, for many of the children, have fun.
It’s important to not only utilize your local library, but also utilize their online resources. With my account, I’ve created a “To Be Read “ list, so anytime I hear about a book that I’m interested in, I add it to my list. This way I can build a backlog of books to refer back to when I’m ready to check out another book(s).
Borrow then buy. Along the lines of utilizing your library, I also suggest first borrowing a book your interested in from the library or from a friend. If you absolutely loved or want to re-read to include notes and highlights, then purchase for yourself. It can be tempting to grab the book that catches your eye at Target, but check to see if it’s at your library first, or coming soon. This approach will save you money and space in your home.
Use other bookworms as resources, inspiration, and motivation. “Bookstagram” has become a whole community in itself on Instagram, and it’s a great resource to connect with others who are interested in reading and can provide great recommendations. I particularly like following Madeleine at Top Shelf Text, Anne Bogel, creator of Modern Mrs Darcy blog, and Annie Jones, Owner of the Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. I’ve also come across a few bookish podcasts that I enjoy, including What Should I Read Next also by Anne Bogel and From the Front Porch hosted by Annie and staff of the Bookshelf. I also recently discovered All By Her Shelf by Erica Hearns and He Read She Read by Chelsey and Curtis – a husband and wife team.
Read in a way that best suits your habits and lifestyle. While I typically like to read at night, I’ve found that I can get super sleepy reading in bed. So, I’ve been reading in a chair instead to keep me more alert. I’ve created a little “reading nook” in my room that is set up with shelves, a reading lamp, and a chair with a cozy blanket and footrest. Creating this set-up has enhanced my reading experience and I’m able to read for longer periods of time. I also like to take an hour or two on the weekends to “check-out” for a bit and read with a hot beverage. Everyone has preferential ways that they like to read whether it be in the morning, at night, during lunch, or via audiobooks to and from work. Figure out what works best for you and your lifestyle. to get the most out of your reading experience.
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