Do you have any reading goals for 2011? A number to reach? A book you've always been meaning to read but haven't done yet? A genre? A new area of study? A couple of years ago, I decided that I wanted to read more nonfiction. I am lucky enough that my local (favorite) branch of the library has a nonfiction reading group, so I joined up with them. (Need to finish by Sunday - Color: a Natural History of the Palette).
This year, I think I'd like to read some big classics that for one reason or another I've never read. I'm really light on Dickens, for example. Also Mark Twain, believe it or not. I'm currently reading Jane Eyre and loving it, even though (or perhaps because) everyone in it so far is a complete whackadoo. I just read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and I'm afraid my big takeaway question was this: did Robert Louis Stevenson take a lot of drugs? I think the answer must be yes.
Last year I kept a record of my books for the year on a special shelf in goodreads. It worked out for me, so I'll probably do it again. It's a nice reminder! Although goodreads is also reminding me that I haven't finished Moby Dick yet. Maybe this is the year for that?
I like this Laura Miller article in Salon about reading outside of your comfort zone. Don't get me wrong - I love my comfort zone, but it's nice to step outside it and see more of the wide world from time to time.
What are you reading right now? What will your next book be?
(photos are from the Powell's shop section at Wordstock this year.)
OMG! I browsed a bunch of the Challenges. Mix and match? Could be crazy making. Typically, I checked out the Shakespeare Challenge and thought that substituting a performance meant performing...I am seriously interested in: The Science Challenge, the Shakespeare Challenge, the Irish Challenge and the Murakami Challenge and thank heavens that is all. Of course...I would read only one or two for each challenge. Can't neglect my mysteries.
ReplyDeleteAre you excited by any of the Challenges?
I need to go look at them again - I didn't really investigate properly. HOWEVER, I think this year I'm going to try to read MORE (like maybe 75, which you probably read in a week) and get some classics in. But I'm gonna go look at those challenges and see if I need to re-evaluate.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Jen, I need to challenge myself to DO things, not just read. That actually sounds like something I could set up along with the various book challenges.
ReplyDelete