I recently read a micro self-challenge list. It included simple ideas - doing one push-up a day, hanging a pull-up bar in a doorway and doing one pull-up each time you walk through it, and writing 50 words per day. Sounds simple, right? Like it shouldn’t even be a problem. In fact, I’m over 50 words already. But I realized that I, who love to read and to write, don’t even put out that minimum of effort. Why? Well, there are a lot of excuses and very few reasons. And, without going into a lot of detail (I’m just not feeling that confessional tonight) I’ve decided to change some things about myself. One of those things is getting back into the writing habit. Another is getting back into my reading habit. I’ve always been a voracious reader, but lately I just haven’t really found anything I want to delve into. Part of it is dissatisfaction with my lack of written output - I can’t find anything I want to read because I want to be producing stuff to read. But I’m not producing, I’m not writing, and I am caught up in this deadly spiral of boredom and laziness. So I’m taking my life back. I’ve put together a short list of books that I intend to read this summer. Keep in mind, it’s a goal. I read fast, but there are other things going on in my life (we’ll get into that later) and I just don’t have the time to curl up with a book the way I used to. But I intend to make some time for that, just like I’m making time for this. So.
1. The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova
2. Rich People Problems, Kevin Kwan
3. The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, Theodora Goss
4. The Power of TED, David Emerald
5. Start with Why, Simon Sinek
6. I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, Luvvie Ajayi
7. The Monstrumologist, Rick Yancey
8. American Gods, Neil Gaiman
9. Born in a Burial Gown, Mike Craven
10. Still Life, Louise Penny
10. Still Life, Louise Penny
Anyone have anything to add? Comments on the ones on my list? I’m not usually much of a nonfiction person, but these ones were recommended to me, and I figure, if I’m changing up my life, why not throw in some new genres while I’m at it?
