Happy Friday, Readers! And happy new year! Do you have any reading goals for the year? Besides just a number, are there authors or genres or subjects you’re hoping to read more of? I’d love to hear. My ‘22 plan was to read more women, in general, and I’m happy to say that my reading was about 60% women/non-binary, which is
I made a list of monthly reading categories. For example, January is books off the best of 2022 lists. Other categories will be authors I should have read by now, authors I’ve loved in the past, books I’ve had on my shelf for over 10 years, etc.
I'm wanting to read more authors I've heard great things about, but just haven't read yet- like Brandon Taylor, Jennifer Egan, and Lily King. More Lauren Groff and Emily St. John Mandel. Also not feeling compelled to read the brand new books immediately.
I came across St. John Mandel this past year. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve read by her. I just finished The Glass Hotel today, and it has me wondering how her novels connect more broadly. She’s definitely worth reading.
That’s what I’ve read by her too. I’m looking forward to reading her earlier novels at some point too. The Simulation Theory aspect of The Sea of Tranquility opens a lot of doors for multi-verse-y-ness. I’m super curious if the earlier novels tie in the same characters at all. I hope you enjoy them!
Excellent idea! I feel the same thing about new books — I get lured in by flashy/buzzy marketing and am often disappointed. Books with some staying power, even just a year or two later, are almost always better reads, in my experience.
Thank you for all you do in expanding the love of literature. As a High School English teacher, it always saddens me to see the passion for good books fade with each generation. If I can ask on a side note, why are you specifically committing to books by particular authors or cultural groups for this year? I don’t mean this as a challenge to your desire to expand the breadth and depth of your reading. I just think the book matters more than the author, in the same way a character on the screen or stage should not be conflicted with the actor or actress. Selecting authors before the literature is a bit like putting the cart in front of the course. My criterion tends to be literary excellence, which is objective of my personal biases or feelings. Just wanted to respectfully ask. Maybe I’m just old fashioned :) Thank you!
Yes, I definitely hear you! In focusing on women authors last year, my hope was to give attention to a group of people who were traditionally scoffed at by the publishing industry.
For the longest time, women weren't viewed as "serious" writers — which is why Jane Austen and George Eliot, among numerous others, originally published their works anonymously or under pseudonyms. Men couldn't be seen reading women authors, for heaven's sake! :)
The book absolutely matters more than the author, but the industry didn't traditionally work that way, which means women weren't given as many opportunities. So I think your attitude towards reading is actually far more progressive than you realize. And in general, something like "literary excellence" is *incredibly* hard to pin down and means different things to different people.
ANYWAYS, this year I don't have any big plans. I might focus in on sci-fi/fantasy as a genre.
For a memoir that's also got an interesting plot, I'd recommend Rough Magic. It's about a teenager who enters the Mongolian Derby and ends up being the youngest to run it. It's fascinating!
I’m organizing my main thread of reading around the sea, kind of exploring it thematically and symbolically. I go back and forth about how organized to be. I feel aimless without some kind of direction, but I get bored too if everything I’m reading is too narrow.
To that end, I appreciate that both of these books are “sea-oriented.” How Far the Light Reaches sounds like it has a fascinating structure.
The list isn’t quite final yet, but The Odyssey, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, and People of the Whale are on there. I’m thinking about The Sea, The Sea, but I don’t know much about it. I’m thinking it should be fun, seeing the similarities and differences. I’m all ears for other recommendations if you have them!
2023 Goal: Read (not audio) 55 pages a day which adds up to 20k in a year. I started the year with the goal to not have time based reading goals but alas, here we are. I think a page count vs a book count will work better for me to make sure I get my reading done every day.
My only real goal is to not get in a reading rut this year and maintain as much momentum as possible throughout the year. I inevitably get bogged down in a book that I don't love and start to avoid it for awhile when I should have either A. Had another book to turn to or B. Called it quits and move on. Thanks for your article on how to read more- those points really helped encourage me.
There are plenty of reasons to not respect people. I just wonder why "non-binary" was lumped in with "women" as if they are remotely the same thing. That's hardly "respect" for women.
I made a list of monthly reading categories. For example, January is books off the best of 2022 lists. Other categories will be authors I should have read by now, authors I’ve loved in the past, books I’ve had on my shelf for over 10 years, etc.
Great idea!
Love this
I'm wanting to read more authors I've heard great things about, but just haven't read yet- like Brandon Taylor, Jennifer Egan, and Lily King. More Lauren Groff and Emily St. John Mandel. Also not feeling compelled to read the brand new books immediately.
I came across St. John Mandel this past year. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve read by her. I just finished The Glass Hotel today, and it has me wondering how her novels connect more broadly. She’s definitely worth reading.
I love her most recent three, and I’ve recently purchased her older 3 novels.
That’s what I’ve read by her too. I’m looking forward to reading her earlier novels at some point too. The Simulation Theory aspect of The Sea of Tranquility opens a lot of doors for multi-verse-y-ness. I’m super curious if the earlier novels tie in the same characters at all. I hope you enjoy them!
Sea of Tranquility is my favorite of hers, but I’ve only read two.
Excellent idea! I feel the same thing about new books — I get lured in by flashy/buzzy marketing and am often disappointed. Books with some staying power, even just a year or two later, are almost always better reads, in my experience.
Hi Jeremy,
Thank you for all you do in expanding the love of literature. As a High School English teacher, it always saddens me to see the passion for good books fade with each generation. If I can ask on a side note, why are you specifically committing to books by particular authors or cultural groups for this year? I don’t mean this as a challenge to your desire to expand the breadth and depth of your reading. I just think the book matters more than the author, in the same way a character on the screen or stage should not be conflicted with the actor or actress. Selecting authors before the literature is a bit like putting the cart in front of the course. My criterion tends to be literary excellence, which is objective of my personal biases or feelings. Just wanted to respectfully ask. Maybe I’m just old fashioned :) Thank you!
Yes, I definitely hear you! In focusing on women authors last year, my hope was to give attention to a group of people who were traditionally scoffed at by the publishing industry.
For the longest time, women weren't viewed as "serious" writers — which is why Jane Austen and George Eliot, among numerous others, originally published their works anonymously or under pseudonyms. Men couldn't be seen reading women authors, for heaven's sake! :)
The book absolutely matters more than the author, but the industry didn't traditionally work that way, which means women weren't given as many opportunities. So I think your attitude towards reading is actually far more progressive than you realize. And in general, something like "literary excellence" is *incredibly* hard to pin down and means different things to different people.
ANYWAYS, this year I don't have any big plans. I might focus in on sci-fi/fantasy as a genre.
For a memoir that's also got an interesting plot, I'd recommend Rough Magic. It's about a teenager who enters the Mongolian Derby and ends up being the youngest to run it. It's fascinating!
Just added it to the "Memoirs" sheet of my Books to Read spreadsheet. :) Thanks Cassie!
I’m organizing my main thread of reading around the sea, kind of exploring it thematically and symbolically. I go back and forth about how organized to be. I feel aimless without some kind of direction, but I get bored too if everything I’m reading is too narrow.
To that end, I appreciate that both of these books are “sea-oriented.” How Far the Light Reaches sounds like it has a fascinating structure.
Fun idea! What are some other titles you’re eyeing?
The list isn’t quite final yet, but The Odyssey, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe, and People of the Whale are on there. I’m thinking about The Sea, The Sea, but I don’t know much about it. I’m thinking it should be fun, seeing the similarities and differences. I’m all ears for other recommendations if you have them!
"Not much depth"
"Shallow"
"Unremarkable"
I see you, Jeremy Anderberg. Or should I say, SEA you.
2023 Goal: Read (not audio) 55 pages a day which adds up to 20k in a year. I started the year with the goal to not have time based reading goals but alas, here we are. I think a page count vs a book count will work better for me to make sure I get my reading done every day.
My only real goal is to not get in a reading rut this year and maintain as much momentum as possible throughout the year. I inevitably get bogged down in a book that I don't love and start to avoid it for awhile when I should have either A. Had another book to turn to or B. Called it quits and move on. Thanks for your article on how to read more- those points really helped encourage me.
Good call — momentum definitely plays a big part!
Go for it. 👋
There’s just no reason to not respect people.
I liked reading this, as I was not aware of the author’s gender identity. I appreciate you making sure to use the right pronouns.
There are plenty of reasons to not respect people. I just wonder why "non-binary" was lumped in with "women" as if they are remotely the same thing. That's hardly "respect" for women.