I have not been reading nearly as much this year as I had intended. I'm also planning to purge my personal library because my reading tastes are changing and some of the books I own no longer interest me.
This is the first year that I've had any reading goals (1. Read from my home library and 2. Read 150 books) and neither one is going well. I have not been reading as much as I usually do and so what seemed like an attainable goal is floundering. And because of my shifting tastes, I have not been reading much from my personal library either.
Reading has always been a major part of my life and will continue to be. However, considering the changes I'm making in my personal life (new hobbies!), I have made the decision to stop focusing on the number of books I read in a year. I will continue to keep track of the books I do read, I just won't let myself get caught up in the competitive nature of reading goals. Although Good Reads will allow me to change my goal (even though we're eight months along), I would rather not do that. I know I will fail to reach the full 150 but I have managed to make it halfway so far. And the year isn't over yet.
As for purging my home library, I haven't set a date to do it yet and I have other home projects (refinishing an end table) that will take priority. And purging my home library will also have the benefit of making room on my literally overflowing bookshelves. I will be giving the purged books to book-loving friends or donating them to either of the two libraries I work at...so at least I'll know they are going to find a good home. And a recent episode of Books on the Nightstand talked about readers being or not being collectors. I am just choosing to be a far pickier collector. I will continue to buy the books I absolutely love. I just won't buy many books without reading them first. My post-purge home library will contain mostly just the books I adore and a few that I'm really eager to read. Personal libraries reflect the person to whom they belong; as I am evolving, so must my personal library.
Read on,
Paula
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Creating an inspirational library
I have read four inspiring, life-changing books so far this year. Three within the last two months. They have been so inspiring that I want to create a separate collection within my home library specifically for these books and any I read in the future. As you will see from my list, inspiring books do not always have to be non-fiction. I would include these titles in my inspirational library:
*"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown
=I was deeply moved by both of her TED Talks, which motivated me to read this book. I am now contemplating reading her other books as well. A lot of the concepts she talks about in "Daring Greatly" really struck home for me and I will endeavour to build my shame resilience skills. I also plan to reread it right away so I can absorb it even more the second time around.
*"Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn
=It is nearly impossible to feel bad about myself when I am so unbelievable lucky compared to other women in the world. Comparing my life to others in my own country means that I am living just barely above the poverty line; comparing my life to others in the world means that I am living a lavish and lucky life full of privilege and abundance.
*"Calling In 'The One': 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life" by Katherine Woodward Thomas
=Although this is technically a "Law of Attraction" relationship book, I have made the most psychological progress from reading this book. I have dealt with issues I never even knew I had. Essentially, you are supposed to do that in order to prepare yourself for the love of your life. For me, regardless of whether or not I ever find the love of my life, I will forever be grateful for the positive changes I am making in my life for myself.
*"The Heart and the Bottle" by Oliver Jeffers
=This may be a picture book but I bawled my eyes out in the bookstore when I read it. It's one of those books that may seem like it's written for children but it speaks deeply to me as an adult and about re-learning to have a sense of wonder about the world. Also, this is not the first book I've read by Oliver Jeffers because I love his illustrations.
*You can read my review of "The Blue Castle" by L.M. Montgomery, which I read in 2012.
*"I Am The Messenger" by Markus Zusak (read in 2005)
=A young adult novel about connection and not having to be great to do good. The first truly inspiring book I ever read!
*"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown
=I was deeply moved by both of her TED Talks, which motivated me to read this book. I am now contemplating reading her other books as well. A lot of the concepts she talks about in "Daring Greatly" really struck home for me and I will endeavour to build my shame resilience skills. I also plan to reread it right away so I can absorb it even more the second time around.
*"Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn
=It is nearly impossible to feel bad about myself when I am so unbelievable lucky compared to other women in the world. Comparing my life to others in my own country means that I am living just barely above the poverty line; comparing my life to others in the world means that I am living a lavish and lucky life full of privilege and abundance.
*"Calling In 'The One': 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life" by Katherine Woodward Thomas
=Although this is technically a "Law of Attraction" relationship book, I have made the most psychological progress from reading this book. I have dealt with issues I never even knew I had. Essentially, you are supposed to do that in order to prepare yourself for the love of your life. For me, regardless of whether or not I ever find the love of my life, I will forever be grateful for the positive changes I am making in my life for myself.
*"The Heart and the Bottle" by Oliver Jeffers
=This may be a picture book but I bawled my eyes out in the bookstore when I read it. It's one of those books that may seem like it's written for children but it speaks deeply to me as an adult and about re-learning to have a sense of wonder about the world. Also, this is not the first book I've read by Oliver Jeffers because I love his illustrations.
*You can read my review of "The Blue Castle" by L.M. Montgomery, which I read in 2012.
*"I Am The Messenger" by Markus Zusak (read in 2005)
=A young adult novel about connection and not having to be great to do good. The first truly inspiring book I ever read!
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