Well, last year my reading goal got severely derailed, but I think it was good I put it aside rather than push on merely for the sake of saying I had done it. More important to enjoy the process of reading as it is for my own enjoyment, not for some medal or degree. And while I more failed than succeeded, it still pushed me to read and reread some new stuff that I had really been wanting to encounter. But I tried to learn from last year and make this year's goal a bit more doable. I will still likely burn myself out though... oh well.
My criteria was simply a book by an author I have not read before (or have not finished one of his/her works) and that I already own it. Due to recent raids on the local Goodwill stores, I have a rash of books I want to dig through.
So here's the plan:
January:
Bible Reading: Romans
Novel: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
I was thinking of slotting 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea here, but I unfortunately started that book earlier today, which would put it in 2012, heh. So I am adding a new book in 20,000's place and hope to finish Verne quickly so as to jump into Wells. My copy of The Time Machine also contains The Invisible Man, so hopefully I will read through that story as well.
February:
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians
Novel: Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson
I made it a good way through this little ditty before (and really enjoyed it) but stalled out. Here's my chance to finish. I could supplement with plenty of my other Arthur material.
March:
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians
Novel: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Decided to make the birthday month an easy/fun one. I also have Kidnapped and The Black Arrow if I feel like some more Stevenson.
April:
Bible Reading: Galatians
Novel: Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Here's the first, and perhaps biggest challenge of the plan. I started this once in High School. Mr. Melville impressed me then. Will be interesting to see what I think now.
May:
Bible Reading: Ephesians
Novel: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Figured I would take this month easy after Melville in April. If I wanted to supplement, I could do some Orwell. For some reason I connect the two, even though they really aren't...
June:
Bible Reading: Philippians
Novel: Paradise Lost by John Milton
Started this once, but was not really processing what I was reading so I decided to stop rather than read it for the sake of saying I had. Didn't keep me from wanting to give it another go when my head was more into it. Seemed entirely worth it.
July:
Bible Reading: Colossians
Novel: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Somehow I missed this book in High School. I should fix that.
August:
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians
Novel: The Adventures of Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
This could be my second challenge of these goals. Scratched the surface of this once. Felt like I hit the most famous parts in the first few pages. Not sure what was left. But I want to find out.
September:
Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians
Novels: The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli and The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
This is a twofer but they are such small reads I figured they could go together and seemed a funny combination.
October:
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy
Novel: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Never read. I'll bet you can figure out why I chose this month.
November:
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy
Novel: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
I have read a few of the individual stories, but not the whole thing. Could be a rough continuous read. But I really should have read this a while ago.
December:
Bible Reading: Titus and Philemon
All of Flannery O'Connor's short stories
This is the fill-in for losing 20,000 Leagues. Just found this at a Goodwill store. I've heard enough about this lady, I figured I should give her a shot, and short stories would be a good change. Besides, sad stories are always fun, heh.
So there it is. Simple enough. Hopefully I make it to April. Hopefully I survive April. Feel free to cheer me on, make fun of me, join along, or shake your head in disgust.
Happy New Year.
2 comments:
Cool. I like it. Happy New Year!!
Definitely a fan of this list.
Read Slaughter-House five last year! If you want more Vonnegut (and his cooler utopian/distopian stories), Welcome to the Monkey House is great.
Started Don Quixote once...thought it was doable until I noticed it was 4 parts. Also, I decided to read an 1819 edition on Google books for the heck of it, so that might have added to the pain). Quite a ridiculously humourous tale though.
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