Reading goals

& how to read more

Last year, I read 22 books.

This was down for me.

I’m usually in the 30ish range.

Here are the books I read last year.

I don’t have a numerical goal this year. I’d like to read more, though.

I still like reading contemporary, mostly literary fiction, though I began the year by blowing through Daisy Jones And The Six. I was familiar with it from the TV show, so it felt easy. Plus, my wife had already bought it so the it was an easy lift.

Now, I’ve started Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton.

It has a ton of reviews, I didn’t know it was this popular. I like the subject matter — anti-societal commune.

I also started the Geoff Rickly book but I’ll get back to it after Birnam Wood¹.

Okay, but reading goals?

• As stated, at least 30 books.

• More theology books. I’m reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster right now and it’s very challenging.

• I want to read Dickens. Probably Great Expectations, I’ve never read it.

• I want to read St. Augustine.

• I want to read Thomas Woolf.

Those are my goals, beyond just reading more.

So if you want to read more, or make time to read, here are a few suggestions:

• I watch TV while watching basketball. This is comforting to me.

• No phone after 7pm

• Plan ahead. Like schedule it.

• Stop books. If you don’t feel it, don’t read it.

• Pick a chair. Yes, a reading chair. And sit in it when you’re reading. This will remind you to read.

• Share what you read. Like on Instagram or Twitter. People will usually comment which will give you some motivation or at least let you know that you’re not alone.

• Read ebooks, and use audiobooks, get print books. Just use all 3, even if the experience is different. For long books, I like to use more than 1 format.

• Read a hard book, then read an easy book. Give your mind a break.

What are your reading goals? Any other suggestions on reading more?

---

More Things

• Hmmm, not much this week

• I liked this Jordan Castro tweet about literature being a “living question”

• This AirMail blog post about young literary authors not living up to their advances (also quotes Jordan lol)

---

Last Thing

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” — Groucho Marx

Keep going-

Josh Spilker

1. Geoff is the singer of Thursday one of my favorite bands and I think he’s reading in Brooklyn this week with Blake Butler, I may try and make that.