Read Books This New Year: A Personal Plan
Books are Important
Are You a Reader?
A poll taken by the Huffington Post/YouGov in 2013 found that of 1,000 adults surveyed, 28 percent had not read a single book in the past year. To balance this figure, 8 percent had read 50 or more books that same year. Which group of people do you think would make more informed voters? Which people would you want to teach your child or run the state university? Which group might make better decisions about personal finance, make better dinner conversation, or better understand the evening news? I'm betting on the readers, myself!
I make it a point to read daily and usually manage several books at a time. I have a book or e-reader in my bag at all times in order to take advantage of snatches of time between appointments. Books are a source of pleasure, inspiration, and education that have enriched my life. I love to share that passion with others whenever I can.
If you would like to read more, let this librarian help you develop a personal book list for the upcoming year--starting now.
My Reading List Formula
The formula for a balanced reading program is simple: something old, somethig new, something borrowed, and soemthing to do.
Something old means I read some classics every year, either fiction or nonfiction. Even if I read a classic novel in high school, reading it as a middle-aged woman is bound to be a different experience. Nonfiction classics include works of history, religious texts, and biographies such as The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
I am constantly reading something new, as I am a book reviewer for NetGalley and for a number of Christian publishers. I could even say I read something before they are new, as I sometimes get electronic galley proofs or advance reader copies for review. The Best Seller lists are also a potential source of new books.
Something borrowed includes books physically borrowed as well as books recommended by friends. Amazon, though not an actual friend, makes good recommendations as well. Any time I purchase a book, I am shown a list of books that other readors of that book also purchased--and often one of those books appeals to me, too.
Why something to do? Well, I love to learn to do new things or do old things better. You can bet I will read several knitting books a year and skim many others for fresh ideas. I will also read books about writing, teaching, or business.
My 2015 List (For an Example)
Ttile
| Category
| Finished?
|
|---|---|---|
Theory of Moral Sentiments
| Something Old
| Yes
|
Stealing from God
| Something New
| Yes
|
We are Soldiers Still
| Something Borrowed
| Yes
|
101 Creative Writing Prompts
| Something to Do
| Yes
|
How the Scots Invented the Modern World
| Something Borrowed
| Yes
|
America (D'Souza)
| Something New
| Yes
|
The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
| Something Old
| No
|
I almost finished it!
Something Old from Adam Smith
Statistics on Reading
- Los Angeles Times
More than half of American adults read books for pleasure in 2012, an NEA report finds. - Poll Results: Reading
These are the topline results of a YouGov/Economist survey of 1000 US adults interviewed. - Reading, Literacy & Education Statistics - The Literacy Company
A list of some amazing statistics we've found over the years. These are great statistics about education, literacy and reading.
Your Reading Habits
How Much Do You Read?
Book Lists and Links
- Fiberfrau: Fun with Fabrics and Fibers
I post reviews of craft books here, especially knitting books. Crochet, felting, sewing, waeaving,a nd other crafts are also represented, though. - Hog on Ice: A Blog about Independent Learning
Many book reviews are includied among the posts in my independent learning blog. - NetGalley
NetGalley is a site where book reviewers and other professional readers can read books before they are published, in e-galley or digital galley form. Members register for free and can request review copies or be invited to review by the publisher.
