Here we are, almost March and time is flying. I promised I would share my updated 2020 reading challenge list! As I mentioned in my recent 2019 Best Art Books of the Year post, I also am challenging myself to read on a more personal level.
Reading used to be a way I escaped from the day, how I relaxed in the evening. Nowadays, I too often find myself on Pinterest (which I love btw) and have noticed an increase in my ability to be distracted. I pick my phone up, put it down, pick it back up again not a second later. I have read studies about how phones are re-wiring our brains and minds to crave and search out new imagery. In doing so, we are being recreated to lose focus…yuck.
So, I’m putting the phone down as much as possible and focusing on the slower intent of reading books with pages. The list below and this blogpost will serve as my accountability partner. I’m committed to re-learning the fine art of slow living, book reading, focus, and intention.
Photo Courtesy of Dom J
2020 Reading Challenge List
These are my selected books I’ve read, am reading, and what’s waiting on my nightstand. I’ll be updating this post periodically to add to the list for my own records and for you! I’m so excited to have a long list of new books for 2020 and intend to try as much as possible to find new books (at least new to me, though I see you Memoirs of a Geisha , sitting on my shelf and flirting at me to pick you back up. I love you).
Good Omens: I first started listening to this on my runs via Audible.com – I was so engrossed I couldn’t wait to finish the story. Loved this book so much. Watching the Netflix.com series now!
Love in the Time of Cholera: I’ve actually had this book for a very long time sitting on my shelf and just decided I needed to read it already. There’s a lot to unpack in anything written by Garcia-Marquez. So much prose, run on thoughts, very little dialogue. The last few chapters where it all came together were moving.
Educated: I’ve heard about this book and was loaned a copy to read…I couldn’t read it fast enough! Shocking, amazing, humbling, and inspiring, this book is a page-turner if ever there was one. I’m astounded by the story and resilience of this author. Read this one!
Turtles All the Way Down: I stole this one from my son’s bookshelf. A friend of his suggested it (but I’m not sure he ever actually finished it). I’ve always been curious about this story as I loved The Fault in Our Stars by the same author. I found this story sad and my heart ached for the mental issues and OCD tendencies of the protagonist. I rooted for her story…and for her healing.
The Kite Runner: I read this years ago when it was first published. Had forgotten all but a few details (THE details…) and fell in love with the characters and heartbreaking situations all over again. There is beautiful redemption here and it is so heartfelt and beautiful.
The Immortalists: A friend suggested this to me – a story about a family moving through life in very different paths. I liked parts of this story but not sure I would want to re-read. Another slightly depressing tale. I need some happy stories!
The Song of the Lark: I loved this first part of this book; watching Thea awaken to her artistry, her strength and resilience. The last 1/3 were slower and I wished we had gotten to see Thea’s side through the entire timeline of the book. Parts of this are beautiful and I love Cather’s voice and style. I am excited to read the others in her Prairie trilogy.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Reading this week! Stay Tuned!
So, how do I find new books?
I ask around! I look at my shelves to remember who I loved and research those authors. I watch best seller lists (though honestly, I don’t usually love the hottest new books). I look up topics I am interested in (art yes, historical fiction yes, vintage Downton Abbey type yes, horror/thriller no).
I’ve got a wish list a mile long and it keeps growing. I’m also trying to break up the intense reads (hello Garcia-Marquez) with easier reads (Good Omens).
I would love to hear what your favorite books have been. What has stoked your interest? Filled you with happiness? What has touched your heart with its story? (And **unpopular opinion warning!!** please don’t suggest Where the Crawdads Sing, I am the only reader on earth who felt very “meh” about it…A little too Clan of the Cavebear meets southern girl in the swamp for me.)
(She runs as books come flying at her head…)
😉
xoxo,
Bethany
