Sydney Avey
Dynamic Woman — Changing Times
The Disciplined Reader
This year I resolve to be a more disciplined reader and record keeper. My Goodreads account and Book Lust Journal languish from inattention. I have wandered the literary forest, failing to disperse the vital breadcrumbs nesting in my pockets. I am at a loss to reflect on the words that helped me to grow and change this past year.
My travel journal tells me I was reading three books this time last year: The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht; The Last Day by James Landis; and The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman; They were novels about death: the death of a country, the death of a newspaper, and death in war. I didn’t take time to connect the dots then, but looking back now I see that each account is creative, intimate and unflinching—characteristics I yearn to employ in my own writing and spiritual journey.
Presently, I am reading Prague by Arthur Phillips and Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. I’m thinking the connecting thread might be social contracts, but I’m not sure yet.
This year, my reading life has three tracks: faith, fiction, and fundamentals of writing.
- Track one: My sister gave me a copy of Devotional Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith. It covers six traditions of the Christian faith—contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical and incarnational—in 52 segments. A nice balance, don’t you think?
- Track two: Fiction Our Friends of the Library polled six book clubs in town and produced a Book Club Recommendations list. I’ll start there. I am also challenging myself to sample the online literary journals and read one short story a day. Have a suggestion? Please leave a comment!
- Track three: Fundamentals I’m reading Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. From there, I can chew through the appendix; Top Books for Writers.
What are your reading goals this year? Would you say you are a disciplined reader?
If by disciplined, you mean stop reading long enough to sweep the floor once in a while, then yes, that would be a good goal. 🙂 My friend told me she needed to be a more disciplined reader – she had only read 5 books this year. I said, “Really?Huh. I read 5 books this week.” I’m glad she didn’t slap me. 😉
LOL! Not sure whether you have a discipline or a habit! I’d love to have your focus, but I have trouble sitting down (away from my computer) for any length of time. I get my faith reading done in the morning with my cup of tea. Fiction reading I do best on vacation, so I try to take lots of vacations!
I admire the organization your show in creating a journal of what you’ve read, and everything that goes with it. I’ve been in a book club for about 3 years now, and am continually amazed at how many members can’t finish one book in a month (none have small children, and some don’t work). I read between 5 and 10 a month, and would read more if i weren’t writing. I don’t want to be influenced by another author’s voice so I’ve been avoiding the genre I write in, but it doesn’t stop me from reading! But sometimes I can’t remember if I’ve read a book or not — so a journal like yours is an excellent idea for me! Thanks!
Hi Lori, in today’s world I suppose reading anything longer than a tweet can feel like guilty pleasure. On the other hand, If we measure the time we spend consuming online junk, trading an hour of that for a good nourishing read might seem reasonable. I posted my first week’s list today. I feel nourished! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.