For 2020 I wanted to keep reading. No problem. With two years of reading at lest 50 books a year I felt like I've go this one down pat. But how about adding another layer? Last year was a bit of a miss so this year my goal is to make a plan that will work better for me. I decided to extend what I do with my reading by writing about it. Yup, you got it. I'm starting this new year with a personal challenge to write a post on this blog for each of the books I read this year.
You see, for the past two years, all I've done is keep a list of what I've read. In 2018 it was a series of images (I took a picture of the book cover on my phone as soon as I was done reading it and figured I'd do something with it later...still waiting on that later...). In 2019 I kept a numbered list written in a little black book in my nightstand of the book titles followed by the author. And that too has sat there going nowhere which brought me to the point of reconsidering what to do with my books this year?
So often there are things that books have given me that I'd like to share with others that go way beyond just the title and author. What do people do with, "You should really read so-and-so's books called blah-blah-blah; it's amazing"? Really? Most people will nod politely but few will actually go out and read it for themselves (for those of you out there who are more like me and will actually go out and read the book recommendations of others, my sincere apologies and kudos to you for doing you!)
But, since this is a new decade, I'm taking on a new direction. So, for anyone whose interested in my reads for 2020 - either the titles and/or what I have to say about them please, read on.
Let's begin with my first book of 2020 Fredrick Backman's And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. I decided to read this book for a few reasons: I read Backman's book A Man Called Ove last year and enjoyed it, I found the title of this novella intriguing, and it was short. Yup, it's actually a novella not a novel and yes, I jumped into 2020 with a short, short book because I wanted to. Like or leave it. No judgement please. Remember, I read what I feel like reading. Done.
What's funny about this book is that it's about someone dying (what a way to start a new year!). More specifically, this book is about slowly losing oneself to illness that takes pieces of you away bit by bit. That's why "the road gets longer and longer" because with some illnesses, people may still be around, but they become lost to you. This is what happened to my father in law and watching this happen to him is what triggered my desire to live for today and not "one day". The irony of reading this book as I go along this journey of reading and now writing is not lost on me.
Here I am now, writing this blog so that I can live a life that is fulfilling for me. Living a life that I am proud of. Doing what makes me happy and what gives me joy. This is a life that may be taken away from me at any point. It could be quick or it could be slow going - no one knows when their time will come and so we have to fill each moment with things that make life worth living. Books gives my life meaning in so many ways. At least that's my approach to life and that's how I feel.
Maybe your meaning is something totally different. That's fine. You do you. Travel, cook, dance, run, whatever!
Do what makes your today worth while.
Do what makes you feel extraordinary.
And so, when the characters in this novella reflect on life as they face the end of the road they use the phrases "extraordinarily ordinary" and "ordinarily extraordinary" which is to me, spot on. That's just it - you don't have to become some famous rock star or cure cancer. You don't have to become some extraordinary person that you can't even imagine becoming. Just live your ordinary life in an extraordinary way.
That's how I see my desire to read. It is an ordinary practice made extraordinary by sheer volume followed by a public platform to talk about it.
What's your ordinary life looking like right now?
What are your personal goals that could make your ordinary life extraordinary?
Go check your "one day" list and see what you can start accomplishing today.
Anything is possible and today is the day to start!
No comments:
Post a Comment