Friday, December 31, 2010

one year, fifty-two books.

It’s become a common perception that people in my generation don’t read. Other generations seem to have this idea, founded or not, that all we 20-somethings do is sit on Facebook and Twitter, watch mindless TV, and text. And that same generation of parents, professors, and future employers believe that we are worse off because of it. 
I’ve certainly been known to waste time on social media...who hasn’t? But in this new year, I want to be more intentional about how I use my time. I want to use that spare half hour between classes, during dinner time, or at the end of a long day doing something enriching instead of mind numbing. 
Thus begins my challenge: In this new year, I will read a book a week. I’ve always loved reading and was known to devour novels as a kid riding around in a Burly. But then college came around, and summer jobs, internships, meetings, and coffee dates and somewhere along the line I lost the time and maybe the desire to dive into a good book. Granted, I spend a lot of time reading textbooks and research articles, but this is different. 
It may seem counter-intuitive that I’m blogging about reading (and that you probably found out about this blog via Facebook or email). But I want to have some reason to read those 52 books, and you all are my reason. Every week, I will ask for suggestions for books to read from you, my peers, and the only books I won’t read are ones I’ve read already. And every week, I’ll fill you in on what I read and what I learned. I need you all to help me make this work, and maybe, if I’m lucky, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to read a few of the books stacked next to the half empty coffee cups and sticky notes on your nightstand that you’ve been meaning to read for ages. And maybe reading has never been your thing, and this inspires you to come up with your own challenge. I know I’ve been inspired by friends who have set out challenges for themselves and have seen them through, and that’s why I’m here, making my own.
So, if you want to support me, suggest books, read along, or develop your own challenge, please follow my blog and help me come up with a reading list (feel free to leave your suggestions as comments on this post). I need you to make this challenge a success!
I’m excited to get started. And a bit nervous. But that’s the best type of challenge, isn’t it?