02 January, 2011

Happy New Year

I spend much of the day at work last Friday reading lists with titles like "100 Books Everyone Should Read" and "Great Books of the World".  I keep thinking I would like to come up with a plan for my reading. Not that I'm only going to read to plan, one of my greatest joys is finding a book on the library shelf, by an author I've never heard of, and feeling like I've found a new friend.

What I do want to do is make sure that I don't just read light fiction. Sometimes last year, if my reading was a diet, I was gorging on the equivalent of donuts. Light, sugary, delicious donuts. Nothing wrong with a donut now and then, but you also need to read the equivalent of a hearty meal, something that challenges you, nourishes you, makes you stronger and sharper.

I am going to ask my friends for recommendations for good non-fiction. I am not much of a non-fiction reader, fiction's always been my thing. I think a nice goal, or plan, for 2011 is to read at least one non-fiction book a month.

Other goals for this year:
  • Finish at least 6 quilting projects
  • Take part in at least two ATC trades
  • Attend MAQ in July
  • Do at least one volunteer activity for CSAC each month
That seems ambitious-enough-without-being-too-unrealistic. I COULD vow to lose 100 lbs, eat vegetarian, quit drinking and swearing, and only read improving books. But what would be the point of promising to do things I don't really want to do?

Happy New Year to all of us.

3 comments:

  1. Thought I would comment, just to be your first commenter. I have so many time and number goals at work, that I have decided to forgo them in my personal life.

    Let's see - good non-fiction. I will start with an autobiography. I think the most interesting one I have ever read is Personal History by Katharine Graham (the late Washington Post owner.) I am fascinated by people who end up in situations they never in their wildest dreams could have imagined - in her case, being the publisher of The Washington Post during the Watergate era. This is an incredibly honest book, and shows her life, warts and all. I highly recommend it.

    Then if you really get fascinated by Watergate, move on to Ben Bradlee's autobiography A Good Life and finish with All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. That ought to work up enough righteous indignation in that little Democratic heart of yours to last a while! Love and Happy New Year to you and the husband and the puppies!

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  2. Well this should be interesting... I have no suggestions. I like to hear about random things that wander through people's heads!

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  3. I took the Katharine Graham book from the Book Thing. You can borrow it. I have been reading "The Botany of Desire" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma" both by Michael Pollan. I basically fall into the donut category in all aspects of my life. Thanks for starting a blog.

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