A Year in Reading Suggestions
Way back in 2010, my organization promoted reading and readers’ advisory service among staff with Reading 12.0: A Year In Reading. Full disclosure, I was one of the instigators, and we were inspired by the redoubtable Nancy Pearl. It was fun, and I thought I’d share it in case you thought so too.
I’ll try to remember to post reminders each month. Here’s the full year in case you like to plan ahead, or want to put them in your calendar.
In January, read a book published the same year you were born.
What was the world like the year you were born? Get in a time capsule and read a book that reflects the culture, views, and lifestyle of the era of your birth. Tip: Google search for best seller list [year].
In February, read a book recommended on a blog.
Check out any book blog out there and see why that book was worth talking about.
In March, read a book that has been made into a movie.
Here’s your chance to judge a book by its movie! Find out which of your favorite scenes from a book ended up on the cutting room floor and which made it to the silver screen.
In April, REread your favorite book from childhood.
What book kept you up late into the night, reading under your covers with a flashlight because you just couldn’t put it down? Reread that beloved tome and be young again.
In May, read a book from another country.
Some of the greatest literary achievements are works that have been written far and away from the USA. Eat locally, read globally.
In June, read that classic you never read.
Most of us have a classic novel that haunts us because we never got through it. Maybe you got away with reading the CliffsNotes or watching the movie so you could pass a quiz, but now’s your chance to finally read the whole thing.
In July, read a book you found on NoveList or Fiction Connection (or GoodReads or LibraryThing).
Log in and see what new book you can discover using these valuable reading tools.
In August, read a genre or format you don't usually read.
Do you avoid graphic novels, audio books, or any genre, like the plague? Pick up a book that is completely different from what you normally read and find out if it is worse (or better!) than you thought.
In September, read a book from an opposing viewpoint.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, so read a book whose author has one totally different from yours. That’s intellectual freedom in action!
In October, read a selection from a local book club.
Check out what your neighbors are reading and discussing over cookies and coffee.
In November, read an award winner.
Books win awards for a reason—usually because they are great. Check out a book that won the top prize in any of a number of national or international book awards.
In December, read someone else’s favorite book.
Your best friend, your neighbor, your child, your chiropractor. Ask somebody you know to identify their favorite book and then pick it up to find out why they love it.
