As the new year has begun, many people have been sharing their reading lists from 2023. Even though I’m a lifelong avid reader, I’ve never kept track of my reading. There’s no particular reason why, I’ve just never really thought about doing so. All these lists nudged me to consider my own reading life. What did I read over the last year? When I stopped to think about it, I realized that I did not like what I saw.

I have to admit it: I’ve been stuck in a bit of a reading rut for quite a while now. Maybe more like a ditch, really. I read all the time, but I primarily read and reread lighter things. If I pick up a book and it starts to get stressful, I put it down. Emotional turmoil? No, thanks. If someone is going to die, forget about it. Due to this new habit of mine, I’ve sometimes found myself with 4-5 books partially read at one time. What I do finish is often not worth mentioning–or at least embarrassing to do so.

“I’ve been reading way too much crap lately,” I confided to a friend recently.

“There’s nothing wrong with reading crap,” she said.

“But,” I continued, “I’ve not just been reading crap, I’ve been rereading crap!”

“Oh,” she said. Then after a moment, she continued, “Well, you really should at least read fresh crap.”

Exactly!

So, it occurred to me that keeping a list of books I’ve read might be a good way to hold myself accountable for upping my reading game–for digging my way out of this trough. If I have to write down the title, and maybe share it sometime, it might spur me to be more selective about what I’m reading. I mean if it gets too stressful for me, I can always opt out, right?

Stay tuned!