If there’s one thing I’ve come to make time for these last couple of years, it’s reading. Prior to 2019, I never made reading much of a priority. I’ve always loved reading, but I’d finish a really good book in a matter of days, then go months on end without ever picking one up. I was all in or all out. Last year, I set the goal of reading 17 books, and I’m proud to say I accomplished it!
What really helped me stay on top of that goal was dividing the year in 4 segments of 3 months. In the first segment, I wrote out 5 books that I wanted to read within that 3 months. In the second segment, 4 books, and so on. If you need a reference, here are my reading lists from last year:
- Reading List 1 (January 2020 – March 2020)
- Reading List 2 (April 2020 – June 2020)
- Reading List 3 (July 2020 – September 2020)
- Reading List 4 (October 2020 – December 2020)
There were a few books that I swapped out because you can’t completely plan it all out, there has to be some sort of surprise along the way! I think there may have been 3 or 4 book substitutes, but all in all, those were the books I read. I highly recommend checking those out if you’re in need of some book inspiration. I can’t say there was a book that I detested, they were all great reads.
My goal for this year is to just read one more book than last year, so 18 books total. Now that I’ve explained my system a little bit, let’s delve into the books I’m going to start reading this year! Setting a due date helps me to stay on track and not fall behind throughout the year. So like last year, I’m giving myself until the end of March to read all 5 books that I’ve chosen.
#1 Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
I’m starting the year reading this book with my brother, who is a big Haruki Murakami fan. I’ve been eager to read his stuff because if my brother likes something, 9 times out of 10 I will too. This will be my first book to read by Murakami, and I hope it doesn’t disappoint!
#2 Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
If you look at my first reading list from last year, this title might look familiar to you. I didn’t end up reading it, but I want to read it this year! I’ve heard great things about this book, and it’s not about doing less, but like the title said, doing what is essential, or necessary for you without overloading or overworking, or at least that’s what I think it touches on!
#3 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I just finished reading Catching Fire at the beginning of December 2020, and I had to buy the next book to read again. I can’t believe I’ve only read this series once, I forgot how good they are!
#4 The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone
This is a book that I found browsing in Barnes and Noble last year, and I was so intrigued. I can’t believe I’ve held off on reading this for as long as I have! It’s a true story about a woman named Elizabeth Smith Friedman, who was instrumental in cracking the codes of German spies during World War II. She sounds like an incredible woman, and I’m excited to read her story!
#5 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
My last and final book to kick off my first reading list of 2021 is Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. I’ve read Emma and Pride and Prejudice in the last two years, and I’ve enjoyed her writing immensely! Ever since not wanting to put down those two works, I’ve wanted to read more, and that’s what I plan on doing.
And that’s my reading list! I tried to go for a little bit of everything: self help, fiction, non-fiction, and classic novels. If one of your goals for this year was to read more, this system of planning out books to read has worked really great for me and you should definitely check it out! I’m a planner, and it might seem like a lot, but the more specific I am, the more likely I’m going to accomplish my goals. If you’re the same way, twins! If not, then it’s great to experiment and find a way that works best for you. Thanks for stopping by today, hope you have an amazing weekend!