TURNING PAGES
The end of the year brings with it a chance to look back at all we accomplished (or didn’t) as well as set goals for what we want to achieve over the next twelve months. I’m not big on “resolutions”…maybe because I can never keep them, but I do think it’s important to be mindful on steps I can take to (what I hope will) be a better me in the future.
Books are a critical part of my world, in more ways than just the obvious one.
I love to read, I love the idea of writing a book one day and I am a huge advocate for early literacy initiatives. The written word - and physical books - are so important in inspiring people, educating and creating a sense of community. That said, if you follow me on Goodreads you’ll know that my 2020 was a horrible year for reading.
But that was then and this is now. Let’s take a look at what I’m putting myself up against in 2021.
Twenty books. That’s the goal this year. Seems like a daunting task to some, might be a drop in the bucket for others. It’s been a bar I’ve tried to reach for a few years now and have always come up short. Really though, it’s not for a lack of time or effort. How many times do we pick up our phones to scroll our social feeds for something engaging? Enough to put a good dent into a novel or biography on a daily basis. I think it has more to do with my mindset when it comes to books.
I like to read at the library. Relax, put on the headphones, dial in to some soothing instrumental music and just dive into a book. This past year has created more days where that has been an impossibility than not. Sure, I can read at home, but over the past number of months I just wasn’t into it. My mind would drift, I would see what was happening on my social feeds or turn on some mindless television show. I just wasn’t into reading.
I can feel the effects of it. I don’t like not reading. So I’m making a renewed effort to put more time into it. I think this blog could be a helping hand. So far…so good. I’ve already finished my first book of the year.
BIG MAGIC - CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR
“You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.”
I’ve been bitten by the creativity bug. Both in the sense that I want to create more and in the quest to learn more about creativity. This book has been a highly-ranked title on many lists and felt like a good first page-flipper for 2021. I was not disappointed.
This book is jam packed with great insight, examples and opinions on the creative mind and out attitudes towards creativity. I am a big believer that we all have a creative bone in our body, but many of us don’t explore that side of our lives for a myriad of reasons. Fear, being the biggest.
There are a number of YouTube videos that break down some of the fantastic takeaways from this book or share interviews with the author, Elizabeth Gilbert (there are a couple of great TED Talks too if you search for them). One of my favourite recap videos is from Verbal to Visual.
Big Magic is a book that I will be looking to purchase. I know I will go back to it many times. It will be a source of inspiration and motivation in times of need. I have no doubt I will be re-reading this book many times.
You can check out my review of Big Magic over at Goodreads and feel free to stick with me to see if I can get to my goal of twenty books this year.
I feel like it’s my time.
So are you reading any books at this time? How many titles are you looking to tackle this year? What has been a favourite read of yours recently?