While I have rarely been one to make a promise to myself at the New Year, last year at the end of 2021, I decided that I would make an effort to change something about my life. I decided I should read more. I have always read things for work or school, but inspired by my sons who are all avid readers, I thought I should read more for pleasure.
Do you make resolutions each year?
Reading
One of our sons has an active YouTube channel. I guess he is a “book-tuber.” Book-tubers sometimes do what they call “buddy reads” where they will announce a book they have chosen, and that they will read it in such and such a time frame. That was my first recent jump into reading for pleasure. It started back in late 2021. I read along with my son, as did a few others. Once our son had read the book he published a review of it on his channel. I wanted to join with him and support his efforts. But of course I am the one who has benefited most from it. I truly enjoyed the book and the fun of reading with our son. That was the beginning. I have read so much this year., so many good books fiction and non-fiction. I have read books from several different categories including sword and sorcery, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and autobiography. I read JRR Tolkien, George Orwell, Robert Heinlein, JK Rowling, Charles Dickens, Fritz Leiber, Frans Bengtsson, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Booker T. Washington, Rhys Bowen, Luis L’Amour, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Gertrude Chandler Warner, Han Christian Anderson, Scott Ciencin, Ernest Hemingway, Roger Zelazny, and several others. If I could choose a favorite, right now I would have to say Robert Louis Stevenson. He wrote and I have read so far:
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- Treasure Island
- Kidnapped (reading now)
- The Ebb-Tide
- The Black Arrow
- The Body Snatcher
Thankfully, I have not yet run out of Stevenson books to read. But, when I do, there are so many good books waiting.
I do most of my reading via audiobook while I am walking. If I am really into the book I often get more steps than planned just because I do not want to put the book down. So there is another bonus. I also listen around the house, but it is sometimes hard to get my attention.
Another Resolution?
While I expect to continue reading as much as I can I think next year, I am thinking that I might work on writing, too.
Writing in 2023
My sister recently discovered that our brother has a published book! I did not know about it, and when I asked him he said he had mentioned it back then (2013). I have only a vague recollection if any memory of this at all. Anyway, it is available as an e-book and paperback on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, probably elsewhere. I am reading it now on Kindle. I am enjoying it quite a bit. How strange that I was unaware of it!
Like my brother, two of our sons are also a decent writers. One has published a few articles in academic journals. The other (the book-tuber) has published a few works of fiction and poetry. He is hoping for a big break. He is very serious about it. So once again I have been inspired by my sons.
I have had several poems published many years ago and one academic journal paper, but other than genealogical reports and academic papers, I have not written poetry or fiction. Most of my life I have wanted to. Following the lead of my brother and sons, this next year I will make time for writing and learning to write better.
Do you have plans to improve or to begin to do something next year? Maybe you are considering making a resolution for 2023? If you do, best of luck! Happy and healthy 2023 to you!
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