Off the Shelf: A 2021 Reading Challenge

 

I’m a Kindle junky. For the past few years I’ve read 100+ books, all digital, mostly romance. Meanwhile, my library shelves have remained static.

 

I’ve borrowed library books. Selected them, requested them, picked them up, and left them on the table while I digitally binged.

 

On Christmas Day, Hollie received from Santa a paperback copy of V.C. Andrews’ Heaven. I promptly read it cover to cover. Then bought the second book, Dark Angel, and read it, too. They were the books that made me want to become an author when I was 12.

 

Having rekindled my love for paper texts (pun intended), I’ve decided to do something about the bookshelves.

 

I am resolved to read 12 books already in my possession. Each one, when finished, will be discussed here. It’s my way of committing to 1) reading real books, 2) blogging here more regularly, and 3) writing reviews as a way of sharpening my literary analysis skills.

 

Once upon a time, I earned a master’s degree in English with the careful study and analysis of literary texts. And lately I’ve been reading books like eating candy. Full consumption. Sugary and empty.

 

The master’s degree was not wasted. I write much better than many people I know and I’ve skills in recognizing storytelling devices and literary achievement. But I have neglected study and wish to see if a more dedicated effort will benefit me in unexpected ways.

Here are the titles I have selected:

The Sympathizer

Pachinko

One Last Thing Before I Go

Lush Life

Songs of Willow Frost

Artemis

The Philosopher’s Flight

Red Clocks

They Stole Him Out of Jail

Reckless

Together

A Curious Mind

 

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, science fiction, magical realism, historical nonfiction, memoir, and … what would we call A Curious Mind? Just regular nonfiction I guess.

So, here’s the 2021 Off the Shelf Challenge:

1. Select 12 books from your own bookcase (all word nerds have at least 12 unread books)

2. Commit to the titles with a comment below

3. Come back each month to see what I thought of mine and

4. Share your thoughts on the book you’ve finished in the comments.

 

Pretty simple, right?

 

I’ve challenged my family to read 12 books this year as well. Theirs can be brand new, library-loans, or something off the shelf. The rules for them are a bit more lenient. They won’t even have to write about the selections they finish.

 

I’d love to have one screen-free night per week, but I won’t hold my breath.

 

Life on Clemson Road goes on as it ever has. Thanks for following along on the journey. I promise to be more faithful to it in 2021.