In previous posts I’ve talked about my journaling and how I try to set goals every January to carry out through the year. I understand many people’s opinion, that the changing of a year should not be the only reason to affect change. However I appreciate the forcing function of a new year. You feel different about the changing of a year regardless of your persuasion, so you may as well use that feeling be introspective of your life and to affect change.

Last year, in January of 2022, I set a goal for myself to read 12 books. I didn’t much care about the length or content of the books, the goal was just to read 12 of them. When I was a kid I was an avid reader and I feel that I had lost that, probably in college when I was swamped with reading for assignments. As a kid I would read for entertainment, knowledge, or just because. Since then reading had become more of a chore. Well I’m proud to say that I did read 12 books throughout the year 2022, and I had a fun time doing it. The books I read are listed below, in the order that I read them:

  • Neuromancer by Willaim Gibson
  • Count Zero by Willaim Gibson
  • Artemis by Andy Weir
  • Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick
  • Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
  • Foundation by Issac Asimov
  • Foundation and Empire by Issac Asimov
  • Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
  • Solaris by Stainslaw Lem (2011 Bll Johnston Translation)
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
  • Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson
  • Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Most of these books were science fiction, which is clearly my preferred genre right now. Like I said, I didn’t much care about the content, length, or genre of the books read, I just wanted to build a habit of always reading something, and in that I think I was successful!

For 2023 I’ve increased the number to 15 books. A thing I noticed last year though was that I would read a book, reflect on it a little bit, and then dive into the next book. I didn’t have much of a reason or format to critically reflect on what I read, and I felt that I was losing a little bit by not doing that. So this year I set another small goal for myself. When I read a book, I want to make a small post on this website talking about it. Maybe giving a brief overview of the plot/setting (hopefully not giving any spoilers), and giving my opinion on the story. These should be small and shouldn’t take more then 30 minutes to write, but I think this small writing will help provide a reason to really think about what I just read. So, here’s hoping for an enjoyable, productive 2023! Filled with reading, projects, and accomplishment!