It was just a year ago that I last posted here reflecting on what I read in 2018. Now, as 2019 comes to a close, I find myself in a reflective mood again. I guess that's normal. As one year comes to a close we tend to look back on the previous twelve months and setting resolutions for ourselves in the upcoming year.
At the end of 2017, I had made a commitment to read more books. I set an ambitious goal for myself. I was going to read 52 books or the equivalent of one a week. By the end of the year, I managed to read 57 books. To challenge myself further in 2019, I increased my goal to 60 books. As 2019 comes to a close, I have only read 34.
Does this make me a failure?
I don't think so.
In fact, I think it's probably unwise to set a numerical goal for myself. Rather, I think it's more important to read widely and periodically select books to read that are outside of my normal comfort zone.
I am convinced it's important to read a lot and to read a wide variety of subjects. As I head into 2020 I am not setting a numerical goal. Rather, I am going to challenge myself to read at least a few books that I would not have normally picked to read. I am also going to challenge myself to read a couple of classics. Finally, I am going to reread a few books that I have read before.
Here's to a new year filled with books!