Book-a-week challenge: An update

I did it! Read an entire, real-life book every week in August. Here are some thoughts about that: 

I was worried that by setting such rigid goals, it would become a chore. Sort of like when you start getting paid for something, it becomes more like work and less like fun, no matter how much you originally enjoyed it. Thankfully, though, that didn't happen. The goals gave me structure and small successes, but didn't make the reading feel like too much of a chore. 

I read a bonus book - fiction, even: The Red Tent. Someday I'll write a review. 

While I doubt I'll ever get back to my elementary-school-days reading level (adult books are denser, adult lives are busier) it was awesome to connect with my somewhat ignored Reading Self. I didn't get the name Devo for nothing, after all. In the super-abundance of entertainment and information that is the modern age, I had forgotten what a joy it is to sit down and read a long-form book: to collect quotes, think deep thoughts, and be undistracted by a deluge of opinions from the internet. 

I liked this experience so well, I'm doing it again (with an extra goal) in September. Here are some thoughts on that: 

The books I'll be reading and blogging about this month are
1.  The Orchid Thief 
2. Irena's Children
3. Reviving Ophelia
4. ??? Several options here, triangulating friends' recommendations with what's available at the library. 

(Reading order may change.)

The bonus goal is to read the nearly 800 page Jesus the Christ this month, in addition to the weekly books. It's one I've been meaning to read - started it, even - but haven't been disciplined enough to get through. So with newfound reading energy and a success high from last month, I'm going to give it a go in September. 

Oh, and I'll probably beta read a Phony book or two, but those are a little more sporadic and unpredictable. 

Do you have a reading goal for September? If so, please share!

xo, 
Devo