Ever since I graduated high school in 2016, I’ve always set myself the goal of reading more books. Every year at the stroke of midnight on January 1st, read more is written in thick, bold black letters as one of my top ten goals for the new year. It’s usually nestled somewhere between spend less money and exercise more; two other goals I’m always trying to achieve. As someone who spent her pre-COVID days in libraries and bookstores for hours on end regularly, you’d think that I would have read hundreds of books between now and then. Instead, in the last four years and three and a half weeks, I have read exactly three books for personal enjoyment and development. Reading more seems to be an easy enough goal to reach – until you actually have to read more.
To be fair, I do read periodicals on a regularly basis. I was gifted a subscription to The New Yorker my junior year of university and have renewed it every year since. I buy the Sunday Times every Sunday and pay $10.99/month for my Apple News+ subscription. I am definitely not without content to read.
However, as I grow older and wiser, I would like to transition into reading more books for pleasure and finally complete my goal of reading more books. This year, I mean business. Therefore, I’m making my goal public and sharing it with you, the reader. I’m going to share what books I plan to read, when I plan to read them and why I’m choosing the books I’m setting out to read. This time around, my reading goal is both quantifiable and specific. Thus, I will be able to hold myself accountable and keep track of how well I’m doing at achieving my goal. My goal is to read four books over the course of three months, four times this year. I think this goal is very clear and attainable and I’m determined to put my mind to it so that I’m able to achieve it! Without further ado, let’s get reading!
My Reading List: January – March 2021
To begin my new year of reading, I’m starting off with books I already own. Before I go off into the world buying new books, I think I owe it to myself, and my books, to start at home.
Here are my first quarter picks!
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
Gifted to me after my university graduation in 2020, Becoming has now been sitting on my desk for over six months. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book yet have struggled to find the time to read it. During the Obama presidency, I remember spending most of my time fawning over everything Michelle. From her style, academic accolades, and extremely well-toned arms, from the ages of 10-18, Michelle Obama was my President. That said, I think it’s
time to give the flyest First Lady of the United States the love and attention she deserves and read her book.
- The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley
I bought this book for myself as a summer treat in June 2020. I have read the first 50 pages; however, I have not yet finished the book! André Leon Talley is one of the most well-known names in fashion editorial history and has worked with everyone who is anyone. He also used to rub elbows with Anna Wintour on a regular basis, which is one of my top 10 life goals. Talley is one of my top style and writing inspirations and I look forward to learning more about his personal story.
- The Spanish Ambassador’s Suitcase: Stories from the Diplomatic Bag by Matthew Parris & Andrew Bryson
This book was gifted to me on Awards Day at Abbots Bromley School for Girls in July of 2016. That day is also known as my high school graduation day. Parris & Bryson have traveled with me from England to Nicaragua, all the way to South Korea, and back to my hometown of Cleveland. It has moved in with me all four years of university, and yet not a single page has been read of this book. I am making it my personal mission to read this book first, as it’s very long overdue that I do so.
- When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
Like every other wannabe editorial fashion writer, I am completely obsessed with movie adaptation of Weinberger’s The Devil Wears Prada. It could be considered my fashion awakening. However, I have yet to read any of Weinberger’s books, and decided that that needs to change. I bought When Life Gives You Lululemons this past fall and read about 20 pages of it. I look forward to spending some time reading the other 332 pages that are left and writing a review on it after!
