Lifelong Learning – Curating Your Reading List

Before the electronic era, everyday reading was a ritual that those who wanted to gain knowledge adapted to. Now that we have the internet, we’ve become so bombarded by information that it can almost seem unnecessary to read an actual book. However, there are many benefits to reading, including: stress reduction, memory improvement, stronger analytical thinking skills, entertainment, increased knowledge, and more.

If you’re looking to develop a habit of daily reading, a great starting place is to create a reading list. A reading list will help you to organize your plans and achieve your reading goals by making it more likely that you’ll read what you want and are interested in. It will also help you to prioritize certain books over others according to your specific goals. In order to curate a great reading list, here are a few things to consider.

What kind of list are you creating? You should set a goal for your list and add books accordingly. Do you want to learn a new skill? Are you trying to familiarize yourself with a particular genre, author, or writing style? Are you simply creating a bucket list of all the books you’ve ever wanted to read? Perhaps it’s a combination of all of these. Once you have an idea of the kind of books you want to read, it’ll be easier to find titles to add to your list.

Write it down. After deciding what kind of list you are going to create, start filling your list with books you’d like to read. You can write it in your planner, put it in your smartphone, or use the Goodreads app. While creating the list, write down anything you think might be useful, apart from the name of the book and the author. You might want to note the genre of the book, a few words describing it, who recommended it, or where you can find it.

Plan It Out. Set aside at least 15 minutes each day to read. Schedule it in your planner so you’ll actually do it. This could be first thing in the morning, right before going to bed, or during a break in the afternoon. 

If you are having trouble coming up with books to add to the list, try these suggestions:

• Add books you’ve always wanted to read but never got around to. This could start with school reading assignments you’ve missed, popular or best-selling novels, etc.
• Add books you’d like to reread. Maybe there are childhood favorites you haven’t picked up in a long time, or even a book you read last year that you loved. Rereading is a great way to gain new insights and rekindle your love for books.
• Embrace variety. Add both fiction and non-fiction books to your list to make reading more interesting. Consider works that represent different genres, historical settings, perspectives, and themes.
• Ask family, friends, and local librarians for recommendations. They may be your best resource for books you’re sure to love.