Goalsetting: Books

Every year I set myself a goal when it comes to reading. I track this on Goodreads.

This year is no exception and I have set my target as 30 books.

At the time of writing I have already read four books this year and am around 1/3 of the way through another two ~ I can't help myself but read more than one book at a time.

This blog has no real plan and that's the way I would like it remain. I am writing simply because I want to and I guess in a way it's another form of goalsetting because I want to publish something every single day.

Reading for me is about pleasure and relaxation but I do also want to be challenged, although I mainly read fiction I want that fiction to make me think and to make me feel something in a deeper level.

One book that is really doing that for me at the moment is Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life. I am around 1/3 through it and numerous times it has already made me feel something. Some emotion that needs to be brought to the surface but rarely is. The emotion and worry that you sometimes feel as a parent or for the pain of another human. I can't wait to finish it and see how the narrative unfolds.

No spoilers but if you have read it leave a comment.

Already on my completed list this year are:

1984 - George Orwell
It was a book I had been meaning to read for so long. Delighted that I finally read it and amazed at how the world of 1984 could easily happen in modern society if the wrong leaders are in power. Some might argue that to some degree we already live in a surveillance state where our every move is tracked, however, I do still feel that I am free and have some liberty (covid allowing!)

2666 - Roberto Bolaño
Every writer has their masterpiece and this is Bolaño's. So much has been written about this book that I don't want to regurgitate that, go and research it yourself.

It is the third time I have read this huge novel and every time I have found something new, it's dark, or at least the main premise is quite dark. However, in reflection it does also show that there is also some goodness left in humanity.

Read this book at least once in your life. Please.

The Girl Who Lived Twice - David Lagercrantz
Having read the original Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson I was delighted when the series was rebooted by David Lagercrantz. 

Maybe not quite as slick as Larsson's writing Lagercrantz has though continued the characters in the same vein.

Thrillers are kind of a guilty pleasure,when I want to read something a bit lighter!

Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche - Haruki Murakami
Before I go on I will confess that Murakami is probably my favourite author. However, this work of non-fiction, whilst being well researched and honestly written, is not one of his best in my opinion. I just found it a bit too samey all the way through.

So that's it for today. Any book recommendations then please let me know.

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