How Having a Reading Template Keeps My Reading Authentically Mine

I do get asked often how I choose what I read. The truth is that life is short (memento mori) and I have a job that using a lot of academic literature and reading- NOT for literature in any way.

This means that when I pick up a book to read, it has to be something that I feel is worth my time, or something that I feel is going to truly entertain me in some way- and I give equal measure to both approaches.

In our world of social media likes, follows, and comments, there seems to be a "checking in" with ourselves that's missing. Maybe it was always missing and the invention and explosion of social media connections have just exposed what was already there.

There is extreme value in knowing what you enjoy. What do you truly like to read?

When I ask people this question, they often clam up for a second. There's a flash of confusion. They're at a loss for words. It could be because we don't often get asked what we like or how we feel about anything, but either way it opens the door for very interesting conversation.

If no one could see what you read EVER (which is actually possible), what would you read and why?

This is such a great question. Before Goodreads, before Storygraph, before Bookstagram and BookTube, what did you read? Therein lies a part of your answer.

Back when I had a BookTube channel, the algorithm (for good reason) mixed me in with the adult literary book community. Within that sect, you didn't find a lot of genre fiction reading or discussion- which makes sense. 

When you go over to let's say Romance BookTube, you don't see much (or any) discussion of classics or literary fiction.

At first glance a reader will say, "That's because people like what they like". And to some extent I'm sure that's true, but what I've observed is that oftentimes people get boxed in. They get boxed in by the algorithm, viewers who only come to their channel for certain content, and over time you'll find they don't feel they have room for "other" types of books.

How do I know this? Creators have discussed it. I certainly discussed it with other creators when I was making BookTube videos. 

So, how does this relate to a reading template? :) Well, I'm glad that you asked. 

I like to keep my reading a bit well rounded. I like to do a few things...I like to

1. Make sure I'm reading more female authors than male (just a preference)
2. Not only reading for entertainment for too long because then I burn out on lighter reads and can't enjoy them for a long time
3. Try new styles of fiction, new authors, writers from different countries that I haven't read much from before
4. Mix audio + text combos, with audio drama retelling, ebooks at the same time
5. Read books I own before running to buy / download something else
6. Always have something nonfiction going in the background

For some these things won't matter and that's great. For me, I like to do a really deep look at what I've read every quarter and adjust based on my mood. 

My Reading Template (I include one or more from each of these)

1. A classic
2. A literary fiction
3. A light fiction 
4. Something experimental for me
5. A Nonfiction

My mood will determine what kind of classic I choose (right now Anthony Trollope), what kind of literary fiction I choose (right now Clarice Lispector the sorceress), what light fiction I choose for entertainment (right now romantic suspense), and what kind of "experimental reading" I choose (right now Sharon Sala- very light paranormal fiction).

I never want to feel boxed in. I will at the very least try something different from what I've been reading. It helps me to expand. To grow. To change. 

Here's some advice that I recently gave to a bookish friend... stop watching what other people read and just pick up your books. Read. Do "try a chapter". DNF easily. Just READ more than you watch other people talk about reading and you will strengthen your personal choice reading muscle. Slowly, the voice in your head that tells you that certain kinds of books are good, better, best will fade away. 

Don't box yourself in. Be whatever type of reader you want to be. Reading should always be about helping to shift and change you as a human being. Perhaps you're in a phase of your life that needs some levity. Pick up those entertaining reads and lose yourself. Maybe you want to be anchored down to principle. Pick up a classic you've always wanted to sink your teeth into and get lost.

It's almost time to start thinking about a new year. There's no time like the present to reshape yourself. Good literature can help you to do that.

Happy reading my deep thinking friends.