No New Novels, Only Classic Literature

Keep a blog. Delete the blog. Get back on Bookstagram. Stay off Bookstagram. Should I recreate a BookTube channel... no it is a waste of time.

2022 conclusion: time for massive changes. Not just in my reading life, but in my life as a whole.

2022 was one of the worst years of my life (it isn't over yet), but I can see the light at the end of this long long long tunnel.

I found myself reading with almost every second of my free time. While some will say, "That was a healthy way to get through a rough time". I know that I neglected other healthy habits like exercise and yoga. Mentally I was so exhausted, but having a HUGE roster of "read" books, doesn't supply me with a good feeling.

I have some unconventional reading goals coming for 2023 and I have decided to do my best to keep this blog as a space to share my love the novels that have truly changed my life. Novels that have shaped me.

I'm going to have a much more balanced year coming up, and that includes being MUCH more select (as I was before) with any novel I choose to spend my time with.

small organic latte + reading in the early morn

What I've learned about myself

I don't enjoy reading most contemporary literature. Watching BookTube gives on a feeling of FOMO. You feel you're missing out on keeping up with the Booker Prize long list (though I don't go and read most of the books), keeping up with new releases, readathons, book clubs, etc.

There is a direct correlation between watching BookTube and weird feelings with my reader identity. I honestly didn't think I would be susceptible to these feelings because I was so aware of how consuming social media affects us (hence my NOT being on Bookstagram and definitely not BookTok), but alas here we stand.

Changes I've Made

I've accepted that this hard year has opened my eyes once again to how short this life is. I want to focus on reading mainly classic literature and some nonfiction books for all of 2023.

I asked myself, "What I focused on great literature only? What happens when I stop watching BookTube channels who cover all new releases and prize lists (to avoid FOMO- or anything that feels like it)? 

I have a long list of classics to reread, but also a list of classics I've had my eyes on but didn't make time for in lieu or reading literary fiction novels that disappoint me 50% of the time.

I'm an e-reader person. My vision is helped by e-ink, but my absolute favorites (I'm looking at you Anna Karenina), I like to reread and annotate in physical form. 

No need to wait until the new year, I've already deleted some of the "must read" (as recommended by others) literary fiction and genre fiction from my kindle and downloaded a few new, well formatted classics and began my rereads.

I thought ending the year reading a few of my favorite novels would be a great way to go out of 2022.