LIFE'S A PEARL

Rather than sticking to traditional (and sometime rigid) reading goals next year, I’ve been inspired to create a reading life bucket list for 2023.

Get Lit(erate) Podcast

I discovered a new podcast this month that I’m loving. It’s called Get Lit(erate) and host Stephanie Affinito is an educator who combines her love of reading and writing with intentional living! She describes herself as a “book-loving, notebook-hoarding literacy teacher”.

I love her approach to sharing 3 books each week that tie together in a not so obvious theme. It was the episode, The Power of Bibliotherapy, that first drew me in. For anyone curious about bibliotherapy and what it actually means, she explains it in the clearest most relatable way I’ve heard.

From there I was really hooked by A Journaling Challenge to End the Year Strong. Since that episode I’ve been exploring journal therapy as a way to know yourself better and improve life. It’s something I’d like to take on as a personal project next year. I’m debating joining her patreon to help support that.

Stephanie’s episode Creating a Reading Response Notebook was also fantastic and I’m in the process of setting up my own. Some of the ideas I loved the most for a reading journal were a list of places visited through books (or better yet a map to mark them off on), a list of favorite authors, and a page that explores what kind of reader you are. Something I’d like to add to mine is a list for keeping track of my 5 star reads!

I know I have a few notebook hoarding friends on here so I thought this might be something you’d like to check out!

Inspiration for a Bucket List

That’s the podcast where I found the inspiration behind today’s post.

Stephanie was discussing creating a bucket list for the next year as opposed to a lifelong one. While that appeals to me – I like to create seasonal style bucket lists – one night I wondered if this could work for a reading life.

I think it’s a gentler and more fun approach to having reading goals for the year. Plus it can embrace all aspects of the reading life – experiences, activities, community, places to visit, and foods to try – not only challenges and book percentage goals.

The night I was thinking about this I came up with well over 30 ideas. Way too many to keep this a low pressure project.

Here is the big list I came up with.

Reading Life Bucket List Ideas for the Year

1. 12 Buddy Reads
2. Try a new book club
3. Children’s story time at the library
4. Visit an indie bookstore
5. Visit a used bookstore
6. Go to a library sale.
7. Pick 12 authors to read again in the next year
8. Pick 12 authors to try in the next year
9. Find one new series to read.
10. Read 12 books I already own
11. Attend a book related event via Zoom
12. Read one nonfiction book a month – come up with another nonfiction reading project
13. Try a book related subscription
14. Read 12 genres, formats, or age groups that are out of my comfort zone
15. Go to a book signing
16. Collaborate on a post or project with other readers
17. Find a book for Mr. O to celebrate each season
18. Continue the book advent calendar tradition
19. Cook or bake something inspired by a book
20. Do a slow and steady read
21. Keep a written reading reading response journal
22. Visit, donate to, or start a little free library
23. Participate in a book exchange
24. Join one new book group
25. Read 12 underrated or under the radar books
26. Come up with 12 new book lists
27. Email a favorite author
28. Start a conversation with a stranger about a book
29. Use the Currently Reading Spreadsheet that is available to Bookish Friends
30. Become of Friend of the Library
31. Visit a literary destination
32. Read a book with my husband
33. Read a book with my mom
34. Reread a favorite book
35. Discover more book scents
36. Create my own book scent
37. Find the perfect reading blanket
38. Get a bookshelf for our bedroom
39. Have books in every room of the house
40. Make a bookish beverage
41. Read fewer books for a better reading experience with deeper absorption and understanding
42. Read a physical book
43. Set the mood for a reading hour – consider lighting, location, comfort items, sounds, and props

My Reading Life Bucket List for 2023

There’s still a few days left in 2022 and I’m reflecting on my reading life this year to shape my bucket list for the new year.

I’m looking for choices that bring new experiences, community, and a bit of fun into the mix without becoming overwhelming.

Here’s what I have so far:

New Experiences

• Try the new Mother Goose story time with Mr. O.
• Check out a new used bookstore near us.
• Keep a reading response journal.
• Use the currently reading bookish friends spreadsheet or try story graph.

Community

• 12 buddy reads – I think I have 4 planned already for January lol.
• I started 2 book clubs on fable in hopes of connecting with new readers. One focuses on nonfiction for people who’d like to grow together through reading. The other is a romance book club for readers who like me, love a monthly dose of happily ever after.
• Read a book with my husband.

Fun

• Find a book for Mr. O that celebrates each season as we enter it.
• Discover more book scents.
• Keep books in every room of the house (to be fair our little house is only 5 rooms plus a hallway so this shouldn’t be terribly difficult).
• Continue the book advent calendar.

Reading Goals

• Try a month long slow and steady read.
• Read a new series.
• Pick 12 authors I want to read more of next year:

1. Lisa Jewell
2. Megan Goldin
3. Louise Penny
4. Ruth Ware
5. Sally Hepworth
6. Liane Moriarty
7. Katherine Center
8. Sally Rooney
9. Barbara O’Neal
10. Tessa Dare
11. K.A. Tucker
12. Marissa Meyer

• Read 8 to 12 genres, formats, or groups to read that I don’t usually pick up:

1. a collection of essays
2. short story
3. poetry
4. middle grade
5. science fiction
6. time travel
7. travel story
8. climate fiction

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What would you put on your reading life bucket list? Wishing you all a happy new year!