I’ve read a good deal in 2024, but not as much as hoped considering the previous two years, so the plan is to make this a more conscious activity.
12 books in 12 months is a fairly low objective for a lot of people, but aiming lower creates an opportunity to surpass the goal which, at least in my case, makes for an even more satisfying success!
Here are the titles I’ve earmarked for this year. They are subject to change and are not in priority order, as some will be borrowed from the library and have a waiting list.
Non-fiction :
This category has been the most I’ve read of the 3 in the past few years. Understanding the world, people and their inner workings is always a thrill!
The choices here reflect this year’s aim to improve my systems, especially those around creativity.
- The Origins of Creativity – Edward O. Wilson
“Reflecting on the deepest origins of language, storytelling, and art, Wilson demonstrates how creativity began not ten thousand years ago, as we have long assumed, but over one hundred thousand years ago in the Paleolithic age. Chronicling this evolution of creativity from primate ancestors to humans, The Origins of Creativity shows how the humanities, spurred on by the invention of language, have played a largely unexamined role in defining our species. And in doing so, Wilson explores what we can learn about human nature from a surprising range of creative endeavors–the instinct to create gardens, the use of metaphors and irony in speech, and the power of music and song.”
- Mindfulness And The Art of Drawing – Wendy Ann Greenhalgh
“In this book, Wendy Ann Greenhalgh explores how the simple act of putting pen to paper creates a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Through mindful creative exercises, personal anecdote, and a fresh outlook on perception, she reveals how doodlers and artists at any level in their craft can discover the mindful joys of drawing.”
- Atomic Habits – James Clear
“If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.”
- The Art of Learning – Josh Waitzkin
“With a narrative that combines heart-stopping martial arts wars and tense chess face-offs with life lessons that speak to all of us, The Art of Learning takes readers through Waitzkin’s unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process. Rather than focusing on climactic wins, Waitzkin reveals the inner workings of his everyday method, from systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs, to honing techniques into states of remarkable potency, to mastering the art of performance psychology.”
Memoirs :
Similarly to non-fiction, getting acquainted with other people’s stories has been such a fantastic way to better understand humanity and sometimes, my own.
The following titles have been chosen because their authors are already people I admire, though it’s not excluded that less affectioned figures might make the cut at an ulterior time.
- Finding Me – Viola Davis
“Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.”
- Making it So – Sir Patrick Stewart
“From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So, a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.”
- Not My Father’s Son – Alan Cumming
“With ribald humor, wit, and incredible insight, Alan seamlessly moves back and forth in time, integrating stories from his childhood in Scotland and his experiences today as a film, television, and theater star. At times suspenseful, deeply moving, and wickedly funny, Not My Father’s Son will make readers laugh even as it breaks their hearts.”
- Down With The System – Serj Tankian
“Braiding together Serj’s thought-provoking insight with heartfelt and poetic prose, Down with the System retraces Serj’s remarkable and unlikely journey, and explores what it’s taught him – about music, about art, about activism, and about himself. It’s an unforgettable ride that will leave you breathless – and an absolute delight for new fans and old ones alike.”
Fiction :
While I thrived on fiction for a large part of my reading life, in the recent past it’s taken a less important role. However, creativity (again, an aim for this year) ends to be significantly enhanced by experiencing that of others, so a specific effort will be made towards that 🙂
- Enlightenment – Sarah Perry
“A thrillingly ambitious novel of friendship, faith, and unrequited love, rich in symmetry and symbolism, Enlightenment is a shimmering wonder of a book and Sarah Perry’s finest work to date.”
- Thud! – Terry Pratchett (Discworld)
“With his beloved Watch crumbling around him and war-drums sounding, he must unravel every clue, outwit every assassin and brave any darkness to find the solution. And darkness is following him.
Oh . . . and at six o’clock every day, without fail, with no excuses, he must go home to read ‘Where’s My Cow?’, with all the right farmyard noises, to his little boy.
There are some things you have to do.”
- Snuff – Terry Pratchett (Discworld)
“He is out of his jurisdiction, out of his depth, out of bacon sandwiches, and occasionally snookered and out of his mind, but never out of guile. Where there is a crime there must be a finding, there must be a chase and there must be a punishment.
They say that in the end all sins are forgiven.
But not quite all…”
- Five Little Indians – Michelle Good
“With compassion and insight, Five Little Indians chronicles the desperate quest of these residential school survivors to come to terms with their past and, ultimately, find a way forward.”
It is not excluded that other titles might find their way into my year as it progresses, notably a few graphic novels that have already piqued my interest. The only reason none are included in the list is that they’re much shorter to read, so they’ll take less than a week. It’s too easy! So they’ll pad up my final yearly count instead 🙂
The Origins of Creativity was duly started on January 1st, but then The Art Of Learning became available to borrow that same evening, so let’s make it January’s goal instead!
Do you have any reading objectives this year? Any particular title you’re looking forward to, or a favourite to recommend?
Wishing you a fantastic start of the year!!
