The books I chose this year
While I didn’t do a post last year I am planning on reading more books in 2024. To that end I have gathered the five books on the top of TBR pile. It is becoming somewhat uncontrollable, mainly as it contains the books I was supposed to finish in 2022 AND 2023, but we digress.
Most of these will have a tenuous link to ‘the Pad’. That means they are about minimalism, Japan and sorting my life out – mainly Japan though.
As in previous years, I haven’t read any of these yet, so these are not endorsements or suggestions to go out and buy anything – just what I will be reading in 2024.
Stuffocation
This is my current read, and it is interesting, if not a bit hard going. It presents rather like a thesis rather than a book, as it contents a large number of social science case studies. Feels like being back at uni!
My non-fiction reads tend to offer practical advice and tips. Whereas, so far, this book has been offering suggestions for why consumerism is a societal problem, and what the alternatives are. As a cultural ethnographer I am finding it fascinating, but I hope it offers some suggestions as to how we can avoid overwhelm and be happy living with less.
5 Day weekend
To be honest, I grabbed this one in the charity shop as it was one of those ‘3 books for £1’ deals, not sure if that is a sign of how good it is, or how bad is was.
I finally completed a book from my 2022 list last year called ‘Busy’ and I imagine this will be similar. Anyone offering a 5 day weekend has to be suggesting time management or ways to get more done in your working day, surely?
Websites selling the book at full price had this to say:
“You will find tools to support and realise your new goals, and read real life stories and cases giving examples and guidance.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO LEAVE YOUR 9-5 JOB BEHIND, CHANGE YOUR LIFE, AND ACHIEVE YOUR GRANDEST GOALS.”
That is quite the promise, so I look forward to seeing if it lives up to it.
Japonisme
You knew it was coming, a book about Japan. This is one of the 2 books I received for Christmas, and while it looks like it may go over territory I have read in previous books (Garcia & Miralles’ Ikigai and Beth Kempton’s Wabi Sabi spring to mind) I’m hoping it will offer a new perspective.
A brief flick through suggests it offers practical tips and advice (just the way I like my non-fiction!) and if it can bring an element of contentment to my life, then it’s worth a read.
Lost Japan
This book came all the way with me to Japan last year, my intention being to read it on the plane. However, this book returned with me from Japan, and still remains unread.
This was recommended to me a number of years ago, and has been haunting my shelf ever since. Having now visited Japan twice, it is time this one makes its way out of the ‘To Be Read’ pile.
Even Cat & Rice Ladles
This is the other book I received this Christmas. It contains some amazing art work, and is the kind of book you can dip into, as each entry is self-contained. I particularly like that the sayings are also written in Japanese, so I can practise my Kanji reading skills.
There is certainly an opportunity for a blog post for this book, where I can share my favourite sayings with you.
Over to you
What are you all reading at the moment? I have promised myself I will get through more books this year, so I have be booking in evening slots to do so. Where do you like to read? Is it hard finding the time? Lets us know in the comments.