It’s time for books
After receiving a gift card that could only be spent online, I toyed with the idea of buying a knitting machine. Instead, I opted to blow it all on books!
2020 was a success in terms of completing my ‘Good Reads’ challenge. I was able to read 34 books after setting myself a target of 30. In 2021, I have decided to up my game.
I’m not sure that the Good Read app likes me though. it initially just changed last years challenge to 45 books. All sorted now though…Although it still says 45 books for last year.
What this means is that I plan on doing a lot of reading. This also means that there will be a few posts on books. Not my usual vibe, but I am not even sorry!
I will need to break down my current ‘reads’ into groups; there is quite a few of them!. Check out next weeks post for part 2.
This post is about the first group: Japanese and Korean books.
As returning readers will know, I am studying Japanese.
I may have mentioned it once or twice in previous posts!
There have been a few Japanese (English translation) fiction works in both my 2019 and 2020 Good Reads list. These have been really interesting in terms of learning more about the culture and history.
For 2021, I will be reading a combination of fiction, for cultural growth, and nonfiction to help me develop my language skills. Every day is a school day, after all!
Japanese Stories for Language Learners: Bilingual Stories in Japanese and English
This book will tick both boxes, in terms of culture and learning. As well as stories in both languages the book contains additional vocabulary, comprehensive testing questions, and a C.D so I can improve my listening and have the stories read to me.
I am taking this seriously enough to blow my Christmas Amazon gift card on a small boom box, so I can sit, listen, and learn.
By the end of the year, I want to be able to read one of the stories fully through – perhaps I could do a fireside reading and record it. Hmmm…
Three Japanese Buddhist Monks – Penguin Great Ideas
This short book contains the writings of – and I don’t think I’m giving out any spoilers here – Three Japanese Buddhist Monks.
Saigyō, Kamo no Chōmei and Yoshida Kenkō all left writings from their respective time periods, that tell us about their experiences and philosophies.
I have already started this book, as it is only a small volume and I want to get a few titles ticked off on my list to start me off well for the year. While not entirely agreeing with the beliefs and thoughts being laid down, there is a lot that also strikes a chord. Particularly the thoughts on the transient nature of life and belongings.
This may become one of those books I dip back into when needed.
I am going to fully embrace my inner six-former and start highlighting useful parts of books so I can return to them ( A-Level English flashbacks!)
Other posts you may find interesting
Final thoughts on 2019 – My book list for 2020
Things I want to learn – a rundown of all the ‘learning’ tasks on the Kettle List
My Higher Education Journey – returning to university as a mature student
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World
Back in February 2019 I read Haemin Sumin’s book “Love for imperfect things”. It offers a combination of self-help and encouragement, and I am hoping this second book of his that I am going to read will offer much of the same.
The book claims to be a guide to mindfulness, a topic I have previously written on. Hopefully this ‘reminder of the joy that comes with slowing down’ will be useful in my efforts to focus and choose where I want to go, moving forward.
The White Book
This is a book I received for Christmas in 2018, and it has remained aesthetically placed on my shelf in various guises since then.
The concept of it fascinates me; It is an exploration of ‘white things’: milk, snow, death shrouds…
It is very experimental in style, and the first – technically- fiction book on my reading list. For while there are elements of autobiographical detail, this is a clearly creative piece.
I get the impression that this is not going to be one of my usual ‘dive in and read a few pages’ books. With this book, I look forward to blocking out a few hours to sit and spend some quality time.
Over to you
What are some of the books you are reading this year? Are you a fan of fiction, or more inclined towards facts and figures? Do you find self-help books actually help you?
Part 2 of my ‘2021 books’ will be out next week. I am also currently reading books on time management and motivation, so I will tell you about those then.
In the meantime, let me know what you are currently reading or offer your recommendations below.