I have been reading several posts about goals and resolutions for the New Year – reading goals and just general life goals. While browsing through these posts I came across an interesting idea that I had not heard of earlier – Word of the Year.
I let the concept marinate in my brain, but could not come up with any single word that I would want to center my life around in 2016. Mostly because I am not sure of how this works. For instance, if I go with the word – Balance (something that I always strive for) – I need to have a plan to ensure that I am able to incorporate balance in my life, right?
But then I do little things to find balance in all things, even now. So, what would be so different when I select this as the Word of the Year? I know, I am probably overthinking this, but that is just me.
A goal without a plan is just a wish. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Having said that, the concept stayed with me, and I thought about which area of my life I can apply this to; where it will add value and meaning to what I want to do.
The answer was clear – I could use a word to define/set expectations for my reading year 2016, and the word I chose was – diversity.
Word of The (Reading) Year 2016 – Diversity.
This is the one thing I want to keep in mind while reading this year. Especially because it is easy to set lofty goals, but without a way to track these goals, it is equally easy to get carried away, and indulge in mindless reading.
This year, my goal is to ensure diversity in genres, themes, countries, authors, and even formats (audiobooks-this is going to be the year we meet).
The other thing I want to achieve is – balance. Here is why – until last year, I had not read any Indian authors at all (yes, shameful, I know). Okay, outside of the odd Chetan Bhagat book (5 Point Someone) that I read in my teens.
In 2015, I wanted to address this situation, and I did. However, I got so involved in it, that at the end of the year, I realized that 75% of the books I read were by Indian authors. While this statistic by itself, is neither good nor bad, when considered in isolation, but this is not what I wanted. This was just one of my goals, but it overshadowed all the other goals.
A Bookish Bingo!
So, this year, to ensure Diversity/Balance, I have come up with a plan. I listed all of my goals, and created a Bookish Bingo. Because (like I said in my post about setting reading goals) reading has to be FUN!
And so here it is..
Later this week, I will have a post up discussing these categories (update – here it is!), and also my (tentative) picks for them. I would love your inputs too. Please do leave your suggestions in the comments below. I will certainly keep them in mind while I make my list.
I am open to suggestions in all categories, but am especially looking for suggestion for these- A Book Set in the Future, A Book revolving around World War 2, A book in the Dystopian Genre.
Sid
Oh my! Lovely concept, but I’d fail miserably. Having said that, I really need to get back to reading.
Nice one, Shatala.
PS: For some reason, I had been unsubscribed from your blog. Re-did it now π
Sid recently posted…If only….
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Sid. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Shilpa Garg
Bookish Bingo is so cool. I might take it up and do it along with my Pop Sugar Challenge. Good luck with your reading goals, Shantala π
Shanaya Tales
Yay! So glad to hear you liked it; would be overjoyed if you took it up. I would love to see your picks for these categories. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Susan Gourley
That is a very good thing. I could see a teacher using such a thing to encourage her students to read across the spectrum.
Susan Gourley recently posted…5 Minute Industry News
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, that is such a great idea. Never thought of that. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Seeya
Hi,
I had been doing the same, reading new year resolution blog posts. Came across this theme/word of the year. I liked your concept of Reading(diversity) year of 2016. I liked this concept of reading books from different genres. Keep it up
Seeya recently posted…Discipline
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Seeya. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Gayathri
Word of the year is new to me. I think am sold to this concept ?
And would you mind me taking up this Bingo challenge? Like if I put up that image on my blog? I did this a couple of years back and it works out better for me than choosing number of books to read.
Gayathri recently posted…The House that BJ built
Shanaya Tales
SO glad you liked the Bingo. Please feel free to use it. Would love to see your picks for these categories. π
Anamika Agnihotri
I liked the way you put it -‘I let it marinate in my mind’. Diversity is a great thought when it comes to genres, authors and geographies. I wish you good luck with your reading goals for this year.
Anamika Agnihotri recently posted…Let me introduce myselfβ¦#Monday Musings
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Anamika. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Beat About the Book
Ooh I love your bingo. Wondering who you’d give a second chance as also a different mythology – maybe Chinese?? Just thinking. For the dystopia novel you could try A Brave New World or even Hunger Games. For World War I I – Boy in Striped Pyjamas or The Book Thief. I’m following you for sure.
Beat About the Book recently posted…Eye tests are good for health
Shanaya Tales
The Hunger Games – Check. The Book Thief – Check. π
Second Chance – John Green. There is just so much hype around him and his movies, plus TFIOS had its positives.
Chinese Mythology – Do you have any recommendations?
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Parul
Wow! That’s so cool. One the word of the year is wonderful. When reading it’s important to read different genres. So there with you. For personal self too, I could not get a word that I would focus for the year.
That Bookish Bingo is super cool. Have you read Pearl Buck? The Good Earth and Letter from Peking are both are set around Chinese Revolution and my fav books.
Anne Frank’s Diary is the safest to start if you are looking for something near WWII but I am sure you must have read that one. Let me think and I will come back. Good luck on your reading goals.
Parul recently posted…Sunday Punch #53
Shanaya Tales
Such wonderful recommendations, Parul. Added Anne Frank’s Diary; the others look interesting too. Thank you. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Rachna
Wow! That’s extensive and quite a plan. And about the word of the year, I’ve read some interesting posts as well. But have never come up with a word for myself.
Rachna recently posted…Life beckons
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, I can’t seem to do it either. It is tricky to pick just one word, or even a whole sentence, for that matter. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Pooja
Wow! Love the concept of bookish Bingo. I am curious to see the books you pick for some of the genres. I would like to see if I can pick out a few from your list. π
Pooja recently posted…Reflections- 2015
Shanaya Tales
The post is up now. Do let me know if anything stood out. π Also, if you have read any of them, and have reviews – do leave a link to your review in the comments. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Esha
Wow! Love the Book BIngo idea! Goodluck with it…:-)
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal
I like your idea of diversity, works well as a reader. I wish to read the classics and the prize winners I have missed.
For the dystopian series I can only recommend Laxmi Harihran Ruby Iyer or another author I read last year Kory M Shrum Dying for a living series. I have read the book 1 for both of them and well I leave the choice to you.
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal recently posted…#Bookreview The Sheik’s Intimate Proposition
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for your recommendation, Indy. Added the Ruby Iyer Series. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo
Shalini
Cool! I loved the bingo you created. How interesting. I have decided to read at least 50 books this year. May be I should also decide on the categories. Thanks for the idea and good luck, Shantala! π
Shalini recently posted…Rainbow in My Cloud #SpreadTheVibe
Shanaya Tales
You are very welcome, Shalini. And if and when you do decide on your categories, do let me know. π
Good luck with your reading goals. Have a great 2016! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Sreesha
Wow, that is detailed! It’s like a fitness plan!!!
I like the word diversity in this context. And I like the word balance in a whole other context, which I had done a post on long ago in ’12 or ’13.
As for these genres, I might pick up all of those too, except American politics and the audiobook – I listened to one last year, and felt it beats the purpose of books, which is to read them. But that’s just my opinion.
Sreesha recently posted…Of The Empaths β Final Part
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, except I make really vague fitness plans. π
As far as audiobooks go, I know what you mean. For the longest time, I have felt the same way.
But I haven’t really explored them at all. So, will give it a go, and see how I like it. Staying away from
fiction though. Sticking to non-fiction/memoir kind of stuff. Plus (if you see my picks for this category) I would love to hear these ladies.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Debbie D.
Wishing you much success with your reading and life goals. Happy New Year! π
Debbie D. recently posted…RAVES AND RANTS – #MONDAYMUSINGS
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Debbie. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
Ooh such a great concept! Good luck with it…I’m not going to take it up due to the 4 challenges I’ve already committed to. Can’t help you out with those three specific genres you’ve asked about but Indian authors — Rohinton Mistry is one of my favourites especially A Fine Balance. Looking forward to checking out what books you read and perhaps adding them to my ever-growing list of TBR books! π
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted…Book Review: Daughter
Shanaya Tales
Just looked up – A Fine Balance. Looks like an interesting read. Thank you so much for the recommendation, Sanch. Added it to my list, which will be up by tomorrow (at the latest). π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
the little princess
This is super cool! I love the idea! And yea, ‘diversity’ is the perfect word too. Would you want to read a motivational book? I just finished reading ‘To Cancer, With Love’, written by Neelam Kumar. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Really. It is nothing like I had imagined it to be.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for the recommendation, Shubhangi. I looked it up and added it to my list, which will be up by tomorrow (at the latest).
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Rajlakshmi
I think that’s a wonderful theme for you goal. You can cover so many genre in that. I need to start thinking about my reading goals π
Rajlakshmi recently posted…The Pronunciation Trouble
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Raj. Glad that it got you thinking about your reading goals. Do share them with me too. Would love to hear them. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Shilpa Gupte
Hey, now that’s a terrific idea…The Bookish Bingo! This year, I too decided to read
…A lot. And thankfully, the books I found turned out to be great! Except The best seller she wrote. I am finding it tough to concentrate on that one! But..looking at your BB..I am going to follow it..rather..follow you. Well, I do need help in selecting the perfect books! So..Thanks dear. Looking forward to your list…
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shilpa. SO glad you liked it.:)
My list will be up by tomorrow (at the latest).
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo
Lata Sunil
Shantala, I love this bookish bingo thing. Its a good idea. Let me try it out too.
Shanaya Tales
Yes, please do. I would love to hear your picks too, and we could cheer each other on. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo