A Reading Resolution

The serious readers that I know contend with a common problem: the stack.

The stack of unread books, typically on or under a nightstand, that represents our best intentions of reading.  Mine has grown during the pandemic for two reasons: First, our library system has allowed renewals up to six months as long as no other patron requests the volume.  On top of that, they are not collecting fines, even for books kept beyond that six-month mark.  Second, pandemmy walks take me past a lot of Little, Free Libraries.  While many of those bear the same promise-fulfillment ratio as a high school dance, I have scored some worthwhile titles here and there.  And here. And there.

Long story, short, I entered 2022 with an untenable stack.  Two stacks, to be precise, for structural integrity reasons.  I honestly don't know if one stack would have fit between the floor and the bottom of my spindly nightstand.

A few weeks into the new year, I resolved to read what was there before bringing any new books into my life, by big library, little library, bookstore, or friend-lend.  It seemed like the right thing to do.  In part, it was a response to a sobering realization late in 2021 about just how little I will be able to read in my remaining lifetime (NBD) relative to the number of books that get published every week, let alone the span of published human history. There are so. Many. Books. Who's to say that the books under my nightstand aren't the best ones to read now?

the stack, partially reduced

Resolutions do often go awry or get forgotten, but here's a happy early status report: the stack is dwindling.  That desire for freedom to hunt up new titles again is motivating me to make more time to read.  As the first quarter of 2022 draws to a close, I have read more books YTD than in any year since 2000, when I started tracking with my current system.  That, of course, puts me on pace to break my annual record.  I'll not jinx that by saying more than that I am on pace.

The books I've finished since my resolution are a mixed bag of genres and came from a variety of recommendations/sources.  Those remaining in the stack bear a certain resemblance, which may become a problem.

Success before problems: what I've been reading to get out from under:

Shadow Divers; The True Adventure of Two Americans who Risked Everything to Solve one of the Last Mysteries of WW II, Robert Kurson, 2004

Highly readable history lent by a coworker.  I was pretty steamed when he gave me this book because it wouldn't help with my bloated to-read list (a whole separate magilla.) Teddy liked this one too before I gave it back.

Self-Compassion; Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind, Kristin Neff, 2011

Decent.  I didn't love this as much as did the podcast host who recommended it, but it did allow me to check off a book that had occupied my to-read list for over a year.

Running the Light, Sam Tallent, 2020

Another podcast recommendation, this when the author appeared on Marc Maron's WTF. (Free podcast recs for readers who a) follow links from blog posts and b) will not hate me for adding to their to-listen list). Tallent's tale of his self-published novel during the pandemic when he couldn't book shows pulled at my heartstrings. I ordered a copy as a patron of the arts.  Marc liked the book, and I can see why. It's amazingly good for a self-published novel; especially the first half before the editing declines  A memorable if often difficult read about a road comic in full blown drug and alcohol addiction mostly bashing his way to self destruction amidst fleeting glimmers of hope.

Everything in its Place; First Loves and Last Tales, Oliver Sacks, 2019

Another coworker rec (different coworker - nice to work with smart, interesting people) that I really enjoyed.  Sacks's final essay collection, published posthumously.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie, 1920

Agatha Christie's first novel, consumed via the podcast Phoebe Reads a Mystery, which I say as a high compliment is the thing that helps me fall asleep when nothing else does.  A soothing voice reading at a measured pace a story that's just involving enough to quiet my monkey brain.

Dusk, Night, Dawn; on Recovery and Courage, Anne Lamott, 2021

Randomly picked up at the library (this is how I get myself into this stacktuation) that turned out just as I'd hoped.  Lamott is a prophet endowed with a talent for the right, unexpected turn of phrase.

That's what my momentum looks like.  My barrier is a shrinking stack dominated by memoir and biography.  That's a symptom and a problem all in one.  I'm seriously under-noveled this year and will remain so until I complete my resolution. Apparently, these books have been stack marooned because I have my doubts about them.  These genres are crap shoot categories.  I hope the highs buoy me, and the lows motivate me.  It's my only hope to get to summer novel reading.

What's your reading resolution?