Reflections on commitment
What reading every day has taught me.
Last week I started the 30 day reading challenge which was a commitment to myself to read every single day for all of April. The experience so far has been humbling, indeed a bit challenging, but overall very rewarding — a testament to what happens when you make a commitment and stick to it.
I have to admit that from the start it wasn’t smooth sailing. I was solo parenting, and finding time to read felt like a privilege I didn’t have. Yet somehow I did it, late at night a few times, on my lunch break others.
3-4 days into the challenge, I found the habit kicking into place and the rush of excitement when I knew I was going to sit down to read. This was exactly what I was craving and needing in my life. The book I’ve been reading is the third in the ACATOR series, and it is 720 pages. I’m nearing the halfway point and have been enjoying it endlessly.
When I sat down to write this post and reflect on the past week, I started thinking about commitment and what it means to me. This reading challenge has been a way to reconnect with something that’s important but that I wasn’t making time for.
I needed something radical, like this challenge, to set into motion the promise and then the action behind it.
Personally, I’ve realized time and time again that I need external pressure to do hard things — and that’s okay. Ultimately, the method to doing what you want to do, doesn’t matter, as long as you’re doing it.
I’m curious, what drives you to do hard things? Do you also need to place external pressure or can you summon it from within?
As it’s only a week into the challenge, I wanted to share some books that I’m looking forward to reading this month.
Stoner by John Williams
I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary fiction lately and have been craving a book from that past, a book that has withstood the passing of time and still holds up, and I think Stoner by John Williams is exactly that.
A really good friend of mine recommended me this book and she described the writing as superbly beautiful, yet about a simple and ordinary story. For someone who has incredible taste, I really trust her to recommend a book that reflects that appreciation of beautiful, poignant writing.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
This is a book the we chose in my book club with some friends. Admittedly, I probably wouldn’t have picked to read it on my own but I’m still curious to read the story, and if it’s much the same as his other books, I think I’ll enjoy it.
I’ve already read several of Fredrik Backman’s books including A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie Was Here, so I’m curious to dive into another one of his books. Usually I find the author’s writing style a bit bland but the stories are what touch me.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
I picked up this book when I was on my honeymoon to Japan last year, and it’s still sitting on my book shelf wondering when I’ll read it. Something about the size of it intimidates me, but when I went to check the page count, it’s actually only 464 pages. As I examine the book, I remember why I bought it in the first place.
There was a blurb on the cover which made me laugh and think this could be the sort of book I enjoy: “There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.”
Even before my trip to Japan, I was starting to really dig deep into Japanese literature as I find there’s something odd and quirky yet very deep and grounded about their understanding of the world. This is of course a generalization, but I really enjoy their viewpoint and I’m curious to dive into yet another “gourmet-ficion” novel similar to the one I last read, Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto.
Do you have a country or culture who’s writing you particularly enjoy? I’m always on the look out for new books from around the world so I would be grateful if you share.
That’s the wrap up on what I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the month! Let me know if you’ve read or want to read any of these books. Sometimes, a book is on your to-read list but you need a little reminder from someone who’s already read it, to spark your curiosity.
As with all things, reading is all about the timing. You might feel like a book resonates deeply with you at one stage of your life, and then feel completely irrelevant at another.
Choosing to read books intuitively is what matters.
Throughout the years, I’ve exercised and practiced the art of choosing books intuitively for a particular time in my life, and that’s in part what bibliotherapy is all about.
Until next week.
xx
Toni
PS: It’s never too late to jump into the 30-Day Reading Challenge. It’s running all of April 2025, and you can join us by posting a picture of your book when you read daily.