April 2019 Books
I have set a reading goal for the year of 60 books and, so far, I have read 21. I set this overall goal early in the year after having a conversation with my friend and fellow writer, Cheryl. I realized that I could be committing to finishing way more books per year. Previously, I would let a lot of books go half read. In order to meet this goal and to challenge myself this term to set up a curriculum while I am not taking creative writing courses, I have assigned myself the following books for the month of April:
Not Even Wrong by Paul Collins (nonfiction, memoir) - finished
Whip Smart by Melissa Febos (nonfiction, memoir) - half finished
Ghost Fishing edited by Melissa Tuckey (poetry anthology) - have not begun
Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg (self-help, audiobook) - nearly finished
Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk (self-help, audiobook) - finished, although started earlier in the year
This first month’s “curriculum” is lacking nonfiction craft. My intention this month was to focus on reading the published work of some creative writing professors as well as to finish off some of the audiobooks that have been on my list at the library.
I will be the first to admit that I do not shy away from self-help books and I am also not ashamed to read them (although most of the time I am listening to self-help books on my commute versus reading them). I have anywhere from an hour to hour and a half round trip commute four days a week and I often prefer to fill that time with learning new concepts rather than listening to music. Having books or podcasts to look forward to has exponentially improved my commute experience. I have nothing at all against music, but my mind is often hungry for new information and growth. I often find myself listening to the Rich Roll Podcast when I am not devouring new self-help books.
This April, I am also challenging myself to submit at least one essay or poem to submittable for publication. I have an entire “writing manifestation” checklist to check off which includes this challenge as well as “receive my first acceptance for publication” and “receive my first rejection for publication.” So, either way the submission goes I get to check off two items, one for submitting and one for getting either an acceptance or rejection. I am always reminding myself that failure and rejection are part of the process. What’s the most important is that you actually go out there are do that damn thing!
For May’s curriculum, I am planning to add in at least one book in nonfiction craft. I would also like to include a book of poetry a month and prioritize more nature writing and writers of color in general. If anyone has any nonfiction or poetry suggestions, please feel free to connect with me here or on twitter @katcoolahan! I would love to hear them.