Chapter 1: The Transformation of My Reading Journey

For a long time, when people would inquire about my reading preferences, I found myself at a loss for words, often stammering with uncertainty. I genuinely struggled to recall what I had read, exacerbated by my tendency to doze off every couple of pages due to sleep apnea. My reading habits were chaotic, and I had no clear sense of what appealed to me. Prior to 2022, I had probably read around thirty books throughout my entire life, given that I was born in 1969.

This all shifted dramatically once I started maintaining a reading list.

The volume of material I consumed skyrocketed, with my count increasing from 19 books and anthologies in 2022 to 30 and still rising this year. In fact, I’ve read more in the past three years than I had in any similar span prior to that.

Reflecting on my recent reading achievements, I identified at least five key reasons for my newfound success:

1. Identifying Favorite Authors

   Initially, I had no clear understanding of my preferred writers, often relying on trial and error. I frequently browsed Google and YouTube to discover popular reads. This exploration helped me uncover my favorites, including authors like Cormac McCarthy, Elmore Leonard, Gene Wolfe, and Barry Malzberg. I particularly enjoy Barry Malzberg's novels, such as OVERLAY, which delves into his passion for horse betting, THE GAMESMAN, reminiscent of Kafka and The Hunger Games, and BEYOND APOLLO, the first recipient of the John Campbell Award. His works often come in novella format, allowing me to finish them in a single day. Similarly, I purchased a compilation of four of Elmore Leonard's novels, including GET SHORTY (a fantastic film adaptation), RUM PUNCH (which inspired Jackie Brown), OUT OF SIGHT, and TISHOMINGO BLUES. Each of these was originally published separately, so I counted them individually. Eventually, I decided that if I read three or more books by a particular author, they would qualify as one of my favorites. This list continues to grow, especially as I delve deeper into genre literature.

2. Recognizing Dislikes

   I have been fortunate to encounter high-quality material in my readings. However, I have also stumbled upon a few that didn’t resonate with me, such as DIMENSION OF MIRACLES by Robert Sheckley, which some argue foreshadowed Douglas Adams’ THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. This absurdist fiction tells the story of a man from Earth who mistakenly wins the Galactic lottery. Despite finishing it and logging it as read—a personal victory—I found myself grappling with perceived inconsistencies in its logic. Nevertheless, my distaste for that subgenre has helped clarify my interests.

3. Tracking Reading Patterns

   When I anticipated furthering my education at a trade school (specifically in Graphic Design), I took the time to prepare over the summer. I read foundational texts like THE LANGUAGE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN by Richard Poulin and THINKING WITH TYPE by Ellen Lupton. I focused intently on these subjects from mid-April to mid-June, which helped me feel ready for my studies—though I ultimately decided not to enroll. My reading list for this year also features more horror and science fiction, including SOLARIS by Stanislaw Lem and HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill.

4. Enhancing Writing Skills

   I learned the hard way that writing without reading is akin to walking with blinders: I might reach my destination eventually, but it would take significantly longer. Reading serves as an invaluable textbook for understanding narrative techniques, plot development, conflict resolution, and the author's voice. A prime example is MISTER B. GONE by Clive Barker, which delves into metafiction through the perspective of a demon named Jakabok Botch, trapped within the pages of a book. The chilling lines, such as “Burn this book. Go on. Quickly, while there’s still time…” left me unsettled and inspired me to inject more realism into my writing. If a book could evoke such fear, I pondered how much more I could grip my readers with my own words.

5. Serving as a Memory Aid

   My reading list has acted as a bookmark of sorts, reminding me of the books that truly captivated me. One standout was ICE by Anna Kavan, her final work before her passing, which defies easy classification. The tension surrounding an impending ice sheaf threatening global destruction kept me turning pages. Its literary depth resonated with me, and now that I've noted it, I am eager to explore more of Kavan's works.

There are numerous other reasons to maintain a reading list: it cultivates discipline, introduces me to genre leaders, and facilitates engaging conversations with fellow readers.

To illustrate my point, here’s my reading list for this year. I’ve included the book title, author, and completion date. While I considered adding a brief description for each book, I opted against it to keep the list uncluttered:

• JOHN DIES AT THE END — Jason Pargin — 1/3/2024
• SOLARIS — Stanislaw Lem — 1/6/2024
• HEART-SHAPED BOX — Joe Hill — 1/11/2024
• THE GAMESMAN — Barry N. Malzberg — 1/13/2024
• OVERLAY — Barry N. Malzberg — 1/14/2024
• GALAXIES — Barry N. Malzberg — 1/16/2024
• ICE — Anna Kavan — 2/2/2024
• ANNIHILATION — Jeff Vandermeer — 2/18/2024
• DIMENSION OF MIRACLES — Robert Sheckley — 2/11/2024
• THE FERVOR — Alma Katsu — 3/2/2024
• THE GRAPHIC DESIGN IDEA BOOK — Steven Heller & Gail Anderson — 4/19/2024
• THE LANGUAGE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN — Richard Poulin — 5/13/2024
• A VISUAL HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN — Jens Muller & Julius Wiedemann — 5/19/2024
• THINKING WITH TYPE — Ellen Lupton — 5/28/2024
• THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BIBLE — Theo Ingus — 6/7/2024
• DESIGN ELEMENTS: COLOR FUNDAMENTALS — Aaris Sherin — 6/12/2024
• GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR EVERYONE — Cath Caldwell — 6/17/2024
• 101 THINGS I LEARNED IN PRODUCT DESIGN SCHOOL — Song Jung and Martin Trainer (w/Matthew Frederick) — 6/18/2024
• ASIMOV’S SCIENCE FICTION JULY/AUG 2024 — 6/26/2024
• BEYOND APOLLO — Barry N. Malzberg — 6/28/2024
• THE BALLAD OF BLACK TOM — Victor Lavalle — 6/28/2024
• PROSETRICS-THE LITERARY MAGAZINE ISSUE #7 — 6/28/2024
• THE LISTENERS — James E. Gunn — 7/6/2024
• A PLACE FOR SINNERS — Aaron Dries — 7/9/2024
• FUGUE FOR A DARKENING ISLAND — Christopher Priest — 7/11/2024
• DRACULA — Bram Stoker — 7/23/2024
• FELLSTONES — Ramsey Campbell — 7/27/2024
• THE TUSKS OF EXTINCTION — Ray Nayler — 7/28/2024
• ASIMOV’S SCIENCE FICTION MAY/JUNE 2021 — 8/19/2024
• A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS — Paul Tremblay — 8/24/2024

Whether or not you choose to maintain a reading list, I wish you all the best in your literary adventures.

Chapter 2: The Value of Reading

In this chapter, we explore the essential reasons for cultivating a reading habit.

The first video, "5 Reasons Why You Should Read," highlights the profound benefits of reading, including personal growth and improved cognitive skills.

Chapter 3: Embracing Book Ownership

This section discusses the importance of owning books and the unique benefits that come with it.

The second video, "Why You Should OWN Books // Reasons to Read," elaborates on the advantages of having a personal library and the joy of re-reading.