One of my goals for 2020 is to read more books. I have set myself a goal of 12 books in 12 months, which should be more than achievable. I have set myself this goal in the past, however, I have failed to meet it as other things 'got in the way' and I didn't follow through.
This year I have invested in a lamp for my bedside table and set myself a daily habit goal of reading for at least 20 minutes before I go to sleep - no phone, just a book and my lamp. My husband is still trying to come to terms with this ... lol! I also reignited my Good Reads account and have created a 'Want to Read' list and am following a stack of people who I am connected with on various forms of social media.
At the end of 2019 one of my colleagues created a channel on our company Slack called #2020readingchallenge and provided a list of 'themes' that we are encouraged to explore while we are reading this year. Thankfully, another colleague provided some recommendations around books that she has enjoyed that meet some of the various criteria, because... if I'm honest, I had no idea where to start with some of them!
One of the books that was recommended by Sophie was 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel. When I read the blurb I was automatically drawn to this book. Matthew Reilly is one of my favourite authors and his last book, 'The Secret Runners of New York' I read in a couple of days because I simply couldn't put it down. This book seemed to have a very similar vibe... and I wasn't wrong!
The book follows a series of inter-linked characters leading up to and beyond the 'Georgia Flu' outbreak. The story jumps backwards and forwards a bit and in some points I was confused as to why... but then it just hits you in the last 50 or so pages. The twist in the second last section was one that I did not see coming!
I enjoyed the escapism that this book allowed, getting me to picture a world that has been completely devastated by a pandemic that wiped out basically 99% of the total population. You grow to love some of the main characters as they develop strong personalities as they deal with the hardships of being left behind. The imagery is wonderful and you really feel transported to the wintery streets of Toronto or the desolate forests that the characters traverse, simply trying to stay alive.
If you enjoy a bit of apocalyptic drama - I suggest you give it a go! An easy read and really tricky to put down once you get caught up in it all.
This year I have invested in a lamp for my bedside table and set myself a daily habit goal of reading for at least 20 minutes before I go to sleep - no phone, just a book and my lamp. My husband is still trying to come to terms with this ... lol! I also reignited my Good Reads account and have created a 'Want to Read' list and am following a stack of people who I am connected with on various forms of social media.
At the end of 2019 one of my colleagues created a channel on our company Slack called #2020readingchallenge and provided a list of 'themes' that we are encouraged to explore while we are reading this year. Thankfully, another colleague provided some recommendations around books that she has enjoyed that meet some of the various criteria, because... if I'm honest, I had no idea where to start with some of them!
One of the books that was recommended by Sophie was 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel. When I read the blurb I was automatically drawn to this book. Matthew Reilly is one of my favourite authors and his last book, 'The Secret Runners of New York' I read in a couple of days because I simply couldn't put it down. This book seemed to have a very similar vibe... and I wasn't wrong!
The book follows a series of inter-linked characters leading up to and beyond the 'Georgia Flu' outbreak. The story jumps backwards and forwards a bit and in some points I was confused as to why... but then it just hits you in the last 50 or so pages. The twist in the second last section was one that I did not see coming!
I enjoyed the escapism that this book allowed, getting me to picture a world that has been completely devastated by a pandemic that wiped out basically 99% of the total population. You grow to love some of the main characters as they develop strong personalities as they deal with the hardships of being left behind. The imagery is wonderful and you really feel transported to the wintery streets of Toronto or the desolate forests that the characters traverse, simply trying to stay alive.
If you enjoy a bit of apocalyptic drama - I suggest you give it a go! An easy read and really tricky to put down once you get caught up in it all.
RSS Feed