In the past few weeks, I started reading a few books only to leave them for other books. Achieving my 2014 extended target (set at goodreads.com) for the books to read in 2014 actually backfired as now I am worried about finishing the books ASAP. Setting a target of 36 books for 2015 also proved to be a bummer. So, I’ve decided to revise my target for 2015 from 36 books to 20 books. If I can read more, great. If I can’t, at least I would’ve enjoyed the ones that I read.
When selecting a book for reading, the following questions pop up in my mind: Should I read a book just because I bought it and should, therefore, read it? Should I finish reading a book just because I have started reading it? This is a dilemma because I cannot be sure if it’s my trademark procrastination making me avoid reading (or finishing) a book or if it’s actually the book. Sometimes, I have put the book down for good, and have even donated it. At other times, though, I have made myself finish reading a book even if as an attempt to counter procrastination.
I am currently reading A User’s Guide to the Brain by John J. Ratey. I checked the price and thought to myself “why did I buy this paperback which is quite expensive!” However, when I looked inside, the paperback had 380+ pages, with small font. I braced myself and started reading it. It is a book about the working of human brain, and aims to to help the reader gain a better understanding of how the brain affects who we are. My reading is going slowly.. very slowly as I only read during my commute to/from work (not a long commute). The technical nature of this book and the small fonts also affect the pace of my reading. However, it is an interesting and useful book as it is helping me connect my experience from various domains of the social sector. I hope this knowledge will help me gain perspective which will help me with my human development work.
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Oblivion - Resurrected 