Some people say that December is Read a New Book Month. Cold weather makes the idea of curling up with a good book especially appealing. But others claim that September is Read a New Book Month. Even those of us who are not going back to school think of September as a time of new beginnings, a chance to start over, an opportunity to do better than we did the year before. New books are a big part of new beginnings.
How can you make the most of Read a New Book Month?
- Try reading a type of book you don’t normally read. If you usually choose detective fiction, try a biography. If you love travel books, read a fantasy or some science fiction.
- Challenge yourself by reading a book on a topic you may not know much about: sample a cookbook, peruse a gardening text, or tackle a “how-to” book on playing a sport or using a new type of technology or social media.
- Buy a new book for a child, or get one from your local library. Might a toddler you know enjoy a board book with bright, easy-to-turn pages? Is there a classic story you loved that you’d like to share with a certain child? Or let your child choose a book from one of the many popular series being written for children today.
Reading books that we know we’ll like is a wonderful way to escape the stresses of daily life. But sometimes a new type of book allows us to see the world in a different way. I had long wondered why A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman was at the top of the best-seller lists for so long. When I finally read it, the crisp, clear writing; the details of daily life in Sweden; and the portraits of characters I wouldn’t normally be drawn to all made me wish the book would never end. I hope you enjoy your own New Book just as much.
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