Creating a Reading List 101

Librarians are always asked for recommendations on what to read next.  The questions most often asked at any given reference desk on any given day,  is this a good book?  Usually the book is held up by a  patron sincerely wanting to know whether to invest her or his valuable time into reading a particular book.  This goes along with the assumption that the librarian knows every book in the library and has read each one from cover to cover. Insider secret: Librarians do not read every single book published.  It just a tale  that someone in Hollywood made up years ago.   The reality is that librarians rely on book reviews to help decide which books should be added into the library's  collection.  Reading every single book ordered and held by a particular library is quite a daunting task.  However, it is a worthwhile goal to try to achieve in retirement. (No, I'm not kidding.  I fully expect to read until the day I die.) The second commonly asked question is how make a good book list.  Easy peasy.  Right?  Well, there are a few things to consider before starting one and keeping one going.  

First consider, your time and reading speed.  Some readers can devour a 400 page book in a week, while others it may take them a month or two.  Some readers love quick reads as in 100 pages or less, while others would much rather savor a longer story with deeper plots.  Both readers are right in their approach to reading but their reading list compilation may be a little different.  With this in mind,  the first thing to consider setting up a goal of how many books to read in a month or even a year.  New Year's resolutions are always filled with the hope to red more.  Well, get specific on what the goal is for the year.  For example, a feasible goal for anyone to achieve is a book a month.  Twelve books in one year is good pace and if you surpass it, great.  If you don't,  that will just help with setting the reading goal for next year.  

Once the number of books is selected  write down the titles of the books you'd like to read. Where do you start?   Perhaps you heard about a book in an podcast, your favorite blogger suggested this title, or your friend Bob at work was raving about the latest book he read, write it down to keep as a reminder to check it out or order it.  After reading a book on your list,  mark it as read and move on.  An extra step that can be taken is to make a symbol next to the title to indicate if the was liked and worthy of recommendation or a re-read.  On my list, I have abbreviations like, BC for bookclub suggestion or an asterisk to indicate that the title is worth mentioning in a blog. 

One way to get children involved in a reading list is to set a goal of reading a set number of books together.  Once a book is read, write it down on a piece of paper that can be displayed for everyone to see, like a refrigerator door.  By the end of the year,  both you and your child can see how many books you've read and maybe even challenger yourselves to beat last year's "record".  It is a wonderful way to read together, bond together and make reading fun instead of a chore.  

What to do when every book on the list has been read?  Start over of course!  My reading list is never finished.  I am continuously adding books as I delete others that have been read. I don't recommend having a never ending list to every reader, but if it works and the idea of an unending booklist does not freak you out, then who is to stop you?   I sometimes envy friends who have a yearly booklist and stick to you as if it is a road map of their book "trips".  At the end of the year, they have a feeling of accomplishment that they have set out to do something and completed the task.  

One bit of caution to keep in mind when making a list.  Making a list with too many titles may be daunting and unattainable.  If this becomes the case for you, focus only on a small list of books that won't seem overwhelming.  In my case, it is not unusual to have a list of fifty books.  Do I read them all?  Eventually, yes.  What I have discovered is that there are some books that are meant for a season.  In other others, there are books that I've started, put them down because at that moment, it wasn't capturing my attention.  However, a few weeks later or even months later, going back to read the book made it much more enjoyable.  It was the right time for me to read, imagine and take in the story.   It also helps me to appreciate the story and the author more.  

The important thing to remember is a reading list  is a tool to help readers find their reading utopia.  It should not be thought of as something carved in stone and not to be deviated from.   The three e's of reading:  engaging, entertaining, and educational.  Before readers start to groan over the word "educational" as if it is synonymous with boring or stuffy.  Educational does not have to be either of those things.  It also does not imply that only "serious" books as in the classics should be read.  Comic books have proven to be very educational.  Iron Man has taught many readers to imagine what can be possible combining knowledge of engineering and science.  

In an upcoming blog, there will feature a book on Librarian At Large's reading list.  It's a fascinating story set in Italy and involves a seamstress and the royal family whom she serves.  Stay tuned.  It promises to be a great story.  

Here is an example of what a book list could look like.  However, my suggestion is to make one of your own to personalize it for yourself.