What to read in 2011
Why
The first task of 2011 is to draw up my reading schedule for the year. I encourage everyone, including casual readers and writers, to do the same. The most important thing is to always have something to read close at hand; to never find yourself wasting time wondering “what on earth will I read next?”
Planning early ensures that you can keep the momentum and discipline going as the year progresses. Also, if you are like me, money is extremely scarce while at the same time, books constitute a huge portion of your budget (several times larger than my entertainment expenses, for instance). Planning early about what to read allows you to predict your overall budget ever more accurately.
What
Arguably, the best way to learn about a place is to read the very best of its literary output. BBC have a “Read my country” series wherein they interview eminent authors, each of whom provides a list of three books as well insights into his/her native country’s literary canon. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/2010
Another excellent resource is Abebooks.com, which maintains a series of excellent lists which provide a larger range of canonical texts from various countries, regions and genres. Notably,
Australia’s best authors. http://bit.ly/hSVspg
Collectible Canadian authors. http://bit.ly/hhRTzI
Twenty Indian novels. http://bit.ly/dSsRYE
Six decades of the National Book Awards. http://bit.ly/LvOBZ
Happy reading in 2011.
