What is "A Year in Books"

I was late in learning to read.  Even though I was one of those kids in every advanced class or program, I apparently lacked any real desire to learn to read.  I was perfectly content to be read to, thank you very much.  And the level at which I could read was significantly below what I could understand.  Why would I want to read Hop on Pop to myself, when my mom would read me things like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings every night?

While I still maintain my logic was solid, it has not served me well in the years to come.  I read more slowly and at a lower level than a lot of my peers.  This probably would have been less of a hindrance if I had not decided to go to law school, and currently find myself as a practicing attorney.

I need to read on a regular basis.  I need to improve speed and comprehension. And I hope that extra reading will translate to better writing, something I have also always felt I was lacking in.  (And need more practice at, hence one of the reasons for this blog.)  

There have been times in my life, around junior high for example, where I did read a lot.  But that desire fell away once I needed to read all the time for school or work.  But I have decided that 2017 is the time to change that.

I have decided to blog about it for two reasons.  First, to try to keep me accountable and to have to look at as an accomplishment.  Second, I want to write regularly.  I hope this will make me more comfortable and make me more proficient and efficient.

Here are the rules of the game:

Each week I will read a book and then blog about it.  This book might be shorter, like a novella, or longer.  It might be fiction, might be non-fiction.  It might be young adult, it might be sci-fi, it might be a classic.  There is no rhyme or reason to the selections I make other than I hope to find books I enjoy, and read some that I might otherwise never get around to.

My reviews of each book are purely my own.  I do not claim to be an expert.  And in all likelihood you will disagree with me on at least some of them.  I don't really care.  This is not being created as a book review blog, this is meant to encourage me personally to read and write.  If it happens to amuse other people, then great.

I should also note that I a lover of young adult and dystopian.  Apologies in advance if I spend too much time in those categories.  Good news is that I have read a large portion of those books, so you hopefully will not be subjected to too many of them.

If someone out there is reading this, then I hope you get something out of it.  Maybe it entertains.  Maybe it educates.  Maybe it just makes you feel better about yourself.

Cheers to all of us trying to stick to a New Year's Resolution (even if mine was made a few days too early)!