Thursday, January 1, 2015

...Oh So Easy Literary New Year's Resolutions...

Keep it easy with two conditions, a light method and the advanced set.

1. Read a classic novel.  The Telegraph has an excellent selection of 100 novels to chose from.
Light) Simply buy a physical copy of one of these books, that's it.  You'll have it sitting there.  It'll stare at you.  Maybe you'll pick it up and turn it over in your hands.  Visitors to your place will think you're a real brainiac.  They'll dislike you.  You'll get used to it.  I have.
Advanced) Actually read it.  Read like you have thirty days to live.  Read it like you're going to win the Lotto if you finish.

2. Read an e-book from an up-and-comer.  Barnes and Noble has a refreshed list of up and coming authors.
Light) Newer authors put stuff up for free.  Depending on your e-book app, look up by 'Top Free'.  New authors are smart enough to throw stuff up to pique your interest.  Then, you haven't spent a dime you cheap bastard.
Advanced) Buy three e-books and read them instead of playing those mind-melting tap-tap games when you're at the dentist, or waiting for the bus.  Use your mind: you only get one.

3. Visit a place primarily for its literary draw.  USATravel has a list of sites.
Light) There's a literary place, I reckon, not more than 15 miles from anyone's house in the US at this point.  If there isn't, well, God bless you.  Make a bit of a treasure hunt.  There's probably a cafe, a bar, a natural site that inspired a story or a character in your own town.  Then, it's an excuse to get a beer or a slice of apple pie with a slice of cheese atop it.
Advanced) Go to a place that requires a passport.  You need to get one anyway.  Then get a beer or a slice of apple pie in a place that doesn't speak English.

4. Write one scene.  Need some direction, here you go.
Light) Write one paragraph.  That's it.  Bang it out: a scene about what you saw today, or the conversation you overheard at the WalMart.  One paragraph.  It's about as easy as you would suspect.  But, it'll get those juices flowing.  The literary kind, baby.
Advanced) Write a short story.  Follow something from inception to ending.  Even if it's as bad as one could write, you'll read it over and over again.

5. Give the gift of literacy.  FirstBook gives you the tools.
Light) Give $5 bucks and give up one of those stupid coffees.
Advanced) Give $5000 bucks because you're a rich, hot mess but care about kid's learning to love reading.

6. Talk with friends about books you've enjoyed.
Light) Say it between hot wings.  If they look at you and say, "Whah?"  Just say "Nothing", and go back to eating wings.
Advanced) Get into a fucking argument with your friends.  That's the best.  I love arguing a point even I don't care too much about it.  That's life.  That's amore.

7. Tell one kid in your life how important reading is.
Light) Tell a relative kid that reading will change their life.  Then offer them a smoke.  Just kidding.
Advanced) Tell a group of gang-bangers or anarchists hanging outside of the local Target to read a book.  Then run.  Run like hell.

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