It’s that time of year again when we look back at the year that was and wonder what we can do better next year. New Year’s Resolutions get a bit of a bad wrap, but I think going into a new year with a plan is a good thing even if it only lasts until February. There is something empowering about sloughing off the year before like a snake skin and heading into a brand new year with a brand new outlook and a determination to be just a little bit different.
To that end I present to you The Year of Reading Dangerously. The germ of this idea started with listening to the Smart Bitches Trashy Books podcast. The books recommended on each episode had a two-fold effect. 1. It showed me how narrow my own reading habits were and 2. It showed just how many books there are in the world.
So. Many. Books.
Now, I am not a slouch when it comes to reading. I read a lot (just ask my accountant) but still, I stick to a few genres, tropes, and authors. My reading time is precious so I’m always afraid of picking up a new book and not enjoying it, which stops me from reading too far outside my comfort zone.
While contemplating the sheer number of books that I would never read in my lifetime, I decided to challenge myself to read outside my normal go-to genres. Not too far, though. I still wanted to stay within the romance community. But even within the romance genre there are so many tropes, sub-genres, and new authors just waiting to be discovered.
The idea of expanding my challenge to my readers came to me while cooking stir-fry one night. (It’s a really great recipe if you’re interested. I found it on Pinterest and you can find it here) The name came from thinking about how books were banned in the past because their contents were deemed ‘dangerous.’ In Therese Desqueyroux, a French novel by Francois Mauriac, the unfeeling husband refuses to order books for his wife but quite happily buys her cigarettes because he is of the opinion that reading is far more dangerous than smoking. Smoking may be bad for the health but reading has the potential to irreparably change the reader. (I haven’t read this novel but found these remarks on this post: https://home.isi.org/why-reading-more-dangerous-smoking)
There is also a book and a movie called ‘A Year of Living Dangerously’ which I have neither read nor seen (you can check it out here for the movie and here for the book) but I really liked the play on words.
So what is it? What is ‘A Year of Reading Dangerously?’
In a nutshell, it is a monthly reading challenge. Each month I will present to you a trope (for the definition of a trope, click here) and some books that fall into the selected category. There is no cost (except for the purchase price of the books) and no obligation to read every book suggested. In fact, I would love it if you suggested books to me as well!
I will hopefully be suggesting books in different sub-genres that all have the trope in common. This may include (but is not limited to) Paranormal, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Clean Romances, Contemporary Romances, Billionaires, Shapeshifters, Witches, Vampires…pretty much all and sundry.
The challenge is to read something outside your comfort zone. Even if you only read one book this year that is different to what you normally read, then that is a success.
There is a Facebook group you can join to meet other people doing the challenge and discuss the books you’ve read, are reading, or would like to recommend. There will be monthly blog posts with the Trope of the Month and suggested reading list, and you can sign up to the newsletter.
I will put the finalised calendar for the year up on the Facebook page and here on the blog when it is ready, but in the meantime I can let you know what the trope for January will be.
*Drum roll*
New Year’s Relationship Resolutions
What is it?
One or both of our intrepid main characters have sworn off relationships. They may have just come off a relationship that ended badly or maybe they are just sick of all the crap that goes on between couples. For whatever reason, they are on a relationship detox and are determined to not fall in love.
I don’t have a suggested reading list yet, but if you want to whet your appetite, try The Boyfriend Sessions by Belinda Williams.
So that’s it. The Year of Reading Dangerously kicks off on January 1st and if you’re interested in taking part you can sign up for the newsletter and join the Facebook group.