Reading for the New Year

So many things in today's world get in the way of sitting down with a good book--computer time (thinking Words with Friends), television watching (catching up on that television series everyone is raving about), chores.....so this year may be the one to head back to the pleasures of reading.

Besides, we've all heard that reading can be a great stress reliever, right? And we all need that, agreed? Simply by opening a book, reading can  relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles, by up to 68% according to a 2009 study at the University of Sussex  It works better and faster than other relaxation methods such as drinking a hot cup of tea or listening to music.  

So, no hard and fast resolutions here.  But it would definitely be lovely to read more for pleasure, and to read more books outside the usual choices (for me that would be more nonfiction).  Maybe more of a different genre, maybe some of those books that have been sitting in the TBR pile forever.  And, a good year to catalog and rate ALL the books read in 2014, either on GOODREADS or LIBRARY THING or SHELFARI.  

If one of yours is to join a book group, think about the offerings at your library.  Here at Brookfield, we have at least three a month:  Brookfield Reads Fiction, Book 'Em Mystery Group and Nonfiction Book Club.  And every few months we have a Cooking the Books get together, where we enjoy good book conversation and great food! Think about coming to one or more of our meetings--we love having new readers join us.

Do you have any reading resolutions for 2014?  

~ Katherine