As a reader, I can tell you this: books can either show you a reflection of who you are right now, or they can hint at who you might become further. I tend to stay stuck between the lines of the chapters rather than rush to the last page, I don’t see reading as a task to finish. It’s more like a ritual for me, a way to learn, and sometimes, have a conversation with myself.
That’s why I started thinking about a reading curriculum. And yeah, I know — ‘curriculum’ sounds kind of formal, like you’re back in school with a stack of assignments. But this isn’t about racing through a list. It’s more like having a direction, something that helps you navigate through books with a little more intention, mixing in depth, emotion, and some space to actually learn and reflect back on.
Why a Reading Curriculum Can Actually Feel Freeing
Because there are so many instances when I feel like my reading is all over the place. It can feel like you’re picking up random books and not really getting much out of any of them. A reading curriculum isn’t about deadlines or pressure to complete. It’s more about choosing books that actually mean something to you — so you’re not just reading, you’re experiencing them with purpose.
- You get a mix — fiction, non-fiction, novellas, essays, poetry. It keeps things fresh and makes your reading life feel a whole lot richer.
- You get to switch between longer stories and shorter essays which naturally gives you space to pause.
- You still get to pick what fits your mood each day. The structure just helps you feed different parts of your mind and heart as you go.
- It nudges you toward books that do more than just entertain. The kind that make you stop and think about your own questions, your own imagination.
If you’re the kind of reader who likes to slow down and actually think about what you’re reading — maybe this way of reading might just feel better. More intentional. More satisfying.
October: Reflection and Emotion
- Fiction: Norwegian Wood — Haruki Murakami
- Non-Fiction: Sapiens — Yuval Noah Harari
- Novella: Of Mice and Men — John Steinbeck
- Essays / Poems: Selected Poems — Rainer Maria Rilke
November: Identity, Belonging, and Perspective
- Fiction: The House on Mango Street — Sandra Cisneros
- Non-Fiction: The Art of Thinking Clearly — Rolf Dobelli
- Novella: The Awakening — Kate Chopin
- Essays / Poems: Men Without Women — Haruki Murakami
December: Aesthetic Depth and Reflection
- Fiction: The Picture of Dorian Gray — Oscar Wilde
- Non-Fiction: Letters to a Young Poet — Rainer Maria Rilke
- Novella: Ethan Frome — Edith Wharton
- Essays / Poems: Slouching Towards Bethlehem — Joan Didion
This isn’t a strict plan. It’s more like exploring at my own pace, but also keeping myself accountable. A way to explore ideas, feelings, and creativity, all while actually being present with what I’m reading.
After all, reading isn’t about racing to the end. It’s about noticing things, feeling them, and actually giving yourself time to reflect.
That’s what my reading plan is really for. It allows you to slow down, soak things in, and let the stories stick with you — long after you’ve closed the book.
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