My favourite books

To have some fun and help identify my entries about 6 Changes, I decided to create a new userpic for each undertaking. The first change this year deals with reading. Besides, I wanted to create a book userpic a long time ago. So this evening I put together a pile of all-time favourite books (fiction, non-fiction and poetry) and photographed them together. Some are great literature, others have significantly inspired or benefitted my life. In no particular order, from left to right:

( first tier, behind the cut )

Actually I wanted to photograph a larger pile, but it simply wouldn't fit in the photograph neatly. That forced me to pare this grouping down to my bare bones favourites. Nevertheless, this created a second tier of favourites, which may also be of interest. Again, in no particular order:

( second tier )

These lists could easily have included multiple titles by Ursula K. LeGuin, Timothy Findley, Richard Adams, Barry Lopez and J.R.R. Tolkien, but I kept it simple.

First change

Now about the first of 6 Changes for 2011: "read books before bed every night". This might have sounded like the most self-indulgent of the lot, but in fact it has multiple purposes.

( the sleep factor )

( the reading factor )

( the gaming factor )

( the health factor )

I need a plan. If I succeed in establishing the habit, it will cause a significant shift in energy and rhythm. One shouldn't toy with these things. No doubt, the next few weeks will be difficult.

For example, I know from experience weaning myself off computer games in the past, I may resent the sacrifice. I relapse easily.

I believe the 6 Changes method can help. I've considered this shift for many months. I've counted costs and benefits. While deferring specific action, I've developed motivation and desire. I want to cut down on gaming not because it is "a stupid waste of time", but because reading serves me better. If this change sticks, it will make me happier and healthier. Maybe even smarter.

So here is the goal: by the end of February I want to be in bed with a book by 10:30 every night except Tuesday (Tuesday I don't get home from Writers' Circle until 10:15, but should be in bed by 11:00). Fridays and Saturdays I may stay up later if there is a good reason (a social event, for example), otherwise they should be the same as any other night, because routine is the key to good sleep hygiene.

Here is the first step: this week I aim to be in bed with a book by 11:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I will concentrate on a book or magazine. I can take the laptop to look up specific words or concepts that turn up in reading (perhaps even to read online books or essays), but if the internet proves too distracting I will consider disallowing it. Lights out whenever I get sleepy, 11:30 at the latest. The other nights I'll be flexible. I'll see how it goes for two weeks, then make an additional shift.

The book of choice for now is an old favourite, Cultivating Sacred Space by Elizabeth Murray. Her chapter about winter describes concepts on which I have been ruminating in my handwritten winter journal.