Book Challenge Progress

As far as my book challenge progress goes, I’ve read ten books out of the forty I have listed in my book challenge. Slow going but I have read a total of eighteen books this year (double the amount of books I read last year this time around) so I’m on a roll!

I’ve discarded a few books that have bored me at the first chapter (honestly, if I can’t get past the first chapter, why bother reading it when I have too many other books to read?) therefore the titles have completely been deleted off my list. I’ve already started my reading list for next year but perhaps it’s too soon?

Below, a few tips to complete a reading challenge for yourself:

Ditch your MP3 player

It’s easy to tune out everyone and listen to music on your morning commute which I understand. If you want to really finish that book you’ve been reading for over a month, take a break from your music, leave the mp3 player at home and focus on your book.

My commute is fairly short (50 minutes to and from work) so I would normally listen to some tunes while crossing the Williamsburg bridge. When I committed to completing any book I was reading at the moment, those five minutes waiting on the train platform and those fifteen minutes on the train to my destination piled up which allowed me to read at least a chapter (depending how short) or a quarter of a chapter. Add those minutes up to the commute home? And I’ve read two chapters (or one, again, depending on length) in the day.

I used to listen to my iPod while reading but found myself actively paying attention to the melodies than my story. As much as I like to tune out completely, the soundtrack of screeching train brakes and automated train advisories proved to be less distracting and intrusive.

Carry the book (or e-reader) with you

You have no idea how much time flies when you wait for someone at dinner, lunch, or brunch. Not to mention, your commute to wherever you may socialize as well as work. All those times in between add up to completing the book you’ve been reading since two months ago. You’d be surprised how much quicker the book is read when the work is physically always in plain sight.

Create a goal

Take the time to check in on how many books you want to read for the month or year, execute, and complete. Write it down so you can see it and take mini strides to complete, whether it’s a chapter or half of one; if the intention is there, it will be easier to follow through.

When I look at the book (or books) I’m reading, I commit to completing either a chapter a day, finishing the chapter I started at work during lunch, during my commute, or when I’m in bed. Because completing the book is on my mind all the time, I make that much of an effort to devote my time to reading about another world or someone else’s life.

Compile a “Books to Read” list

Coinciding with my “Read Books I Own” list, the book queue I created has significantly helped me accomplish my goals.

Make a list of books that sound interesting, that you’ve seen a blurb of on a talk show, mentioned in a newspaper article, a friend has mentioned, and so on and commit to reading those books. There doesn’t have to be any particular order or genre (unless you choose it that way), it’s all about the love of reading in an organized fashion.

Join or Organize a Book Club

I have to say, being part of a book club is tons of fun. Not only do you share your love of reading, you get to discuss these books with folks and read genres you may never have thought of reading unless suggested.

In my book club, we’ve read non-fiction, young adult, historical fiction, literary, horror, and books with magic realism. The variety I’ve encountered in close to two years is more than I’ve ever encountered in my reading lifetime. I’m a Stephen King fan so I read everything he’s written. Book club allows me to venture out and explore stories I’d never pick up otherwise.

If you have friends that share your love of literature, organize a book club that chooses a book once a month, then meets at a member’s home or a different locale; whatever works for the book club. I find that hosting makes the members of book club connect not only as book lovers but as friends as well. If you don’t know any book lovers, there are many book clubs on Meetup.com if you plug in your zipcode.

or (for those who like to go it alone)

Track your progress

Pay attention to how long it takes you to read books. I place a sticky on my bookmark with the date I started and space for the date of completion to be aware of my reading stealthiness. When you can gauge how long it normally takes you to finish a story, you can track how many books you will complete by the end of the year and realize that when a book is taking you over six months to finish on your list that’s 300 pages, abandon and move on to the next.

I started The Hobbit three times before I finally physically lost the book. Will I read it? Probably not. Chances are, I’m just that into it no matter how many people love it.

For those with e-readers, I don’t own one so I have no idea what that would look like.

Do What Works For You

At the end of the day, organize your reading habits however you please. These are a few ways that have allowed me to accomplish my reading goals. If not, I don’t know how many books I will have read at this point this year.

Happy Reading!

Looking at other MFA options

Although I haven’t officially received notification of rejection, I know its coming.  Therefore, I’m locked on to applying to low residency schools and a few city schools.  I didn’t want the city experience for graduate school but, this time around, I would be open to applying to New School University and Brooklyn College.  These are the only schools that I would be content and satisfied with attending in the city.

When I first made the decision to apply for an MFA program, I looked at schools in New York mostly – Columbia University, NYU, New School University, Brooklyn College, Adelphi, and even Sarah Lawrence.  But I only visited four New York City  schools due to convenience.  Those were Columbia, New School, NYU, and Brooklyn College.

Brooklyn College was my first stop.  The campus was gorgeous, the commute from my neighborhood was a cool 50 minutes, and the autumn weather made the visit even more pleasant.  I visited during a visitor’s weekend so the campus was bustling with young high school students eager to learn about Brooklyn College.  Being one of the few graduate students visiting the school, I wanted to learn more about the program than the campus.  I did take a tour with prospective undergraduate students which was cute because I thought about myself as an undergrad and how excited I was when I first started college.  The most salient feature, for me, was the library.  The different places to nap, write, and study in the facility entranced me and I fell in love with this place.  I knew if I applied and accepted, I would live at the library.  But I digress.

When I finally visited the department, there was only person there; she was very friendly in discussing the program to me and another prospective student.  The MFA writing program is part of the English department which makes me wonder how much concentration on craft there will be versus emphasis on English literature.  I also feel that I’m more versed about the traits I’m looking for in a program than two years ago. 

At the time, I wasn’t interested in applying to this program because the education provides the opportunity for those interested in teaching to obtain a position either in the school or elsewhere.  Now that my priorities have changed, I may be applying for next fall.  All in all, a great program and campus so this school is on my radar.

My second stop was New School University.  I absolutely fell in love with the faculty and the community they discussed during the information session.  Additionally, I appreciated the insight that the currently matriculated students and alumni provided for prospective students like myself.  What was it about the program that I liked?  Every faculty member was genuine about the kind of support they provided their students and the alumni also spoke highly of everyone.  The location is also very convenient as well.  After I left the session, I was completely enrolled in the possibility of attending the school.

My third stop was NYU.  Being an alumni of the undergraduate program, I didn’t graduate with high opinions of the school.  Perhaps it was a mistake to attend a school in a city I’m familiar with because I’m a native but I felt like a complete outsider the whole time.  I’m aware this factor had to do with the fact that I was a commuter all four years so I can’t necessarily fault the school for my experience.  But because of that, I walked in completely skeptical but still open to learning about the program.  The director spent a big portion of the information session plugging all the visiting faculty that’s well-known which is nice but not beneficial if I don’t a) know who the frak they are and b) know if they will be a good instructor or not.  I did like the prospects of studying abroad with the program but my heart wasn’t interested in attending NYU for grad school. 

My last stop was Columbia University.  The information session also had me excited about applying to the school.  I think the most interesting part of the session was the opportunity to talk about the program without the director present.  He spoke and answered questions or concerns prospective students had, which was effective, at the beginning of the session but the insider’s view from the current students put everything in focus.  There were students from different sections of the globe, two from each concentration in the writing program, to discuss their experience at the university.  They talked about the lack of financial aid.  One woman said, “If you are attending Columbia University, expect to be in debt. That’s the bottom line.”  Which is why all of the students were competing to obtain a teaching assistantship because there is tuition remission, if I’m correct or there is more financial aid.  I wasn’t thinking about financial aid, only thinking about how I’d mix in with the folks at the school.  I didn’t apply because I wasn’t interested in staying in NYC but maybe next fall?  I’m not really sure if this school is on my radar.  It’s super competitive and the thought of more crazy debt makes my stomach clench into a ball.  Not sure if I’m going to apply there but I won’t rule this out yet.

I wasn’t interested in applying to out of city schools like on Long Island or further than Manhattan at the time because I thought of my commute. 

As for low residency programs, I’m slowly researching by using the database on the Poets & Writers website.  I need to take a few hours and narrow my decision to what program would work for me.  Once I’m there, I’ll be more focused.  Especially after I receive my last two notifications. 

I’m on the right path; positivity is key.  Many prospects afoot.  I’m excited!