I Dare You! (copy)

I dare you! You read me right. I dare you to add more books to your life in 2008. Go ahead, make this your New Year’s resolution. I’ll wait. This is important, maybe you should write this down. I’ll continue to wait as you locate a piece of paper and pen.

Okay, are we all set? No? Why? What seems to be the problem? No time with all those other pesky resolutions? Hum, I see we need to prioritize. Where does “read more” fit into our other resolutions such as lose weight, save money, spend quality time with friends and family, get fit, stop drinking, stop smoking, learn a new skill, take up a rewarding hobby, get organized, and spend more time in prayer?

Let’s see, most people opt to lose weight at the beginning of the year. Remember Atkins and South Beach, both require books to follow; thus, losing weight might require some reading. So, if one wants to lose weight may I suggest Mark Hyman’s Ultra-Metabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss: Awakening the Fat-burning DNA Hidden in Your Body or Rory Freedman’s Skinny Bitch in the Kitchen: Kick-ass Solutions for Hungry Girls who want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!).

Would you like to save more money the smart way? That means reading a book about investing instead of listening to word of mouth investors. Remember the old slogan, “When E.F. Hutton, talks, people listen.” The updated version should say, “When J.C. Bogle speaks, people invest.” Here are two hot new books: The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle and The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, and Michael LeBoeuf. Um, John C. Bogle is the creator of the successful Vanguard Investment Group. Enough said.

Ah, spend more quality time with family and friends. What is more precious than a child or grandchild sitting in your lap being read to? Try Counting Kisses by Karen Katz or Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney to display affection and love.

Spread the love by taking turns reading aloud to your spouse while doing chores. Sea-faring tales are great for this activity and two proven series are Patrick O’Brian’s Captain Jack Aubrey and C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower.

To show friends you care, pass along a book you recently enjoyed. Christmas Jars by Jason F Wright is making the rounds in my area.

Change takes a little reading to become a habit, and look at all the books you will be adding to your reading list if you truly decide to change. Oh, and don’t forget I dared you. Hum, I double-dog dare you, and now you have to add more books!

I Dare You! (copy)

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-dare-you-copy.html