Follow me on Goodreads: Travis J. Croken
In my opinion as a writer you have only three main jobs; write, read, and keep yourself alive (so you can continue to do the first two). If you are not writing you should be reading; a lot. Read books from great authors as well as from terrible. Read genres you are not generally inclined to. In essence read everything you can, good, bad, and foreign. When you read, try to enjoy the book, but also think about why you did or did not like it and how it made you feel and why. How was it structured? What genre is it? Is there a sub-genre? What was the plot arc like? Why did it work or not work? All of these questions will help you grow. Below is some of what I have been devouring as of late.
2021 Reading Challenge
Welcome to year 4 of the Calm Scribe Reading Challenge. Each year I sit down with my wife and we design a challenge of 26 books read throughout the year. The list does not dictate what book to read, but gives guidance as to what type of book to look for. When searching for books to read remember to use inexpensive options as well such as your library, curbside free little libraries, buy nothing sites, and friends or family. When you are done with a book, consider passing it along to someone else who may enjoy it.
Read a book...
1 of 26 - written by an Indigenous Author. 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joesph
2 of 26 - written by a Canadian. Indigenous Relations, by Bob Joseph with Cynthia F. Joseph
3 of 26 - that is non-fiction about racial and social justice. A Knock on the Door, by Truth and Reconciliation Commission
4 of 26 - that has been adapted into a movie or a series. Baptism of Fire, by Andrzej Sapakowski
5 of 26 - written by the creator or heavy influencer of a genre. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
6 of 26 - of short stories. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
7 of 26 - originally written in another language. Le pire vampire, Claude Ferand
8 of 26 - of poetry. Handwriting, Michael Ondaatje
9 of 26 - from a book club. Plot and Structure, by James Scott Bell
10 of 26 - to get you through lockdown. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell
Click below to download your own copy!
Read a book...
1 of 26 - written by an Indigenous Author. 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joesph
2 of 26 - written by a Canadian. Indigenous Relations, by Bob Joseph with Cynthia F. Joseph
3 of 26 - that is non-fiction about racial and social justice. A Knock on the Door, by Truth and Reconciliation Commission
4 of 26 - that has been adapted into a movie or a series. Baptism of Fire, by Andrzej Sapakowski
5 of 26 - written by the creator or heavy influencer of a genre. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
6 of 26 - of short stories. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
7 of 26 - originally written in another language. Le pire vampire, Claude Ferand
8 of 26 - of poetry. Handwriting, Michael Ondaatje
9 of 26 - from a book club. Plot and Structure, by James Scott Bell
10 of 26 - to get you through lockdown. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell
Click below to download your own copy!
| reading2021.docx |
Books Currently Being Read
Crushing it, by Gary Vanerchuk
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, by Henry Martyn Robert
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Death of a Lady's Man, by Leonard Cohen
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, by Henry Martyn Robert
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Death of a Lady's Man, by Leonard Cohen
Recommended Reading
The Elements of Style, by E.B. White and William Strunk
A Pocket Guide to Correct Punctuation, by Robert Brittain
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, by David Olsen, Michelle Bevilacqua, Justin Cord Hayes, & Robert Bly
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Browne & King
Damn Good Advice for Creative People, by George Lois
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
A Pocket Guide to Correct Punctuation, by Robert Brittain
Murder Your Darlings, by Roy Peter Clark
Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, by David Olsen, Michelle Bevilacqua, Justin Cord Hayes, & Robert Bly
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Browne & King
Damn Good Advice for Creative People, by George Lois
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
Recommened Reading for Children
The Very Noisy Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Super Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Sleepy, by Nick Bland
The Very Cranky Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh, A. A. Milne
Gossie, by Oliver Dunrea
Gus, by Oliver Dunrea
Jungle Night, by Sandra Boynton
We Sang You Home, Richard Van Camp
Little You, by Richard Van Camp
Hug Machine, by Scott Campbell
Black White, Tana Hoban
Sleep, My Baby, by Lena Allen-Shore
The Very Super Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Sleepy, by Nick Bland
The Very Cranky Bear, by Nick Bland
The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Sesame Street
Winnie the Pooh, A. A. Milne
Gossie, by Oliver Dunrea
Gus, by Oliver Dunrea
Jungle Night, by Sandra Boynton
We Sang You Home, Richard Van Camp
Little You, by Richard Van Camp
Hug Machine, by Scott Campbell
Black White, Tana Hoban
Sleep, My Baby, by Lena Allen-Shore