Episode 48: The Magic of Reading Around the World For A Year: Reflections and Ruminations

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I embarked on my Read Around the World quest on October 24, 2023 and as of the one year anniversary of my quest, I’ve read 49.75 books – which puts me at just over 25% done with my quest, since I’m using a list with 197 countries. I do believe that deserves a “HELL YEAH!!!!!!” in all caps with a series of wild exclamation marks.

To commemorate this milestone, I’m reflecting and ruminating on the magic of reading around the world for this week’s episode of Adventures With My Forties.

  • It is just incredible how much has happened in one year. When I started this quest, I honestly thought it would be a dud and would fizzle out after a few countries because the books would be dreary and tedious and feel like homework. NOPE. Overall, the books have been amazing, and this project has turned into a bonified adventure. I now have a Brazilian side quest and I’m taking Portuguese lessons and oh, I’ve been to BRAZIL for a literary festival. I’ve gone from 300 followers on social media to over 44K on IG and over 60K on TikTok. I thought there was no way I’d want to write a memoir about this quest, but now, I don’t know how I can fit this entire experience into a single memoir.
  • I love this quest’s ripple effect. I can only really evaluate the impact this project is having on MY life but sometimes I hear about its ripple effect. On a recent post, someone commented that because of my project, they read Wild Swans, became really interested in China, and now they are going to China next year. And who knows how that person will inspire others? I’m just in awe of the ripple effect.
  • Listen to your muse, folks. Or your inner voice. Or your curiosity. Because the universe can imagine things we don’t even know we should be dreaming. Did it ever occur to me to be a bookfluencer? Or that people would be interested in my project? Or that I would get to go to Brazil? 
  • We need to leave time for the magic. I’m going to go into this deeper in an upcoming episode but long story short, I was spending so much time volunteering for my kids’ school and activities that I did not have time for my muse to work her magic.
  • Don’t let other folks hijack your agenda. I discussed this in Episode 35 but bottom line, I’ve learned to hit the pause button before accepting a new commitment, and question, Is this for me or is this for someone else? 
  • Just start already to build your momentum. This is a big project. Obviously. But when I kept thinking about how long it would take, I got scared. I had to finally just start, not knowing how long it would take, or what I would read, or even whether I’d be able to find and gather books for every country. I had to just start to create momentum. Now, this might not work for every big ass project. e.g. might want to do a ton of planning if you are going to sail around the world. (Please do a ton of planning if you are going to sail around the world!) But if your dream is to renovate your house all by yourself, then just go for it. Start with the project that is shouting at you. You don’t have to budget everything or have the perfect Pinterest board or gather all the supplies. Just get going. 
  • This project has triggered a lot of my people pleaser/perfectionist tendencies. I think that’s an issue of mine that is going to keep popping up in my life in different contexts but I’ll get better at spotting it and managing it. But this has been such a great arena to work on my people pleaser tendencies because I believe it is important to read what you feel called to read. Not what will impress your friends. Or what the bookstore says you should buy. Or what you think you “should” read. But with reading, holy shit, people have strong opinions and sometimes, folks get upset/disappointed with my pick for a country. In the past, my concerns about annoying people would have paralyzed me, but I am committed to reading around the world and so through this process, I’ve grown immune to comments on social media. Now I can pick what I want and share what I read and accept that when folks criticize my picks, that doesn’t mean I’m a bad person or have failed. Besides, how can I fail? This is my project!!!
  • I have learned to accept love. I have received so much love from Brazil. At first, that love was overwhelming because there was some part of me that didn’t feel worthy of so much love and support. This is something that I want to stay curious about. I am still reflecting on this and learning from it and letting it open my heart and make me a better person. I wish I could wave a wand and give everyone the love I have felt from Brazil. 
  • I am embracing adventure! I am showing up and keeping an open mind. I’m so lucky to have a husband who fully supports this. When the Jewish Museum invited me to speak at their festival in São Paulo, I hesitated but he immediately said, YOU HAVE TO GO. 

I’m so excited to see what happens with the next year of my Read Around the World quest. Onward!