“THEMES AND OBSERVANCES” READING CALENDAR

Hola amigos! 

Welcome to the third post in my “How I set up my TBR” series. First I shared my “BOOKISH WHEEL OF THE YEAR” and my “I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVEN’T READ IT YET!” methods; the former about seasonal reads and the and latter about reading what I already own and classics. And today I wanted to share my “THEMES AND OBSERVANCES CALENDAR” method.

To connect with the world’s cycles and happenings and the global bookish community, and to make sure I read a wide range of genres and topics, I created the themes and observances calendar below, which is a combination of the “BOOKISH WHEEL OF THE YEAR” and the GLOBAL OBSERVANCE CALENDAR.

BTW, I love how my “BOOKISH WHEEL OF THE YEAR” looks in my bullet/art journal. Click HERE to download the FREE coloring page and other freebies!

Then, I organized all the books I own in Goodreads “TBR shelves” that I created based on these themes and every month I choose books of the themes of that that month that are either diverse and invite social commentary, classics or have a screen adaptation. I give priority to books that meet all three criteria, and, voila! I have a TBR for that month!

For instance, February’s themes are: U.S. Black History Month, World Cancer Day, World Day of Social Justice, Imbolc (Candlemas), Valentine Day, Chinese New Year, Winter. So, I’m currently reading Lair of Dreams and An American Marriage.

Lair of Dreams includes at least three February themes (U.S. Black History Month, World Day of Social Justice, Chinese New Year) because it’s about the social injustice experienced by African-American and Chinese communities in the U.S. This series is quickly becoming an all time favorite! It started in 2012 and it is a historical fantasy/paranormal set in the 1920s… BUT it couldn’t be more current and relevant! The atmospheric mood, the surreal imagery, the diversity and social commentary (racial/social issues, feminism, etc.) are phenomenal! A fantastic historical/fantasy/horror/paranormal crossover that I can’t recommend enough!

An American Marriage includes three themes as well: U.S. Black History Month, World Day of Social Justice, and Valentine Day. It seems fantastic so far!

THEME CALENDAR

January – Self-help, New beginnings, goals, SciFi Day.

February – U.S. Black History Month, World Cancer Day, World Day of Social Justice, Imbolc (Candlemas), Valentine Day, Chinese New Year, Winter.

March – World Wildlife Day, International Women’s Day, U.S. Women’s History Month, Intentional Day of Happiness, World Poetry Day, Spring Equinox (Ostara), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

April – World Autism Awareness Day, World Health Day, International Mother Earth Day, Ramadan

May – International Day of Families, U.S. Mother’s Day, Beltane (May Eve), Africa Day, Europe Day, V-E Day

June – End of school, U.S. Father’s Day, Global Day of Parents, World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, World Refugee Day, International Day of Yoga, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Summer Solstice (Litha)

July – Summer, International Day of Friendship, U.S. independence day 

August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, International Youth Day, back to school, World Humanitarian Day, Lughnasadh (Lammas).

September – U.S. Labor Day, U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month, International Literacy Day, World Suicide Prevention Day, International Day of Democracy, International Day of Peace, World Tourism Day, Autumn Equinox (Mabon)

October – U.S. LGBTQ+ History Month, International Day of Older Persons, Halloween, World Habitat Day, World Teachers’ Day, World Mental Health Day, World Food Day, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Samhain (Hallowe’en)

November – World Kindness Day, International Day for Tolerance, World Philosophy Day, Universal Children’s Day, Thanksgiving, Diwali (Festival of Lights).

December – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Human Rights Day, International Migrants Day, International Human Solidarity Day, Christmas.

Let me know in the comments what methods you use to how you set up your 2021 TBR and if there are any observances I missed and I should add to my calendar!

Thank you for visiting!