Project Backstory:
I picked up a copy of James Mustich's amazing 1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life Changing List and upon looking through it, I realized it really is a well-rounded reading recommendation book. I was pleased to discover I have read quite a few of the books he lists, and that many of them are on my personal reading lists (and they are books I own). So, to ever expand my reading horizons, and include others in the journey, I decided to create a read-along challenge, or project, if you will.
If you would like to join us, sign up by leaving a comment below (and a link, if you post about it on your blog or social media).
It's fairly obvious that the United States is in a constitutional crisis. We may as well say we are a country in crisis...period. Logic, kindness, equality, science, books and literature are all becoming products of the past, at least in the eyes of the current regime. Well, I for one have been taking a stand, and I will keep taking a stand in any way I can until we get past this mess.
1000 Books will be focusing on topics listed above (and more) for the foreseeable future. Science, social justice, history (true history), government, banned books, etc. because Reading Is Political.
"It was only recently that I realized that it is a privilege to have access to my books and these stories. I have the material capital to purchase books from bookstores and easy access to a public library. I have the education it takes to read the words on the pages and the comprehension skills to understand what they are saying.
Reading is fun, yes. It is enjoyable, it is a good pastime, it is a good skill to have and to hone.
But we must also never forget that reading is political.
Not everyone has the privilege of engaging with ideas found in books. Literacy is still inaccessible for many people, and even for those who can read, the ability to access books is actively being threatened. When books are banned, when libraries are defunded, when stories are erased from curriculums, we are stripping people of the opportunity to learn, grow and think critically. The ability to read and read freely is not just a personal joy — it should be considered a fundamental right.
It feels strange to write that in the 21st century, this right is under attack. While our very institutions work to limit our access to books and knowledge, we can push back. We can challenge censorship, support libraries, share books and advocate for literacy programs. Reading is a privilege, yes — but it is also an act of resistance."
From an article in The Pitt News by Livia LaMarca (February 25, 2025) Read the full article here.
I chose Darwin's The Origin of Species (and The Voyage of the Beagle) because, for me, Darwin's discovery of evolution is one of the most important discoveries in science. Yet there are still many who believe the earth is only 6000 years old. It's really no surprise that it's the most commonly banned science book.
A Censored Science Book for Banned Books Week
"I was not at all surprised to discover that the most commonly banned science book is Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, first published in 1859 and banned in 1895 for contradicting Christian beliefs. Darwin’s publication has been called “the most influential banned book.” On the Origin of Species lays the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Very little about science is understandable without a basic knowledge of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
As a former secondary science teacher, I know the importance of accurately teaching evolution as well as encouraging students to learn more about Darwin’s theory. It’s doubly important today as science naysayers spread misinformation that influence public and political decision making. Genetics, population biology, and even epidemiology, especially the study of pathogens that evolve rapidly like the COVID-19 virus, all depend on an understanding of evolution. According to a 2011 article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, knowledge of the fundamental basics of evolutionary biology is necessary to the understanding of disease and public health.
I think Charles Darwin would agree. Darwin studied hundreds of plants and animals as he traveled around the world on the British ship H.M.S. Beagle in 1831. He observed that no two individuals in a population are exactly alike, and he recognized how favorable inherited variations influence the success of a species. A majority of Darwin’s observations were made during his visit to the Galápagos Islands, and today the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island helps conserve this laboratory of life."
Article by Kellyanne Burbage on the Intellectual Freedom Blog (September 30, 2021) Read the full article here.
We will read The Origin of Species first, January through May, and The Voyage of the Beagle in June, July, and August.
My edition of The Origin of Species - Gramercy Books (Random House), 1979. Hardcover, 460 pages. The Foreword and Gallery of Animal Illustrations (as well as the Glossary at the back), are not included in the reading schedule.
Reading schedule for The Origin of Species:
- January: A Historical Sketch - Ch. 3, pp 53 - 129
Discussion: January 31 - February: Ch. 4 - 6, pp 130 - 233
Discussion: February 28 - March: Ch. 7 - 9, pp 234 - 316
Discussion: March 31 - April: Ch. 10 - 12, pp 317 - 396
Discussion: April 30 - May: Ch. 13 - 14, pp 397 - 459
Discussion: May 31
My edition of The Voyage of the Beagle - Open Road Media, 2016. Kindle, 388 pages. Since this Kindle book does not include page numbers, I had to base the schedule on chapters alone.
- June: Ch. 1 - 7
Discussion: June 30 - July: Ch. 8 - 14
Discussion: July 31 - August: Ch. 15 -21
Discussion: August 31
I have a Goodreads group that is now defunct called Lit Collective. I'm planning to change that group over to a group for Gather Together and Read so there will be a thread for 1000 Books on there as well. I will update this post with a link to the group for you to join if you're on Goodreads.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comment moderation is active. I get a lot of spam comments here. If I continue to get bombarded, I will have to turn on captcha. Thanks for understanding.