It's something I'm continually failing to do thanks to a combination of social media (not helped by following the fortunes of a dysfunctional football club) newspapers and magazines, which all eat into valuable reading time. I've often fancied finding a sneaky retreat for 20 minutes at a lunchtime at work but always chickened out.
Still, in the spirit of getting better, I've decided to map out the next five books that I'm going to read in the hope that it spurs me on. I don't usually do this but I'm hoping that having this carrot dangled before me will do the trick. I don't profess to want to fill my time with Booker Prize winners or academic texts (although there's a few history books on the shelf that are giving me a glare), I just want to read something that captures the imagination, whether funny, entertaining or thought-provoking.
Luckily, a combination of a late November birthday and Christmas have left me in a good position, with plenty of fun things that I'm itching to get started with. If your book appears on this list, thanks very much, you obviously know me well.
Nomad, Alan Partridge
I'm an unashamed fan of Alan Partridge and have got high hopes for 'his' latest book. Following on from the autobiography - I, Partridge: We Need To Talk About Alan - Steve Coogan and Rob and Neil Gibbons have penned a spoof travel book following a not-so-epic cross-Britain journey for everyone's favourite North Norfolk Digital DJ. I think the trio have become even better at writing for Alan in recent years and their work never fails to make me smile.
The bag pages plugs alone have had me chuckling and I think this might be the perfect read to lift a gloomy January/February day and a nice one to set the ball rolling.
Dent's Modern Tribes: The Secret Languages of Britain, Susie Dent
I'm fascinated by the way in which we use language and the origins of the words we use. That's probably not very rock n roll I know, but that's me. As a result, I'm often dazzled by the insight of Countdown wordsmith-in-chief Susie Dent (she's worth a follow on Twitter too). Modern Tribes involves Dent looking at the words and terminology only used by distinct groups of people across the UK, including journalists.
A Life In Questions, Jeremy Paxman
I miss Jeremy Paxman. I mean, I know he's still on University Challenge but it's not the same. His Newsnight interviews were superb to watch and put a healthy dollop of pressure and scrutiny on public figures. If his memoirs are half as good as his interviews then they'll be a cracking read.
The Man In The Castle, Philip K Dick
I've heard plenty of good things about both this book and the Amazon Prime TV series it inspired so it's time to see what the fuss is all about. Mind you, it remains to be seen if a dystopian alternative reality in which the 'bad guys' rule America is any different to sticking the news on at the moment.
What Sport Tells Us About Life, Ed Smith
Ed Smith has become one of my favourite voices on BBC's Test Match Special, always describing the unfolding action with a beautifully relaxing and reassuring eloquence. Yet, on top of broadcasting - and a decent cricketing career - he's also a fantastically talented writer (some people eh?). So, when I stumbled upon this little beauty it was too good to miss. It's a collection of 15 essays addressing topics from 'Why there will never be another Bradman' to 'Is the free market ruining sport?' and 'What do people see when they watch sport?'. Right up my street.
So, there we go. I'm pretty pleased with how that's all looking, now it's just time to actually get on with some reading. I'll aim to come back and let you know if they're as good as I hope...
