More and more often, I have come to understand how vital it is to plan and set goals. Yes, there’s a possibility that I will not reach all my lofty ambitions, but I do believe that setting intentions are quintessential to developing oneself and living a more fulfilling life, rather than putting yourself at the whims of “fate. I decided to apply this same approach to reading.

In the past, I rarely put much effort or thought into the books I select, however, about a year ago, I started picking themes for the month so I could do some deep dives into an area of interest. I’ve enjoyed this format and I decided that this year, I’d like to have modern books sprinkled in with some classics. I think that would give an interesting perspective. And I’d like to explore different genres.

So here is my reading list for 2017. This is hardly an exhaustive list, as there are a few books that I need to research more (like I’d like to read a memoir from a peace activist, but not sure yet.) Perhaps you have some other ideas or recommendations:

1. The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene

2. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

3. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

4.  I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life  by Ed Yong

5. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey

6. What is Art by Leo Tolstoy

7. Underworld by Don Delillo

8. The Origin: A Biographical Novel of Charles Darwin by Irving Stone

9. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

10. The Wisdom of Life by Arthur Schopenhauer

11. The Hidden Life of Trees  by Peter Wohlleben

12. Republic by Plat0

13.  The Life of Michelangelo by Ascanio Condivi

14.  Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer

15. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Hardcover by Marie Kondo

What’s on your list this year?