When I started my BookTube channel just over three years ago, one of my "big ideas" was to do something I called Forced Phases... which is where you figure out something you want to learn about and make it a phase for awhile... do a deep dive and learn all you can.
It didn't really go over very well. I wanted people to join me in the effort, not to necessarily learn the same thing I was learning, but to do their own thing and we'd all talk about it. But it seemed I was all alone with the endeavor.
So I gave up on it.
But then this year my friend on BookTube (Mariandrea at @books_and_bocadillos) suggested we try it again. But this time we'd use the term you are all more familiar with... personal curriculum. You HAVE heard of this, yes?
Check out our introduction video here, and join us! Figure out your own personal area of study... something fun! Something you've always wanted to do or learn! Something that you might not normally do in the midst of all the craziness. OR... something that fits into what you have planned already!
Just think it up and make a plan and let's do it!
We are dividing the year up into two semesters. Spring semester will go from now (or officially Feb 1) through May. Then we'll take a summer break followed by Fall Semester from September through December.
At the end of each semester we'll do a live stream on our channels to discuss with you all how it went! We'll also check in with our progress on our own channels about once a month.
In addition, there are two other spaces online where you can connect and discuss your projects. I've created a book club page on Storygraph. Click here to find that. And Mariandrea has added a space on her Discord. Click here to find that.
And what am I going to study this "semester?" I was intrigued about two different women this past year that I wanted to learn more about so I'm going to do a class about Fascinating Historical Women! And learn about those two and maybe add a one or two more to the list, though I'm not sure who those ones will be yet.
The two I know I'll be studying are Marie Laveau and Mary Pickford! One is called the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and the other is America's Sweetheart and the one of the first actresses in the film industry. My plan is to read one or two non fiction books about them, and then figure out a fiction book that ties into their life or history somehow. Also a documentary, or podcast or movie. We'll see what happens! (Click here to see my BookTube video about my plans!)
Does doing a personal curriculum sound intriguing to you? Do you want to join us? Do you have something you've been curious about? Let me know in comments! I look forward to hearing what you want to do!
