At the beginning of every new year, just like everyone else, I make a list of resolutions. And year after year, one item is usually the same for me. “Read more,” my list tells me, and I try earnestly for a while before I lose steam. Then, when the next year rolls around and it’s time to make another list, I’m always ashamed at the books sitting on my shelves, still unread, still collecting dust.
However, I do spend a lot of time reading. Perhaps not always books, but I do consume a lots of online content when I take breaks from working. My RSS reader, Feedly, is always at the ready with new material for me, and my Pocket is usually overflowing with articles I’ve saved to read later. Evernote is where I save recipes I want to try, along with miscellaneous bookmarks. I also installed a browser widget called Scoopinion that tracks — to the minute — how much time I spend reading online. Since installing it a year ago, it has recorded that I spent two days and one hour reading 2,563 stories. (I don’t think it counts blogs, though, so maybe I should add another day or two?) Two full days of reading a year might be impressive, but I’ll be honest: I’m embarrassed by the sources of some of the content I consume.
So, this year, I’m going to one-up that resolution. I’m going to challenge myself to read better, not necessarily more. Quality over quantity. I’d like to read fewer of the alluring yet shallow lists on Buzzfeed and Thought Catalog, and instead focus on reading things in which I find value, things from which I can learn, things I’m proud to have spent time reading. Articles, books, blogs. Comics, poetry, recipes I want to try. From time to time, I might instead watch a video, explore a unique new website or listen to a new album. Anything I can get my hands on, really. I want to absorb all the great, intelligent content that will grace the earth this year.
And I’m going to share the best of those things here, with you, every week or as often as I can. I’m calling it The Biscuit Report. (Biscuit was my nickname in high school. More on that some other time…) The links I share may not be related to food, travel or design — the core focus of this blog — but I prefer it that way. Kickstarter has been doing something like this for a few months with their Happening newsletter, and I’ve really enjoyed their fresh perspective on what to read. I won’t pretend I know everything that happened on the Internet, but these will be a few of my recent favorites. As always, if you have suggestions for me, please send them my way. Happy reading! // Susannah
See the list after the jump…
Great reads
Amazing abandoned streetcar houses in San Francisco // The Bold Italic
The basics of cooking with cheese // The New York Times
I noticed a pickle craze in D.C. and it’s real // The Washington Post
These poems by Jamaal May // Pen.org
Recipes to try
Indoor S’mores // Dessert for Two
Grapefruit Honey Ginger Soda // The Kitchn
Delicious design
Typography for toddlers // Kickstarter
My heart! The sharp new Charlotte Hornets logo // Brand New
An Instagram camera! // Poppytalk
Various and sundry
Beautiful words from the beautiful Lizzie Velásquez // TEDxYouth@Austin
A blog book club for bloggers!! // A Beautiful Mess (First up: The Interestings — I think I might do it!)
Tunes for the weekend
Photo // Flickr
feastandwest 
Thanks for linking to my s’mores 🙂
I always pledge to read more, too. I recently heard the phrase ‘Leaders are readers.’ I think it rings true, and I’m hoping it will inspire me. Best of luck 🙂
You’re welcome! I can’t wait to try them.
That’s a great motto. I’ll try to remember that as I try to read better! 🙂