Why Do We Read?

As my students and I chatted about resolutions/intentions for 2025, I shared that I had read 81 books.  A curious student asked, "Do you remember all the books you read?"

No.

Some.

Some more than others.

This got me to thinking...should I remember them all?

My answer:  no.  Many books I read for just the pure entertainment, for the moment, for the quick journey that particular book takes me.  Much like movies or TV shows...I do not remember all the characters;  sometimes, I even lose the plotlines, for I watched them for the moment, for the pure entertainment, for the journey.

I hope I am asked this question again sometime...now that I know the answer to the question...or, at least, I know my answer! 

2024 and Books

This has been a year for the books...until September and school became too busy...and maybe too much time on technology as a way to relax because "school became too busy."  Yes, I need to solve that "too busy" to read prob!

2024's Reading Goals...Success (or not)

1. to read an average of one book per week = minimum of 52 books
   Goal met!✔
2. to read half of my goal from my own TBR pile = 26 books (these will be bolded).
   Goal NOT met...as I only read five of the 26 needed.  Hummm...
3. to complete books for book clubs before the meeting time (love book clubs!)
   Goal sorta met...as I did finish more before the deadline.  Still need to work more on this one!
4. to finish books from 2023 Book Club lists...I am always behind!
   Got NOT met!
5. to read more series (love series!)
   Goal met!✔...especially during the summer.  What a great way to celebrate school being out!
6. to completely read more professional books
    Got NOT met!
   
7. to continue to read more young adult books
   Got NOT met!
8. to read a classic...or four!
   Goal sorta met...as I did finish Gone with the Wind!  But...much more focus on this one needed, also.
9. ✔ = book read (Begins with Book Clubs)

Hummm...based on this checklist, I am not accomplished...but I did read 80+ books, so I claim that for the win!

My favorite book?  Again...hummm...I did recommend The Frozen River  to a local book club for next year.  I, also, enjoyed The Autobiography of Santa Claus, a very interesting book!  

Book Clubs:  They challenge me to read the books I might not choose, and, more times than not, that is a really good thing; therefore, I will sign up and (sorta) commit to read more of those suggested book titles again.  I have absolved myself of putting pressure on myself to read (or not), for if the read happen, win!  If they do not, they remain on the list...and one day retirement will offer me more time to read!  Win!

Still another few days of this year to read...so I begin a new goal:  to read from a book every day, even if just a few pages.  

Happy reading!

Summer Book Club...Win-Win!

Our building's book club is back!  Time to read for fun and meet and drink coffee and talk books.  Win-win!

Excited I am about these titles...as, yes, I helped select the titles!  

The first book The Reading List is available free via Kindle Unlimited right now.  The next three, I own.  the final book The Women, I will probably purchase and possible use excepts in my classroom.  Maybe.

My good friend and peer, as of Monday, will have left education.  Sad.  But I so understand.  These are hard times.  But.  She is an avid reader, and these book to assist in my staying in touch with her, and what better way, than thru books?!  My plan...a secret right now!...is to continue a monthly read and our meeting throughout the school year.  Another win-win, yes?!

Should you want to read along, please do!  

Win-Win Books in '24

 This has been an interesting line up of books so far in 2024.  Check out this list of titles:

1. Swedish Art of Death Cleansing  (Paper Chase) 
2. Lowcountry Getaway by Susan M. Boyer - ebook
3. The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey - ebook
4. Telling Lies by L.A. Dobbs (A Sam Mason K-9 Dog Mystery, Book 1) ebook
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (published in birth year)
6. Juliet by Anne Fortier (Bernadette's Jan Challenge)
7. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (Bernadette's Classic Book)
8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (Bernadette's Feb Challenge) ebook
9. Inheritance by Nora Roberts - ebook
10. The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall - ebook

Some insights:

• Some really loooooong ones:  In Cold Blood and Gone with the Wind
• Five of the ten connected to a book club.
• One based on Shakespeare and his Romeo and Juliet...very good read.
• Four "light" reads...easy, but fun and enjoyable.
• Still reading more on an eReader...which I never thought I would like...but I do!
• Two are from my TBR pile.  Yay!  Really want to read more from my many bookcases!

Current Read:  The Nightingale  by Kristin Hannah.  Such an intense book set during World War I in Paris (and other places).  This tells the "real" story of two ladies who assisted in helping many pilots escape and saving several babies from death.  Just an almost scary read as I realize who quickly this very situation could occur in our very own country.  This book is the first of my 12 Books 12 Friends 12 Months Book Challenge, one I would like to quit...but just cannot because I am committed, and books like this must be read. Just a must.

What are you reading good in 2024?

Calling It...at 92

Hummm...I must admit...I had hoped to reach 100 books read.  But.  I am okay with 92 and having lived the busiest year of my life.  

I experienced many journeys through these books and still know...the more I read the more books I need to read.  Truth.  

I will be back to comment...as I have not had time...yet...to review my favorites, as the real world is calling in the form of grading paper and planning lessons for 2024.  Where did this two-week break go?!

I have taken the time to plan my reading goals for 2024.  I am excited about chosen titles and book clubs and book challenges.  Going to be a grand year of reading!

Falling into Reading...of course!

October is one of my more busy months...and, still, I found time to read...of course!

Here the titles are in chronological order:

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden (ebook)

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber  (ebook)

The Five-star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

Secrets in the Dark by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

Cursed at Dawn  by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

The last three set the scene for the final weeks of October, as these characters usually have "abilities."  Heather Graham, not new to me, as I binge-read one of her series a couple of summers ago, creates a world of suspense, magic, and little bit of romance.

And now these busy months continue...welcome to month of reading in November!

An Outstanding Summer of Reading

 As I have not updated since the end of May (where does time go), shall we chat?

June was a great reading month...lots of easy, relax-the-brain reads.  July continued that trend...with only ten reads.  Then, August became full of real life as school began, but I still averaged a bit more than one a week with six books.

My trend?  Ebooks!  Such a change for me, as I resisted digital books.  Reality?  I still really like "real" hard copy books, but that intangible thing called time, for clicking on Libby or Kindle sometimes (often) is just quicker than grabbing, finding, deciding my next chosen journey.  (This is actually a quite weak rationale as I have an abundance of books!)  I have just learned to like ebooks.  I just do!  

This year, I started color-coding by month, quite the nice visual. Right?

1. Killing Floor by Lee Child
2. Acts of Valor Series - Book 5 - Braving the Valley by Rebecca Hartt
3. Lantern Beach Exposure - Books 1-2 - Fractured Lies and Shattered Whispers by Christy Barritt
4. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman - Ebook
5. Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne (AR Teen Nominee) - Ebook
6. The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey - book from Abby Barker
7. Five Survive by Holly Jackson (AR Teen Nominee) - Ebook
8. The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley 
9. The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller - Book 1 - ebook
10. Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena Miller - Book 2 - ebook
11. The Water Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 1 - Library
12. A Promise to Love by Serena Miller - Book 3 - ebook
13. The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 2 - Library
14. Hart's Ridge by Kay Bratt - Book 1 - ebook
15. Lucy in the Sky by Kay Bratt - Book 2 - ebook
16. In My Life by Kay Bratt - Book 3 - ebook
17. Borrowed Time by Kay Bratt - Book 4 - ebook
18. Instant Karma by Kay Bratt - Book 5 - ebook
19. The Record Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 3 - Library
20. Identity by Nora Roberts - ebook
21. Legacy by Nora Robers - ebook
22. I Must Betray You  by Ruta Sepetys - ebook - AR Teen Book Nominee
23. Beast of Prey by Ayana Gray - All Arkansas Reads One Book
24. I Will Find You by Harlan Coben - ebook
25. A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey - Big Library Read - ebook
26. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs - IC Library
27. Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery - Paper Chase Book Club
28. Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus - ebook 
29. The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth - ebook
30. My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank - ebook
31. Lightning by Dean Koontz - ebook

In this stack are some new authors, some old friends, a few AR Teen Book Nominees, several for book challenges; many of these I have become favorites, ones I would not have read had I not began "challenging" myself several years ago to move outside my normal choices.   

My favorite still remains a good mystery with a hint of romance...but historical fiction is growing on me...and a fantasy does take one away.  I do enjoy a good journey!

If my other norm returns, my reading will slow down during September and October...although I hope not.  I enjoy reading...and I do need time for me.

Happy reading to you!