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!

Summer Swirl

School has been out for nearly ten days now, and I have consumed nearly that many books.  This is a trend, for after working hard for so long this becomes a sort of vacation for me:  take the journey through the lines and go places while my body rests in my chair.

At some point, I pause and count:  I not only read many, I begin a lot.  For instance, right now I have five books started, reading a few chapters, then setting it aside to pick up another.  Why...?...as this was once something I could not do!  Have more than one book going at a time?!  Never!  Sometimes, I think, this is my addicted brain to multitasking.  I go like this for months at school!  As a matter of fact, I may be the queen of multitasking, buzzing here and there, accomplishing (usually!) much.

I will say I am reading one self-help book and one collection of essays.  While I enjoy such books, I do not tend to inhale them like I would a series, of which I am in the middle of one now (Acts of Valor).  These series, also, interrupt my sleeping pattern, as I will stay up late to finish...as in last night, when I finished book two at 2:35 PM!

And...this personal challenge to read a book an average of one per week?  That goal encourages me to ever be reading a book...or two...or five.  Such challenges spark the need to achieve within me.

Thoughts about abandoning books or a series of books?  Do it.  I like to purchase/collect a series and then read straight through.  What a journey!  This author took a turn and included a storyline with an agenda that I cannot support by paying money for it.  I felt like I had been twicked, snuckered, blindsided...but...I should have known as I have noticed other authors doing so.  Abandoned this series I did.  Sometimes, one must just take a stand.

This is just the swirl of summer beginning.  The time of transitioning from a busy school...to a busy time of reading...to days with naps...and then the need to plot and plan for my summer events.  In the meantime,  back to my five current books!

1. The Art of Gathering by 
2. Braiding Sweetgrass by
3. Killing Floor by Lee Child
4. Cry in the Wilderness by Rebecca Hartt
5. Wild Seed by Octavia Butler

The March Has Begun

 Week one is gone., and so far I have enjoyed several engaging books...all by authors new to me:

1. The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers (Lowcountry Boil)
2. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (LifeVerse)
3. A Margin for Murder by Lauren Elliot (A Charming Bookish Cozy Mystery and Friends and Fiction Reading Challenge)
4. A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella (Mom Advice Book Club)

As, also, noted, all these were for online book clubs; all are titles I might not have read otherwise.  Looking to be pushed...gently...outside your current reading boundaries?  Find a book club, one that sits near your boundary so that you may be encouarged to take journeys with various authors.

The first three are parts of series, with A Margin for Murder being #8 (or so) in the series.  Of course, I found myself wishing I had read the previous books, but the author shares enough details that this one can stand alone.  Now, I am hooked...need the next read to read!

A theme amongst many of my books so far this year has been bookstores or book clubs, and two of these fell within that topic (2 and 3).  Books just pull me...I just cannot resist them.  But...I am doing a better job resisting purchasing hard copies, as all of the above were ebooks...but not so much resisting that kept several from arriving in the mail to me this month!  Of course!

Only one was written by a man, which I see is now a trend, as I do tend to mainly read books by female authors.  I suppose I even have a bias against male authors, as I continually marvel at the author's actual insight to the female psyche.  Humorous, uh?!  Of course, why not, as women continually dive into the male persona, creating insightful characters all the time.  Silly me!

All in all, a great start to a successful reading month...at this rate, I may look forward to reading at least eight more this month, as I am being intentional this year about reading more.  So far, staying true to that goal in this area of my life.  Go, me!

Book Clubs Guide Current Choices

 February has been a productive reading month...thinking this may be the grand total:

1. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)
2. A Barefoot Tide by Grace Greene
3. Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekula
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5. The Proposal by Lori Wick
6. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
7. The Matchmaker's Gift by Lydia Cohen Loigman
8. Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin

The last two were my favorites...with Fresh Water for Flowers receiving top honors.  My only regret with that one?  I read it too fast; I wish I had slowed down!  Plot twists caught me off-guard, and I would just keep reading to see what happened next....until 12:30 AM arrived and I had finished the entire book!  I am still pondering the meaning of that title, a question I will ask my book club buddies this week when we meet to discuss this one.

Can one belong to or sign up for too many book clubs?  Maybe?  But.  These lists do motiviate me to read more...as in , see the above list!  In addition, I check out more books via the Libby app, and I just cannot stand the thought of having to return a book unread; thus, I read...more!  (Five of the above were read via Kindle; two checked out from the local library; only one I own.)

One of my current books I am reading...and one for February...is Joanna Gaines' The Stories We Tell.  This book was a gift; therefore, I can let this deadline slide just a bit as I can keep the book!  Mine!  I know...I heard the hoarder of books come out there just a bit.  I do love books...they look good anywhere:  on book cases, stacked on side tables, as decorative additions.  They are my silent friends, waiting patiently, looking comfortable, snugged up together in their Tammy-selected space!  :)

What have you read good lately?

Sliding into 2023...and Color-Coding and Stars

Yes, slid right into 2023 with nine books read...and, today, as we begin Day 3 of Ice Days!  For the most part, I have enjoyed what I read.  That is the beauty of books clubs and challenges:  the books I read are not the books I would necessarily have ever self-chose; then, I get enough into them, an investment of time by that point, that I determine just to finish (see books with fewer stars!).

So Far...in '23 - Color-Coding

This I started on the last book in January as a visual way to see which books I read in what months.  Blue for January...cold in Arkansas!  Pink for February...love month has arrived!

1. The Red Palace by June Hur (Independence County Library)*****
2. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (ebook)****
3. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Paper Chase Book Club and 12 Books/12 Friends)*****
4. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (IC Library/The Girlfriend Bookclub)****
5. The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (IC Library/12 Books/12 Friends)*****
6. Bookends by Zibby Owens (ebook/Friends and Fiction/January)**
7. A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman****
8. Bookish People by Susan Coll (Lyon College/January)***
9. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)*****

****** = Five Stars

1. The Red Palace by June Hur (Independence County Library)
2. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Paper Chase Book Club and 12 Books/12 Friends)
3. The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (IC Library/12 Books/12 Friends)
4. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)

**** = Four Stars

1. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (ebook)
2. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (IC Library/The Girlfriend Bookclub)
3. A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman

*** = Three Stars

1. Bookish People by Susan Coll (Lyon College/January)

** = Two Stars

1. Bookends by Zibby Owens (ebook/Friends and Fiction/January)

First Five

 So far, I have read five books...and have a few more going, which is something that once upon a time, I could never have acomplished!

• Three of the five are books I checked out from our local library!  Yay!  I do want to be more diligent about checking out and supporting that need literary group.
• Two of the five were young adult, another goal of mine:  to read more young adult books.  One...The Red Palace...I lent to a student.  Spreading the love of literacy!

Off to a great start; should more than meet my 2023 reading goals as I have many that I want to read, both on the clubs/challenges lists and some that I have purchased.

Last week, our principal shared that we each have $350 to spend on young adult books for our in-class libraries. Oh, happy day!  Have my book list ready to order!  Of course!

Next reads

• Bookends by Zibby Owens
• Schindler's List for Paper Chase Book Store Book Club...already know I will not finish this long read in time.  Oppps!

What are you reading good?    AND...on this snow day...what a great day to read!  Happy reading!

Two for Two

 One week into the year and I have read two books, both mysteries, both intriguing.

• The Red Palace, a young adult book, takes place in Korea in the 1700s, both places I had never traveled.  Full of culture and intrigue, the adventure continues page after page, until, when finished, I was convinced the author should consider a sequel!
• The Woman in the Library...just had to keep reading until I had caught onto the dual plotlines...and then I was hooked, spending much of my Saturday finishing the mystery.  Good!

Now, to finish book three...which I did not complete before my last Thursday deadline for book club.  Busy week!  But!  The discussion during book club has not deterred my reading...just hooked me even more!  Thus, back I go to Kentucky and the travels of the backpack librarians.  More to come!

Reflecting on 2022...and planning ahead for 2022

 A year ago, I had high hopes, which I exceeded...and failed hopes.  Yet!  2023 now allows me the chance to continue!

Let's deal with the failings first:

1. I did begin Gone with the Wind and will need to place that goal to complete on the 2023 list.  I began this one with a couple of students.  We set goals...and then school life intervened and weather and...  Conclusion:  I realize why students may not like reading a book assigned in chapters and such.  Too easy to become disconnected.
2. I did not complete all the Book Lists I started...but!...I did read some on all.  Just going to take that for a win.
3. I did not read half of my selections from my TBR...but!...I did read many ebooks this year, saving myself much financial investment.
4. I did not finish a re-read of the Harry Potter series...need to begin Book 3!

Now, for those successes:

• I read 90 books...exceeding my 52-book goal.  Yay, me! Of those 90, twenty-nine were for book club suggestions, which always push me from my normal reading rut.  :)
• Series did seem to be my thing and was easier to do so because I did subscribe to Amazon Prime Kindle and was able to devour more in a series.  Nice.

• Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1-8) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
• Bree Taggert Series, Books 1-4 by Melinda Leigh (Ebook)
• Morgan Dane Series, Books 1-6 by Melinda Leigh (Ebook)
• The Priority Unit (Maine Justice Series - Book 1) by Susan Page Davis and Fort Point (Maine Justice Series - Book 2) by Susan Page Davis
• Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau (Book 2) and Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau (Book 3)
• Hope's Highest Mountain by Misty M. Beller (Book 1). Love's Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller (Book 2), and Faith's Mountain Home by Misty M. Beller (Book 3)
• The Calhouns of Montana by Juanita Kees (Books 1-3) ebooks
• Emma Griffin FBI Mystery by A.J. Rivers (Books 1-3) (ebooks)
• One Little Lie by Colleen Coble (LifeVerse Book Club), Two Reasons to Run by Colleen Coble (Pelican Harbor Series, Book 2 - ebook), and Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble (Book 3 - Pelican Harbor - ebook)
• The Blake Brier Series (Books 1-3 - ebooks)
• The Sound of Rain by Gregg Olsen (Book 1 - ebook) and The Weight of Silence by Gregg Olsen  (Book 2 - ebook)
• The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake (Big Library Read - ebook) and The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake (ebook)
• A Witch Too Late/A Witch Too Hot by Paula Lester and M.E. Harmon

• Seasonal Reads for Christmas:
• Christmas Next Door by Susan Page Davis and Vickie McDonough (1-8)
• A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr - ebook
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickents (Paper Chase Book Club) - gift from Mayfen
• Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne (purchased at Goodwill/2022)
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (Anthology) - (purchased at Goodwill/2022)
• Silver Bells by Luanne Rice (purchased at Goodwill/2022)
• The Wish Book List by Lynn Austin (LifeVerse Book Club - Facebook - ebook)
• Favorite Authors:  The best with creative plotlines.
• JK Rowling
• Nora Roberts
• Francine Rivers
• My Favorite Reads of All
• The Maid by Nita Prose  (Facebook Girlfriend Book Club April Pick - read in May)
• The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin (Facebook Girlfriend Book Club - July Book - ebook)
• The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake (Big Library Read - ebook) and The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake (ebook)
• The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict/Victoria C. Murray (LC Book Club)
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• On Folly Beach by Karen White (Lowcountry Boil Book Club - Facebook - ebook)
• The Wish Book List by Lynn Austin (LifeVerse Book Club - Facebook - ebook)

Thinking about 2023

• to read an average of one book per week = minimum of 52 books
• to read half of my goal from my own TBR pile = 26 books (these will be bolded).
• to complete books for book clubs before the meeting time (love book clubs!) AND to finish books from 2022 Book Club lists!
• to continue to read series (love series!)...I have one I have been "saving up" for, as the last one has been published!  
• to completely read more professional books 
• to continue to read more ebooks.  I am now in-like with my Kindle! 
• to continue to read more young adult books
• to read a classic...or four!
  
• AND...to write much more frequent posts about the books I have read.

I hope 2022 was good to you and your reading goals.  Happy reading in 2023!