I’ve mentioned before that I love to read. Growing up, I was the girl who walked with my nose in a book everywhere I went, that is, until I walked neck first into a diagonal electrical line. Lesson learned. Of course as a teen, when school and social activities got more intense, I cut back on the reading only to regret it years later. There are so many books I haven’t read yet! Over the last few years, I have been in reading challenges on Goodreads.com trying to lessen that gap, averaging at about 40 books a year. I realize I can never read ALL of them, but I enjoy trying.
This year, my husband says to me: “Christina, why don’t you just read what you want. Skip the reading challenges this year.” Sure, why not?! I can go through the books on my new bookshelves and finally read the ones on my TBR list that have been on it for years. (I’ve probably only read about 1-2% of these!)
The thing is, I don’t know how to stick to a laid-back plan. Instead, as soon as some girlfriends mention starting a book club, I’m in! Then, because I don’t have to worry about meeting an intense challenge goal every month, I start browsing the giveaway sections. Next thing I know, I’ve won 4 more books, that I need to read ASAP. So much for the leisurely reading. I can’t help it, I love reading about reading, and how can you say no to a potentially good book, especially if you can have it for free in exchange for your honest opinion? I just can’t do it! So here is my reading line up so far this year:
Roman Fever by Edith Wharton – Read ★ ★ ★ ★
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin – Read ★ ★ ★ ★
A & P: Lust in the Aisles by John Updike – Read ★ ★ ★
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Read ★ ★ ★ ★
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Read ★ ★ ★
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt – Currently Reading (Book Club – February Read)
The Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys – TBR (Goodreads Giveaway win)
Finding Zero by Amir D. Aczel – TBR (LibraryThing Early Reviewers win)
The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg – TBR (Goodreads Giveaway win)
Rain by Cynthia Barnett – TBR (LibraryThing Early Reviewers win)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – TBR (Book Club – April Read)
Are you reading anything good?
This is an awesome post! I’m always happy to know there are people out there who love to read as much as I do. Especially since I’m a novelist in the making.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Justina. It truly is an addiction. 🙂 When we bought this house in October, I told me husband, bookshelves was my top priority. I had them in storage for about a year before we moved and it actually made me sad! We readers are too funny! Good luck on your novelist career!!
LikeLike
Thank you. (-: I post short stories and character interviews on my blog if you want to take a look.
When you love reading, book shelves are a must, as my basement will attest to. The poor shelves are crammed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I will! I had the funny notion that I would start will my filled bookshelf and read it, down to the point where I have one section just for fabric. Silly me! Of course I get books faster than I can read them so it’ll never happen, but I can dream.
LikeLike
But, isn’t that a wonderful problem to have?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this post! Thank God there are people who hurt themselves too while trying to read (… Walking against a fence is always refreshing. Not)
Currently I’m reading Douglas Adams’ awesome books … Hitchhiker’s Guide for the Galaxy. It was always a book I wanted to read but never could because there are so many of them I want to read (I’m so sad we all have to die… No one will ever read all of them ;D)
Have a lovely day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean! I’m also trying to read the “1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die” and I have the app to track it. It is a little morbid. “You can be expected to live another 50 years… At your current reading rate (of 3 per month), you could read 1800 books if you wanted to, so you’re on target to read the remaining 1273 and complete your default list when you’re 67 years old. That should give you plenty of time for some of life’s other pleasures.” Ha! Except I can’t still to 3 from the list a month, so I doubt I’ll finish it. I’m at a whopping 2.5% completed.
Let me know how you like the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. That one is also on my very long TBR list 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first book is AMAZING. Seriously. I love it! Currently on the second book (I have them all in one book so I have no clue what the seperate titles are) If you wish to read about something so meaningless and at the same time absolutely meaningful and have some really good chuckles over the story, read it. (As soon as possible :P) (I know, this sounds crazy, but this is the way these books seem to work)
WOW. That’s a morbid app… sounds like I should download it too :p
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know! The app really is. I tried to say my goal was 2 a month, but I just couldn’t handle it telling me I would die without finishing it, so I lied and said I’d do 3. Feels within my reach still this way 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so funny that you just wrote about reading, because I have a similar affinity for reading and will be blogging about it soon as well! I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks while sewing, trying to multitask. I also LOVE tracking my reading accomplishments on Goodreads (but I definitely don’t get through as many as you!) … I will have to figure out how to find you on there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe that’s what I need to try, audiobooks. I’m afraid I’ll miss essential pieces of the story that way though. On the other hand, every time I think about sewing, I’ll say just one more chapter… Doesn’t really work out. 😉 Audiobooks would definitely help with that!
Here’s my Goodreads profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3960917-christina
LikeLike
I often think there’s so many books I want to read but I have little free time to fritter away reading crap books – that’s why I enjoy reading book bloggers posts as you’re invaluable for suggesting good books (and which ones to avoid). Thanks for sharing. Jean
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to help! 🙂 I know what you mean about limited time. I wish I knew how to quit a book but once I start, I have to finish it. Goodreads has become a great tool for me when it comes to picking which books are next. And since I’m skipping the challenges this year, I don’t have to read any books I know I’m not going to like from the start.
LikeLiked by 1 person