Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals for 2024

 

It is hard to believe that we are already here in January thinking about goals for 2024! Thanks as always to That Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday each week. 

Some of my goals haven't changed since I last updated in October but it is always good to revisit them and see which ones to keep and which ones to let go of. Just knowing my blog is two years old is enough for me as I never thought beyond a month at a time when I started in January 2022. I hope your year of reading is rewarding whether you read one book or one hundred. It doesn't matter as long as you read what you love and continue to love to read. 

1.Drop the Classics Club

Hopefully this isn't forever. It is just something I have to do right now. It may not seem like a "goal" in the sense that I'm not striving towards something but it is a goal for me because I have a hard time letting things fall by the wayside. So my goal is to drop it and not feel guilty about it. I have tried and find myself dreading most of the titles I started out with. I guess a better way to phrase it would be to revise my list and pick it back up in the future. But it may be that for this time in my life, the classics just aren't for me.

2.Set aside daily reading minutes

You'd think this would be something I already do but it isn't. I read almost every day but it is very sporadic and unfocused and sometimes that really is all we can hope for. But I have found if I actually force myself to set aside a number of minutes to read I end up reading way more than I intend to. It's that idea of just get going and before you know it, you've read a whole chapter. 

3.Stay focused on the current book

This is a big one! While I will never be that person who reads only one book at a time, it is becoming clear that I need to force myself to work on one book in a reading session. I find myself reading a bit and then wanting to browse books online or skip to another book I want to start. But when I focus and work on the current book it is so rewarding when I finish it faster. 

4.Not care what others think of the books I'm reading

This goal will probably be included every time I write these goals. It is a big year for me...I turn 50 in July and sometimes I imagine I'm supposed to be this mature intellectual who only reads classics...see #1 goal...lol...so it is good for me to reiterate to the world....read what you love!! Just like friends, books can be for a season and time in your life that will change. It is okay not to be deep all the time. And it is okay to want to switch to something totally normally off your radar. My blog will always center around history and mysteries but there are so many variables within those genres that it includes many types and styles to try. I want to be happy with what I'm reading because when it becomes a chore, what is the point, right?

5.Keep my blog simple

One of my favorite things to do is browse other book blogs. There are so many creative people in the book world and I am in awe of the different styles and reviews. But I am not the most technology savvy person and I get overwhelmed trying to insert lots of pictures and graphics into my posts. So sometimes I just don't post at all for fear of being "boring." This year I'd like to write more and worry less about whether or not I am adding just the right colorful touches. Some of the best blogs I come across aren't fancy, but have fabulous content. If you take the time to just sit and read it.

6.Stop planning out my blogging schedule

While I will always have a general idea of what I'm going to write about each week (Stacking the Shelves, Can't Wait Wednesday usually) I spent 2023 often stressed about adhering to a certain posting and review schedule. I thought this would keep me on track, and it did, but it was also a lot to manage. I am glad I did it though because I discovered my own personal preferences about reading and blogging. I have busy weeks and slow weeks, like everyone else, and so I find that when I'm really busy I still get in a post or two but when I'm not busy I have great motivation to do more. I'm going to try to just go with the flow this year.

7.Interact more with fellow bloggers

Each week I check in with all of the blogs on my home page that I'm following. I absolutely love seeing the posts, reviews, and enjoy catching up on the ones who post about their personal lives. But I don't comment much and I should when possible. I realize this can get time consuming but you can just do a few each week and skip around. It is gratifying when people take the time to converse with you because blogging can be lonely if you feel like no one is reading your content. So this is a great goal for everyone!

8.Review only the books I want to review

When I first started this blog I never dreamed a real author would contact me. It was very exciting and humbling to have one ask me to read and review their books. And I thought initially I'd love to do this as a future goal. But I have realized that I just don't want my blog to be tied down to "have to's." Which is another reason I don't interact much with NetGalley anymore except to look for new books to promote. I have realized that while I love reading, reviewing, and promoting books I don't want to be in a position to promise someone I'll read and review their book when I either don't want to or don't have time to. It isn't fair to them or me. So I'm dropping the "have to" and will only review books I want to.

9.Go back to more actual physical books

While I love my Kindle, there is something different about paper books. I find when I'm reading them it is more personal. Due to my age and deteriorating eyesight my Kindle is so important to have. And when I go on vacations it is essential for space management. But I always want to keep at least one physical, paper book going to remind me of what reading was like when I was younger. I miss it. And so I'm going to see if I can do more of it when I'm home and have the right lighting!

10.Keep my book stack to three books or less at a time

This seems to be the sweet spot for me! A physical book and two Kindle books. I have played around with more or less and I always seem to come back to three at a time. I usually have one historical cozy mystery book, one more serious historical fiction book that is long and detailed and takes months to finish, and a shorter historical fiction book that I can read and review within a span of a week. Then I throw in a straight history book every month or so but I'm not finding I'm as interested in that genre as often as I used to be. This is a good goal for me to continue as I do get bored reading only one book at a time but have a tendency to take on way too many if I don't set a limit. 

I look forward to reading all about my fellow bloggers' bookish goals for 2024. I hope everyone has a wonderful year!!

Top Ten Tuesday: My Ongoing Reading Goals

 

First of all.....how cute is this kitten? But to my goals....I made my top ten list of reading goals for 2023 in January and it was fun to check back in to see how I'm progressing. That is, fun until I realize I'm not meeting a lot of them. But that's okay. My blog is to promote books and the pleasure of reading so I'm not going to stress that I am not doing everything I set out to and make a list with some old and new goals. And as always, thanks to That Artsy Reader Girl, for hosting Top Ten Tuesday each week!

1. Read more history- Well, this has not been my strong suit this year for sure. I have been so incredibly busy with my teenagers, job, home life with hubby, etc. that straight history has taken a backseat to cozy mysteries and authors I am already comfortable with. The last one I reviewed was Josephine, in April and I have read a couple that I didn't review. But this is one area I'd like to work on going forward. 

2. Read more from my Classics Club list- I joined the Classics Club in January and was so excited to create my list. Then when I started choosing books from it, the excitement waned. I don't know if it's just my crazy, busy life right now or if I just don't want to read them but it has been a real struggle. So I'm going to keep trying and maybe revise my list too. If I just can't get going on it then it may be something I decide to drop in 2024. Reading 50 classic books in 5 years is definitely harder than it looks! So far I've read and reviewed 7 of them so that is something to celebrate but not nearly enough to make my end goal.

3. DNF more books- I have gotten so much better at this in 2023. I am still trying to remind myself that life is too short and there are just too many good books out there to keep reading ones I don't like. So this has been something I'm really striving to do.

4. Try new authors- I have tried and enjoyed many new authors this year but still gravitate to my favorites. I have to remind myself that when reviewing books it is good to have a variety of selections or people will get bored with your blog. Then again, it's my blog so I need to read and review what I like, right? Thanks to my blogger friends out there though I've discovered some great new writers so I'm going to keep trying to branch out.

5. Be okay with taking a long to time to finish a book- I have literally been reading Penman's Lionheart for over 6 months. And it's not because it's a struggle or I'm forcing myself. If anything, it's because I love it so much that it is taking me awhile. Sometimes I get frustrated that I can't read it faster but so be it. If an epic novel takes a whole year to read and absorb I'm trying to be okay with that, and just enjoy it.

6. Ditch Net Galley more- This goal might seem strange to my fellow bloggers but here is what I mean.....sometimes I go onto Net Galley and feel pressured to pick something. But often I find I'm just choosing books because they are new. And then requesting them and dreading reading them. I am vowing not to do that anymore. If something looks truly interesting to me, I'll request it. If not, then log out and go find an older book, classic book, or yet another sequel book by an author I love. Trying to read and review all the new, shiny books is stressful!

7. Quit picking books based off the cover- So sometimes this can be fun and rewarding. But often, shiny pretty covers do not equal good books. I just get hooked in by the style and pictures. So I'm going to force myself to really examine the content more. We will see if I'm able to stick to this though :) I'm a sucker for beautiful book covers!

8. Set a daily reading minutes goal and stick to it- I've tried to be casual about my reading and just go with the flow but with life getting in the way I think choosing a daily minutes goal would be good for me. Even if it's just 20 minutes it will keep me on track on the busiest days. While I always want to read, it can sometimes be hard to do much of it when I don't plan to sit down and be quiet and focus.

9. Be okay with having several books going at once- Sometimes I'm good at this but often I feel like reading books piecemeal is somehow "wrong." Then I remember this is okay because forcing yourself to read just one book at a time can be frustrating when your mood is just not into that particular book that day. So I'm going back to reading whatever, whenever, as long as it's a book I'm enjoying.

10. Not care what others think of my reading- This is hard for me. I vacillate between wanting to read deep, thoughtful books and something light and airy. When I was younger,  I thought it was somehow a waste of time to read books that weren't teaching me something. Now as I get older I've discovered you don't have to be so deep all the time. It's probably from growing up with parents who really instilled a love of reading for educational purposes and weren't big fiction readers unless it was a classic book. I love and appreciate them for that but I'm finding with our world so intense these days, cozy books and lighthearted historical fiction is so good for the soul sometimes. So I'm going to enjoy whatever works for me and so should everyone else! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books on my Fall 2023 TBR list

I have neglected Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, lately.....out of lack of time. And I have missed making these lists! Several books listed are ones I've talked about on my Stacking the Shelves posts but just haven't had time to get to. I always seem to gravitate to my favorite authors and want to catch up on several series books I've been putting off for newer books or because I'm trying to branch out. 

I am sure I can list a hundred books I want to read before we ring in 2024 (like all of you reading this!) but here are the ones I'm most looking forward to. Happy Fall reading ya'll....

1. A Sunless Sea by Anne Perry- The next book I need to read in the William Monk series. These are always excellent. 

2. Endless Night by Agatha Christie (Read Christie November)

3. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie (Read Christie December)

4. A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman- I am currently finishing Lionheart (it is taking me forever because I am reading the actual book instead of reading it on my Kindle).

5. The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Cleverly- A series set in India during the British Raj period that I've wanted to start for awhile now.

6. The Armor of Light by Ken Follett- Buzz about the latest Kingsbridge novel is everywhere! I have only read The Pillars of the Earth but this current book looks like one I'd like to read now.

7. A Cold Highland Wind by Tasha Alexander- Set in the Scottish highlands this is a book that I've had on my TBR list for awhile now. Hoping I'll get to it soon.

8. The Leper of Saint Giles by Ellis Peters- I am reading the Cadfael books in order because I've found things happen to him along the way that go into the next books....so I want to continue with the series and this is my current read.

9. Queens of the Conquest by Alison Weir- Book one Queens of the Crusades was excellent so I'd like to tackle this one. It is long and detailed though so I will try my best!

10. Goodbye Piccadilly by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles- Set in WW I I'd like to see if this book can teach me a bit more history along with an entertaining story.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Instantly Want To Read a Book

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "things that make me instantly want to read a book." When I first saw this topic I thought it would be more about the actual words on the page in a book. But the more I pondered my reasons I realized I often want to read a book for the strangest or silliest reasons. This was surprising to think about but we are often drawn to books in all kinds of ways. Here are the ten ways I decide whether or not to give a book a go. 

1. The cover 

This has fooled me many times....a beautiful cover with a gorgeous setting and a colorful display can really suck me in. I have to watch out for this and remember that often the cover is the end for me if the book is not great.

2. The author 

I am a huge fan of sequels...maybe it's just comforting to know that I already enjoyed the other books and I know what I'm getting. So if it's one of my favorite authors like Anne Perry or Diana Gabaldon, I am going to want to read the book instantly.

3. Good reviews

I definitely will read a book if a trusted reviewer recommends it. Some of my fellow bloggers are the ones I go to first for this but Amazon and Goodreads are always a great place to start too.

4. Subtitles

I didn't realize this would be on my list until I started thinking about my answers. A well written, succinct subtitle draws me in and gives me that added "extra" within the main title to make me want to open the book and give it a try.

5. Historical fiction 

If a book is historical fiction or history set in certain time periods with certain historical figures I'm almost certain to give it a try or at least read the summary.

6. Real people 

This sort of goes along with number 5. I'm not a huge fan of fictional characters. I only enjoy them if they appear alongside real historical characters and then I get drawn into their fictional lives as they relate to those real people.

7. Length 

I enjoy longer books, those with some depth to them. If a book is 350 plus pages I'm more likely to spend my time on it. Sometimes mysteries are the exception but I love to get into an epic long book when I can.

8. Kings, Queens, Royalty of any kind

Yes this is a lot like number 5 but for me it is its own category! I am obsessed with books featuring royal persons especially if it is a narrative style biography of them.

9. Cozy mysteries set in the 1920's

This one may have more to do with the cover thing  again (see number 1) but I have discovered I am drawn to this genre in this time period. They are just fun and light hearted and good for the soul.

10. Anything set in historical Scotland 

This is such a favorite setting with me that I will give most stories a try if they take place during this time and place. 

What are your top reasons for reading a certain book? What makes you want to give it a try?

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Things Getting in the Way of Reading

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "things getting in the way of reading." Boy do I need this one because it feels like when you are a teacher and a mother there is no way to read in the month of May! This post should really be "what isn't getting in the way of my reading? But for me, June is coming and hopefully a lot of reading time for summer! Here is my list of things sucking up all my reading time right now though. If you identify with some of these let me know....it's nice to know I'm not the only one!

1. School-  When you are a teacher, April is testing month and May is all the things month....field trips, wrapping up the end of the year, etc. I'm tired and out of schedule as the days get a little unpredictable. There is barely time to eat lunch much less take a few minutes to catch up on a chapter or two in my latest book.

2. Baseball- Well this one might as well be labeled year round for my house. My son has been playing since he was 3 and now that he is almost 15 it is serious business. I am gone a lot and that will continue in June but at least I'll have my days free. And always bring that Kindle to the ballpark in case I get time between games!

3. Blogging- Oh the irony....blogging about books often keeps me from actually reading them. Any of my fellow bloggers agree? I absolutely love blogging, reading all my fellow bloggers latest posts, but am realizing all that time could be spent reading the books...it's a real problem.

4. Chores- this one is kind of boring but it's a daily issue. I am a neat freak and I have a really hard time sitting down to read a book when there are dishes in the sink and laundry in a chair. I feel guilty and can't concentrate. I want to ignore it all but it feels impossible. Unless the book is really, really good :)

5. Family time- I do not live in a house full of readers. At all. My boys are very good at school required reading, have never ever struggled in this area but with all the technology in today's world neither they nor my husband ever pick up a book. It kinda makes me sad....but they don't identify with me in this area. So they aren't exactly understanding that I might want to skip togetherness sometimes to see how my chapter ends.

6. Technology- This is one I'm trying so hard to work on! I do it to myself. Facebook, Twitter, etc. can suck away all your time and concentration if you aren't careful. Sometimes I just have to silence my phone and put it away or I'd never finish a book.

7. Looking for new books- I think this one is kind of funny. I can kill an evening surfing for new books. And I wasn't as much this way before I started blogging. It is so relaxing to just scroll through Amazon, Net Galley, or the Goodreads shelves looking at all the books I have yet to read. But it keeps me from actually reading them. So weird. 

8. Falling asleep- This one is a real problem during the week. I will be excited to finally have a few minutes at the end of the day to read and the next thing I know, I'm out. Like a light. And the next day I have to start over because I literally can't remember anything I've read. So annoying!

9. Texting friends- While it probably belongs with number 6, this is actually its own category. I might be able to shut off apps but I have a hard time shutting off my friends. I feel the need to respond to everything and have to remember they'd want me to take me time. So I'm trying to ignore and just enjoy my book some days.

10. The gym- I am not one of those people that hates to workout. It's totally the opposite in fact. I love going to the gym. But let's face it, it is time consuming and I've never been someone who can read while on the elliptical bouncing up and down. I'm sweating, out of breath, and trying to follow a plot line....it doesn't work for me. I end up watching Brit Box mysteries and that's fun...but it doesn't get my book read!

Usually when I finish a top ten list I'm running out of books or ideas. Not so with this post! I have a million things that take up my blissful reading time. When I was single in my nice, quiet apartment with only a cat to care for, I'd spend whole Saturdays plowing through books. I still love to read just as much but my life takes over now. I'm trying to remember to enjoy it all because my boys will be leaving me in the next 3-5 years, I'll retire from teaching, and I'll have lots of time to read....but then I'll be lonely for all the crazy!! And hey, I could be reading right now....so I think I'll stop this list and get to it. 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend To Others the Most

 

If you've read any reviews on this blog or any of my top ten lists, then you probably already know some of the books I'm going to list here. I'm honestly not someone who "recommends" books to others. I find reading is so personal that what I like is often not for others and those who read my reviews on my blog are usually either already looking for the genres I prefer or are open to anything. 

But I will list the ones I'd recommend if someone asked me, "What should I read?" Some are non-fiction, some serious fiction, and some are for pure enjoyment. Hopefully you find one you'd like to try and be sure to share some of yours with me in the comments. Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl) and happy reading!

1. William Monk Mysteries by Anne Perry- my favorite Victorian mystery series. Perry passed away last month and now her books will be even more special. I had hoped there would be more but sadly the series has come to an end. 

2. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon- everyone's favorite Scottish based series about time traveling Claire and her husband Jamie Fraser.

3. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis- the timeless classic case for Christ by an exceptionally wise man.

4. Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie- the most thorough, engaging story of the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia that I've read. I learned so much about the causes and outcome of the Russian Revolution.

5. Shattered Crowns series by Christina Croft- a great narrative way to learn about the beginnings and subsequent political intrigues surrounding World War I. It centers around all the major aristocratic players and family drama of those involved. 

6. Queens of England series by Jean Plaidy- simple yet informative, Plaidy covers the major queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth Tudor.

7. Plantagenet series by Sharon Kay Penman- the best historical fiction series covering the Anarchy period to the death of Richard the Lionheart.

8. Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters- starring everyone's favorite crime solving medieval Monk, Brother Cadfael.....each one is unique and intricate with some history thrown in.

9. Animal Farm by George Orwell- I feel everyone should read this satirical take on the dangers of Communism. It is a timeless classic about human nature and the dangers of following the wrong ideas.

10. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer- I included this one because it has always stuck with me through the years....a young man embarks on a journey of self discovery and finds himself in over his head. His story is heartbreaking and you can't help but feel it all right along with him.

Top Ten Tuesday: The First 10 Books I Randomly Grabbed From My Shelf

 

Sometimes I feel like I have the same authors all the time on my shelf! Probably because I do :) I also read so many books on Kindle that my bookshelf is kind of bare these days. But here are the ten random books I picked out to share. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. Alexandra by Carolly Erickson (wonderful biography written in a narrative style about the last Tsarina of Russia)

2. The Road To Compiegne by Jean Plaidy (Book Two in her series on the French Revolution)

3. Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George (The title says it all....I need to read this!)

4. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (truly a prized possession....I've read it four times and here is my review https://www.shellielovesbooks.com/2022/04/gone-with-wind-by-margaret-mitchell.html

5. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (a children's classic about a boy from Boston who experiences the American Revolution first hand...a fantastic book for adults too) 

6. The Highland Clearances by John Prebble (can be a bit dry in certain parts if you are used to historical fiction, but this is the gold standard for non-fiction information about this time period, I am lucky to have a copy!)

7. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Book 5 in the Outlander series....I have all of her books so honestly, I could close my eyes and point and I'd probably have a good chance of getting one of them)

8. When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman (Book One in her fantastic Plantagenet series; I want to read it again one day but it's a beast to get through!)

9. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (a satirical take on the Christian life by a man I have read and admired for many years)

10. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (I really need to finish this series....a great way to learn about the politics, wars, and drama of the early 20th century). 

Top Ten Tuesday: Self-Published Books

 

This Top Ten Tuesday theme, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is all about self-published books. Now I admit I had no idea which authors or books I like were self published so I had to scour the net. I haven't read most of these but know some of the authors and/or they just looked interesting to me. 

I was also surprised to see some of the authors and books that were considered self published or published by Indie publishers. It is not something I know much about but I'm all for people being able to take charge of their own projects. Hopefully I can read some of these soon.

1. Liberty or Death by David Cook

The first in a trilogy, this book follows the fictional character of Major Lorn Mullone who is caught up in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This is a unique subject to tackle and one I haven't seen in many books. I also love series books so this might need to go on my TBR list.

2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A reimagining of Homer's The Illiad, it seems to have been a huge hit and looks to me like an ambitious premise to choose. Not sure I'd read it as I'm not a fan of this time period but I can appreciate the author's work. 

3. The Maid by Nita Prose

This one is on my TBR list because I hear they are making a movie about it. Described as a "Clue like, locked-room mystery" it looks like a tale of a  socially awkward, working class girl unwillingly caught up in a whodunit when one of the patrons at the wealthy hotel where she is employed mysteriously kicks the bucket.  

4. The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks

This is my kind of historical fiction. It is based on the real crime of the kidnapping of Charlie Lindbergh and the nanny who adores him in her quest to find out what has happened to him.

5. All the Broken Places by John Boyne

I'm not a big fan of WWII or Nazi Germany historical fiction but I know it is very popular. So I'm listing this book for others. It is a time shifting novel about a girl named Gretel and her pain at being the daughter of a commandant of the Reich during the war. Gretel has to reconcile her own guilt with protecting her lifelong secret shame. 

6. Empire of Ice and Stone by Buddy Levy

I love adventure based history books that read like novels. This looks like this type of story. During the year 1913, The ship, Karluk, while on an expedition in the Arctic Ocean is icebound and their expedition leader and some members of the crew decide to embark on a hunting trip. When there is no sign of their return after 10 days, their Captain, Bob Bartlett, along with a local Inuit man, attempt a treacherous 1,000 mile journey to find rescue for the remaining crew members. 

7. Homecoming by Kate Morton

An epic novel, Homecoming is the story of Jess, a journalist, and her grandmother, Nora and a long buried criminal case. Jess attempts to find out how her family is connected to a notorious unsolved murder case from 1959. 

8. Dead Wake by Erik Larson

The story of the luxury ocean liner, Lusitania, the ship that meets disaster in 1915 during the days of WWI. Erik Larson is always excellent at making history read like a novel.

9. A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley

Anytime I see Scotland and Jacobite I'm in! So I really need to try one of Kearsley's books. This one is about Jacobite exile, Mary Dundas and her journal and the woman who tries to crack the code three hundred years later. 

10. The Men Who United the States by Simon Winchester

I'm not sure this book would hold my interest but it looks unique and I thought others who love history as much as I do would want to know about it. Winchester ponders how we became 50 unified states by exploring the men who played huge roles in shaping the country. Lewis and Clark, along with the creators of the railroad and national highways are featured in their quest to physically and geographically unite the nation into one.