Yes, I know I am writing about my 2024 goal when we are firmly in the 'brr' months and the end of 2024 is in sight.
However, I set these goals way back in January, and I wanted to revisit them now and update my progress.
Like last year, I set a goal to read 25+ books this year. I also wanted many of these books to come from my physical TBR.
I set myself one other goal as well.
Imagine, for a moment, the state of my library in our house. My husband and I are both readers and both have a lot of books. We converted a guestroom in our house into a library when we first moved in (which also houses my craft desk and closet, but that is another matter).
Once upon a time the shelves in our library were organized. Full, but organized. And then they got fuller. And fuller. And books were stacked in front of the shelves. And the back bookcase which housed only books I had been lent, finally collapsed under the weight of the unread books.
I love love love when people lend me books. But it was all being mixed in, at this point, with a feeling of obligation. I'd hear about a new book or be gifted something and put it aside because of the feeling that I would have to read all these other ones first.
So then I just didn't read any of them. Books continued to pile up, and topple over, and though that once brought my joy and comfort it now overwhelmed me.
So my last goal was to clear out all these books and organize them again.
And this goal I actually did. I returned more than 75 books to people who lent them to me - even though I kept well over 100. I donated boxes of books that I have read and won't reread and didn't feel a need to keep. I transferred books to my classroom and gifted some to students. I reorganized books onto shelves, bought and assembled a book cart, and organized it with priority reads and smaller TBR lists.
In the process of all of this, I discovered three things.
First, it reenergized my reading. All of a sudden there were books I wanted to read. Furthermore, I could find them. And I didn't feel so guilty about getting a new book I wanted, or returning one I didn't want anymore.
Secondly, I am a mood reader and a seasonal reader. What I want to read lying in the sun on my deck in July is not the same thing I want to read while getting in the mood to celebrate spooky season now, or when I am contemplative and watching Hallmark movies at Christmas.
And finally, my reading tastes have changed over the years. Most of the books on my shelves, particularly those lent to me, were historical fiction. I still love historical fiction, don't get me wrong, but now I also don't hesitate to pick up a cozy mystery, or something more 'beach read' in tone. And while I have always preached to read what you want, and don't hesitate to DNF a book that isn't speaking to you, and that there is value in every book, I don't think I ever internalized that in terms of me and my personal reading habits.
All of this to say, after clearing out and reorganizing the library, I feel rejuvenated with reading. I will continue to unhaul and reorganize and consider the books as time goes on, and the other parts of the library are far from done, but just spending time with these books has rekindled a love of reading for me.
So all that to say, one goal completed. One adjusted, and one to go.
25 books.
Let's see where we are at, shall we?
The Jane Austen Society ~ Natalie Jenner (2020)*
The Crucible ~ Arthur Miller (1953)*
Bend Her ~ Cassie Alexander (2023)
Three Cups of Tea ~ Greg Mortenson (2007)*
Gift From the Sea ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1955)*
City of Girls ~ Elizabeth Gilbert (2019)*
The Umhoneymooners ~ Christina Lauren (2019)
The Weekender: A Cottage Journal ~ Roy MacGregor (2005)*
Sisterhood Everlasting ~ Ann Brashares (2011)*
Just for the Summer ~ Abby Jimenez (2024)
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings ~ Allen Oh, et al. (2018)*
Carmilla ~ J. Sheridan Le Fanu (1872)
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe ~ Laurie Gilmore (2023)
Practical Magic ~ Alice Hoffman (1995)
The Invisible Hour ~ Alice Hoffman (2023)*
Carrie ~ Stephen King (1974)*
In the Company of Witches ~ Auralee Wallace (2021)
The Haunting ~ Natasha Preston (2023)
Pumpkin Spice and Pour-Overs ~ Elise Kennedy (2022)
*Denotes books owned (or borrowed) previous to this year. * (current count 10/19)
What are you currently reading? I'd love to hear from you if you have any recommendations!
Комментарии