Tag: Personal Page 8 of 14

New Bookstore! Rediscovered Bookshop in Caldwell

On November 27, 2019

I’ve mentioned Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise a time or three (or more)—it’s my go-to Independent Bookstore and has been for a long time. Well, last week they opened a new location—in my county, about 11 miles closer to me (but it seems closer than that). Which is good, I’ve been trying (and not really succeeding) to do a better job of shopping indie and doing less online, but it’s just too inconvenient to get into Downtown Boise as often as I want to. I expect (hope?) that this new location will make it easier for me to stick to my resolution.

I managed to stop by tonight for the first time, and walked away with a nice little haul (sorry for my poor photo quality):

I saw The White Man’s Guide to White Male Writers of the Western Canon out of the corner of my eye—kudos to whoever shelved it. This looks like a lot of fun. And what’s a trip to a bookstore without a good impulse buy?

And a 1975 hardcover edition of Rex Stout’s A Family Affair—it’s a book club edition, not the original printing, but it’s close enough. Best of all, I got it for a song. I’d have paid 5x what they asked for without blinking (Mrs. Irresponsible Reader probably would’ve blinked, though).

Lastly—and this is the personal touch that makes local indie stores invaluable—I was trying to special order a copy of Tom Jones, but one of the clerks insisted they had a copy. Their inventory didn’t show one, but he went off and looked through books that hadn’t been entered yet and came back with this spiffy hardcover in a slipcase. No online store is going to do that.

The location is fantastic—there’s a coffee shop right across the street, and right now there’s an ice skating rink, too. The space is great—and you can’t ask for friendlier, more helpful staff. It’s got it all.

Trying to Plan the Rest of 2019/Cutting Myself Some Slack

By HCNewton

On November 11, 2019

In Books, News/Misc.

I’ve been feeling really under the gun lately—I’ve mentioned (I think) that I over-committed for Sept./Oct. I still have 2 books I told authors I’d read in October (and one other to write about). Plus a few new releases that I meant to read this fall that aren’t so new anymore. I still have one book that I’m committed for this month, and a short one next month (maybe one more in there…I’ll check my calendar later). Plus a handful of things that are on my “I will read this in 2019” list.

For some reason that I have trouble articulating (and I know that some of you get this, and many of you don’t understand), between some of those goals and the 50 days remaining in 2019, I’m feeling a lot of pressure.

All self-imposed, I realize, but that doesn’t change it.

So you know what I did this weekend? I took a look at a few of the things on my “Must Read in 2019” list and put them on the “Probably Get to in 2020” list. Including 5 library books—one habit I fell into (pre-blogging even) is that a library due date trumps just about anything else when it comes to reading. And I don’t take things back to the Library until I’ve read them. These are on their way back, though. I would’ve taken care of them Saturday, but it was too late by the time I decided this.

Fewer books on the “Must Read” list equals fewer books on the “Must Write About” list. Which is good—because that list is still ridiculously long. But I’ll do what I can, I’ll be a little briefer about some things than I want to be (some things), and probably do a few more “Quick Takes” posts.

You know what? I felt so much freer just by giving myself that option. And yeah, I realize that I’m probably not still going to be able to finish everything on my “Must” lists this year, but it seems a little more attainable.

I’m not saying that feeling is going to last, or that I’m not going to find a new way to apply stupid pressure to myself. But for now…I’ll take it.

Right after I scheduled this post (naturally), I saw these tweets from David W at FanFiAddict:

Which tie in nicely to this post on their blog (also, one I didn’t see until after I wrote this). Followers and ARCs aren’t my hangups (well, occasionally that ARC thing, but I get over it pretty easily). It’s the reading and writing pace (as people who’ve been here for a bit know all too well). “Just remember: THIS ISN’T YOUR JOB. You started a blog to share your enjoyment of books with others…Don’t fret over what you can’t do, but be excited about what you can.” That’s exactly what I was trying to tell myself. It was reassuring to see someone else say that about the same time. Thanks, David!

The Mail I Get. . .An Unexpected Blast from the Past

By HCNewton

On October 21, 2019

In Books, News/Misc.

Imagine my surprise last week when I received this submission from my “You Want Me to Read Your Book?” form (slightly redacted to protect the sender):

I’m not sure this is the wisest thing I’ve ever done. In fact, it seems somewhat irrational, considering you found my last book a bit like chewing on glass [HCN: That’s an exaggeration. Possibly not much of one, but it’s an exaggeration. It was maybe like chewing on kale. Or stale Grape Nuts (which is more glass-like)] Maybe worse, because nothing is as bad as a bad book. But here I am again. Back for more.

Now, I’m not a sadist. I’m actually fairly thinned-skin. I realize, however, that of all my reviews, yours was the one that taught me the most. Getting five, four, or even three-star reviews feels great—but it does little in making me a better writer. Difficult as it was to swallow, your two-star review helped me immensely as a writer. You put your finger on why my book didn’t work and revealed many of the flaws in my writing. It eventually prompted me to go back and release a second edition of the book, one that is hopefully less overwrought and far more accessible than the version you read.

And so, I’m back for more. Because I’m hoping in having you review another book I might continue my growth towards being a better writer. Who knows, maybe, maybe not.

Anyway, I have a second book out… It is much more accessible… I would love to have you read it. Anyway, I hope you’re well. Happy reading,

Now, I have a habit of ignoring emails from authors I don’t give positive reviews to. It’s a habit I forced on myself after one horrible experience with someone I gave a positive review to, but he objected to one point; and an insult-filled rant from another author who didn’t appreciate me calling his pile of trash a pile of trash. If this author’s name had done more than ring a faint bell, I probably would’ve skipped it, too. But I’m very glad I didn’t. This is great to read — not because of what he said about me, but because he found a way to take something he didn’t like said about his work and turn it into a positive. Would that we all could do that.

Of course, I’m going to say yes to this. How can I do otherwise?

Library Haul 8/3/19, My Eyes are Bigger than My Stomach

By HCNewton

On August 3, 2019

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., Red Rising

Sometimes it really hurts when most of your Library Hold list becomes available at the same time.

Case in point:

That’s my library haul for today. 1,654 pages of reading ahead of me—1,410 pages of which are due back on 8/17. Sure, that’s a very doable number, but at least a thousand of those pages are going to be slow work. Oh, and there’s the new Robert Crais book that should be arriving in my mailbox Tuesday (and you know I can’t let that sit around unread).

Honestly, it’s not that big of a problem (and a great problem to have!), but man…I look at that stack and just feel tired. Anyone else ever do this to themselves?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (or Ten Minutes)

By HCNewton

On July 29, 2019

In News/Misc.

5 Stars
So a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I’m wanting to toy with the look and functionality of this site. I spent time I should’ve been reading/writing and have a rough draft completed. Before I spend a few more hours launching it, I’d like a few eyeballs to take a look, give me some feedback. I know all too well that I’d let something simple slip by* or an eyesore. I’m hoping to get 10 +/- volunteers (in addition to the handful of people I volunteered).

* Actually, while doing this, I found a major problem with this current theme—Tuesday night will likely involve too much time fixing it (never you mind the fact that no one’s said anything about it for years, I know it’s there).

If you’re willing Drop me a quick line—make sure to include an email address (which I’ll forget about right after using). In return for any feedback, you’ll be eligible to receive 5% of all the profits I make from this thing in 2019 (which means you may end up owing me $5).

Thanks!

And now, a bonus video, because I can’t get this performance out of my head after I typed that Post Title.

Happy Blogiversary to Me!

By HCNewton

On May 29, 2019

In Calendar Items, News/Misc.

You can really tell that graphic design isn’t my thing, can’t you?

While looking for something else this weekend, I found my kick-off post from this day in 2013.

2,279 Posts Later, here we are — I’ve already posted almost as many posts this year as I did that first year and had almost 6x the visitors. Guess it’s safe to say that things have grown a bit. My traffic isn’t what I dreamed it might be early on, and likely won’t be — but I’m honestly a little stunned every time I look at my stats. That many people have dropped by????

More important than the numbers — I’ve had a blast doing this. I’ve read so many great things — many, many things I’d never have even heard of without this blog. I’ve corresponded with more great authors than I can think of — and best of all, there’s you readers.

I want to thank all of you for your time, your comments, your encouragement — occasionally, your editing. I assure you that every view, every like, every comment, every retweet, every email is encouraging and I can’t thank you enough. Hopefully, I remember to say that more regularly.

Awkward Moments in Book Blogging

By HCNewton

On April 8, 2019

In Books, News/Misc.

This weekend I received a request to review an indie published book from the author. His name rang a bell, so I assumed I knew him from twitter or had read him before.

Yup. I had read him before. The same book, actually, two years ago. Clearly, record-keeping isn’t his strong suit. But, that’s no big deal. I figured I’d hit him with the URL to my original post, say something jokey in response, and call it a day.

But, I hated the book — gave it 1 1/2 stars. My post on it was sketchy, because to really get into what I thought of the book, I said, “it’d just be mean.”

So, yeah, I think this’ll be one of those emails I forget to reply to…

Where the Magic Happens…or something

By HCNewton

On March 26, 2019

In News/Misc.

So, I’m just too tired to write anything real tonight — besides, I have to wait until next week before I can talk about most of what I’ve read lately. So let’s do a little behind the scenes . . .

Three years ago when I switched to a day job, my reading habits had to change — among other things. It took almost no time at all to realize that reading in the break room just wasn’t going to work — it was too loud, there were too many things going on, you couldn’t sit by yourself, really. And then there were all these nice people wanting to talk.

Actually, people in general being around was something to get used to, but that’s another story.

Then I realized that there were perfectly good stairs a lot closer to my work space than the break room was. So I started hanging out there and reading — sometimes, sitting on the stairs, other times leaning against the railing — it’s at a decent height for that. Nowadays, that’s where 40-60% of my weekday reading happens while on break.

It’s not perfectly quiet, but it’s close enough. Except when the flautist practices every couple of months. There are people who pass through — and some of them talk to me, but the conversations are short — because they’re on their way to somewhere else. Sometimes it’s just a “hi,” occasionally I workshop ideas for posts here when someone asks about what I’m reading. I’ve even been given a couple of good recommendations.

Now, the keen-eyed among you might have noticed a couple of post-its on the wall (circled below).

So, for a couple of years people would joke about putting up a sign where I read with my name on it or something (more than one person has suggested getting me a chair). But last December, I moved to a different floor, and within a month, someone had put up the larger post-it reading “[H. C.]’s Reading Spot.” This would be in the larger circle.

A couple of weeks later, that person asked if I liked my sign. I had to confess that I had no clue what she was talking about and apologized profusely. Who pays attention to the walls along the stairs? Especially when you’re not climbing the stairs, but are focused on the book/eReader in your hand. So when I went out for my next break, I went looking for it — and she’d added another post-it (the smaller one), “<– This is the sign.”

Very helpful.

So, yeah, that’s where I read and recharge from all the interaction with people so I have enough energy to get back to work and interact with more people.

Sure, it’s not as snazzy as some of the reading nooks you see on Instagram, Bookstr, etc. It could be more comfortable, that’s for sure. But I’ve gotta say, when the book is halfway decent, I don’t notice. That’s where the magic happens.

Looking back at 2018 for Books and the Blog

By HCNewton

On January 1, 2019

In Calendar Items, News/Misc.

As we kick off 2019, I wanted to take a glance back at 2018. 258 books read (plus comics, picture books, short stories, and the like that I don’t know how to count) — I exceeded my goal (nothing like exceeding an arbitrary number to boost the ol’ ego), 380 posts (short of my goal by a couple hundred, and worse — 15 fewer than 2017, which was down from 2016. This is a trend that I need to reverse). I had some strong gains in traffic — views and visitors — actually, strong gains doesn’t quite cut it. Consider my mind boggled. I’m also seeing good growth in followers here and on various social media fronts, which is encouraging as all get out — not just growth in numbers, but I’m actually interacting with people (and vice versa).

So here’s my breakdown of books by genre, like the one I did last year. Genre labeling is more difficult this year, I read a lot of hybrids, but I tend to go with the overarching genre (for example, Brassley’s The Drifting Lands books are fantasy novels in a SF setting, I went with Fantasy). Mystery/Suspense/Thriller is back to where it should be. Fantasy jumped up a bit, and Urban Fantasy took a dive. It’s been forever since I’ve read a Western, I guess (at least one that wasn’t a hybrid with Urban Fantasy or SF or something) — and I had to add a category for Poetry. Theological books went down in actual numbers, not just percent — but I read some big, technical stuff this year that take a lot of time/energy to read, so I’m not too bothered by that. Still, for someone who doesn’t plan too thoroughly, the percentages stay remarkably the same from year to year — tastes (and series I follow) apparently stay the same.

Genre	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
Children’s	11 (4%)	7 (3%)	5 (2%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Fantasy	30 (11%)	7 (3%)	31 (13%)	17 (9%)	11 (7%)	15 (8%)	12 (6%)
General Fiction/ Literature	22 (8%)	29 (10%)	27 (11%)	17 (9%)	7 (4%)	30 (16%)	30 (14%)
Horror	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (.4%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Humor	3 (1%)	1 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (1%)	3 (2%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller	107 (38%)	102 (37%)	61 (25%)	64 (34%)	62 (37%)	63 (33%)	73 (35%)
Non-Fiction	22 (8%)	10 (4%)	11 (5%)	8 (4%)	4 (2%)	2 (1%)	11 (5%)
Poetry	1 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Science Fiction	25 (9%)	27 (10%)	37 (15%)	16 (8%)	17 (10%)	14 (7%)	11 (5%)
Steampunk	3 (1%)	1 (0%)	2 (1%)	7 (4%)	3 (2%)	3 (2%)	11 (5%)
Theology/ Christian Living	25 (9%)	30 (11%)	33 (14%)	42 (22%)	42 (25%)	37 (19%)	10 (5%)
Urban Fantasy	29 (10%)	45 (16%)	36 (15%)	19 (10%)	20 (12%)	26 (14%)	48 (23%)
Western	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (0%)

Enough about me. I want to talk about you, who keep me going and show an interest in what I’m doing here and give some thanks to people for their impact on The Irresponsible Reader (the blog and the person) in 2018:
Thanks to everyone for your comments/feedback — texts, emails, comments here/BookLikes/Goodreads, tweets, FB comments, even the occasional Face-to-Face conversation. Keep it up! I really appreciate the time you took to leave feedback. Hopefully you can tell that you’ve shaped the conversation here — it has, I assure you. Many of you are pushing me to be better writers — some of you push me to read better books.
Flattered thanks to (in no particular order): 500words, Ethan Bayes, Haden Clark, Amy Sparks, lynnm2018, Paula Bardell-Hedley, BookieWookie, awritersramblings446569187, Somya Gujjar, LFBooks, andrea bindi, rimpytoor, Jakirra Ballard, Beardy Book Blogger, A D Solomon, spacefaith1 (thanks for the follow, but not linking to that banner pic, sorry), Alicia Reads, Arrowhead Freelance and Publishing, Stephanie, Tim Miller, KL, [there was going to be another name here, but I’m pretty sure it’s merely an attempt to get us all to buy iffy tourist packages to the UK], ankandas, Jess T., steamstefny, millennialdrowning, Merv, Danielle The Bookworm, damppebbles, oddandbookish, Samantha Loves To Read, irevuo, factfictionfake, savageddt, Charlie De Luca, Higginbotham Publications, Carla Alexandra Rodrigues, jstlouise, Sritha Bandla, James Remmer, moviewarden, Eva Newermann, glenn van nostrand, T.Jaye, Tatiana Ketchum, linaprosserr, annhwkns77, Allie Sumner, lindsayjohnna, thisischechewinnie, vibealittle, cagedunn, Aspen Kendrick, atozmom, https://crossfitmomm.com/, jendionne10, figlia dei fiori, Deb / Being Aunt Debbie, Dog Training Guidance, Cristian Mihai, pitchstory, Jordan Peters, A Star on the Forehead, Tiana (The Book Raven), V Ramasamy, dpranita583 (don’t click on that link if you’re hungry, btw), Peg Glover, SAM, http120111324 (which is one of the stranger monikers I’ve come across online, but I’m pretty sure there’s a person behind this), Clarissa, Jenn, Leah’s Bookish Obsession,Johnny, EduPub, Liv Miles, simplymyswank, Adam Wall, RABT Book Tours and PR, Cali’s bookcamp, lifecanbebeautifulyolo, wisdomfromafather, Ola G, francestaylorblg, ingrid baker, blgkaelabl, Equipping, Williwash, angelgwapaxd, SindrElf, mithilamohan0123, Redeemed Three, The Godly Chic Diaries, littleliteraturekc, pinnaclemotivation, wittysarcasticbookclub, AlbertHolmes, The Sunday Feeling, hellotheregigi, Moonlight Snow, Fashion-Creative thinking, jennifertarheelreader, Jenniely, Pinklotus76, Word Hunter, Russell Deasley, february87, Ontheminds, awesomeyou, whinney, Di Salvo Cambiamento, Arganise Campbell, and Shalini for being new followers (at least for a post or two) of the blog (in one of its forms) this year — the size of this list shocks me, and I hope you all got at least something out of it. (I sincerely hope I didn’t miss anyone)
Hearty thanks to (in no particular order): Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris, David Baldacci, Scott Brick, Joel R. Beeke, Harry Bingham, Haya Magner, Miri Leshem-Peli, James Alan Gardner, Nick Offerman, Seanan McGuire, Douglas Light, Francis Portela, Samuel Renihan, Ian Rankin, Gregg Hurwitz, Jody Houser, Pere Pérez, Marguerite Sauvage, Colleen Doran, Preston Randall, Dennis Maley, Thomas Perry, Michael Kramer, Aman Mittal, Charles St. Anthony, Rod A. Walters, Vincent Chu, Sean Grigsby, Benedict Jacka, Gildart Jackson, Michael Allen, Pierce Brown, Peta Lemon, Maria Dasic Todoric, Neil Simon, Max Casella, Peter Michael Goetz, Valerie Harper, Alexana Lambros, Anna Sophie Loewenberg, Jonathan Silverman, Joyce Van Patten, JW Bowe, Katherine Moennig, Alex Wells, Simon Garfield, in60learning, Ryan McGraw, Myke Cole, Joe Ponepinto, David Ahern, B.C.R. Fegan, Lenny Wen, Nurit Zvolon, Rotem Lots-Zaiden, Stephanie Marland, John Hughson, Ali Smith, Sergey Grechishkin, K. J. Howe, Darrell Drake, Marissa Meyer, Stephen Gilpin, Yaakov Malkin, Shmuel Sermoneta-Gertel, Steven Brust, Michael J. Kruger, Kevin Hearne, Tom Rachman, Carolyn Arnold, Walter Kerr, Steve Cavanagh, Barb Taub, David W. Barbee, Mercedes Lackey, Luca Veste, Patricia Briggs, Lorelei King, P. G. Wodehouse, Simon Prebble, Drew Magary, Christopher Lane, Ace Atkins, Cassandra Khaw, Vern Poythress, Rica Newbery, Alan S. Kessler, J. K. Rowling, Jim Dale, Michael R. Underwood, Alex Bledsoe, The Babylon Bee, Jim Butcher, James Marsters, Nicky Peacock, Malka Ann Older, Simon Hall, Stephanie Tromly, Kathleen McInerney, Faith Hunter, Khristine Hvam, Dan O’Brien, Janet Elizabeth Croon, Michael Koryta, Rick Riordan, Michael Crouch, Aida Rascanu, Beatrice Magrini, Ian Patrick, George Guidall, Simon Bower, Paul F. Yeulett, Delilah S. Dawson, Todd Miles, Layton Green, Michael Connelly, Marie Brennan, Susan Duerden, Rhett Dodson, E. J. Copperman, Jeff Cohen, Jenny T. Colgan, Russell Day, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows, Katherine Kellgren, Ken Jennings, Mark Dever, Luke Daniels, Derek W. H. Thomas, Willie Davis, Jeffery H. Haskell, Reed Farrel Coleman, Dave Barry, Becky Chambers, Lee Goldberg, Beth Mattson, Paul Cornell, Coleman Alexander, Duncan MacMaster, Lisa Lutz, Nick Kolakowski, Jodi Taylor, Chris von Halle, Gail Honeyman, Erica Wright, Joseph Brassey, James Stansfield, M. W. Craven, Andrew Cartmel, Darrin Doyle, Chuck Waldron, Derek & Dave Philpott, Jordan Harper, Amy Stewart, Rebecca BradleyRebecca Bradley, Nicholas Eames, Mark David Zaslove, Fonda Lee, Nicholas Petrie, A. Lee Martinez, Cristelle Comby, Carrie Vaughn, Marguerite Gavin, Jo Platt, J.C. Jackson, Bradley Horner, Jeremy Billups, Jasper Fforde, Emily Gray, Clare Blanchard, Holter Graham, Russel D. McLean, Sinclair Ferguson, Brent Jones, Kevin DeYoung, Cheryl Denise Bannerman, Robert Galbraith, Nevin Martell, Jeremy Arthur, Gail Carriger, Craig Johnson, Greg van Eekhout, Mark Manson, Roger Wayne, Robin Sloan, Therese Plummer, Ruth Sutton, Ben Aaronovitch, Mike Lupica, Andrew Field, Michael Connelly, D. G. Hart, Donald S. Whitney, Joe Ide, Margaret Stohl, Julia Whelan, Gary Raymond, Mark Eglinton, Spencer Quinn, Jim Frangione, Rob Sinclair, Julie Klam, Karen White, Jenn Stroud Rossmann, Arline Cooper, S.L. Huang, Richard B. Gaffin, John Marrs, Jon Rance, Jay Stringer, Napoleon Ryan Heather Wilds, Matt Phillips, Cassandra Gelvin, Christopher A. Hutchinson, Guy Prentiss Waters, Nick Spalding, Sarah Knight, Anna Willett, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Laura Hicks, Gregory Mcdonald, Dan John Miller, Meghan Scott Molin, Ben Sasse, David Rosenfelt, Grover Gardner, Matthew Hanover, J. F. Pandolfi, Steph Broadribb, Lee Child, Betsy Reavley, Mary Oliver, John Burgoyne, Matt Cowper, Jon Voss, GJ Moffat, Nicholson Baker, Bill Todd, Raj Haldar, Chris Carpenter, Maria Beddia, Kurt Scheffler, Janet Evanovich, Winston Graham, Danny E. Olinger, John Owen, Russell T. Davies, Marie Lu and Will Damron this blog would be nothing without your efforts, your blood, sweat, tears, fears, work, love, dreams, hopes, art and words. Your books were my companions throughout this year, and I can’t thank you enough for them (and I hope I get to spend time with many of you again soon!).
More thanks to all those who requested that I read and talk about your (or your clients’) books. I know how much the work, effort, heart, and everything that went into your books. It’s super humbling, I know you all didn’t like what I said, but, I am grateful for the opportunity. Sorry, I didn’t list you all by name this year, but I’d have forgotten one (am making a better effort on this in 2019).
Many thanks to David Ahern, Nick Kolakowski, Chuck Waldron, Derek and Dave Philpott, and Matt Cowper for taking time out of your busy schedules to answer a few quick questions with me this year! (Note to self: I did too few of these this year, work on that).
A special thanks to my wife. Without your support, indulgence and patience this thing wouldn’t exist — and I’d read a lot less (the horror!). Thank you. I love you.
And thank you all for reading. Honestly, each time I get a notification of a like, or a share, or a follow, etc. it makes my day. To know that someone took a couple of seconds or more out of their day to glance at this? It means the world to me. Thanks.

Have a great 2019, hope you find plenty of good things to read!

2019 Reading Goals/Plans/Expectations

By HCNewton

On December 31, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

All this needs to be taken with a grain of salt, obviously. Maybe a salt lick. Remembering all too well the poet’s lines:

But Mousie, thou art no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!

So, I’ve got 6 Reading Challenges in the hopper — I looked at a number of others, but these are the ones that clicked with me. Last year was the first that I really got into Reading Challenges, and appreciated the way they made me think about what I was reading (and outside of maybe 3 or 4 books, they didn’t direct my reading).

Additionally, I’m going to focus on bringing down the number of books in my Physical and Electronic TBR Pile/Mound/Heap (33 and 21, respectively, not counting review copies). Those numbers aren’t as big as some people’s, I realize. But that’s 2 months and change of reading if I read nothing else. This is a personal challenge, that I’m dubbing The Reader Who Went up a Mountain but Came down a Hill. We’ll see how well that works.

I’m also going to finish off my Rebus-catch up, I’m going to try to read the rest of the DC Fiona Griffiths (although I’ve been saying that for 2 years now), and I want to read every Fredrik Backman novel I can get my hands on. Actually accomplishing these three would only chip away two books from the above mountain…

But mostly, I’m going to focus on “Serendipity and Whim” like Alan Jacobs talks about. By all means feel free to throw suggestions at me.