Bookish Thoughts for December
It’s the end of 2023 and time to analyze this year’s reading. The stats I’ll share came from my Goodreads “My Year in Books” review. According to Goodreads (and my own note-taking), I’m wrapping up 2023 with 228 books read. That is less than 2022 (265), but more than 2021 (179). The goal I loosely held for 2023 was 200 books and I made it. According to Goodreads, I read 67,535 pages which averages about 296 pages a book. I find stats like this super fun… and kind of nerdy (I’m good with that).
Do you ever unintentionally fall into habits that become routines which become strict “must-do” items on your to-do list? Okay, maybe just me. I unintentionally started the habit of sharing what book I’m reading on my Instagram stories every Wednesday for 2023. It was fun to share 52 books in 2023, but I’m pondering if I will continue this into 2024. I never intended to make it a goal for year and somehow it become one. Since I’m a creature of habit, I have a feeling I’ll be posting my current read this Wednesday.
Another book goal of the year was to get my kids one book month to deliberately pace my book shopping. While they started the year super enthusiastic to pick a book each month, the energy has diminished some. If I bought them exclusively Pokémon books, they would probably be more excited, but I tend to push for diversity. Also, there are new Christmas books to be read, so I might pause on book purchases (for them) until new material is needed. We’ll see how long I last…
I added seven new books to my home library this month and I added quite a few titles to my Amazon Book Wish List. I went through my Goodreads and selected many 4 stars books that I’ve enjoyed and added them to my wish list. I also took note of books I’ve read on my Kindle multiple times and I now wish to give shelf space to these titles. I love reading on my Kindle and it gives me access to so many books, but I’m still in love with the printed page. I hope to add more to my home library after my January birthday. I try to pace myself when it comes to book shopping.
I don’t quite know what 2024 holds when it comes to reading goals. I counted pages for the first time in 2023 and that was interesting. I’ll probably continue to do so in 2024. I’ll most likely keep posting my current read on Wednesday in Instagram. I will set my Goodreads book goal at 100 again and see where the reading takes me. I have hopes to increase my read-aloud time with my boys. I’m also leading a book club with the elementary class at our homeschool co-op this winter. I’ll spend six weeks going through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Owen is thrilled for my class and Graham is skeptical I can make a book club fun. I’m hopeful that my mix of reading, visuals (aka short movie clips), and hand-on activities will engage a wide range of readers (and non-readers). Finger crossed and prayers appreciated!
As you can see, I’m going into 2024 with books being top priority, no surprise. A reading life is a good life. May good books and great stories find you (and me) in 2024!
Top Picks for December
The Book List for December
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.
Non-Fiction:
- Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar – 3 stars
- The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin – 5 stars
- Jim Trelease’s Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition by by Jim Trelease and Cyndi Giorgis – 4 stars
Fiction:
- Christmas in Paradise by Brittany Larsen – 4 stars
- The Grumpy Side of Paradise by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
- (Not So) Famous in Paradise by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
- Second Chance Springs (novella) in Paradise by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
- Dizzy in Love (novella) by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
- The Royal’s Enemy (novella) by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
- One Small Secret (novella) by Esther Hatch – 3 stars
- Jingle Bell Jilt (novella) by Mindy Burbidge Strunk – 3 stars
- Merry Kismet (novella) by Anneka Walker – 3 stars
- A Sugar Creek Christmas (novella) by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
- His Mistletoe Miracle (novella) by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
- The Holiday Husband by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
- The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel – 4 stars (really 4.5 if I divert from Goodreads ratings)
- Just Friends Forever by Martha Keyes – 3 stars
- Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
- Love on Deck by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
- Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend (novella) by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
- Rent Yourself an Elf (novella) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
- Single All the Way (novella) by Kate Watson – 3 stars
- New York, New Year, New You (novella) by Rachael Bloome – 3 stars
- Skyward by Brandon Sanderson – 3 stars
Side Note: While the authors may not have advertised the books as such, I have labeled any book under 250 pages as a novella this month. It seems this title can be fluid, especially with independently published books. Even I vacillate on what I view as a novella. My opinion tends to be under 200-250 pages, a book should be called a novella.
Amy Scott's Thoughts 