Last January, I had 24 titles on my #MustReadin2015 list and lots of reading ambition!
During 2015, I was able to complete 18 titles from the list. As the end of the month neared I had mixed feelings about this. First I felt reader guilt or book list pressure or some such anxiety. But then I relaxed. I read 75% of my list. 18 titles that had special place for in my reading life. I liked them all. Some, I loved. Some of these I might have forgotten about and the list guaranteed I didn’t.
The six titles I didn’t get to? They aren’t going anywhere. And, I will get to them if the reading stars align. Some I had on my shelf from the library and then had to return because they were requested. Some I wasn’t in the mood for at the particular time I planned to read them. A few I am saving for a different time.
The thing about reading any book? The experience leads somewhere interesting. New thoughts, new books, new ideas. All worth it. The joy of reading is endless!
Some highlights from my list?
I am going to share reading experiences rather than book summaries. If I have read the book, there will be comments or reviews somewhere on this blog.
Reading Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell introduced me to a new to me writer and I went on to read Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms and The Wolf Wilder. All three – fantastic books! I now have a new can’t miss author.
I was blessed to read Jack by Liesl Shurliff aloud to my class from last year – the year before we read Rump. When the students found out that Liesl had 2 more books coming following Rump,their initial excitement turned to despair. “But we won’t get to read them together!” Reading Jack with the same group of students was such a pleasure. As links between the stories occurred, eyes lit up and smiles erupted.
Some of these titles are attached to particular holiday memories. I read some during the early morning hours of vacations while the rest of the house slept. I look at some of these titles and I can recall being teary, fearful, relieved or just plain comforted about human kind.
I found some favourite characters that have stuck with me.
Albert from Fish in a Tree written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt He is the kind of understated hero everyone needs to know.
The boys and the Dads from The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy. I loved the beautiful, messy, busy, loving family vibe.
Benjamin in Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart I couldn’t sleep worrying about this guy. Such a book.
I thought about making my list smaller for 2016. Wouldn’t that mean I would have a better chance of completing the list? Maybe. But then I decided that I needed wiggle room. Room for “in the mood” choices. Room to be led in other directions. My list for 2016 is likely going to be 30 titles long and I’m aiming to read most of them. And I can already guarantee that that is going to be absolutely okay. 🙂
Want to know more about #MustReadin2015? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read in 2015 lists.
Thinking about joining us for 2016? Please do! Make a list and read some, none or all of the titles on it. Reading is amazing but reading plans are pretty wonderful too! Just reading all of the lists is a great reason to pour a big cup of coffee and do some book dreaming!
We will be sharing lists beginning January 5th 2016! Please join in using the hashtag #mustreadin2016 or by leaving me a comment on this blog.
There's a Book for That 