Do you do the Goodreads reading challenge? Where you set yourself a reading goal and then log your books and challenge yourself to achieve that goal? I halfheartedly did it last year and did not reach my goal. I was lazy and did not keep up with the logging part, which likely threw me off track not knowing how close or far I was from that grand number of books I was hoping to read. I think I read about the same number of books last year as the year before--more or less.
So this year I set the goal and have been religiously logging my finishes (even if I am still not really writing about them). Not only am I on track but I am currently two books ahead of schedule. To keep life simple I set myself the same goal this year as I did last year in the hopes I can at least manage to reach it. This probably sounds really shallow, but I also look at the year to date books read that shows the covers and turn a semi-critical eye towards what I am reading--what my reading "looks like". Are these the books I am going to look at at the end of the year with an approving eye or am I going to wonder how I ended up reading so much fluff? I know in the long run the only thing that matters is that I enjoy what I am reading, but there is always some little part of me that wants to keep things tidy and a little challenging.
And case in point-reading for pleasure. After carefully selecting ten detective stories/mysteries to choose from, I promptly picked up another book entirely. I had decided on Sara Paretsky, thinking it was time to finally meet V.I. Warshawski, but I could not find the first book in the series, which I am sure I own (and have tucked away somewhere safely--so safe I could not easily find it). So that goes to the back-burner.
Sitting there on the top of the pile of mass market murder mysteries is the second Ruth Galloway book, The Janus Stone. I read and loved the first book years ago and have ever since meant to get back to the series, particularly since the first ended in a sort of cliff hanger. So, why not. And I am so glad I did as I find myself wanting to keep reaching for it even when I know I need to make a little progress in some other book. And I love the new Mariner mass market editions, which have been released for the first four books. I hope they release more books in these editions. They are the perfect size--fit nicely in the hand and have the sort of spines that allow the pages to fall open easily. Nice book design can really make for a better reading experience.
I have also added Lettice Cooper's The New House to my reading pile. It was one of my potential prompt books for May and as I finished a novel it was time to choose another one. I have at least two different editions of the book, yet I have no idea why it has taken me so long to get around to reading it. Another story I have easily fallen into and am finding completely absorbing. If I am not reading Ruth Galloway's story I want to be there as the Powells move house!
I think this weekend is definitely going to be a matter of need more reading time as I am reading too many good books at once! I need to catch up on the recent books I have finished. I have read a few especially good books and I want to at least mention them briefly. Until then (hopefully next week), I will leave you with a few (in a case or two--long overdue)) links.
I found more than a few new-to-me and I really want to read books on this list of thirty-three new ones to look forward to this summer!
I always knew this (or thought it to be true), but here is scientific evidence--even just living with books (all those unread books--sigh--I am trying my hardest to squeeze in as many as I can, but you know how that goes) makes you smarter.
Totally looking forward to going through this list of 50 great thrillers by women writers (how many have I read or want to read . . . and how many more will I add to my reading pile).
The Anthony Award nominations are out!
Getting ready for summer Noir, French style!
And maybe this weekend I can finally catch up with this State of the Mystery discussion. And part 2!
Have a great weekend everyone!