Where has the year gone? I really did plan on checking in here more often than I have. (That is a wanted to do). I have been reading, though my reading is, as usual, ALL over the place. (Did and doing). I have lots of ideas of where I would like to go in the coming year. (Might do?). How do I possibly catch up now, however.
Last time I was here Typepad was having issues with book/reading lists, so I gave that up. In reality I have a Lot of books in progress. I have a lot of carryovers from last year. Dare I share them here? Maybe a curated list of what I want to finish or take forward into the new year. I have been weeding my book collection and trying (very hard) to think about what I would take with me if/when I downsize my life. Very difficult task. I have been much better at letting books go that I have read and finished and am likely not going to revisit. More of that needs to happen and will. Library books rule!
Is it worth now filling in all the books I read this year here on my sidebar (they are listed in Goodreads, of which I have very mixed feelings about). One of the things I started was a physical journal where my plan was to (yes by hand) write out all the books I have read since beginning this blog and continuing on (because in my world paper is not dead). I think I made it through a few years but it languishes (like so many projects). And what to do about 'here'. Is Tyepad and the blogging world becoming obsolete. Does anyone actually ever pass through here anymore? I am absent online quite a lot, but how do I connect up with virtual friends, if not here.
First a little housekeeping. My current reads/books I am dipping into or do want to finish reading.
Bellewether, Susanna Kearsley -- Bit of a slow burn. Lots of interesting historical information and a dual timeline story. I think I prefer the historical story over the contemporary one. Will either of the heroines actually get together with the heroes? Remains to be seen, but I am going to keep going and find out.
Small Bomb at Dimperley, Lissa Evans -- Post WWII setting and I have heard good things about. Poor hardcover means I am reluctant to carry it about with me and have been seduced by other books, but I will get back to it.
Tides, Sarah Freeman -- Short paragraphs spaced out and I should have finished a long time ago, but the story deals with some trauma and I find myself not reaching for it as I should.
Remember Love, Mary Balogh -- She is a reliable comfort read for me--in the vein of Georgette Heyer. Not steamy really, but certainly more intimate than Mrs. Heyer.
Death of an Author, E.C.R. Lorac -- Oh, now this is a twisty one. I keep thinking I might know what is going wrong and then the story take another turn.
Only Here, Only Now, Tom Newlands -- This is the last book for my public library reading challenge (one where a character has a disability. So, this might be a stretch, but the main character (a girl growing up in a broken home in 1990s Scotland) has ADHD. I really like it, and Cora has such an engaging voice--it is the hardcover I am carrying around with me. (Library books and last books to complete a challenge get the attention over my own personal books it would seem).
And oh dear, the books I started and what to do about them? Asterisked books are those I am far enough into that I just need to give them attention to finish. And the others? Maybe they will get returned to their spots on the TBR for later reading? I am a reader of whim as you can see.
*The Dolphin House, Audrey Shulman -- I really do like this book a lot, but I struggle (more so these days) with cruelty to women and animals (in this case the setting is 1960s and we all know how things went in that era).
*Vera Kelly is Not a Mystery, Rosalie Knecht
*The Third Girl, Agatha Christie
*Second Self, Chloe Ashby
*Bury Your Dead, Louise Penny -- I went to Quebec Canada this past summer and it was my takealong book, but I got bogged down, but still very cool to see places mentioned in or inspired in the book.
Girls on the Line, Aimie Runyan
The Way of All Flesh, Ambrose Parry
Hare House, Sally Hinchcliffe
Well, you get the idea. There might be a few more, but at what point do you just let the book go, even though in theory you want to read it (but must admit to yourself you can't read them all--at least not all at once).
I would like to clear the decks, though, going into 2025. I have a list of books that are parts of sets that I would like to continue on with. I think I am going to attempt to read along with the group reading Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time. I tried this a long time ago, but didn't manage it. It looks like the group is going to just read the books over the course of the year.
I'm not (at least it doesn't feel like it is time yet with so much tidying I have in front of me) making real plans for next year, but I do want to spend more time reading my Viragos and Persephones and maybe starting a few new (well classic really) mystery series.
The other reading I have been thinking about is being part of a community of readers who are interested in reading diverse authors, reading about climate change and nature, and current events, social history, etc. There have been so many changes in the world close by and far away. There are people who are happy about it and others who are a little more fearful (being in the latter group). I would be nice to have a group of like minded readers. If you are interested, please do mention it.
Sorry this is so long. I guess I don't post often, but when I do I make up for missed opportunities. Maybe this will be my new year's resolution? We'll see.