February Reads, a DNF from January, and So Many Books, So Little Time! 📚📚📚📚📚📚

Well, I devoured a lot of books in January. It was a battle some nights to stay awake long enough to read more than a few pages. I will confess to a few weekends of spending most of my time happily reading instead of doing my weekend chore list. Hey, when the books call, I just have to stop and read. 

I tried, I really did, to read The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu. I could not concentrate long enough to get through some of the slower bits. It goes back on my bookshelf with the expectation that I'll pick it up again someday and be able to dive back into it. 

February has an extra day--yay! But it always feels so short and I have a lot of books I want to get to this month. I keep looking at my TBR piles and have moments of "Maybe I should just give them all away and make space in my house" to "But I can't because I still want to read all of these!" And then I look on my bookcases and have similar feelings. Then I see the stacks in my bedroom and decide I need a mental break so I sit down and read until I feel better about the whole darn thing. 

And still, those stacks remain. 

February is African American History Month, and of course we've got Valentine's Day. It's also the month my partner and I celebrate the anniversary of our first date: 02/02/2002. He doesn't share my love of reading, but oh, he so gets why books are my life. I'm so very lucky he understands and loves to hear about my book world. He knows as long as I can bring a book with me, I'm happy to go wherever. 

So I have all the feels for February, and my book choices are some titles off my TBR piles and some new books that I've bought in the last month:

                                               

A novel that has been on my bookshelves for months. Reading for a book group.

An All Iowa reads pick for 2020. Hopefully the first of many children's novels for me this year. 

Favorite author Sandra Dallas is back with a tale of women who travel West to the gold mines of California in 1852.  

Bookshops, romance, Paris. Perfect for February! 

Another book off my TBR pile, from the publisher. It's the fourth in a series, but I'm diving in! Historical mystery. 

A modern twist on Henry the 8th and his wives. The darker side of love.

This novel is being released in early February. A publisher request for review that I can't wait to read. 

Well. I have my work cut out for me. But it's work I love, and my absolute favorite way to spend my down time is reading. I make time for reading every day, no matter what. It's not about racking up an impressive reading total, but my absolute wish to read all of the wonderful titles that are created by so many talented writers. I'm still trying to make peace with the knowledge that I can't ever read everything I want to read. As long as I have coffee, a comfy place to read, and some quiet time, I'll keep working my way through all the wonderful stories waiting for me. 

Happy Reading!  

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February Reads, a DNF from January, and So Many Books, So Little Time! 📚📚📚📚📚📚

Thinking About Reading Challenges, TBR Piles, and All the New Books of 2020: What's in Store for January

Is it wrong that I've already ordered two new paperbacks, and two hardcovers, all new titles that are out in January? See, this is why I tell myself I won't limit myself on how many books I can buy each month. I'd last about 10 minutes before I broke that promise, so I'm not going to try, and heck yes, I'm not even going to feel bad about it!

However, I'm happy to say I am still checking books out at my library. And I have been thinking and pondering for days just what to do with all of my TBR piles sitting around at home. Brilliant breakthroughs have not made an appearance, so in the spirit of not putting ridiculous pressure on myself, I'm just going to make an effort each month to grab a few books off my bookcases and my piles on the floor and read them, then pass them along to friends and family.   So for every new book I buy, I've got to read that much out of my piles at home. HOLY HECK.

January is usually one of my big read months. The weather may turn nasty at any given moment, and I usually just spend most of my time reading at home when I'm not working. I expect that to happen this January, too. It's my official hermit month. It begins at midnight tonight. 

Here are a few of the books I plan on reading and reviewing in January:

This is a TBR book; also fills a requirement for my book club theme this month. 

Another TBR book--I started it very early this morning and already cried. Better get the tissues out cause I know there's more to come. 

New in January--I can't wait to read this! The latest from the author of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend.

Just checked this out today from the library, already started it, and was immediately  sucked into the story. Two women living in the same house 50 years apart; marriages, secrets, and trying to be the "perfect wife". 

I'm planning on a few other titles for January but haven't landed on exactly what just yet. I'm still wrestling with the idea of signing up for the Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge when it's available. It does give me an easy and quick look at what I've read over the year, and I do like to have a goal. However, sometimes it can make me feel panicky when I haven't had time to read at a steady pace. So is it worth it? I don't know. I think 2020 will be a year when I will be more patient with some of the books I read and give them a fair shake before I DNF and pick up something new. It's a TBR pile knockdown kind of year and I can't wait to rediscover some of the books I bought a year or two ago and never read. So while I'm excited for the year of 2020 in reading, I'm being cautious about goals and strategies and working on just rediscovering and discovering some pretty fantastic stories. 

I can't wait to share it all with you! 

Happy New Year!  

The Bookalicious Babe

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Thinking About Reading Challenges, TBR Piles, and All the New Books of 2020: What's in Store for January

Reading Challenges, Goals, DNF's: Putting Unnecessary Pressure on Ourselves to Succeed

I've been writing about books for quite a few years. I've loved every single thing about having a blog. I started my blog because I loved to talk about books, and talking about them at work just didn't seem like enough for me. It also helped that I had a friend starting a blog, and she got me interested in the blog world. 

I've had years where I read like a fiend. It was effortless, and I devoured books. I've had years where school and family issues kept me from reading at my usual pace, and sometimes I didn't find solace in reading, when it usually always does comfort me and center me. Heck, sometimes you just have to stare at a wall and chill. Even though I read every day, without fail, some days it's only a chapter, while others I can really dive into a book. Some days I only get to read just before I shut the light off. Reading every day is the one habit I've firmly established and have kept at it without fail for at least 10 years. Now, if I could only remember to take my vitamins faithfully every day...

I've been a Goodreads member for many years, and I've participated in their Reading Challenge for some time, too. It's a fun way to set a goal at the beginning of the year and keep track of what you're reading. There are many, many reading challenges all over the web each year, so this isn't your only choice. A lot of people don't want to have a challenge. It's entirely up to you. For me, it helps me keep track of what I am reading, what I want to read, and what I've already read. 

All of these thoughts on reading challenges and goals came about this morning, as I was thinking about all the books I have stacked at home, all the books that I know are coming out soon, and just how I was going to read everything I wanted to read. I realized it just wasn't possible, and I was tired of feeling bad about it. I am genuinely sad when I don't get to read everything I want to read. Looking at my Goodreads Challenge of 100 books this year, I knew (and have known) for weeks that I wasn't going to get to 100 books by December 31st. A goal that has been easy to reach in previous years has been difficult this year, and I don't really know why. Maybe it's the length of the books I read; maybe life is just busier, or I don't have those little bits of time that I used to have where I could read for a few hours. Whatever the case, my reading is slower this year. 

So I've decided to stop putting pressure on myself to hit that goal. And I've decided to stop feeling bad when I say I'm going to read a book, and I either don't even get started, or I try and it just isn't clicking. I've had countless books that didn't resonate with me the first go round, and months or even years later, I pick them up, and they are wonderful. I've always believed the right books come along at the right time. I guess you could say bibliotherapy is something I believe in, wholeheartedly, and heck, being a bibliotherapist would probably be the penultimate life's work for me. I've also decided that I have to let go of other people's expectations of my reading life. And I can't feel bad about reading what I do read. I read for pleasure. Full stop. That doesn't mean I don't read "big books", or books with diversity or difficult themes. I do read them, but just not as much as I read for the sheer pleasure of a good story-whether it's a romance, or a cozy mystery, or a memoir from a favorite actor. And as I read, I'm always grateful for the amazing mind that created the gift I'm holding in my hand. I read to reduce the stress in my life, to take me away, help me calm down, and yes, give me a few hours of forgetting about my troubles, or my to do list, or my doubts about myself. 

Ah. Well there you have it. I really want you, as a reader, to enjoy reading just because it's bliss, and relaxing. The minute you start getting stressed about it, stop yourself. If you're in a book club that you don't enjoy, then stop. If you're reading a book that doesn't "spark joy" and is a slog, put it down and move onto something else. If you think others judge you for what you're reading, stop. Who wants friends like that anyway? Read whatever you want. Read that graphic novel, read that romance, read that 800 page science fiction novel. It's your brain food! 

I know I'll never read everything I want to read. It makes me anxious sometimes. It's something I'm working on. Reducing my reading challenge goal may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it's a first step in giving myself a big break. So if you're feeling a bit stressed about reading, and the pleasure is fading and it seems like a chore, stop and give yourself some grace. The books will wait for you. They're smart that way. They get us. 

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Reading Challenges, Goals, DNF's: Putting Unnecessary Pressure on Ourselves to Succeed

DNF's and Letting Go of a Disappointing Month; April Reading Plans

I will be the first to say March sucked for me as a reader. Ugh. I always have time carved out in my days and weeks for reading, since it's not only my biggest passion, but it's part of my job and because I love posting on my blog. It's sort of a part-time job with compensation paid in books. And it does take a lot of time. March was a terrible reading month for me. Yes, I read 5 books (which for me is just not my usual) but I was very disappointed in myself for not being able to read more on my list. I also miscalculated the time it would take to read a few books for book groups, started them late, and didn't even make it to 100 pages in one book. The other I finished only because I had to power read the last few days to get it done. March was just a very active month; my usual reading times-weekends and nights--were just not there. There were a few weeks where I wasn't home at night for most of the week. That stuff will drain me, and when I don't get to read, I really become drained and a bit crabby. I'm a homebody that likes to be out and about about 30% of the time. March was definitely about 75% of the time. March spit me out.

April is just around the corner, and I've decided I am going to start fresh and shake off my disappointment. When all is said and done, it's just books, right? Those reads will come around again. So here are a few titles I'll be reading in April:

My book group is tasked with reading a classic for April. I've had this on my shelf for over a year; my brother recommended it. I consider anything Kurt Vonnegut wrote a classic! 

My other book group is reading The Lying Game for our April pick. I did not like The Woman in Cabin 10 at all. But, I've started this and so far I'm liking it. Four friends gather together after 17 years and a terrible lie that comes back to haunt them. 

I'm so excited to read this! I loved her first novel, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Had to buy this the day it came out. A librarian, a book of fairy tales, and clues to uncover a family mystery. 

Two of my all-time interests: Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper. I have yet to visit the B&B that occupies Lizzie's family home, but I did get to go on a Jack the Ripper walking tour while in London years ago. That was a definite bucket list item! A new non-fiction book about Lizzie's trial. I've never read anything in-depth about her trial, so I'm ready to dive into this. 

I know I'll be reading other titles as well, but I'll leave that up to the whims of April. My daffodils are starting to peek out of the ground, my yard needs some serious attention, and the lure of trying to start running again (and listen to podcasts while I do it) are all in front of me. I hope you can find the time to sit a bit, read a bit, and relax. 

Happy reading friends!

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DNF's and Letting Go of a Disappointing Month; April Reading Plans

DNF's, Summer Reading Update, and a Couple Quick Fly-By Reviews

Oh July. The gateway to August, back to school, and that short skip into the holidays.  Yes. I said it.  👻💀

Another summer galloping by and my book stacks remain teetering with no inroads made.  Yes, I've been reading.  Library books and ARCs and not actually anything I own!  Funny how that happens.  

I thought I'd combine a whole bunch of book business into one post.  It's helping me clear my head and create some space for new reads. One glaring omission in my reading pattern lately: science fiction/fantasy.  I'm missing it terribly, so I hope to dip into a few titles in a few weeks to relax and reconnect to a genre I really do enjoy.

Onto business!  First, a couple of DNF's:

A novel about a young woman who sees the deceased, and an unsolved murder that puts her in danger?  Sign me up!  But I checked it out of the library, started reading it, and lost interest.  Subject matter is just a bit too dark for me right now.  Maybe I'll return to it again in the future. My duh moment was realizing the front cover shows a young woman...for some reason I kept seeing a tropical flower.  Call me clueless.  Not a good sign of my attention span for this book.  

This book.  Dang it.  I was so excited to read this, especially after visiting Italy last October.  I got about 100 pages in, and the overarching sense of doom finally got to me.  A slave known for his culinary skills becomes the secret weapon of Apicius, a wealthy Roman man determined to become the Emperor's favorite noble.  But lord, the schemes, murders, plotting, and complete disregard for life got a bit old!  I loved the culinary aspect (I can say I wouldn't have eaten most of what they put together--meat and fruit: argh!!) but the political machinations and cruelty just wore on me.  I'll try again in the future, because I'm fascinated by the idea of this novel.  

Now, onto a few quick reviews:

I've had this hardcover on my bookshelf at home for a year.  I've wanted to read it, but just didn't squeeze it in until I saw it was available as an audio book through my library.  Took me two weeks to listen to this incredible memoir of Mary Hamilton, a woman who lived from 1866-1936 and had an extraordinarily tough, tragic, and what many might see as a poor life.  But listening to Mary's memoir, I was awed by her grit, her determination to make a home wherever she was, and her efforts to raise her children as good, descent, and kind people.  She was a force to be reckoned with, and withstood more tragedy than any one person should ever be expected to live through.  I highly recommend this book--either the paperback, or the audio.  No pictures in the book, however.  Her memoirs were first printed in the 1930's.  Rating: 5/6 because pioneer women rock!!

On a completely different track, this book is unusual in its narrator.  You never know his name, but you get to know him very well.  He's an unborn baby (about 3 weeks shy of his due date) who hears, in utero, his mother and her lover plot to murder his father for his inheritance.  Yes, a baby.  One smart, scarily brilliant baby with a taste for wine (his mother drinks a lot of white wine) and podcasts. 

It sounds amusing, and on the surface it is, until you read this short tale and are disturbed by his helplessness in stopping what will happen to his father, and his pondering on living life in jail with his mother.  There are many philosophical moments, and Ian McEwan is a high-caliber writer. However, the little twists make this a very interesting read. It makes you wonder just what babies do hear, feel, and think inside the womb.  A friend recommended this novel, and I'm glad I plugged away at it.  It's not long at all in terms of pages, but can be a bit gloomy in the subject matter.  This made it a book to read in chunks, rather than in a rush.  Rating:  4/6 for a uniquely narrated thriller.  What harm do we do to the most innocent?  Available in hardcover and e-book. 

So, I've been busy. This summer most of my books haven't hit that sweet spot of satisfaction I was hoping for, but I haven't lost hope. I've got many more to go before September hits.  I've over halfway to my reading goal for 2017 and it helps keep me on track.  

What books are you reading this summer?  Anything out of the ordinary for you?

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DNF's, Summer Reading Update, and a Couple Quick Fly-By Reviews

DNF's for January: Books That Just Didn't Click

I'm not the best at admitting I have DNF's (did not finish books) every month.  My method of picking up multiple books and starting them, then setting them down (sometimes for weeks at a time) has been a part of my reading life for years.  I didn't really ever think of it as DNF but rather "moving on" to read something else with the expectation that I would eventually come back to that book and finish it.  Sometimes I do, but most times I don't. 

I think the more you read, the more you realize not every book is a good fit; it can depend on the time of year, what's going on in your life...lots of things.  Usually for me it's all about the mood I'm in and what I want to read to fit that mood.  Forcing myself to read outside of that mood usually leads to an unhappy Sue and an unfinished book.  That's the case with Homegoing. A friend loaned me her copy months ago, and I was eager to read it after hearing some really great reviews from others I know who read it.  And now, months later, I still haven't gotten past 200 pages.  I just can't bring myself to pick it up again and keep going.  Not that the story is bad; it's pretty wonderful, actually.  The writing is superb as well; I just can't focus long enough to keep reading it.  Definitely not the right time for me, so I'll reluctantly admit defeat and try again sometime in the future. For now, it's part of my DNF list.

Another book that I quickly realized was a DNF is one of my current month's picks:  The Eterna Files.  Fifty pages in, I am annoyed, confused, and very impatient.  I've read plenty of books where I've been dropped into the middle of a story, and have to figure out what's going on; there isn't any method of plot hijinks that surprises me.  But this one, for some reason, just turned me completely off.  Trying to make sense of anything has proven to be just a bit much for me, and I lack the patience to wade through it.  I'm disappointed; I had hoped to read this and the sequel.  Too much Victorian nonsense to distill into an understandable story.  Sorry The Eterna Files, but I'm putting you down permanently.  

So there you have it:  my DNF's for the past few months.  Without a doubt I'll have more.  This is no way reflects on each writer's talents; after all, the wide variety of books published speaks to our freedom from censorship, humanity's amazing talents at storytelling,  and our freedom to read whatever floats our boats.  Others have found both of these books great reads.  Carry on!

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DNF's for January: Books That Just Didn't Click

Throwing in the Towel: DNF's for June

Struggle bus

I definitely had the front row on the struggle bus this week.  I've decided I just have to move on from two novels I've been trying to read the past few weeks.  So, The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge 

and Finding Fraser by KC Dyer, I'm sorry.  

I've given up on you for now.  

I'm about 100 pages from the end of The Lie Tree and I just can't put any more energy into being patient and reading it.  I read reviews on this, a Costa Book of the Year Winner and every one of them was glowing.  Awesome, I thought.  This is going to be sooo good!  I may be missing something, but I just can't get into this novel about a young woman who wants to be a scientist in 1860's England, but is constantly forced to dumb herself down in a world where ladies are to be seen and not heard.  This all involves her father, a famous scientist, a scandal, and his death.  Faith is convinced her father was murdered due to a mysterious plant (the lie tree) he has in his possession.   If you tell lies, and they are believed, the plant produces a fruit that when eaten gives you the truth about whatever you want.  It can be the way to finding the true about life's greatest mysteries--and dangerous in the wrong hands. 

I was annoyed at Faith's constant dumbing down; I was not engaged in the story, and felt the storyline was vague and not compelling enough for me.  

Finding Fraser.  Sorry Jamie, you're going to have to be lost a bit longer for me.  Emma, the main character, decides to travel to Scotland to find her very own Jamie Fraser, that wonderful hero of the Outlander series by Diane Gabaldon.  I was all on board for this book, and thought I would zip through it with a big smile on my face.

Nope.  I've made it to page 109, and I'm ready to set it aside and move onto something else.  Emma is annoying to me, and incredibly naive for a young woman of 29.  I'm not patient enough right now to finish this tale, so I'll say DNF for now, but I'll pick it up again eventually and finish it.  This is not my time to find Fraser.  

So...June is ending.  I'm working on Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, and that review will be up next week.  Then I'll have a new batch of books coming up for review in July.  

Look for a chance to win a copy of this novel coming up this week:

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and keep reading! Give me air conditioning, a comfy couch, and a fresh new story to start.  I'm a happy gal.  

Sue  AKA The Bookalicious Babe

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Throwing in the Towel: DNF's for June

DNF: Here's a Few from February!

I was surprised at the number of people who read my post on DNF's and why I don't feel a lick of guilt setting a book aside to read something else.  I'm certainly not the only one who does this.  Right now I have so many books to read under a deadline that the DNF pull is getting way too tempting.  I'm resisting and forging ahead on the books that I want to read and review. Some I would push to the back of the pile if I had all the time in the world to read them.  I simply have too many choices and it's making me crazy and unable to settle down with my usual rotation of 3-4 books.  The life of a book lover and blogger is tough sometimes.  Boo hoo.  

 I promised to start a new feature talking about the DNF's I have each month.  Here are a few from February that I planned on reading, started, and just couldn't complete:

 
 I love M.J. Rose.  I've read many of her books, and enjoyed her mix of history and magic.  I didn't get a chance to read this book when it first came out, so I thought now would be the time.  I was wrong.  I got about 50 pages in, and just couldn't latch onto the story.  I will return to this book in the future and read it.  But for now, it is a DNF.  

This novel had me alternately enjoying it and being puzzled by it.  I was ready to give up by page 50, but kept plugging away until 150 pages, and I was enjoying it.  Then I read the end, was pissed at what happened, and lost all desire to finish it.  With that being said, I was hoping for a humorous book, and it wasn't humorous enough for me to stick with it. 

 I saw the movie Life of Pi, and loved it.  The premise of this novel intrigued me; I was ready for a mystical Paulo Coelho type book (and this was a new release!).  I made it to about 100 pages, and gave up.  Couldn't hold my interest at all.  Bummed.  

So there you have it.  I'm pretty sure there were more DNF's in February, but these three stood out for me in the DNF ring.  

Now I'm off to conquer my required reading stack.  

 

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DNF: Here's a Few from February!

DNF: I Do it, Do You?

None of us have unlimited time to read.  Life would be grand if we did, right?  If you're a fan of books as I am, there is always a pile (or two) of unread books, and that list that you keep adding titles to, and...well, it's a bit overwhelming.  I am confounded when I hear "I read two books last year" from people.  How do you only manage to read two, when there are hundreds to choose from?  

DNF:  did not finish.  If there is one thing I learned early in life, it's that life is too short to keep reading a book that just doesn't hit all the right notes for me.  I have had friends who will keep reading a book, even if they don't like it, and want to read something else.  They are committed, and they will stick with it until the bitter end.  Oh no, not me.  Reading is my number one pleasure, my safe spot, and my happy place.  I will not continue with a book that doesn't grab me by page 100.  Sometimes if I know I won't finish a book, I'll read the end anyway.  Yes, I am also an end reader.  I do it without shame.  That's why I struggle with mysteries, but I'm trying very hard to read them without peeking at the end.  It is a rare book that I haven't end-read before I finish it.  Usually I'll peek before I get too far.  It actually helps me slow down and pay more attention to the story.  Crazy, I know.

It used to bother me how easily I gave up on some books, but I've realized that not every book is meant for me, and that's okay.  What may be someone's wonderful all-time favorite may not be mine, and vice versa.  That's the wonderful thing about books:  there is one for every taste.  

Yes, I DNF on a regular basis.  Just yesterday I called it quits on two books and returned them to the library.  Maybe someday I will return to those books and give them a chance again.  I'll be a different person then, and they may appeal to me in a way they didn't right now.  This is why I don't list what books I'm reading on my blog and instead just blog about books after I've finished them.  It is true that the moment I say what I'm going to read, I change my tune and read something else. I am consistently inconsistent. 

I think it would be fun for me to post every month books that I started and didn't finish, and why.  Or even books I'm struggling to finish and are taking me way too long to read.  For instance, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a prime example.  I've had this book for over a year, and I've been slowly, painfully trying to get to the end for months.  I remember telling people last April that I was going to read it in the next week.  Here it is, 11 months later, and I'm still not to the end.  I can't figure out why.  It's a brilliant book, and the language is beautiful.  But nevertheless, I find it impossible to sit down and read it and be done with it.  It weighs on my mind that I can't finish this book.  I will, eventually, finish it.  But I'm not saying when.  

So, the DNF Files  will begin in March, with a look at what I didn't finish from February.  I'd love for you, dear followers, to comment on anything I've ditched that you've read, and what you think of the book.  You may turn me around!

 

 

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DNF: I Do it, Do You?