Monday, February 6, 2017

BOOK CHAT: January 2017 in Review


The first month of 2017 has come to a close, and it is time to reflect on how it went.  Let's start with the book details . . .

The TOP POSTS for the month were twofold, as is usually the case.  The post with the largest number of hits was GIVEAWAY ALERT:  Hinges of Broams Eld by Jennifer Cano.  That giveaway has officially closed and the books are on their way!  The top post with the largest number of comments was #ONEWORD 2017:  Going Practical.  This made me a bit excited because I am really pumped for my one word goal for the year.  I will get more into that shortly.

The TOP PIC for the month was this beauty.  It was my stack of books that I had planned to read in January.  I did not get to all of them, but I did read a good chunk of them.


Speaking of BOOKS READ for the month, here's the full list of books that I completed this month:
  1. Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
  2. Introvert Doodles by Maureen "Marzi" Wilson
  3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
  4. Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
  5. Lumberjanes #1:  Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
  6. Lumberjanes #2:  Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson
  7. Lumberjanes #3:  A Terrible Plan by Noelle Stevenson
  8. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
  9. The Curious Case of the Copper Corpse by Alan Bradley
I count this first month of reading a success!  I can't remember the last time that I read this much in January, and I am so excited to see all those titles read.  Keeping my fingers crossed that I have another great month of reading in February!

As for the month of January, I found it to be quite a stressful one.  I was frequently not feeling well.  I was stressed about what was going on at home, in my community, and around our country.  However, I also found a lot of hope going into FEBRUARY.  I have had frequent conversations with friends in the last couple of weeks, and I'm so thankful to see many with similar feelings, and passion to keep on keeping on.  With that said, I'm feeling better as I write this, both physically and mentally.  I'm ready to dive back into some more good books for the month and continue to carry on great conversations.  In fact, I will be participating in two different readalongs this month:  Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I will also be enhancing my role in bringing awareness to suicide awareness and prevention, and I'm really looking forward to spending some good time with my family.  Let's do this February!


Last, but not least, I am adding one last piece to my monthly wrap-ups ... my #ONEWORD!  Each month, I want to revisit my one word goal for the year.  I want the opportunity to check in, stay accountable, and share how I am doing each month in working towards my ultimate goal.  My first month into the goal, I am feeling really good.  I have returned to daily journaling.  Most days it is just a few sentences about my thoughts, feelings, or events for the day, but I find that I really look forward to this little reminder about the day.  I have also found that my format is really contributing to my organization.  I have previously kept my writing goals separate from my daily things to do.  By combining the lists, I find that I make my writing more of a priority.  I have also begun writing more for the blog.  Though you have not yet seen it live here on the site, you will soon.  And, I'm hoping that I can cement these habits even more firmly this month, and then begin the fun tasks of all the extra writing that I love to do .... my stories and maybe a freelance piece here and there!

I think that is enough for this month!  I wish you all the best in reading and life in February!  

How was your January?  Did you have a good reading month?  How did you feel the first month of the year set the stage for you in 2017?

6 comments:

  1. I hope February is a great reading month for you!

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  2. You definitely had some great reads in January! I need to get back to Lumberjanes. I think I have read the first two volumes so far. I might start over at the beginning because they're so fun! I have definitely been looking for fun reads to balance out the deeper ones and life and everything.

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    Replies
    1. Kristen M. ... Lumberjanes is so much fun! I've actually had both my kids grabbing it and reading it too! And, definitely understand needing the light, fun reads. Everything else is so heavy right now.

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