Reflecting on My 2017 Challenges

6 Challenges...how did I do?

The Re-Read Challenge
Goal: Re-read as many books as I want
Books read: 8
Goal achieved? Yes!

I ended up re-reading 8 books this year, only one of which was on audio. I was listening to about an audio book a month a few years ago, but each year that number has gotten smaller and smaller.

Mostly that's because I've been listening to more music, or, really, because I was more distracted with stressful thoughts during my commute. It's no surprise to me that the lone audio book this year was a Tradd Street book. Not only do I love the books, but I adore the reader. While my stress is less, my commute now is so short that it would probably take an entire year just to listen to one book! It will be interesting to see what 2018 brings in terms of audio book rereads.  

The usual suspects appeared on this list: Karen White, Vivian Vande Velde, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, and L. J. Smith. Surprisingly, Anne Bishop and Sarah J. Maas did not pop up this year, which is a first in years (though, I did read snippets of both).

I also revisited some old favorites that I hadn't read in years and a new favorite with Jessica Day George (Dragon Slippers, last read 2010) Merrie Haskell (The Princess Curse, last read 2011), and a new L. M. Montgomery favorite I discovered last year and couldn't wait to experience again (The Blue Castle).

Revisiting old favorites was just as enjoyable as reading them the first time around. I love that I've embraced this challenge and provide myself the opportunity to experience books that have made me happy without feeling obligated to always focus on the new.

I did notice that this year I tended to reread more for comfort than to re-experience and enjoy the stories again. While that's fine, I did also realize at the end of the year how much I missed rereading just for the joy of rereading. I will definitely do this challenge again next year and keep this focus in mind.

Goodreads Reading Challenge
Goal: 50 books, then adjusted, and adjusted, up to 80
Books read: 81
Goal achieved? Yes!  

I set a modest goal of 50 books so I didn't feel pressured by quantity and because, honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to do much more than that. Plus, I love it when my progress bar says "you're x books ahead!" rather than "you're x books behind." It's much more motivating and makes me feel like I'm totally kicking butt. I figured I might surpass 50 books, but if I didn't, I'd be happy with hitting 50. This worked out well, and I ended up adjusting my goal to 70, then 75, then 80 and surprising myself by meeting every one. I think I'll start with 50 books again next year, and so if I make that goal then wonderful, but if I surpass it then it's just icing on the cake.

Historical Fiction Challenge
Goal: 15 - 25 books
Books read: 25
Goal achieved? Yes! 

I love historical fiction and I wanted to make sure I put some focus on the genre this year since it's so easy for time to slip away when it comes to reading (i.e. "has it really been four years since I last read a book in that series??" Sound familiar?).

While I included historical fantasy and historical lite in the list, what I really wanted to make sure I read was biographical historical fiction and non-fiction. Basically, I wanted to learn about history. To that end, I read four non-fiction books, which is less abnormal for me lately but still something I'm impressed with myself for doing, and ten biographical historical fiction books.

While Mariana (England 1660s), The Time Traveling Fashionista (Titanic), and The Visitors (discovery of King Tut's tomb) are all what I'm considering "historical lite" or "historical fantasy" (and, therefore, usually less meaty) I ended up learning a lot about history from each of them and they all inspired hours of Internet research. I also spent a lot of time immersed in the world of British naval history through Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series.  

For the first time in a long time Marie Antoinette and Cleopatra didn't make an appearance. I mostly focused on the Tudors and the Wars of the Roses, which at this point are both pretty familiar to me. I continued to dabble with Henry II/Richard/Eleanor and Stephen/Matilda and even had a touch of Charles II who is just starting to feel more familiar now. My newer forays included the English Georges, Kristina of Sweden, and the three Edwards (I, II, and III). At this point those last three are all just toe-dips, but I'd like to delve in more next year.

Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Goal: Read books I acquired in 2017
Books read: 38 read, 9 DNF = 45 total
Goal achieved? Yes! 

The point of this challenge was so that I wouldn't continually add to my backlog of unread books on my shelves. Yes, it's important to read though the books I already own, but I think it's equally important to read the new books I get so they too don't languish unread for years. Isn't it better to read them when I get them rather than grow the guilt pile?

I got a boat-ton of books in 2017, so I knew I wouldn't be able to read most of them this year. And that's ok. I did end up reading a little over 19% though! Last year I ended up reading a little over 10% of what I acquired and I acquired about 50 fewer books this year compared to last. Of the books I acquired this year, I DNF-ed 9, read 18 in previous years, and read 36 this year. I enjoy this challenge and I'll sign up for it again in 2018.



Read My Own Books Challenge
Goal: Read books I acquired prior to 2017
Books read: 31 read, 2 DNF'ed = 33 total
Goal achieved? Yes!

I set a rough target of reading or DNF-ing 12 books this year. Working out to roughly one book a month, I figured that was doable.

I really wanted to know whether the books I've been carting through multiple moves were worthy of the effort, or if I should cull them from my shelves once and for all. Of the 31 books, 15 of them were print books and 17 of them were books I got in 2016.

Last year I calculated out the percentage of books I've read of those I've owned broken down by year, but I realized in calculating these numbers this year that I added and removed books from these shelves, so the numbers are thrown off. Years like 2012 show no change even though I read a few books this year from that group. I still like the idea of this type of tracking, and I still think it's useful for seeing each year what percentage of the books I own from each year are read, even if I can't track cumulative progress across years.

Started at 31% and finished at 36% acquired in 2016
Started at 17% and finished at 18% acquired in 2015
Started at 32% and finished at 33% acquired in 2014
Started at 50% and finished at 50% acquired in 2013*
Started at 39% and finished at 39% acquired in 2012*
Started at 75% and finished at 76% acquired in 2010-2011
Started at 83% and finished at 81% acquired in 2008-2009*
Started at 85% and finished at 87% acquired in 2003-2007
Started at 96% and finished at 97% acquired in 2002 and earlier*

I still have a lot of books I haven't read, but I think this is going to be a marathon not a sprint, and I think I made good progress in 2017 and definitely beat my 2016 record of 13 books. I'll be signing up for this challenge in 2018 and I hope to continue making a dent.



Library Reading Challenge
Goal: Read library books
Books read: 3 read, 2 DNF =5 total
Goal achieved? Yes! 

Last year I identified about 36 books in my local library that I was interested in reading and wouldn't have access to if I moved. I ended up being able to get all but five through other means (and then ended up getting one of those a few months after moving). So that left me with five books to read before I moved. Easy peasy, mission accomplished.

While I fully recognize now the importance of use it or lose it when it comes to libraries and moving, I've also noticed how books that I've never been able to get have a way of turning up eventually. Kristina, for example, was one of those books when I moved in 2015, and yet it then reappeared as one of those books when I moved in 2017.

I've also been enjoying the relative freedom and lack of stress in reading my own books. I've always neglected my own books for the lure of library books, so this is definitely something new for me. I got out of the habit of going to the library these last few years because my library was annoying to drive to, annoying to park in, and had annoying hours. And in doing so, I discovered the joy and ease of reading my own books. No due dates, no scheduling, no driving.

Plus, in both this library and my last library I work professionally with the directors, so I always felt like I needed to sneak in and hope I wasn't seen because when I'm in the library getting books for myself the last thing I want to do is talk business.

Then again, I also work in a library, and we have a pretty sweet history section. So, I'm on the fence about participating in this challenge in 2018. Then again, with this challenge in the mix, no matter how I acquire a book (owned this year, owned years previous, or library) it counts for some challenge!

Reflections and next up

Most of my challenges didn't have a hard number goal, which I like. It allows me to provide focus to my reading without strictly holding myself to an actual number.

I like that the Historical Fiction Challenge allowed me to focus on not only exploring history, but expanding the events and people I learned about. I had actually been pretty disappointed about the variety (or lack of) of time periods I was reading (all Tudors and Wars of the Roses! Which I love, but...) until I did this wrap up and realized how many other people I had explored. This highlights for me how important it is to not only participate in challenges and track my reading, but to reflect on that reading as well. 

Last year I reflected on how the constant reaching for more and neglecting what I have leads me to feel guilty, overwhelmed, and constantly in a rat race toward the future. I started to shift that last year by focusing more on reading my own books and loosening my Reading Rules, and I had hoped I would continue this appreciation for the here and now this year.

I definitely did do that this year, and both my life and reading life have been a lot more relaxed and happy. Sure, things happened and there were stresses and bleh books, but I don't think they overwhelmed me as much or commanded my full focus like they used to do.

My hope for 2018 is that I continue these things. Read what I want to, when I want to, and how I want to, and not because I feel the need to adhere to a rule or obligation. Read my own books, appreciating what I have. Recognize and appreciate lessons learned and experiences gained.

Overall, I'm happy with my 2017 reading experiences. I continue to learn a lot.



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2017 in Review: November and December

I made a really big list

I'm a list maker, so of course I HAD to make an end-of-the-year list recapping all of the books I read in 2017. It's like a snapshot of reviews, but you can click on the titles to go to my full reviews.

I don't know if anyone but me actually reads these lists, but I enjoy making them. I find it fun and helpful to reflect on my reading habits throughout the year and see how my personal life impacts my reading life. This also helps take my focus off the quantity of books I've read and instead focus on the quality of the experiences I've had with each book.

Last year this process also helped me realize how much pressure I was putting on myself to read certain books and how that wasn't making me happy. I realized how my book choices gave me insight into other areas of my life and how I was able to see some things a little clearer as a result. I was able to make changes based on these reflections last year, and I'm happier for it.  "Lessons learned" has been a theme of mine lately, and looking at my reading experiences through this lens has added more depth and value to my reading experiences.

Medusa the Rich (Goddess Girls #16) by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Medusa is my top favorite Goddess Girl and reading her stories is always so much fun. I hope we get more from her perspective (and her snakes!).

The Brightest Fell (October Daye #11) by Seanan McGuire
The Brightest Fell came out in September and I got my copy toward the end of October. So, I started reading it almost as soon as I got it. I let it sit for a few weeks. Barely. More like a week. Ish. Well, whatever the amount of time, it wasn't even a month, and I'm delighted that I both acquired and read a book with such a quick turnaround time.

Plus, I actually liked the book. Simon made an appearance again, and I like Simon. I'm officially over the frustration, anger, and disappointment of Hot Mess Book #9 (of which we shall not name) and I'm back to loving this series. It is so flawed, and there are truly legit things that annoy me about it, but overall I think it's fun.

Tears of the Giraffe (Lady Detective #2) by Alexander McCall Smith
Yeah I wasn't expecting to pick up another book in this series so soon, but I did. I like these books. The stories are sweet, the writing style is endearing, and I love the characters. The mysteries are pretty good, too, though they were less interesting and less of them in this book. No matter, I just like spending time in this world. My husband and I also started watching the mini-series and we're thoroughly enjoying it.

Behind the Palace Doors by Michael Farquhar
I was in a very dabbling mood in November, but I enjoyed each book I picked up. I was shocked at the end of the month that I had only read four books, but I guess it is what it is.

Usually when I see changes in my reading like that I try to see what was going on in my life to cause that, and usually the reason is something like I was very busy or I was unhappy. This time I think the answer is daylight savings time. My leisurely morning of two hours of reading was reduced by adding in an extra hour of sleep most days. It is hard getting up when it's still dark outside!
 

House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier
I first got this as a review book way back in 2012. I tried reading it then, but couldn't get into the slow beginning and ended up DNF-ing it until the mood felt right. Five years later, I guess I was in the right mood! Instead of feeling slow, the start felt languid, like honey. Something to savor and sink into. I loved it. And then wham, bam, thank you ma'am we're done! The final third of the book was a poorly constructed whirlwind that seriously left me wanting. Which, I guess is fine? The beginning was so nice that I don't regret my time with the book at all, even if it feels unfinished. 

Marrying Off Mother by Gerald Durrell
Now that I know what to expect, I entered this book with no expectations except that I knew Gerry Durrell was going to introduce me to some interesting characters and give me a few amusing diversions. And that's exactly what I got. Interesting indeed. While the experiences Gerry Durrell provides are wide, varied, absurd, and even sometimes strange, they're always an adventure. His stories often leave me feeling like a happily bemused old lady saying, "Well, I suppose that's nice, dear." I'm looking forward to reading more.  

Katheryn the Wanton Queen by Maureen Peters
I requested this from NetGalley last year and then stewed in guilt over not having read it. I just wasn't in the mood, until now. I wanted something diverting but not particularly demanding, and a Tudor rehash fit the bill nicely.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
I have been waiting to read this book for months! I read the first book over Christmas last year and finished it during our trip to Big Bend. Texas has made me a cold weenie, so I was shivering and completely expecting to wake up with frostbitten fingers if I was lucky and entirely frozen, fallen off fingers and toes if I was unlucky (I think it was maybe in the 40s overnight. Yeah, cold weenie). So, the bitterly cold setting of The Bear and the Nightingale was a perfect fit.

It seemed only natural that I should read the sequel in December as well. I couldn't quite wait until Christmas, but it was even colder here with daytime highs only reaching the low 30s and there's snow in the mountains. The setting was perfect. And, even better, the book was just as magical and amazing as the first.

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell
I can't believe it's been over six years since I last read this! The Princess Curse has a firm spot on my Special Shelf, and after this reread that spot is easily retained. I was looking over my challenge lists, as you do at the end of the year, and realized I hadn't reread as many books as I had loosely set out to read.

I say loosely because I didn't actually have a specific number in mind. I partake in the challenge to 1) help me not feel guilty about rereading, and 2) make sure I focus some of my reading attention on rereading old favorites because this is something I enjoy but often deny myself. So, when I realized I had been a little light on the rereads, I decided to pull up my Special Shelf and pick a book I wanted to revisit. I rarely reread books for this reason (usually I turn to them as comfort reads), so this was a nice experience. Lesson learned: reread old favorites for no other reason than because I get to revisit an old favorite.

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
The Princess Curse reread was a smashing success, and so I decided to pick up another. I have a soft spot for the first four books in the Den of Shadows companion series, plus they're super quick reads. I read the first book in the series last December, so it felt somehow right to pick up another this December. I feel entirely in carefree vacation mode now. 

A True Princess by Diane Zahler
I wanted another quick and light book, but I didn't feel like rereading again. A True Princess has been on my TBR for a while and on my shelf for about a year and while I haven't been blown away by her other two books I've read, they were both nice and light. And, those covers! I don't know if it was my mood, my expectations, or what, but I enjoyed this book a lot more than I was expecting. It still wasn't amazing, a solid 3.5 star read, but I really appreciated it for what it was.

The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne
I read this book slowly across much of the year. Each chapter is like it's own self-contained short story, so this worked. It was nice to be reminded of the perspective of childhood, where friendship, comfort, kindness, and learning are what matter and worries can always be fixed with love.

Morality for Beautiful Girls (Lady Detective #3) by Alexander McCall Smith
I'm surprised at how much I enjoy this series. It remains consistently good and I like revisiting these characters and Botswana. The mysteries are at turns interesting, amusing, and thought-provoking. I like how the characters are growing, and yet staying true to themselves. Definitely a series I hope to continue in 2018.
 

Next up

August, September, and October were months of triumph and cheer. I felt like Valency living in her Blue Castle and still in disbelief that taking bold risks had paid off so spectacularly. My reading reflects this, with a mix of genres, age ranges, and books I would normally shy away from or would have had more disappointing experiences with.



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2017 in Review: August through October

I made a really big list

I'm a list maker, so of course I HAD to make an end-of-the-year list recapping all of the books I read in 2017. It's like a snapshot of reviews, but you can click on the titles to go to my full reviews.

I don't know if anyone but me actually reads these lists, but I enjoy making them. I find it fun and helpful to reflect on my reading habits throughout the year and see how my personal life impacts my reading life. This also helps take my focus off the quantity of books I've read and instead focus on the quality of the experiences I've had with each book.

Last year this process also helped me realize how much pressure I was putting on myself to read certain books and how that wasn't making me happy. I realized how my book choices gave me insight into other areas of my life and how I was able to see some things a little clearer as a result. I was able to make changes based on these reflections last year, and I'm happier for it.  "Lessons learned" has been a theme of mine lately, and looking at my reading experiences through this lens has added more depth and value to my reading experiences.






Kristina: The Girl King by Carolyn Meyer
Carolyn Meyer? Check. Royal Diaries series? Check. Quick read? Check. Book I won't have access to soon? Check. All signs pointed to reading this book now, and so I read it. Glad I did, wouldn't have missed it if I hadn't. It did lead to a few hours of Internet research to learn more about Kristina. Can't say I like her all that much, but she was interesting to read about. 

Tudor by Leanda De Lisle
Now this book, I'm glad I read. It's massive and I zipped through it like a champ. Am I seriously proud of myself for reading a long non-fiction book? You betcha! This was the final book I read in the Read It Now Or Lose It library situation and I just squeezed it in before it was too late. I took chapter breaks between packing boxes and turned the final pages just as I was closing the final boxes. This was more than just a typical Tudor rehash, and while I'm just fine with the rehashes, I appreciated the different angles, people, and theories de Lisle put forth.


The Visitors by Sally Beauman
Like Mariana, this was an impulse read. I don't even recall how it came to my attention, but I am so glad it did. This is a strange book that I typically would have been annoyed with. The characters aren't very likable, the plot wanders, and there is a disconnected muddle of side stories. And yet, I adored it. I was enthralled. I spent hours upon hours Internet researching everything I could find about the discovery of King Tut's tomb and life during that time after finishing this and I still want more.

I read this over my initial Scoping Things Out Trip, through my Great Journey, and turned the final pages on the third day in my new home making this the first book finished here. Momentous indeed.

Treason's Harbor by Patrick O'Brian

I started this way back in June but didn't finish until the last day of August. That's ok. The delay is no indication in my enjoyment level, as I really loved this book. Trekking through the desert, the dog, mistaken romances, double agents, huzzah! I had a lot of fun with this book.

One memory experienced while reading this book that oddly stands out is sitting in a restaurant in New Mexico waiting for our to go order. The food was one of the most god-awful culinary experiences I've ever had, but the trip was exciting (road tripping, five states, three time zones, a group project across four time zones, wondrous sights, multiple job offers, finding a new home, giving and getting reference checks, and two plane flights all crammed into a single week!)
 
Cashelmara by Susan Howatch
What a strange, wonderful book. I started this while waiting at the DMV, which is pretty appropriate considering it's length of over 700 pages (the last notable DMV book I read was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Huh, I guess moody books with dark blue covers is also appropriate for the DMV).

Looking back at these past few books they're long, they seem like they should be difficult, and while I'd normally be proud of myself for reading them, I'm even more elated that I tackled all of these during such a crazy time in my life when I was told I couldn't do something and then I ended up achieving above and beyond. I was feeling pretty invincible.

The Secrets She Carried by Barbara Davis
My memory association with this book is waiting in the car in the U-Haul parking lot while we rented a trailer. Everything about this book felt like my beloved Tradd Street books, but a paler, lesser version. So, it wasn't spectacular, but that's ok. I normally would have been a lot more annoyed with this book for failing to meet my expectations and therefore leaving me in the depths of despair, but instead I enjoyed it for what it was.



 
Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
This is the kind of plot teenage girls dream about living. Or, at least, my teenage self totally would have wished this to happen to me. Pure escapist fun.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista: On Board the Titanic by Bianca Turetsky
This was a fun, quick, and surprisingly historical-fact-packed read. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series, even if I'm not jumping to read them immediately.

I've carried this book around through three moves, and after packing and lugging over 30 boxes of books, again, I decided to make a dent in some of my unread books. Trouble is, I ended up liking them! Or, well, I guess that's a good thing overall, even if it does mean I get to pack and move them again in the future.

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
This was an unexpected delivery from Disney...several months ago. I ended up loving this one, too. Extra bonus: knocked off another book from my unread shelf!







Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne
And another old review book, though thankfully it hadn't come out yet by the time I decided to pick it up. Extra motivation to read it now. I start my day out now with about two hours of reading before heading off to work, so my memories with Rosemarked are coffee-fueled and sunrise tinged. Add in an enjoyable read, and these were wonderful mornings.





Aphrodite the Fair by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Ah, this series continues to deliver. After Medusa, Aphrodite is probably my favorite Goddess Girl, which came as a big surprise (I would have totally thought Athena or Persephone). She's just so nice and cheerful, which makes her an enjoyable character to be around. Lesson to remember: people like being around people who make them feel good.    





Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Royal Bastards and Rosemarked got me back into a serious YA kick and reminded me again why I loved the genre. Rebel of the Sands was good, but not quite as good. The main character was trying a little too hard and the Big Reveal felt contrived. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but I wasn't invested in the story enough to get more than a chapter into the sequel. Also, I felt like I'd had my fill with YA again. It's like going for that last bite of cake, realizing you're stuffed, and putting your fork down instead. It's nice to feel sated. 

The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White
Reread on audio. I love these books. I listened to this over the course of most of the year and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.    

Seven Kings of England by Geoffrey Trease
My requests from NetGalley have been pretty few and far between lately because I just don't like having the obligation of a review book I've requested. I was in the mood for a book like this, but I still almost didn't request this one because of all the pressure of obligation. The short page length was the final nudge I needed. I'm glad I took the plunge and disappointed I can't get my hands on any of his other books. I love historical non-fiction when you can tell how much the author is just geeking out over a topic they love.   




My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Ok, I know I've been trying to adopt this whole easy going, go with the flow approach to things, and it's mostly working out for me. You know the whole "if thoughts that concern you start floating across your awareness, just acknowledge them and then gently let them float on past you" schtick? Yeah, that wasn't happening with this book. I'm just annoyed with it. It was...not good, and I've come to expect more from Margaret Campbell Barnes. *pout* Lesson learned: I guess I can't always be zen.

The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium
So, it took me a little while to get these books. I picked up one of them soon after reading the Corfu trilogy and saw in the author's note a comment about how the book was a mix of stories and some had elements or whole plots that were made up. I put the book down. I didn't want to read about made up things. I wanted to read about Gerry Durrell and his charmingly dysfunctional family and I didn't want those experiences tainted with lies.

Clearly I felt strongly about this. But, then I realized Gerry Durrell writes about so much more than just his family. He's actually a pretty good short story writer, and that's what this book is: a collection of short stories. For the most part they were all absorbing, at turns funny, sad, absurd, and even frightening (the Gothic story!) and always populated with larger than life characters. They're the kind of stories I want to share with others and I'm very glad I gave these books a second look.

Next up

August, September, and October were months of triumph and cheer. I felt like Valency living in her Blue Castle and still in disbelief that taking bold risks had paid off so spectacularly. My reading reflects this, with a mix of genres, age ranges, and books I would normally shy away from or would have had more disappointing experiences with.



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2017 in Review: June and July

I made a really big list

I'm a list maker, so of course I HAD to make an end-of-the-year list recapping all of the books I read in 2017. It's like a snapshot of reviews, but you can click on the titles to go to my full reviews.

I don't know if anyone but me actually reads these lists, but I enjoy making them. I find it fun and helpful to reflect on my reading habits throughout the year and see how my personal life impacts my reading life. This also helps take my focus off the quantity of books I've read and instead focus on the quality of the experiences I've had with each book.

Last year this process also helped me realize how much pressure I was putting on myself to read certain books and how that wasn't making me happy. I realized how my book choices gave me insight into other areas of my life and how I was able to see some things a little clearer as a result. I was able to make changes based on these reflections last year, and I'm happier for it.  "Lessons learned" has been a theme of mine lately, and looking at my reading experiences through this lens has added more depth and value to my reading experiences. 

The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert
I read the first book seven years ago, which is an incredible reminder of how time flies! I've had every intention of continuing on with this series...and then...life just happened? Whatever details I've forgotten from the first book didn't negatively impact my experience with the second book, so I guess it really doesn't matter that it took me seven years to make my way back to these books. They're a pleasant diversion, and it's nice to know I can pick them up as needed without having to worry about rushing through them in one sitting.

The Ionian Mission by Patrick O'Brian
Not much to say about this one except it took me several months to finish. I'm finding the stride that works for me with these books. My reading habits this year have led me to starting a book and then nibbling at it over the course of months rather than weeks or days. It's working for me, even though it goes against everything I feel I "should" do with books.     

The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
There's something about the mix of perspectives between the people characters and the Beatrix Potter animal characters that I find charming, even though it's kind of strange. The two sets of characters never speak to one another because the humans cannot understand the animals. This, in some way, grounds the stories for me and makes them feel, well, realistic isn't the right word, but it just feels right.

The introduction of fairies does not, however, feel right. I don't like it and it's the reason I stopped reading after this book. I'd like to pick them up again, but I think I need a little time to work my way back after the introduction of fairies.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier
I adore Daphne du Maurier! My Cousin Rachel isn't my favorite of her books, but it is high on the list. I love the back and forth questioning of character motives and mental states and the way du Maurier has such a knack with creating a palpable story. This was a book I could really sink my teeth into and mull over long after I'd finished it. Every time I read one of her books I appreciate her as an author even more. Definitely looking forward to slowly working my way through all her books.



The Tudor Queen by Alison Prince
I didn't expect much from this book, and that's pretty much what I got. It was light, short, and mildly informative. This was pretty much what I was looking for in a book, so I was happy. I read this one over the course of a day, and what an interesting day it turned out to be! Wild rain and wind, rainbows, dust storms, and a power outage! I love Texas summer storms. 

The Lost King by Alison Prince
After the satisfaction of The Tudor Queen, I happily searched my library catalogs for another Alison Prince historical fiction mini, and I found this book. *sigh* Not as good. Short chapters, the Wars of the Roses, and a short book were all in the positive column, but those positives don't stack up well against negatives of poor storytelling and historical inaccuracies. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
This was fun. Not much to say beyond that. I won't remember it forever and ever, but I enjoyed it a lot while I was reading it. I wish the rest of the books were in my library, and I'd read them if they were, but I'm not going to buy them new. I'll keep an eye out for them in used bookstores.

Sinner by Amanda Stevens
I'm not enjoying the post-hiatus books in this series nearly as much as I enjoyed the pre-hiatus books. The romance continues to annoy and the paranormal aspects have taken a turn for the confusing and creepy (though not creepy in a good way). Still, something keeps me engaged enough to keep reading them and I do like the sense of place Amanda Stevens builds. I liked the mystery and characters in this one more than the last book. I'll make my way in time to finishing this series, but I'm not in a rush and I've decided that if I don't remember all the pieces, I'm ok with that.

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
I suppose my lesson here is that just when you think you know something, life can still surprise you. I had written Alexandra Bracken off, but a surprise delivery filled with treats and pretty packaging had me reconsidering my boycott. I'm glad I did. This book was far from perfect or forever-memorable, but it was fun. Just like a Disney Halloween special. A perfect read for October, or Halloween in July.

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
Ooph, well, I had made my decision, but it was a scary decision filled with lots of uncertainty and wondering and feeling judged by the world and worrying how I would measure up. Enter, comfort read. L. M. Montgomery has a knack for refocusing me and helping me see what matters in life. Valency's bold decision to follow what makes her happy (and in doing so, realize all her dreams) rather than the expectations of people whose opinions really don't matter was just what I needed to read.



Confederates Don't Wear Couture by Stephanie Kate Strohm
While I was mustering courage and realigning priorities with Valency, I also lightening things up with Dev and Libby. This book made me laugh during a time when it was important to remember to laugh. Life things were all Big Scary Changes, and a sassy gay best friend sewing period-appropriate pretty dresses for Libby designed to catch the eyes of dashing southern gentlemen during Confederate reenactment tours was the perfect counterpoint. Lesson learned: It's important to lighten up and have fun, always.

Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart
I suspected that the Big Life Changes were going to result in a lack of access to my local library, so I made a list of all the books I really, really, really didn't want to miss out on and then started reading them. Rose Cottage is one such book, and while it wasn't world-changing, it was lovely. Old-timey, with a dash of Downton Abbey, a smidge of Gothic mystery, a pinch of romance, and a setting to sink into. Definitely glad I didn't let myself miss out on this. 

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
I had been reading this book since February! It's mostly told in episodic chapters, each in turn heartwarming, funny, or just plain nice. James Herriot finds his way as a new vet with fits, starts, losses, and wins. While for the longest time I thought of the title as relating to all the animals James treats, I came to realize it describes the funny, strange, lovable, dislikable, and amusing people he encounters just as much. It was a charming book and one I savored.
 

Next up

June and July were filled with books I never reviewed, but did enjoy. The Great Turmoil of 2017 and all the questions it raised came to a firm conclusion in June. I got my answers, and July was spent taking next steps based on those answers.

Looking back over these months the theme that characterized both my reading life and life life was "doing what I want" and that made for a very liberating and surprisingly content June and July. Few if any things were entirely perfect, but the imperfections didn't bother me much.



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2017 in Review: April through May

I made a really big list

I'm a list maker, so of course I HAD to make an end-of-the-year list recapping all of the books I read in 2017. It's like a snapshot of reviews, but you can click on the titles to go to my full reviews.

I don't know if anyone but me actually reads these lists, but I enjoy making them. I find it fun and helpful to reflect on my reading habits throughout the year and see how my personal life impacts my reading life. This also helps take my focus off the quantity of books I've read and instead focus on the quality of the experiences I've had with each book.

Last year this process also helped me realize how much pressure I was putting on myself to read certain books and how that wasn't making me happy. I realized how my book choices gave me insight into other areas of my life and how I was able to see some things a little clearer as a result. I was able to make changes based on these reflections last year, and I'm happier for it.  "Lessons learned" has been a theme of mine lately, and looking at my reading experiences through this lens has added more depth and value to my reading experiences. 

The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme
Total impulse read. I don't remember if I saw this on Overdrive while browsing new books or if this one popped up on Goodreads, but however the book came to my attention, it was the idea of an entire year of cozy that piqued my interest. The book itself was less impressive and while I don't think I'd bother to make any of the recipes or crafts, I did appreciate the feel and sentiment of the book. The "live" activities were the highlights for me and they just felt good to read about, reflect on, and even try.

The Initiation by L. J. Smith
I was feeling crappy and down and all around bleh due to The Great Turmoil of 2017. So, enter nostalgic comfort read! I love L. J. Smith's blend of 1990s nostalgia, silliness, and tropes. At this point I've, wow, I've read this series over two decades, and I'll probably pick it up again.

So, lessons learned here? The thing that was bothering me enough to send me into the safety of an old comfort read wasn't actually such a big deal in the long run since eight months later everything has worked out even better than I imagined it ever would. That's a nice reminder of perspective and something I hope I recall during my next crisis- this too shall pass.  

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
I went from one comfort read to another. While I may have been feeling awful at the time, I mostly now just remember how much I enjoyed revisiting this book. My takeaway here is that it's important to focus on the enjoyable aspects of a situation and appreciate them, even if they are just one aspect of a larger sucky situation.

The Surgeon's Mate (#7) by Patrick O'Brian
After zipping through the previous book in this series, I immediately picked up The Surgeon's Mate...and then took almost a month to get through it. I was enjoying it, but I wasn't as gripped. I've learned by now to take my time with this series and not force it and when I do that, regardless of whether I'm reading fast or slow, I'm enjoying the experience.

Three Singles to Adventure by Gerald Durrell
I had such high expectations for this book, but unfortunately it did not live up to them. I wanted this book to be more of the Corfu trilogy, but it wasn't. I might have enjoyed it more had I approached it for what it was, rather than what I wanted it to be. Note to self.

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
I read this book for a class, and I'm very glad this was assigned. The stories were funny, inventive, and inspiring. My biggest takeaway is to take risks, try things. They might not all turn out the way you want them to, but oftentimes they'll turn out better than you expected, in part because of the experience in taking that risk.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Some of this was really lovely, but my overall impression is kind of meh. It's strange, when it think of the book overall I don't have a great feeling. Mostly meh, bleh, with a dash of disappointment. But when I think of the actual scenes, I have a hard time not listing off every scene as a joy and savoring them all over again. I'm not sure what to make of it, except I think this is another case of judging the book based on my expectations rather than the book's reality, and while it did not meet my expectations the reality was too nice to ignore.

The Graverobber's Apprentice by Allan Stratton
Nice, but forgettable. Not every book will stay with you forever, but that doesn't mean the time spent reading them is wasted or less. I enjoyed this book while reading it, and then promptly forgot most of it soon after. Little glimpses find a way to peek through, though, and I think most of the reason I'm dismissing this one is because it reminds me so much of Jason Khan's books and those stand out more. Well, upon reflection, I suppose I do like this book more than I thought.

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
I felt a little strange reading this book, like it should be too young for me to enjoy as a proper adult. Which is absurd because 1) I read plenty of children's books and don't feel the same level of shame, and 2) I wanted to read it, so there. Though my childhood was filled with Winnie the Pooh, I don't think I've ever actually read the books. I can see now why they're treasured classics, and I'm happy I read this book.

The Changeling Prince by Vivian Vande Velde
The turmoil of April continued into May and I dove back into another comfort read. Vivian Vande Velde has been a long-time favorite and I'm always happy when I continue to enjoy her stories both old-to-me and new.

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
Well, I hoped to love this, but instead it was just ok. Mostly because I've read other books with similar stories. That's ok though. The whole experience made me recall those earlier books and appreciate them all over again, which was nice.

The Conjurer Princess by Vivian Vande Velde
After reading The Changeling Prince it seemed natural to pick up The Conjurer Princess, a sort of companion novel/sequel. I actually read this book first many, many (many) years ago. I even remember where I was standing in the library when I picked this book off the shelf. Such happy memories browsing the library shelves. In the Internet age, the way I select books to read is entirely different from the way I used to find them. Now I pretty much know about all these books before I find them on an actual shelf (or digital shelf). Back then, every library trip was an exploration and discovery of the unknown. Pros and cons both ways, and I'm glad I've experienced both.

Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger
Short chapters, light reading, and humor. Not a nostalgic comfort read, but perfect for when I needed to dive into a distraction that wasn't particularly demanding in any way. Not every book needs to be meaningful or make an impression. Sometimes they're just fun...

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
...and sometimes they're amazing! I was absolutely absorbed by this book. It was told in funny way that almost made it seem real. I can't fully describe why I enjoyed this experience so much, and I almost don't care to try. I just loved it.

The Tudor Tutor by Barb Alexander
But not this book! Ugh, what a chore. Barb Alexander spent so much time trying to be funny that the whole experience just felt grating. Such a contrast to authors like Thomas B. Costain who seem to just genuinely delight in what they are writing about, regardless of who reads their books, if anyone, ever. Barb Alexander instead felt almost apologetic for enjoying history and fake in her efforts to wrap events in a blanket of smug sarcasm. Like a tween who mocks their blankie when their friends discover it, but still secretly love it. Just...own it. Own what you enjoy, love it fully and without regard for the judgments of others.

The Perilous Princess Plot by Sarah Courtauld
Well, you win some, you lose some. I'm rarely a fan of the "traditional feminine princesses are bad" and "princesses who reject this are good" trope. Reading these two books back to back, and during The Great Turmoil of 2017, was another nice reminder of the importance of being true to oneself. 

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Wow, this was a total surprise! I've seen these books around for years, but never thought they were for me. I probably never would have given them a try if it weren't for Helen's review, but I am so, so glad I did. This series is a new favorite and my lessons learned to wrap up May include: don't be so quick to judge without knowing more about something! 

Next up

I usually chunk these into quarters, but April, May, and June were massive reading months! The Great Turmoil of 2017 hit hard during these months, and yet I still managed to read a ton of books. While there were a few so-so picks in there, there was something worthwhile gained from every reading experience. That my memories of this time focus more on the enjoyable book experiences and less on the tumultuous life happenings is a nice reminder of the importance of this new "go with the flow" philosophy I've been trying on for size: don't loose sight of the good things, and the rest will work out.



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