I have already finished my reading totals for the year; it's time to start reading for next year.
I pick 10-12 books and start reading them in December. I choose a variety of genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, cookbooks, philosophy. I read and read and read until I arrive at the last page, the last paragraph. Here I stop.
On January 1, I read the last page of all the books, and I review them.
My brain thinks I've already read 12 books. And, in a way, I have.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (fiction)
Saint Francis of Assisi by Demi (nonfiction picture book)
The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr (spirituality)
Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith (writing)
The Penguin Book of Haiku edited by Adam L. Kern (poetry)
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (classic; writing)
Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green (nonfiction)
String Too Short to Be Saved: Recollections of Summers on a New England Farm by Donald Hall (memoir)
Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff (classic; children’s)
Bird Talk: Hilariously Accurate Ways to Identify Birds by the Sounds They Make by Becca Rowland (nature)
Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat (foodie)
A Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare (play)
Curiously, perhaps, I have never kept track of how many books I read, nor do I have a target. I doubt that I ever will. There is never a time, however, that I am not reading.
ReplyDeleteI like this game!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That sounds like a fun game! These are all new to me ones but I hope you enjoy(ed) them all!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Sign me up for the bird talk book!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on that John Green book for the 2026 nonfiction challenge. It's been getting good reviews fom book friends. Great variety of books you listed.
ReplyDeleteThat is a unique approach! Good luck! I thought the John Green book was excellent. I read The Winter's Tale with my book group last year, and loved it.
ReplyDeleteYou read all of those books in one month? Other than the last pages? I definitely couldn't do all that reading in one month! Good luck though!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea about starting your next years TBR in December.
ReplyDeleteI still have my paperback copy of A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf that was given to me as a gift in November/December of 1986 😮. I highly recommend.
Congrats on completing your reading goals for the year! I hope you enjoy all of these :) I'm also keen to pick up John Green's book!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you thought of the Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. I only have one more book I have to count for my 2025 list and then I am going to start crediting books forward, too. using you as my model.
ReplyDeleteDear Deb, a warm congratulation to you for reaching your goals! The St. Francis of Assisi picture book sounds great! Of course being a nature lover, the Bird Talk one is very intriguing, and sounds comical as well!
ReplyDeleteI might have to borrow this idea from you. :)
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I keep track of books read (and go till the 31st!) but apart from what's on my shelf I haven't yet tackled, I don't really have a future list. Just looking up now I see many I haven't read and it's comforting to know I never need to leave my space to find a good read -- but somehow, I always manage to leave sometimes and find another!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 more books to read this year and then I'll have met my goal of 100 books for this year. I'm cutting it close. I have no idea what I'll be reading next year. Whatever I have on my Kindle most likely.
ReplyDeleteI first learned about The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny this past weekend. And now it seems to be appearing everywhere.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/winter-2026-tbr-ten-books-i-hope-to-read/
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ReplyDeleteThe Maggie Smith book is interesting. All of them sound good! I've had the John Green on my list since it was published--may in the new year I'll read i? Enjoy your reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very clever idea. I always start my read through the Bible plan in December, it gives you "grace days" if you need them.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting game. I hope you enjoy your books!
ReplyDeleteWhen you posted last week all the books you were reading, I wondered how you could keep track and not mix the stories up. Sounds like a good start to the year though, Deb.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of the Bird Talk book. I have a bird identifying app where you can record and it gives an identification. It works pretty well. Hope you enjoy all on your list!
ReplyDeleteLol! This sounds like a fun game! Enjoy Deb!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so funny that you do this, but then, you never feel behind either :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I enjoyed EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS. So fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT (on a Wednesday)!