2014 Reading Challenge

So back in 2012 I discovered Goodreads.com online as a way to find new books to read and most of all to keep track of those that I had already read.

They have a great feature where you set a reading goal for yourself and are able to keep on track by entering the books you've read and the date that you finished.

In my first year, I set a goal of 1 book a week for 52 total. I did it.

Then last year I decided my New Year's Resolution was to read ALL of my James Patterson books. That was 68 in total. I was doing well on that path but there is always something else that comes up that I want to read (like a new Janet Evanovich or something.) So, I finished my goal on the very last day of the year by reading a freebie that I had gotten on the iPad. But I finished.

This year...I'm making my goal even harder-70 books! I have a book list to follow. Mostly to finish all the James Patterson books that I didn't get to last year (including the 10 or so that I received for Christmas this year). I'm also wanting to read books that are set in various locations in North Carolina. I love nothing more that reading along with something and being able to completely relate to the setting. I found a website earlier this year that provided a literary map of North Carolina. What a great way to "tour" the state in a completely different way!

 

 

Of course I love reading Margaret Maron and Nicholas Sparks books but I'm also looking for other, lesser known, authors that provide that same "down home" feeling to the story. As a native North Carolinian (and there aren't that many of us), I think this is a great way to get in touch with "The Old North State". For any of you that aren't native, consider these as an introduction to places you haven't possibly explored yet.

 

Please feel free to follow along with me on my 2014 journey here on my blog. I'm adding a widget as I have in the past to the sidebar. Or you can keep up over at Goodreads.com. If you have suggestions for good reads (I'm not into romance novels), pass them along. The best way to discover new stories is by sharing with each other.

 

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

 



It's been almost a year

So I started this blog in January thinking that it would be one of my New Year's Resolutions to keep people updated in the mundane things going on as well as share things (like books and recipes) that I liked.

Obviously this is one resolution that didn't get seen through till the end...it became so much like a chore to update and I'm just not a "writer". When my health took a nasty turn in April again and I spent 3 weeks in the hospital-I just didn't have the strength to write about anything. And I had so many emotions that I wasn't sure were appropriate to share with the world at that point.

I'm not saying that 2013 will get any better about my frequency of updating but at least I know that I can when I need to.

Now..to update on my other 2012 Resolutions:

1. Read more (I actually had a concrete goal of reading 52 books this year or about 1 per week) - I slipped a little on this goal in the fall but picked back up as the year started coming to a close. As it stands now, I have 13 hours and 36 minutes to finish the 52nd book. Yay! I've already decided that my resolution for next year is to be completely caught up on my James Patterson books. I made a list before Christmas and Santa (well the whole family) came together to complete my collection so I wouldn't be missing any that are already published. The goal for 2013 is (drumroll) 68! I might be insane but his books go quickly so here's to hoping I succeed.

2. Working out-OK so I had good times and bad with this over 2012. I would go in spurts. But don't we all. I had gotten into walking either outside or on the treadmill in March when the weather started getting nice however, when the flu hit in April (followed by the appendicitis and the abcesses on my ovaries) that came to a screeching halt. I tried a few months back to start the Couch to 5K program and got 1 week in before another flareup with colitis hit. I feel like I'm using being sick as an excuse and I'm tired of it! In 2013 I am going to follow through with the Couch to 5K program AND I'm going to sign up for and complete a 5K race.

3. My final "resolution" if you can call it that is to get my health in order! I'm going to be diligent about taking my meds at the correct times and not forgetting them as well as taking the appropriate vitamins and supplements I need. NO MORE TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL in 2013!!! In addition, I'm going to take the giant leap of calling the fertility specialist and getting the program started with that. I've prayed for so long that God will bless our family with a child but he's not going to answer my prayers without me taking the right steps too.

Wish me luck on all this and most of all, include our family in your prayers. Hopefully I'll be better about checking in with you throughout the year on here but I'm not promising anything.

We will think of each of you as the new year dawns and pray that you receive many blessings for you and your families throughout the year.

God Bless and Happy New Year!

The Christmas Wedding

I just finished my second book of the year...I'm trying to read more this year (another resolution). This time I read one of the many books I got for Christmas-James Patterson's The Christmas Wedding. This is not a crime/mystery book like he normally writes but rather a love story. I kept waiting for a surprise ending-I guess we've become used to some big twist at the end of so many stories but this was just a simple and honest love story. The characters are all easily likeable and I felt like I knew each of them by the end even though the book is only 266 pages. Another great and quick read for anyone.