2016 End of Year Check In

I love doing stat posts based on my reading for the year. So, if you don't like charts and graphs or analysis of any kind, you can probably skip this post. :) I did one of these posts about midway through the year, too, because I just love playing with the graphics. Er, and also reviewing my reading progress. Yeah, that.

I'm a little behind, seeing as how it's been 2017 for nearly a month now, but better late than never, right? But all of a sudden, I have the urge -- and the time -- to blog again, so here I am. I'm not going to list all of the books I read in 2016 or even my favorites since I already did the 2016 End of Year Book Survey with April, but I am going to point you to my 2016 Goodreads challenge, which does list all the books I read:

2016 Reading Challenge

Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) has read 139 books toward her goal of 225 books.

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139 of 225 (61%)

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I know a lot of people have stopped participating in this challenge for one reason or another, but it's the only one I participate in, and I've never had a problem reaching my goal. But that's because I listen to a shit ton of audio. ;0)

See? I hardly read a physical book last year, unless it was an ARC. Most everything is audio these days because it's sometimes impossible to find the time to sit down and read. Even so, I guarantee that nearly half of those audiobooks listened to were for re-reading purposes.

And a lot of the audiobooks I read come from the library because audiobooks are hella expensive. I do purchase some with my Audible subscription, but let's see where the rest of my reading material comes from...

Hmm...that's quite a bit different from the last time I did this end-of-year post full of charts and graphs. I didn't even use the library then!

I used to care to see which publishers I reviewed more for, but as I did a lot less reviewing this year than in years past, I'm not going to worry over that. Instead, I want to see which genres I read the most from:

As I suspected. =) And here's how the ratings break down:

So, it would seem I've gotten a bit pickier with my reading, giving out a few more 2 stars and DNFing a bit more than I have in the past. I'm kind of proud of that fact.

All in all, a pretty good reading year, if I do say so myself. :D So, how did your 2016 reading year stack up? Any stats I should include next time that you don't see here?

As always, happy reading!

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Labels: 2016, analysis, end-of-year check-in, reading goals, reading habits, reading schedules, stats

Things 2016 Taught Me

I haven't really been in the mindset to blog lately, and so all of my end-of-year posts are coming at you nearly a month into 2017. I'm surprisingly okay with that. I'm still not entirely sure I'm ready for 2017, either, but there's really nothing I can do about that.

In lieu of the usual resolutions post, which I always fail at anyway, I thought I'd look back at my 2016 reading year and what I've learned or maybe only just realized about myself. Because I am definitely a different reader/reviewer than I was when I started this blog almost six years ago, but I'm also a different reader just from the start of the year. There were times -- especially toward the end of the year -- where I just wanted to give up and go off the grid, but I basically took a two-month hiatus and I'm feeling refreshed and ready to reflect -- and embrace! -- some of the changes I made this year. It's honestly kind of liberating.

1. First and foremost, I no longer love young adult the best.

I've been reading a lot of adult novels lately: historical romance, fantasy, chick lit. And I'm loving it. That's not to say that I don't still enjoy young adult, but I'm branching out and it's been fun.


2. I no longer read by a schedule.

I used to keep a detailed spreadsheet of all the review books I needed to read and when they released so I knew when to read them. But that left no room for books that I didn't receive for review or promotion. I've decided it's way more fun just reading book after book without a break to post a review. And I am just SO much happier when I don't read by a schedule.


3. Putting books on hold at the library tends to make me apathetic toward reading them.

If I have to wait very long for a hold to come through at the library, it's more likely that I'm not going to be in the mood to read it once my hold comes through. Sad, but true. So, I'm trying to only put highly anticipated reads on hold so I'm not keeping others from the books they want to read.


4. Re-reading can sometimes be detrimental.

I re-read. A lot. Especially when the next installment in a series is set to release. I re-read/listen to the previous book in a series to be prepared for the next/final book when it releases...and sometimes I end up not reading the next installment because I discover my love for the series has waned upon re-reading the preceding book. (Ex: Court of Fives, Ten Thousand Skies Above You)


5. I find it way easier to DNF or give up on a series midway now.

Temptation is a fickle bitch. I've warred with myself a lot over the years as to whether I should continue a book or series, and I usually cave because I just have to know how it ends. Not so much these days. I can make an educated guess and leave it at that.


6. My drafts folder is legit full of discussion posts I started but never posted. 

I always feel like talking about stuff but then reconsider, figuring no one else wants to hear about it. But sometimes, we just like to hear ourselves talk, yeah? So I'm going to start posting some of these, I think. The ones where I actually sound coherent, anyway.


7. Social media sucks the life out of me.

I haven't missed social media all that much during my hiatus, except maybe Instagram. I don't really think I'll be on Twitter anytime soon, and I've never really been a fan of Facebook. Everything's still set to cross-post to those sites, but I'm mainly here for the books, so I'll stick to Goodreads and Instagram for bookish goodness.

I'm sure I learned some other stuff, but these are the really important points. What, if anything, did 2016 teach you about yourself?

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Labels: 2016, blogging, discussion, reading habits

Mid-Year Check In

So, I love checking out everyone's EOM posts...what they read, what they liked, what they didn't. But I don't do one of those myself. It's hard enough to put together one at the end of the year, let alone every single month. But I thought I'd at least check in to show how I've been doing for the first six months of the year.

I'm not going to list all of the books I've read because that's already a lot, and the year's only half over. But I want to highlight some favorites and look at some stats and just genuinely see where I've spent my reading time so far this year. Plus, I just really like looking at stats and making charts and graphs. ;)

Here's a look at how I'm faring with my Goodreads challenge:

2016 Reading Challenge

Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) has read 139 books toward her goal of 225 books.

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139 of 225 (61%)

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I know a lot of people aren't participating in the challenge this year because of the stress involved, but I've never had a problem meeting my goal. In fact, sometimes, I increase it when it gets toward the end of the year and I see how well I'm doing. Also, I try not to set too lofty a goal for myself so that it's still doable, should something come up and slow my reading progress.

I've read some really amazing novels already this year. Here are a few (ha!) of my favorite reads so far for 2016:

Some great contemporaries. A few phenomenal series finales. Some new beginnings to series that I can't wait to continue. A few books that crushed my soul. And a 2017 that I just could not wait to start. Anything here you've read or are dying to read? I could honestly re-read all of these right this minute.

Speaking of re-reading, I've been doing a lot of that lately, too. Mostly via audio, but we'll get to that. :P Here's how I've fared with re-reads over the last several years...

I'm really kind of impressed with myself. I mean, we've only gone through half the year, and I've already re-read almost as many books as I re-read all of last year! It makes it a lot easier to justify buying books when you know you're going to read them again and again, ya know?

But as you can see below, each year I read more altogether, so it makes sense that my number of re-reads is on the rise. I'd like to keep this trend going, though. I think I'm going to set an unofficial goal of 100 re-reads for myself this year.

Curious as to how I go through so many books so quickly? I listen to a ton of audio, of which you already know a lot are re-reads. =) Thank you, library, and thank you friend who made that possible again!

Yeah, that's right! I beta-read a book for the first time ever, which is why it's not ultimately counted in my Goodreads total. It's not a real book yet! :D How do you think your numbers would look if you tallied what format you read in the most?

So, that's how my reading has gone so far this year. I think I'm doing preeeeettttty well. :P And here are some of the books I'm most excited to read during the second half of 2016:

I would have included Blood for Blood, but I just started it so I can no longer look forward to it...I can only hope it doesn't crush my soul like some others have this year. ;)

How's your reading progress so far for 2016? Do you have a similar post or an EOM post you'd like me to check out? I'd love to see how you spend YOUR reading time!

As always, happy reading!

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Labels: 2016, analysis, mid-year check in, reading goals, reading habits, reading schedules, stats

How Book Blogging Has Changed Me as a Reader

So, our 5th blogiversary is coming up pretty soon, but I'm not all that excited about it. Honestly, I've been pretty apathetic toward blogging in general as of late. Well, that's not entirely true...some days are better than others. But I don't know if we're going to do a big celebration (read: giveaway) this year or not. I just bought a house at the end of last year and so funds are pretty tight as it is, plus April and I haven't even talked about doing anything, and it's less than two weeks away. Tells you where our priorities are, doesn't it?

Instead, I thought I'd just reflect on how blogging has changed me as a reader -- and maybe as a person, too. Because a lot can happen in five years and some things are harder to walk away from unscathed than others. And who knows? Maybe this will be the cathartic experience I need, and I'll be in the spirit to celebrate and give things away by the end. ;0)

For better or worse, here are a few ways I'm different because of blogging:

I don't visit bookstores anymore.

Back in the early days, I would run out to the nearest book store to pick up a book on release day. However, if I didn't already receive a copy from the publisher, or if I want a special edition or finished copy in addition to the review copy I received, I rely on other bloggers or Twitter to alert me to sales and pre-order deals, meaning that most of my book purchases are made online these days.

Also, my shelves are so unbelievably full -- I've even resorted to a "saved for Katie" shelf in the closet of the spare bedroom -- that it's not really feasible for me to just go peruse the shelves of Barnes & Noble or Half Price Books and take home an armload like in the good old days. Which is partially why I have this problem to begin with, let's be honest.

I know way more about authors than I ever wanted to.

Look, I love meeting authors, virtually and in real life. I love connecting with them and discovering their next project and seeing them interact with other readers. But I realize that they are not my friends and that I don't owe them a favorable review just because we're friendly on in the internets.

Shoot, I don't owe them anything, if we're being perfectly honest. If anything -- and especially if I've purchased and reviewed their book -- they owe me the respect any author should show any reader. Before I was a blogger -- and hey, maybe this type of thing didn't happen before blogging was a thing, who am I to say? -- I was unaware of bad author behavior. I may have supported countless "bad" authors with my hard-earned cash because of it. But I also have to wonder how much of these situations is really bad author behavior and how much of it is the blogosphere and Twitter blowing things out of proportion. One never knows unless one is directly involved in the confrontation.

I've become a green-eyed monster.

We've all been there: envying the person on the other side of the screen because they got the coveted ARC you'd give your big toe for. I don't think I've actually ever posted about ARC envy because I try not to let it control me, but it's there all the same. And it's pointless because we'll ALL get to read the book sooner or later. It's just hard knowing others are discussing the book, that you're missing out on that aspect more than anything because you WANT to be part of the community but you always feel slightly on the outside, especially when it concerns a much-desired ARC.

But I'm not just envious of those who get review copies before I do. That's a grain of sand in comparison to the rest of it. My jealousy also stems from how very little time I actually have to spend on this hobby. It's hard to take off work for conventions. I end up writing most blog posts while I'm at work. I pretty much have to wait until everyone else is in bed before I get time to myself to sit down and read. Working full-time and caring for a family take up a lot of time. A lot.

Oh, and how easy every other bookish person seems to be in the company of other bookish peeps! I am such a nervous nelly, so completely out of my comfort zone at bookish events, and so I avoid them for the most part. But I have an amazing, supportive friend who pushes me to do the things I want to do, even if they make me uncomfortable. She's the main reason I've been to any author events recently. So, I'm also completely and ridiculously jealous of you guys who are comfortable in your own skin and just put yourself out there.

I really don't like this about myself. Before blogging, I didn't worry about book events or getting advance copies. I felt completely anonymous...just another reader in the night. And I was more than okay with that.

I don't read old books.

These days, I put all my effort and physical reading time into reading and reviewing ARCs and don't spend nearly enough time on my backlist. Unless it's via audio. And that was only when I had access to the library in Austin. =( Now, I have to make the conscious effort to pick up an older title, or it just doesn't happen. And more often than not...it doesn't happen. This is why it's so hard for me to get rid of books. The want to read them is there, but the time is not. I've stopped requesting nearly as many review copies, and that's helped to some extent, but I don't think I'll be able read all of the books I want to in my lifetime. And that's just sad.

I listen to audiobooks.

Before blogging, I would NEVER have listened to an audiobook. In my head, that was like the equivalent of cheating. Now, I constantly have an audiobook on-deck. I listen on my commute, while I work, doing chores, exercising...pretty much anything mundane that can be made better with a good book. And I'm able to revisit old favorites via audio, which is like, the best.

I collect books.

I'd always planned to have my own library. I think that's kind of required for any little girl whose favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. But I never planned to become a collector. I've got multiple editions of the same book: paperback, hardcover, ARC, UK edition, signed, special printing, etc., etc., etc. My husband likes to point this out a lot whenever I complain about running out of shelf space. I've been better about culling books from my shelves, but I'm still not great. Hence, the aforementioned "saved for Katie" shelf. But there are just some authors I love more than others, some books that mean more to me than others. And those deserve special shelf space. And that's where the collecting comes in.

I have the urge to write...like, ALL THE TIME.

And not for the blog. I've got all kind of ideas -- lots of them saved in my notes on my phone -- that are just itching to be put on paper. Or screen, as it were. I used to write ALL THE TIME when I was younger. Horrible poetry. Really bad short stories. Journaling day and night. But then I met my husband and life was really good and I no longer needed the outlet that writing provided.

I'm not saying that's the only reason to write. It's not even why I want to write now. Sometimes you just have a desire to share a story, not necessarily get a feeling on the page so it's not in your head anymore. Though, admittedly, writing is really good for that, too.

At this point, I care little about getting published. I just. WANT. TO. WRITE. But, I also have to admit that because of blogging and social media in general, I have access to a lot more resources regarding getting published than I ever did before. Or at the very least, I know where to find them now.

I'm sure these aren't the only ways I've changed since starting blogging, but that's where I'm stopping for now. I feel like blogging has brought about some changes for the better in me, but it's also changed me in ways that I'm not certain I'm okay with. It's why blogging has become kind of a daily struggle for me.

As I reflect on five years of blogging, I'm trying to figure out ways to make myself love it again. If you've got any ideas or just general comments about how blogging has changed you, I'd love to hear them!

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Labels: blogging confessions, blogiversary, discussion, reading habits

Reading at the Kids' Table

As a reader and a blogger and just a lover of books in general, one of my biggest priorities as a parent is to grow and sustain a love of reading in my own daughter. I want her to demand that I take her to the library, to beg for just one more story at bedtime. I want Katie to expand her knowledge of the world by visiting other worlds in books. I want her to question everything but also to find books to be a far better source of entertainment than those video games she's also drawn to. (I blame her father. Lol.) And I know that April feels the same way about her daughter Aubrey. And in these formative years is when we have to instill that love of reading and just hope that everything we do now keeps our kids interested in reading.

So, the point of this post is to share some of our favorite children's books, to rag on some of those that displease us (or me, rather), and to share what we love reading with our own kiddos. Also, both of our girls had to get glasses in the same week, so we wanted to share their adorableness with you. I hope some day that these two girls get to meet because I just know that they'll be fast friends!

Our Girls:

Katie, or Katiebug, as we like to call her around these parts =)

Little miss Aubrey, don't let her cuteness fool you. She's full of sass! 

Our Childhood Favorites:

Jen's favorites:

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - As an adult, this book makes me kind of sad because of how badly the boy treats his beloved tree, but as a child, I saw the tree as a mother-figure and didn't think anything of it. What does that say about me?

Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak - Honestly, I can't remember what this book is really about...I just remember checking it out at the library as an eight-year-old for six consecutive weeks. o_O

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss - It's good to try new things, even when you don't think you'll like them.

April's favorites:

I know, these aren't exactly childhood books, but I honestly don't remember any being in our house. We just weren't that kinda family if you catch my drift. And that's one of the reasons it's so important to me to read with Aubrey. 

Sweet Valley Twins by Francine Pascal - When I was young I remember my grandmother taking me to the library just about every weekend so I could check these books out. From there I moved on to Sweet Valley High. 

Fear Street by RL. Stine - I didn't read too many of these, but my friend always read them so she would lend them to me when she was done. 

Dawn by V.C. Andrews - We didn't have any children's books in the house, but my mother had always been a big reader. Her shelves were filled with Horror, Thrillers, and V.C. Andrews novels. Dawn was the first one I read, and I was 10 years old. I wasn't allowed to read it, I was told they were too old for me, but I read it anyway. Those books are what really sparked my interest in reading. 

Favorites to Read with Katie & Aubrey:

Jen's picks for Katie:  Pretty much any Olivia book -- but especially Olivia & The Fairy Princesses -- because that little pig is so tenacious and independent and free-spirited. Also, in OatFP, Olivia considers exposing corporate malfeasance, which yes, I had to explain to Katie, but I loved explaining it to her and sharing my love of vocabulary with her. I will make her an SAT-word girl yet. =) Also also, Olivia marches to the beat of her own drum, and I like that. I like that it makes Katie want to be her own unique self and not copy what everyone else is doing.

I just love this little pig and how much she doesn't want to be like everyone else.

I just love reading to Katie, using different voices and trying to bring the story to life for her. But now she's reading in Kindergarten, and she's actually four levels ahead of where she's supposed to be right now. So, she reads to me each night, too, not just because she has to, but because she wants to, too. And her awesome Auntie Kat bought her the Olivia Loves to Read set for her birthday so we can continue our love for this fantabulous pig. :-)

April's picks for Aubrey:

Aubrey has recently gotten into the Pinkalicious books, and I know, I know.. they are pink, and I'm always seeing all the gender garbage about them. I don't limit Aubrey to just girly books, she picks what she likes and right now, it's pink. lol. To mix it up though, we really enjoy reading the Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer also. They used to be her daddy's and she loves that. Her favorite one is I Was So Mad. It's something she can relate to I guess, since I'm such a mean mommy sometimes. lol. Jen has me thinking we need to try some Olivia books now. 

The World of Fairies, At the Dawn of Pixie Hollow is a favorite of ours to read together. Aubrey loves the Tinkerbell movies and this book is almost like a secret guide to everything. It talks about all the inner workings of Pixie Hollow, from Character Bio's to hidden fairy talents that don't really get much air time in the films. 

Also, around the Holidays we bring out Jingle! I'm kind of in love with that little pup and it really does react when you're reading the story. 

The Ones That Don't Send the Right Message:

Jen:  The ones that bother me most are the fairy tales. I know most of them used to be full of warnings and dire consequences when they were originally written, but through the years and after many rewrites and interpretations, they've become trite and lacking in morals.

Take this short retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk from xxx that I read to Katie from time-to-time. It gives me a great opportunity to use my funny voices, and it was a steal when we picked it up at HPB awhile back. But I hate the thought that it makes it seem like it's okay to steal and that you can have a happily ever after if you get away with it. Also, Jack's mother seems to condone this behavior. Katie knows it's wrong to take from others, no matter who it is or what they may have done to you, but I always like to reiterate that point at the end of this story.






I can tolerate all of the princess stories and happily ever afters Katie begs for, unless they are full of misogynist malarkey perpetrating the myth that a woman needs a man to be happy, as in the example to the right. That's a short retelling of The Frog Prince in another collection of fairy tales that Katie likes me to read to her at bedtime each night. I must say, I much prefer when she requests Runny Babbit or Fox in Sox.

April:

I don't really have a whole lot to add here, though I agree with Jen on the Fairy Tales. I'm not a fan of the whole "Needing a man to be happy". It's funny because take the little mermaid for instance. I love The Little Mermaid, but at the same time I hate the message. In pretty much every variation of the story that Aubrey has, she gives up just about everything to be with this man. In the one fairy tale collection she has, the mermaid travels with the man to go meet his soon to be wife. Then the ship gets caught in a storm and she saves him again! Then he realizes it's her the girl who saved him, and they live happily ever after. Um...NO! In real life, I'd be telling that douche to take a hike and learn how to swim. 

What books do you love sharing with your children from your own childhood? Any recommendations for our early readers?

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Labels: aubrey, children's books, katiebug, reading goals, reading habits