My reading in 2024 and some sorta plans for 2025 reading...

Hello everyone!  Hope you have had a nice couple of days after the 'Happy New Year' festivities!

I thought I might share a little about my 2024 reading and then also talk about what I might be reading this next year.  Oh, there also will be a post on Monday about what 'My Favorite Mystery Book Group' (we've been meeting since February of 2008!) will be reading and discussing for the first half of this year.

According to my reading journal, I finished 97 books in 2024.  I was so happy about that!  That is the highest number I've read since 2020!  Yay!  The last few years have been busy and distracted.  Glad this one was a little better in those areas.  Still busy - trying not to be so distracted.  

One of the goals I had for 2024 was to read the entire series by J.D. Robb featuring Eve Dallas and Roarke.  There are 59 full-length books at this time and #60 will be coming out in February.  Did I make it?  Yes, I did.  So, 59 of the 97 were in that series.  As you probably know, I love mystery series and this is one of my favorites.  The first book is Naked In Death and the one published last September is Passions In Death.

Other books that stood out for me are below:

The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill - I led a book discussion of this one in October at the afternoon book group that I attend.  It's the author's debut book and I really look forward to seeing what she will write next.  Set in the late '90's in Texas and also in Japan before and after WWII, it tells the story of a Japanese war bride and a grandmother and granddaughter.  It's based on the author's family and her grandmother.  Have you read this?  I recommend it.   

The Goddess of Shipwrecked Sailors by Skye Alexander - my thoughts here.

The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White - my thoughts here.

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves - my thoughts here.

Think that's about all for 2024.  I did enjoy many other books, but we'll move on to 2025 plans.

-------------------------------------------------------

As I said above, I'll be sharing what the mystery book group I attend is reading for Jan-Jun of 2025.  I do attend an afternoon book group (mystery group is an evening group) as well when I can.  I don't always read all the books for that one.  That group is reading The Women by Kristin Hannah in April and I want to try it.  Also, the May meeting will be 'Books About Books' - don't think I'll have trouble finding any of those.

After doing that big reread of the J.D. Robb books for 2024, I'm thinking of doing a couple of other series catch-ups or complete rereads.  I do plan to reread all of Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway books and have already started.  I also need to go back and sort of analyze where I am with several other series.  I think for a few I'm only a book or two behind.  Others more than that.  Mostly, I plan to read what 'speaks' to me for 2025.  And have one goal - reading 100 books or more this year - ha!!  Can I do it?  I think so!

Let's all have some fun and meaningful reading in 2025!!!         

Happy New Year!! It's 2025!!

 

I've shared these quotes before, the last time in 2020.  I think they all bear repeating, so here are a few things to ponder as we begin a new year...wishing all of you much peace and joy in 2025!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” —Maya Angelou

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” —William James

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” —Ghandi

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” —Albert Einstein