I haven't read anywhere near as many books as I usually do this year and there's two reasons for this, firstly, I did say at the end of last year that I was going to cut back on the amount of time I devote to reading to give me more time for other things. I've definitely achieved this. Secondly, I just haven't had as much time to read this year with a house move and all that entails, and to a lesser extent, a wedding to organise. I did still manage to read forty seven books though.
I decided this year that I was going to read some classics. Although I read plenty of books, it's usually contemporary fiction that I reach for so I thought it was about time that I had a go at some of the classics. I've read one a month and they've been a bit hit and miss, some I've thoroughly enjoyed and others haven't really been my thing. I think my favourite is Great Expectations, and I also enjoyed A Christmas Carol, so I definitely want to read more Dickens.
I've continued reading Miss Read books. I've now finished the Fairacre series and have embarked on the Thrush Green series. It's fun getting to know all the new characters and I'm still enjoying reading all about village life from yesteryear.
There have been new releases this year from some of my favourite authors, Alexander McCall Smith, Amanda Prowse, Dani Atkins to name a few. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the two follow ups in The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman.
The Man Who Died Twice - Richard Osman
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Village Affairs - Miss Read
Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe
The White Robin - Miss Read
The Memory Box - Kathryn Hughes
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
The Little Teashop in Tokyo - Julie Caplin
Village Centenary - Miss Read
Summer at Fairacre - Miss Read
The Little Swiss Ski Chalet - Julie Caplin
Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
Persuasion - Jane Austen
Mrs Pringle - Miss Read
The Cosy Cottage in Ireland - Julie Caplin
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
The Woolworths Saturday Girls - Elaine Everest
All My Mothers - Joanna Glen
These Wonderful Rumours - May Smith
Changes at Fairacre - Miss Read
Farewell to Fairacre - Miss Read
The Wedding Dress - Dani Atkins
Far From the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
Six Days - Dani Atkins
A Daughter's Hope - Donna Douglas
A Peaceful Retirement - Miss Read
Agnes Grey - Anne Bronte
Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen
Tales From a Village School - Miss Read
The Foundling - Stacey Halls
To Love and Be Loved - Amanda Prowse
Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
Thrush Green - Miss Read
A Song of Comfortable Chairs - Alexander McCall Smith
A Room with a View - E.M. Forster
Winter in Thrush Green - Miss Read
Making Waves at Penvennan Cove - Linn B Halton
Our Missing Hearts - Celeste Ng
The Bullet That Missed - Richard Osman
The Christmas Castle in Scotland - Julie Caplin
Remember Me - Charity Norman
The Jane Austen Society - Natalie Jenner
News From Thrush Green - Miss Read
The Long Long Afternoon - Inga Vesper
Women at War - Jan Casey
Thinking on my Feet - Kate Humble
A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
I don't have an overall stand out book this year but a couple I really enjoyed were All My Mothers by Joanna Glen and Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Another one I thoroughly enjoyed was Remember Me by Charity Norman, she's such a fantastic author and there isn't one of her books which I haven't loved, this was one of her best in my opinion.
In 2023 I plan on finishing the Thrush Green series by Miss Read and I'm going to continue to read some classics. I've had a few more bought for me for Christmas and I shall pick up some more as I go along. I think I've got a nice balance now of reading what I want to read but also setting aside some time for other things so I'll be pleased if I can continue in this way.
Have you got any reading goals this year?
My total was 116 and I've been spending ages writing a post about my favourites!
ReplyDeleteThe Fairacre school was just like my primary and I have all Miss Reads book to read again sometime - lovely books
I think my goal is going to be to read Miss Read.
ReplyDeleteNo particular reading goals personally for 2023, but my reading group members have decided to make choices from The Big Jubilee Read next year. The leaflet is available in libraries, listing 70 books from Commonwealth authors. I think we might be busy for some time!
ReplyDeleteI don't make reading goals. I just keep my shelf active with The Libby App and enjoy audio books. I always feel like I should be doing other things if I'm reading, so the audio books gives me the ability to do other things while listening. I listen while I knit, while I walk, while I do household chores. Did some classic back in the day when it was mandatory in school and never enjoyed them. I wonder if I would now as an adult? Might keep that in the back of my mind, but for now my list is fairly substantial. I don't know how many books I've read/listened to...will have to go check Good Reads and see. You have me curious. Glad you accomplished your goal both of cutting back in order to do other things and to read some classics. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
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No Jo, I've no goals for reading & ever since we moved here my reading has been very lacking due to a certain person being retired now & trying to keep this wayward backyard up to scratch. Sometimes I'd like to get back into reading, but time just doesn't seem to allow it. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have the record of your fantastic 47 books so you can check back in years to come. Here's to 2023's exciting reading.
ReplyDeleteI had a good year reading, but as I have always said I am a bookworm, hopefully you will have plenty of time to read in the new year.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange, my OH who doesn't read much crime , loved the Richard Osman books. I, on the other hand (who loves crime fiction) didn't enjoy the first book at all - I was bored by it - and didn't finish it. I've not read the others.
ReplyDeleteThat's still a good number, and well done on reading some classics among them, especially Dickens which I always enjoyed. I've yet to read the Richard Osman books. As my insomnia has been bad again I've reread a lot of books during this year. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteI don't have reading goals as such, more a "just read something" kind of attitude. I'm *very* fond of re-reading books I love so I've got plenty to keep me going both on my bookshelves and on my Kindle. Happy times are often found in a book!
ReplyDeleteEven though you say you haven't read as much this year it's still a good number. I didn't like the Thursday Murder Club so didn't read his others but I must re-read some classics next year, perhaps try to fit one a month in as you have done. I set my reading goal each year on Goodreads, sometimes I meet my challenge, sometimes I don't, this year I have so I'm please with that
ReplyDeleteWow, 47 books seems like a lot of reading to me! I loved all the Miss Read books. I never remember to keep a record and then always wish I had as I have no idea exactly what I have read. My total will be much much smaller than yours though as I average a book a month, maybe less.
ReplyDeleteYou have done well with your reading.
ReplyDeleteI always have a book on the go, and one author that I keep meaning to read is Miss Read, perhaps sometime during 2023 I will get around to it!
Enjoy these last few December days.
All the best Jan
I have been rereading all the Miss Read books ths year but cannot find a few of them to buy anymore like Mrs Pringle, The World of Thrush Green and the Howards of Caxley as they are out of print and the library don't do them. I will have to search the second hand shops to be able to complete all she has written. I have a few books noted to read next year from the many bloggers like yourself who review a book - it is always quite helpful so thank you for taking the time to tell us what you are reading.
ReplyDeleteI like a wide variety of genre. That is still a lot of books, such an interesting list! All the best for 2023.xxx
ReplyDeleteI got so behind with my reading this year and only read a couple of books, although I did fare better with audiobooks. I keep meaning to pick up Richard Osman's books as they seem like something I would enjoy. I really wanted to read A Christmas Carol this Christmas but didn't get around to it, but I will endeavour to pick up a copy ready for next Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWow! Some wonderful reads there.xxx
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