I've read thirty eight books in 2024, noticeably less than in recent years, however, some of the books I have read have been quite hefty. I'm at a point where I count the number of books I've read purely out of interest, I don't set goals, reading is purely for enjoyment.
I haven't read as many classics this year, mainly because I've been immersed in The Seven Sisters series, and those are long books. I think they're each over 800 pages long, some longer. I have read a few though and I continue to collect them with the aim of reading more.
As I said, I've read The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley this year, with her son, Harry Whittaker taking over the final installment as Lucinda Riley sadly died before she completed it. The books are about seven sisters who were adopted by a billionaire. After his death, the sisters are given clues about their heritage which leads each of them on a journey to uncover their past. If you haven't read these books I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
As always, I've kept up with new releases from my favourite authors. Some of these books belong to a series so it's good to catch up with the lives of the characters I follow, others are stand alone stories but I know how much I enjoy these authors so I know that they're going to be good.
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Seven Sisters - Lucinda Riley
Queen of our Times - Robert Hardman
Fresh from the Country - Miss Read
The Storm Sister - Lucinda Riley
The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Letter to a Hostage - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A Villa with a View - Julie Caplin
The Museum of Ordinary People - Mike Gayle
The Shadow Sister - Lucinda Riley
Peter Pan - JM Barrie
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
The Big Little Wedding in Carlton Square - Lilly Bartlett
The Pearl Sister - Lucinda Riley
The Household - Stacey Halls
The Last Reunion - Kayte Nunn
The Moon Sister - Lucinda Riley
The House Keepers - Alex Hay
The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary
Very Very Lucky - Amanda Prowse
The Sun Sister - Lucinda Riley
The Kindness Club on Mapleberry Lane - Helen Rolfe
The Missing Sister - Lucinda Riley
The No-Show - Beth O'Leary
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt - Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker
A Vintage Summer - Cathy Bramley
Home Truths - Charity Norman
Swimming to Lundy - Amanda Prowse
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel - Alexander McCall Smith
The Memory of Us - Dani Atkins
Nurses on Call - Donna Douglas
The Crossing Places - Elly Griffiths
The Secrets of De Courcy Square by Ann O'Loughlin
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
This Year's for Me and You by Emily Bell
Christmas with the Wartime Midwives by Daisy Styles
The Nutcracker by ETA Hoffmann
The Golden Rule by Ananda Craig
My favourites have definitely been The Seven Sisters but I also really enjoyed The Old Man and the Sea, The Memory of Us and We Solve Murders.
I started the Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths this year so I intend reading more of those next year, I've already bought the next ones in the series.
I'd also like to read more classics. Again, they're waiting on the bookshelf, it's just a case of finding the time to read all the books I've got, yet I still keep adding more.
I'm always excited to see where my reading will take me, it's such a wonderful way to escape real life, learn new things and de-stress. Both my parents were avid readers and I'm so pleased that they passed this gift on to me, I'm only sad that neither of my children pick up a book to read very often.
Do you set yourself reading goals? What was your favourite book you've read this year?
I read quite a lot, mostly in bed at night, through the night! I don't keep a record and think perhaps I should. Half my family are readers (and writers) and half are not. People miss so much if they don't read.
ReplyDeleteI am so bad at goal setting. I guess I'm just a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of reader. I brought home a lot of books from the library or the Little Free Libraries. Most ending up being "did not finish". I think my favorite was "My Nest is Not Empty" by Lisa Scottoline. I finished that one in three days and enjoyed every page.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your reading Jo, it's a very pleasant past-time isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI was only talking about the Miss Read books yesterday with my SIL she's going to look out for them.
Enjoy the weekend, it's the last one in 2024!
Early wishes for a Happy New Year.
All the best Jan
That's a good number of books read. I do set a goal on Goodreads, but it's purely for my own amusement, I set myself goals for many things other than reading as I find it motivating.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read some classics next year, I have started to collect some but not got round to ready any yet, there are almost as many books on my to be read shelf as there are on my 'read' shelves, lol
I don't set myself targets, because I'm a book worm, I have in the past vowed to read less, but on dull wet days, which we have loads, reading is my preferred option.
ReplyDeleteWell done, you certainly read a good selection and good for you for including some classics. I don't set reading gaols, but generally read about one a week. I've no real favourite for this year. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a list Jo I haven't counted how many books I've read this year but it must be over a hundred, I have kept a record of some but not all as I keep forgetting. I like the sound of the Seven sisters I'm going to read the first one and see how I get on. xx
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! Well done you and you put me to shame these days. I am reading one at the moment, by an Australian author I like, called Janet Gover. Have a lovely New Year, take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteI don't set a reading goal either, I average about 70 each year and my favourite one this year was The Women, Kristen Hannah. I keep a record so I don't read the same book twice altho I still have done by mistake!
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