On My Nightstand February 3, 2024

This week seemed really long, and I couldn’t figure out why. Finally I realized both of my kids had gone to school for five days straight for the first time since November. I’m not used to having so much time to get things done (and I did kind of miss them.)

I had meetings and kid’s sports this week at night, but I’m still trying to get in my mint tea and reading time each day. It really helps me get through some longer books that I probably wouldn’t finish otherwise. Of course the best thing I can do to get through books is to leave my phone in the other room, but we won’t talk about that.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“It seems so, Nasima said, nodding sagely. But you and me, we know what’s going on. We do, Firuzeh said, not having the faintest idea.”

— On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: I have four more days to finish On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu before the library takes it back. Luckily it’s a good and fast read!

Audio: I’ve been listening to Glowing Still by Sara Wheeler. It’s a look back at her travel writing career. I’m enjoying the parts about motherhood while traveling the world.

Paper Book: I’m about to start Lead Through Anything. Seems like a good choice for this year!

Make it a good one everyone!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nightstand January 28, 2024

How is your first reading month of 2024 going? Other than taking all month to read Erika Fatland’s High I’m making good progress on my goals so far. We still have a few days to go, but I think I’ll be happy with my month end wrap up.

That said I have already dropped out of a few challenges. In general I read more when I allow myself to stop reading what I don’t like. Sometimes I make myself feel like reading is my second job, but the truth is I’m not making money doing this, so I shouldn’t feel like I’m letting anyone down.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Besides, nowadays, almost all capable people are terribly afraid of being ridiculous, and are miserable because of it.”

— The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle: Reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. I’m enjoying this one. It’s just taking me longer than usual because I haven’t had a lot of kindle time this week.

Audio: I started The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost yesterday. The intro made me laugh out loud, so that’s a good sign.

Paper Book: Almost done with High by Erika Fatland! I made good progress this week thanks to my nightly quiet time at the kitchen table. I’m glad I stuck with this one.

Make it a good one everyone!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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January (and 2024) Reading Goals

December beginning TBR: 367

December ending TBR: 376

I feel like I hit a good reading stride in November and December, and I’m excited to carry that forward into 2024. I just need my kids to go back to school first. (Is it just me or have kids not been in school since October?)

I joined a few challenges on Litsy for 2024, and I have my usual goals of reading a book set in each state and Canadian province, as well as trying to read books I already own or on my LibraryThing TBR.

Litsy geographic challenges

I started some of these a few years ago, but they’re too big for me to finish in a year. I just keep them going!

Reading Oceania 2024

Reading The Americas 2023

Reading Africa 2022

Reading Asia 2021

Other Litsy Challenges:

192025 - Read a book published each year between 1920 and 2025

Litsy Tournament of Books 2024 - Litsy’s member voted version of the Tournament of Books short list

Food and Lit - My favorite- pick a book and a recipe from a different country each month

Author A Month - Read at least one book from a member voted author each month

Hashtag Brigade - Reading through the classics a chapter a day

And now my January reading list where I attempt to work on each of these goals and challenges bit by bit:

Brothers Karamazov (a chapter a day between Jan 1 and whenever in March we finish)

Ultra Processed People

Author A Month - something by Jane Austen

His Only Wife

When in Vanuatu

Random physical library book that comes in on hold

The Covenant of Water

High

The Glass Universe

Oceana

The African Queen

In Extremis

Main Street

Sea Wife

We’ve Got You Covered

Mobility

Any ARC

Henry Huggins

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I Read A Book Set In Each State (2023)

In about an hour I should finish my last book from my 2023 Reading USA challenge. I started doing this with a group on Litsy about five years ago. I’m not sure anyone else is still doing this challenge, but I keep going each year. For me it’s a fun way to give direction to my random reading. I don’t always finish the challenge, but this year I did.

I don’t have hard and fast rules about what I count as “set in a sate.” For books that cover multiple states I usually just want at least one memorable scene set in a state. Year after year Delaware and Indiana are the hardest states to fill. And it might be my imagination, but it seems like every other book is set in Maine these days.

Results from my 2023 Reading USA challenge:

Alabama - To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Alaska - Tree Line by Ben Rawlence

Arizona - Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Arkansas - They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

California - Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

Colorado - The Shining by Stephen King

Connecticut - A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

District of Columbia - Yellowface by RF Kuang

Delaware - Keep Calm and Collie On by Lane Stone

Florida - Duma Key by Stephen King

Georgia - Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Hawaii - Moloka’i By Alan Brennert

Idaho - The Big Burn by Timothy Egan

Illinois - Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala

Iowa - The Butterfly Effect by Rachel McKenny

Kansas - Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Kentucky - Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

Louisiana - Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck

Maine - Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Maryland - What The Moon Saw by Laura Resau

Massachusetts - Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Michigan - When Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

Minnesota - On The Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mississippi - Dispatches From Pluto by Richard Grant

Missouri - Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Montana - Death Al Dente by Leslie Budewitz

Nebraska - The House Without A Christmas Tree by Gail Rock

New Mexico - Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

Nevada - Prey by Michael Crichton

New Hampshire - Nothing But The Truth by Avi

New York - Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

New Jersey - Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo

North Carolina - From Here To Eternity by Caitlin Doughty

North Dakota - The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich

Ohio - Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

Oklahoma - The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Oregon - Walking Home by Rick Rogers

Pennsylvania - If It Bleeds by Stephen King

Rhode Island - Down City by Leah Carroll

South Carolina - My Losing Season by Pat Conroy

South Dakota - I Survived The Children’s Blizzard, 1888 by Lauren Tarshis

Tennessee - The Coal Tattoo by Silas House

Texas - Looking Up by Matthew Cappucci

Utah - Feral by Emily Pennington

Virginia - A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson

Vermont - Happy Place by Emily Henry

Washington - The Last Word by Taylor Adams

West Virginia - Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee

Wisconsin - Our Stories Carried Us Here Ed by Tia Rozman

Wyoming - The Last Ranger by Peter Heller

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December Reading Goals

November beginning TBR: 349

November ending TBR: 367

Next year I really got to work on that TBR. Oh well, at least this includes books for a lot of the challenges I’ve signed up for in 2024. But more about that next month. For now I’m working on finishing up a few challenges, some seasonal reads, and a re-read or two for December.

Here’s what I plan to read:

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Key Lime Crime

March

Five Winters

Homecoming

The Hidden Staircase

One of my ARCs

The Dark

Last Christmas In Paris

Jayber Crow

The House Without A Christmas Tree

Prey

Nora Webster

The Haunting Season

An Unfortunate Christmas Murder

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

The Bear and the Nightingale

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On My Nightstand November 25 2023

Thanksgiving break is almost over. Bring on the chaos! I’m signed up for a about 1 million challenges on Litsy. It should be a productive reading month!

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.”

— A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

On my nightstand:

The Great Displacement by Jake Bittle -- I’ve been reading this all month, and my one goal this week is to finish before Dec. 1!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand November 19, 2023

Four soccer games this weekend, two days of work, and then a break! I can’t wait. I have about five audiobooks in from the library, and I plan to listen to them all while I putter around my house. I think it’s supposed to be cold too, so it will feel extra Thanksgivingy.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“There is always someone willing to think the worst.”

— My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

On my nightstand:

How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz -- I downloaded this last night when I couldn’t sleep, and wow is it good! I love the characters and the format.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros -- I have about 1 1/2 hours left in this audiobook, and I am listening to it every chance I get! Yes there’s a lot of hype, but it’s for a reason. These books are a lot of fun.

The Great Displacement by Jake Bittle -- Yup, still reading this one. It’s a deep read, and I haven’t had the space to sit down and think while I read. This week I should finish!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand November 12, 2023

We somehow have a week off from sports and school obligations, so we took advantage and spent the day on the water at St. Michael’s, Maryland. Great town, but no bookstore.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Finally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind.”

— Don Quixote

On my nightstand:

Reign by Katharine McGee -- I absolutely love this series. So fun.

From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris -- Another cozy for my book club. I’m a little burnt out on cozies after reading so many last month, but I’m enjoying it.

The Great Displacement by Jake Bittle -- Still working on this one. A really interesting read, but not one I can read quickly.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand November 5, 2023

Ugh, I just wrote a whole post then accidentally deleted it. That’s what I get for posting after midnight!

I spent the afternoon in the yard closing up the garden. I love this time of year, because I get to dream about next year. I have all sorts of plans for my garden, and for my reading year of course. Right now I’m thinking about expanding my project to read around the world, reading more Shakespeare, and re-reading some kid lit - mainly Percy Jackson and Ramona Quimby.

Just remembered the time change and the extra hour of sleep I’ll get to make up for this unfortunate late night posting decision!

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“There are different ways to evil and I prefer mine to yours.”

— A Passage to India by E.M. Forester

On my nightstand:

The Big Burn by Timothy Egan -- I read this a few years ago, and wanted to re-read this month. I have seventeen days left on my library loan so need to get to it.

My Life In France by Julia Child -- I am happily re-reading this one for a book group. I love her so much.

The Great Displacement by Jake Bittle -- This book about climate change is pretty heavy. I’m taking it a chapter a day.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand October 29, 2023

I have been having so much fun with October reading this year. I’ve read approximately 1,000 cozy mysteries, and a ton of short stories. I’ve also been binging on true crime podcasts. I love just wandering around listening to things this time of year.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“To murder someone in another person’s house!

Emma threw up her hands.

It is the height of rudeness. Can you imagine?”

— The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

On my nightstand:

Delicates by Brenna Thummler -- I loved the first book in this series and am looking forward to getting cozy with the second.

Winward Heights by Maryse Conde -- So far so good with this retelling of Wuthering Heights set in the Caribbean.

Malorie by Josh Malerman -- Truth be told I started this last week, but it was really stressful! I’m going to try again this week.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand October 15, 2023

I spent all day yesterday in bed, and wow did I need that. I don’t know why it’s been taking me so much longer than it used to in order to recover from everyday illnesses. Excuse me while I just spend the rest of cold and flu season in a bubble.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“It was infuriating how many people got things wrong about you when you were a teenage girl,”

— The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

On my nightstand:

Hotel California (Mystery Anthology) -- I started this collection of short stories earlier in the month then put it down for no apparent reason. Hoping to pick it back up and finish it this week.

Going Zero by Anthony McCarten -- I saw a lot of good hype about this when it first came out. I want to say maybe Stephen King even recommended it? I finally got my library hold, and can’t wait to dive in.

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller -- Not my favorite Peter Heller so far, but that’s okay. It’s still Peter Heller.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand October 8, 2023

Can you even call it a weekend if you don’t spend at least four hours on the sidelines of a soccer field? Not in this family! This weekend my daughter is playing in a tournament so reading time is scarce. I’ve been finding minutes here and there to sneak a chapter in my car though!

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Your tears come easy, when you’re young, and beginning the world. Your tears come easy, when you’re old, and leaving it. I burst out crying.”

— The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

On my nightstand:

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James -- Never got to this one last week. Hoping to start early this week!

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins -- I decided to give this classical mystery a chance this spooky season. It’s free on Kindle Unlimited, but also a chunkster! I opted for the audiobook from my library.

A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale -- A historical fiction group I participate in is reading about Canadian immigration this month, and several of us picked this book. I am loving it so far! (Booked in Time on Litsy.)

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand October 1, 2023

Happy October! I’ve been sick all week, but I’m trying to regroup today for the best reading month of the year!

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

— Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

On my nightstand:

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James -- I’ve never read anything by this author, and this seemed like a good place to start!

Four Leaf Cleaver by Maddie Day -- Not really seasonal, but I needed a book set in Indiana, and scribd had this one. It’s pretty good.

My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite -- Food and Lit is Nigeria this month. Time to finally read this one. I started last night and am already halfway through.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand September 24, 2023

It took the arrival of Tropical Storm Ophelia, but it finally feels like fall. Right on time since the Autumnal Equinox was September 23. That brought about one of my favorite traditions- Reading This Was Our Pact- a graphic novel set on the Equinox. It was so cozy reading under a blanket with the rain and the wind howling outside. It’s hard to believe I couldn’t go outside without melting at the beginning of this month.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“We forgive the faults of those we love so often, so deeply, that we sometimes convince ourselves the faults do not exist. The rest of the world is not so easily persuaded.”

— The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

On my nightstand:

Graduates In Wonderland by Jessica Pan -- I haven’t started this yet, but am hoping to get through it for a book club.

What Happens In Dubai by Sophie Gravia -- I had this lurking on my Kindle and I figured it was worth a try for the setting.

The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny -- I have been wanting to read this for YEARS. Now is the time!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand September 17, 2023

This week passed in such a blur I couldn’t tell you what I’ve done. I just know all my food and gas are gone. I’m sure my kids had something to do with that.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.”

— Holly by Stephen King

On my nightstand:

Holly by Stephen King -- I’ve been reading this all week and loving it, but am still only about 65% in. I hope I can finish this weekend. I NEED to know what happens!

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor -- I’m reading this for #AuthorAMonth on Litsy. I always look forward to trying a new to me author.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley -- This is part two of a MG WWII series. I loved the first one.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand September 10, 2023

Good morning! We had thunderstorms yesterday and overnight. Finally we got some rain! I’m really looking forward to getting some fall veggies into my garden over the next couple of days. Soccer games start this week as well, so its busy, but fun busy.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“How unfortunate for public morals that being unladylike feels so...exciting.”

— The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

On my nightstand:

Holly by Stephen King -- I have been waiting for this for a long time, and now that it’s here I am loving it! I’m about 30% in.

Deadly Quiet City by Murong Xuecun -- I just started this book, but so far it’s fascinating. It’s a first hand look at early 2020 in Wuhan, China.

Bette and Joan by Shaun Considine -- This audiobook about the feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis is so fun. I loved this a few years ago when it first came out, so it was time for a re-listen.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand September 3, 2023

Hi everyone. It’s September at last. I hope that means cooler weather. It also means a new reading month.Each month I set up goals and a reading list, and I’m going to try and start posting that here. My first post went up Friday.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“At funerals, people lie about the past. At weddings, they lie about the future.”

— Keep Calm and Collie On by Lane Stone

On my nightstand:

Every Summer After by Carly Fortune -- I just barely started this one last week and then got distracted. I have high hopes for this week.

The Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien -- This series is so fun.

Saturday Night At The Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- We once stumbled upon a supper club in Wisconsin where we ate and then watched a water skiing show as the sun set. I’m hoping this book brings back those vibes.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

My Reading Year (So Far)

Strangely enough, by the end of June I had read exactly 100 books. That’s 16 fewer than this time last year, but I love the even stopping point. Now that we’re halfway through I like to look at my goals and see what I would have to do to meet them all. (Note: I never meet all of my goals. All the fun is in setting them.)

Goal: Read one book that begins with each letter of the alphabet.
I’ve done pretty well with this. The only letters I have left are the hardest ones: ‘J’, ‘U’, ‘V’, ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’. I should finish this one so long as I have the fortitude to force myself to read one of the few books that begins with ‘X’.

Goal: Read one book from each state.
I’ve read from 23 of 50 states. I’m almost halfway on this one! I met this goal last year and I’d like to do it again. That said I’ve done it once before, so if it comes down to a choice between meeting two goals I’ll prioritize the other one.

Goal: Read a book from each country in Africa.
I’m at 12/52 countries. I really need to step it up here! This has been a really interesting challenge, so I’m hoping to finish this one. It’s going to be tough though!

I was going to do a post on my favorite books so far this year, but I don’t really have one yet. I’m hoping for something that blows my mind in 2H22!

2022 Reading Goals

Or 2022 non-goals? I don’t know. I had meticulously scheduled reading goals in 2021 and I actually met most of them. Figuring that had gone so well I did the same thing for 2022. Yay! But these last few weeks I just haven’t been feeling it. I just want to read novels and what my friends are reading so we can trash talk the characters.

So, new goals.

1) Track reading in story graph, and see what conclusions I can draw from that.

2) Re-read some of the old mysteries that made me first fall in love with reading.

3) Make my TBR more manageable. Right now I have 761 books on there. I’d like to get it down to 500, either through reading, bailing, or just plain deleting.

4) Stop signing up for activities that make reading feel like work.

That’s it!

February 2021 Stats

Stock photo that is way more pretty than the endless frozen rain/sleet/mush that fell in February here

Read: 19 books (8 audiobooks, 11 print)

Challenges:

Reading Asia: 3 books

Reading Europe: 0 books

Food and Lit: February was Vietnam. I read 1 novel and 2 cookbooks. I cooked three dishes. More on that later.

Bookspin BINGO: 19 read, 1 bail, 2 BINGOs

Chunkster Challenge 2021: 40% through Les Miserables (We’re kind of slowing down through this section, but still plugging along)

Beginning TBR: 839

Ending TBR: 849

Great reading month! Thank you weather.