I read 69 books.
39 mysteries
10 fiction
8 nonfiction
3 children's books
3 young adult fiction
2 young adult mysteries
1 middle grade fiction
1 graphic novel
1 graphic nonfiction
1 spy fiction
publication dates:
1920s - 2
1930s - 3
1940s - 6
1950s - 11
1960s - 5
1970s - 4
1980s - 5
1990s - 3
2000s - 30
3 library books (all kindle)
10 rereads
54 kindle
15 print
43 by men
26 by women
I don't usually read as many by men, but this year continued my love of Arthur Upfield's mysteries, and I've now read all of them except the one that wasn't on kindle. I love these books of Australia, even though they aren't one bit politically correct when it comes to the Aborigines. Since I haven't written about all of them, and if you are interested, you may have an introduction to the series here -which I see that I wrote a year ago today! Reading is such a personal thing, and you can never tell if someone else will be as thrilled by a book as you are. Tom read one, and felt very ho-hum about it, and wasn't inspired to read anymore. Whereas, I still think about them, and look forward to reading everything Arthur Upfield ever wrote. I own print versions of his short stories, and some books about his work.
I've posted a couple times about my 'new' study. It is now completely done - painting finished, everything arranged, and a new chair bought. I've wanted a glider rocker for many years, and we got one for ourselves for Christmas. As I've said, there are no electronics, not even a clock in this room. It is gated off from Raya and Lucy so the grandchildren can play without having the toys stolen by the dog! I walk through the gate and feel I'm almost in another world. This is my long-winded way of saying that I now have a perfect place to read my print books, and my reading aspiration this year is to read more of them during the days and evenings. I still use my kindle at night for ease of handling.
Oh I do love your reading room. I've been saying for a while that I'd like to get rid of our dining room, which is never used and turn it into a reading room.
ReplyDeleteoh, thank you so much. i think your idea is a great one!
DeleteA room of one's own is a lovely thing to have to be sure. And grandchildren to share it with makes it doubly special.
ReplyDeleteYes! It's nice to have a place for little toys that Lucy can't grab and run with!
DeleteYour reading stats are impressive!! Sometimes it can be difficult to classify books. For instance, I wouldn't know what to expect from a book labeled "middle grade fiction", and I would probably put the "spy fiction" in with all the other mysteries. Very interesting to see how many books written by men you have read. I never thought of checking the male/female authorship for my reading.
ReplyDeleteYour study really looks the perfect room, and I imagine it having the atmosphere of a true sanctuary.
Yes, it is difficult. Middle grade fiction used to be called Juvenile fiction over here, and it usually means those years from maybe 9-12. Though now it seems that some books for 12 year olds are more mature than they used to be. I looked around a bit to see how some of the books were categorized. The Mrs. Pollifax books really should be classified as spy fiction because she is a spy, but everywhere they are claimed as mysteries. The one spy fiction one I noted is actually referred to as such. It is weird, but I guess necessary. And yes, it does feel like a sanctuary. I do yoga in there, too.
DeleteHow wonderful to have a reading room. All of your books in one place with good lighting etc. I am always amazed that you keep such good notes about what you read. One of these days I will do this too. Maybe now that I am retiring I can make myself do this. I think it is interesting to see this. What would my list look like? Maybe I will be able to share it next Dec.
ReplyDeleteI'm not someone who can read no matter what is going on around me. I need a quiet space where there isn't activity and this room works great. My notes are really just title, author, type of book, year of publication, and whether print or kindle, and the rare library book. To put together this post I had to do a lot of counting and organizing, and it was great fun! I hope you do put a list together! Maybe you'll even have time to jot down some notes about your books.
DeleteYour study is perfect and just to my taste. Beautiful for reading in and being quiet.
ReplyDeleteYour book stats are impressive Nan. I have logged my books for 2015 but the list is not so long I'm afraid.
I would enjoy seeing your book list. If you come back here, do you have a blog or is your writing all at google plus?
DeleteYour room is lovely, Nan. I love the display shelves, just like a library - wait, this is your library. Great for the kiddos to see books and select one. One of my goals for 2016 is to read from my own shelves. Blogging has bumped up my book stash again and now, I need to read them. Enjoy your new study!!
ReplyDeleteI've been so pleased with the shelves Tom built for pictures. The book shelves were built by a dear man who is now gone. He and his son-in-law were working on them the day we went to pick up Margaret at the airport! I am definitely reading from my shelves, except I do buy for the kindle. I haven't gone to the library in years. The books in 'my' library are ones I know I want to read. I'm really very excited to have a place to sit down and read them. I'm pretty much out of shelf space so unless there is something I 'must' buy and read immediately (ha!), I'll be reading my books. They comfort and calm me just looking at them.
DeleteI love, love, love your "reading room!" It is so inviting and just perfect to settle in to read a book without any other distractions.
ReplyDeleteYou sure do get a lot of use out of your Kindle. I'm reading a book on my Nook. I think it's the 4th or 5th ebook I've ever read. :)
it's all because of the shoulder injury i got years ago from holding books in bed! it took a year to heal. the kindle is perfect.
DeleteHi Nan, Thank you for stopping by my Blog. I do love your reading room, and especially the lower shelves with books on. By the way, the houses are not lived in now, just empty and derelict, all except for the dairy area which they have done up and made in to the park ranger offices.
ReplyDeleteChristy
Lilbitbrit
Those shelves were made for photos but with grandchildren around, we thought children's books at their level were a better idea! Interesting about the houses. I would think they would be torn down or renovated into happier spaces.
DeleteOh how I love your reading sanctuary! Just tallied my 2015 reads and it's 50. Between stitching and reading, I keep out of trouble- ha,ha! I have thought of trying audio books while I sew, but I often like to go back and re-read some parts.
ReplyDeleteIn early 2015 I read all of the Miss Fisher [Kerry Greenwood] mysteries I could find. Love the BBC series too! Especially enjoyed H is For Hawk [Helen MacDonald] and Cutting for Stone [Abraham Verghese] this year.
and Happy New Year, many thanks for your lovely blog!
Mary
I have H is For Hawk and hope to read it soon! And I read Cutting for Stone, and really, really liked it. Thank you for your nice words.
DeleteLovely room and an impressive list!
ReplyDeleteHave a Lovely New Year Nan !
Oh, thank you so much!
DeleteHappy New Year Nan. The room is so cozy - love it.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love your new study, Nan. Such a calming place. 69 is an excellent total. You read a few more than me this year, which is down to my being seduced by the jigsaw puzzle darkside in the the summer. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think some of yours were big books! But we always are just about the same (except for last year, of course!).
DeleteWhat a delightful study, and how nice to have a space to escape from electronics!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is nice - an oasis.
DeleteI've always felt a quiet space is necessary for preserving sanity, although I can usually focus to read even in trying circumstances. Your 'study' looks very cozy and tidy--with cushions and quilts for comfort [both physical and visual] and the right amount of interesting items to enjoy without becoming cluttered.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
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