A Year in Books, sort of.

Hello Readers! Like many of you, I’m hosting a NYE party at my home tonight which means I’d rather be reading or talking books instead of cleaning and prepping. As I’ve scrolled through Instagram and Twitter this morning, I’ve seen so many bookish folks discussing their year in books and this reminded me that I was going to be better about tracking my reading this year.

I did not do a better job of tracking this year. This should shock no one.

From what I could cobble together between blog posts, review sites, and my own bookshelves, here is my year in books:

Total Books Read (kind of): 142

Adult Titles: 105

Youth Titles: 37

Book of the Month books: 21 Received, 13 Read

Now, the youth titles would only include what I chose to read for fun because I read at least two books a week for the Library just for storytime, not including all the books that I catalog and read during the workday.

So, what does this tell me? I need a new way to track my reading and do a better job of breaking down into genres and authors so I can assure that I’m reading more widely than I currently am. I also need to read all those BOTM titles that I can’t help adding to my box!

What did I really learn about reading this year? I love portal fantasies! I love a doorway that leads to a magical, or non-magical, world and adventure ensue. I love books that take place in elite boarding schools and rich people problems are the most entertaining problems. Middle Grade books are getting longer but the writing is so much better than I was a kid and I’m jealous. Fantasy and sci-fi are still my favorites and probably always will be.

How was your year in books? Do you have an easy way to track your reading that you actually stick with? Has anyone set any reading goals for next year? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe evening. I hope 2020 brings you all health, happiness, and a never ending TBR.

M.

The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer

Available Now 

I was first introduced to Eoin Colfer through the Artemis Fowl book series when I was stocking my first middle school classroom.  I instantly fell in love with Colfer’s take on elves, dwarves, and all fairy beings. When my son declared that he will ONLY read graphic novels I was very grateful to learn that the series had been adapted to graphic novel form so I could share my love of Artemis and Butler’s adventures.  Now Reader Friends, we have Artemis’ little twin brothers Myles and Beckett Fowl and their adventure is just as fun and action packed as their big brother’s.  

Raised on bedtime stories of the Fairy People, Myles and Beckett are still shocked to discover that they’re big brother’s tales were based in truth.  Faced with an evil old man who believes he has discovered the fountain of youth, the Twins inadvertently become friends with a troll and a pixel while dodging bullets, kidnappers, and all around evilness.  

This action packed story is sure to keep even the most reluctant reader wanting to learn how the Fowl Twins save themselves from one dangerous situation after another.  The Twins are opposites in looks and demeanor. Myles, incredibly intelligent, sharply dressed, and quite full of himself, feels himself to be the leader of the two. What he fails to recognize is that Beckett has his own unique intelligence.  His ability to learn languages grants him the gift of speaking to animals-and trolls. Beckett uses other’s low expectations of him to his advantage and manages to save both he and his brother more than once. I really like the character of Lazuli and her coming of age story as a mixed heritage fairy, a Pixel, and how that unique heritage gives her some very important magical powers.  

Full of fun, action, adventure and fairy lore, The Fowl Twins will make an excellent holiday gift for your favorite middle grade reader.

You can get your copy, and help support the site, here:

More from Eoin Colfer:

More like the Fowl Twins (kind of):

As always, purchasing books through the links helps support the site.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Thank you to Bookish First and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.  All opinions, and mistakes, are my own.  

New Today: December 10, 2019

Happy Tuesday!

This week has quite the assortment of new titles.  A little bit of murder, a little bit of magic, and a whole lot of history.  The latest installment in the Dog Man series is a go-to gift for anyone over 7 years old and if you have a Captain Underpants fan there’s a new full color edition available as well.  I got to read The Dead Girls Club early and it is creepy! 

Happy reading everyone.

For the Little-ish ones in your life:

For the Grown-ish people in your life:

As always, purchasing books through the links helps support the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.