Another year is pretty much in the books, y’all (see what I did there?). Right now I’m caught up in a mad rush to complete as many books as I can in this last month of the year to pad my total count for 2018. As of this moment I have finished 64 books, but I’d really like to make it to 70 so the race is on!
Last year my total was 79. I figured my total would be lower this year since I went back to work outside the home for the first time in almost six years and I knew I wouldn’t have as much time. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that my numbers aren’t as low as I might have guessed. I think there are two main reasons this is true. The first is that I have been utilizing audiobooks more than ever this year (as you’ll see in a minute), and the second is that I have been reading in the school pick-up line as often as possible. This is the first year that I’ve had to wait in line to pick up my daughter, and I decided to make the most of that 20 minutes of car time.
What do you do to maximize your reading time? I’m working on a post with all my best tips and tricks for fitting in as many books as possible and I would love to hear yours! I’m sure many of you have great suggestions that have never occurred to me.
This month I have a pretty even split of fiction/nonfiction and physical/audiobooks to share with you. I’ve been getting more selective with my reading choices lately, with the delightful consequence that I have abandoned or disliked fewer books than usual. All to say, this list is a good one!
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Just Finished:
I just finished this Highland adventure that was my December reading challenge choice. You can take a peek at that post if you want to hear more about my obsession with books set in Scotland and get a little list of recommendations within that specific sub-genre.
In Progress:
Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
Do you ever feel like your busyness gets in the way of actually doing something valuable? I’m listening to the audio version of this book, and I’m really enjoying listening to Laura Vanderkam recount how and why she started tracking her time, and how it changed the way she viewed time going forward. She has lots of great insights into why we tend to manage our time a certain way, and practical suggestions for how to do it better.
I’ve been waiting and waiting for this book to arrive! It’s the second in the Fort Reno Series by Regina Jennings (one of my favorite authors). The first book in the series, Holding the Fort, was so fun, and I can already tell this one will be too. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month, so stay tuned for more later.
Written by FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, this book is an absolutely fascinating look at the psychology behind negotiation. I can see how the skills contained in this book could apply to everything from business deals to parenting and I am literally taking notes! I’m listening to this one on audio, which is actually slowing me down a little because a little bit of cursing sprinkled into the stories precludes me from listening while my kids are around, but I waited for months on the holds list for this books so I will finish it before my time is up no matter what it takes.
Up Next:
I’m super excited to start on this 2018 Christy award winner that I actually won in an Instagram giveaway! Who says the Gram is a waste of time? It looks like this book is a mystery, possibly a little creepy, and has great reviews in the Christian fiction community, so I can’t wait!
I’m a long time Tamera Alexander fan, so I was pumped to find a copy of her latest book, With This Pledge, in my mailbox today! It releases on January 1st and I’m eager to read it since I so enjoyed the novella prequel to this book, Christmas at Carnton, which I included in my Christmas reading list for this year.
And, as always, if you need even more great book suggestions head over to Modern Mrs. Darcy’s December Quick Lit post to see what she is reading and find other book bloggers in the comments.
I love Jaime Jo Wright’s books. I have an advanced copy of her new one on my Kindle. I’m excited about With This Pledge too.
This is my first time reading Jaime Jo Wright. I’ve heard great things!
I loved OFF THE CLOCK! The concept of “tending your garden” and being “persistently gentle” have stayed with me. I might have even sent Laura a bit of gushy fan mail…
No fan mail judgement here 😉 So far I’m really liking it, and I’m planning to be intentional about leaving white space in my calendar in 2019.
I have actually read never split the difference. It really does have some great points in it. I recommend it often.
It’s fascinating to me. I can’t wait to try some of his techniques out!
These look like interesting reads! Always need a little inspiration
You can never have too many suggestions for great books 🙂
I’m almost done with my current novel and that brings me to only 8 books this year 🙁
Reading totals are just a number. If you really enjoyed all of your books then I say you had a great reading year!
I could definitely use some improvement when it comes to negotiation. I’m going to look into that book!
Me too, that’s why I checked it out. I’m such a pushover/conflict avoider, I needed help!
Nice! I’m trying to finish my end of the year reading goal as well. I originally set it at 60, but when I surpassed that I set my sights on 100. I think that was a little ambitious. I’ll probably round it out at 85. I just went back to work this year after being home with littles for 6 years, and I’ve found my reading life has actually improved. Go figure! I think working for a bookseller and being surrounded by books all the time has helped 🙂
Just found your blog through Modern Mrs. Darcy. I’m currently reading The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. I was really looking forward to it after loving Tess of the D’Urbervilles last year, but it’s turning out to be much slower than I anticipated. It’s the only book left from my original 2018 book list. I’ve been making yearly lists and tracking my reading since 2015, and I love being able to look back on what I read at the end of the year. Definitely helps me to be more intentional about what I read! I’ll be posting my year-end wrap up soon. 🙂
Thanks for these great suggestions! It’s always great to get recommendations. I’ve read more this year than I have in years and I love it, but I’m nowhere near your number, that’s truly impressive!!
Thanks Julie! It’s exciting to have a record reading year, congratulations 🙂
I have been wanting to read The House On Foster Hill!!
I’m only two chapters in but so far I’m hooked! I’m loving the dual timelines and all the mysteries in this story.