Bookin' It

Last year I finished 25 books.  It was the most I have ever read outside of college/graduate school required reading in my adult life. I decided to challenge myself to finish 30 books by year end.

I've read some really wonderful books in the 29 books listed below. I would go as far to say that some of my favorite books of the last 5 years have been read recently.

5 Stars- OMG so, so good

The Age of Miracles

Where'd You Go Bernadette

We Live in Water

Nobodies Album

The Dovekeepers

Mary Coin

Tiny Beautiful Things 

4 Stars- Solid, wonderful reads

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

And When She Was Good
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls

Mudbound

The Power of Habit

Beautiful Ruins

The Financial Lives of Poets

Stiff

Lean In

Supreme Conflict

29 Gifts

The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing

3 and Under Stars- Finished it, but wouldn't recommend it

Sum

Full Body Burden

The Samurai's Garden

Serena

You're Not Doing It Right

Looking for Alaska

After Visiting Friends

Deconstructing Amelia

The Silver Star

A Land More Kind Than Home

As we head to Florida today I have packed 3 old school books and 4 audiobooks for the drive.  By these stats I've read a book a week in 2013.   As someone who typically is not a fast reader, I attribute being further along this year for several reasons:

1.  Weekly trips to the library on Friday afternoons with the boys.  It is a perfect time for pick up and returns of my own books in time for the weekend.

2.  Increased use of the eBooks at my local library for audio and Kindle books.  Often the wait is shorter. 

3.  Keeping the Kindle in my mom bag with at least a couple eBooks for waiting.

4.  Allowing myself to read and not grade when waiting at weekly appointments for Ben

5.  Frequent use of Goodreads for friend recommendations and updates of new books by authors I've read 

5.  Choosing to curl up with a book most nights after getting the kids to bed and finishing up schoolwork.  Most of the time I rarely reach for the remote or my laptop as a way to wind down at the end the day. 

Of the lists above my favorite books of the year so far

Where'd You Go Bernadette

The Dovekeepers

Tiny Beautiful Things

Nod for We Live in Water for short story aficionados.  Quite possibly my favorite collection by my new favorite author, Jess Walters.  I'm changing my goal on Goodreads to 50 books by year end.  It is a lofty goal, especially when the new school year starts, but one to shoot for given 2013 progress.