A Year in Books

Anyone using Goodreads to record what they’ve read in the year? I’ve just been through mine and found it really interesting. Stats are below just for those interested, but the numbers aren’t what I found interesting. What I learned is that even I think comic books are a bit of a cheat on this target, but I still like reading them and I will record them because reading matters and if ever you have someone who struggles to get into a book, give them a comic. I do count the audible as equal with reading, because if I actively listen, it takes as much effort as reading and if my eyes hurt, it’s a better option. I also found that when I checked my listening history for the year, I’d missed recording 3 on Goodreads, which I’ve now rectified. I also haven’t listened to half so many as I expected because I don’t commute anymore. So I’m kind of wondering if Audible is worth keeping up in 2022, I’ve a library of books I’ve yet to listen to. So I did beat my reading target, by how much, you can judge for yourself.

Here are the stats:
Target: 48
Books: 39 (physical or ebooks)
Audible: 10
Comics: 21

Month 2

Well February was hectic!

I know I didn’t do much here but that was because I was busy on my crime blog, I did an author interview per day, and I’m deep into an editing commission, did an interview about my last crime release and I’ve been finishing one steampunk series and starting another. I was also reading a lot, mostly because I have a couple of festivals coming up – more on them later.

While this is my musing blog, I also set it up to talk about writing more, and share some experiences/knowledge and learning with you guys. I hope you find at least some of it interesting. So over the coming months, I intend to have a few guest posts, see what others have to say too. Hope that that’s okay with you all, shoul spice things up a bit.

Reading wise this year I set my Goodreads challenge at 24 – I read 7 books in January and am on 10 for February. Though to be honest, I think it was 6, you see I read a comic volume (yes they still count) which Goodreads only had in issue form, so it counted as 5 instead of 1 book. Seeing that – I bumped up my target to 30 to more than compensate. However, since I’ve already done 17 in total, I may bump that up. What to I haven’t decided yet, may go to 48, which is what I did last year. Once I decide, I’ll hitch the target up.

If you want to follow me on Goodread – friends are always welcome, here’s the link to me (and yes, that is now a very old photo!)

Have fun as we move on to March, and happy St Davids Day.

Good Reading

Writers need to be readers, and I do enjoy a good read.

Last year I got through 48 books.  These included the very long (584 pages), the very short (67 pages), graphic novels and audible books.  I know some people get sniffy that listening to books doesn’t count, but that doesn’t mean I know any less about the book because I listened instead of read, I still count them. Equally some people get sniffy about graphic novels being included, well those people can count what they want, I’ll count what I want.  And I know I’m getting the better part of the bargain because graphic novels are a real artform in themselves.

When setting my goal for this year because I don’t have the commute and I’m a slow physical reader, I decided that I’d cut my Goodreads goal down to 24. That’s two books a month, which for years has been a real trial while working full time and writing.

So far this year, and January isn’t even over yet, I’ve read six books. And I started on number seven this morning. This has been achieved because I have those two hours a day back. And because I’ve been deliberately selecting books I really, really wanted to read. Even the one I struggled with a bit, I did want to read.  The graphic novel is in there because I wanted to read it before the vaguely related show came out on TV.

I don’t think that this will set a precedent and I’ll read quite so much every month over the coming year, but I have enjoyed what I’ve read. Also I intend to read the Iliad this year, so I’m expecting that to slow me down considerably.

If you want to know what I’m up to reading wise, you’ll find me as Goodreads – Gail B Williams

Bloggers

Been reading an ARC, advance reader copy, in case anyone wonders.  This is only the second time I’ve every done this, and I oddly feel the pressure because I have to get it read and reviewed by a specific date.

I shouldn’t be pressured, because that date is more than two weeks away, and I’m loving this book so much I’m already a third of the way through on day 2. I don’t want to put it down.

But it made me think about all the hard work that book bloggers must go through to keep their reading and reviewing up to date. It has to be remembered that book bloggers don’t get paid, they don’t always get the books for free (though often), so to read that many books and write often in-depth reviews, is really quite impressive. 

I couldn’t get through reading one book a week to review, I’ve got too much else going on. I’ve doing the Goodreads reading challenge this year, and so far I’m 22 books in, and most of that because I listen to Audible books too.  I’ve only set a challenge of 48 books this year, which I don’t feel any pressure to fulfil. If I miss my own expectations, so what?  Reading is about relaxing and enjoying. I’m not comparing my reading to someone else, that’s pointless, this is not a competitive sport.

And if it was, the bloggers I know would have me beat hands down. And good on them, they do a fabulous job for all authors, and largely go unsung.  So, thank you bloggers. I am in awe.