Last year I read 100 books. It was a close thing at the end there, but I did it.
(Honestly, looking at the above, I’m not sure what happened in July and August. Some form of unhingedness probably.)
But this year? Oh no. This year I’m lowering that figure to twelve books. Just twelve. I know, I know – gasp, sit down, send for the smelling salts, do whatever you need to do. I’m shocked too.
so far …
I have found the thoroughly charming ‘Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries’. It’s a wonderful audiobook and I would absolutely recommend. It reminded me of ‘A Natural History of Dragons’ by Marie Brennan and the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, if that’s any enticement.
(And a little of my own small book too.)
I also read Volume 2 of ‘The Unreal and the Real’ by Ursula K Le Guin and it was fantastic; it’s really given me a thirst for short stories, & for the potential they give. She’s marvellously creative and an inspiration to us all. Thank you.
From time to time one or two of her short stories will just pop into my head, particularly the one with the winged people. Hmm. Maybe it’s time for another reread?
I have another audiobook on the go – ‘QAnon and On’. I was just listening to it on the train. Unfortunately I was rather too tired so I had to skip back to try and understand what was happening. I … definitely was taking it all in. Ah-hem.
And then, in news that shocks no one, I’ve been rereading ‘The Goblin Emperor’ by Katherine Addison which has now been on three continents. A well-travelled tome.
I’ve literally been talking about this book since 2016. Wow. It still holds up, though I believe perhaps I shouldn’t read it quite as often. It might wear its magic out.
… Ah. Upon reading the above, I think that my twelve book goal may be attainable this year. However, I refuse to amend it. No, no. 2024 isn’t going to have the massive to-do list that 2023 had. I’m going to keep my goals short and my attitude that of one willing to being pleasantly surprised.
happy reading & what are YOUR reading goals this year?
of words & books 