It’s time for some reflection on the time spent discovering new authors, reading comfort reads and just the magic of words. So let’s take a look at my reading year:
Favorites in Fiction: Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, and Maame by Jessica George.
Favorites in Mystery: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby, The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman and Murder Road by Simone St. James.
The Numbers:
Total books read in 2024: 41
Books by women: 31
Books by men: 10
Fiction: 19
Mystery: 19
Graphic Novel: 2
Poetry Collections: 1
Books in translation: 6 (Japanese, Italian, Catalan and French)
Audiobooks: 19
I am carrying over three current reads into the new year. I can tell this was a year when reading took a bit more of a backseat because I didn’t branch out into other genres and mainly stayed with Fiction and Mystery. I also only joined one reading challenge, the Japanese Literature Challenge, which I did complete by reading one book. I typically enjoy participating in reading events like 10 Books of Summer, Women in Translation and Novellas in November but this year I didn’t read with any of those events in mind.
While this was far from my best reading year in numbers or even blog presence, I can’t complain about my reading because I read some wonderful books.
As far as reading plans for the new year, no plans! I don’t want to add more demands to my life and just want to welcome new books and stories. Will you be joining any reading challenges and/or have any goals?
Thank you for hanging out with me and sharing your love of books. I hope you’ve all had a great holiday and here’s to many happy moments in 2025. Happy New Year!
Smiles,
Iliana
I love seeing this year in review, Iliana! Your favorites in fiction are three of my favorite books (from previous years), too. I would love to read another book by Jessica George, wouldn’t you? I probably won’t join any challenges officially, but I’ll try to participate in the 20 Books of Summer, as well as Nonfiction November. Those are my favorites.
I hope you have a calmer year in 2025. I’m always happy to see you posting here, but no pressure. Some years are lighter than others with regard to blogging. Happy New Year to you and your family. xoxo
Iliana, I’m also very happy to see your year of reading and also hear a bit about your favorites. Winter Solstice is a great book, but it’s been a long time since I read it. Maybe I should do a reread this year. I haven’t read any of your favorite mysteries yet, but I especially plan to read Murder Road. I’ve really liked the Simone St. James books that I’ve tried. I thought about doing some challenges this year, but I never do very well with them. I do want to reread a couple of mystery series (already started Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway books) and also look over my list of series and see where I want to play catch-up.
I know you’ve had some hard things this last year and I do very much understand that sometimes our reading amount declines because of life stuff. However, I also know that for most of us reading is somewhat of an escape. You also have your creative things for that I suspect. Blog sharing – some years work well for us and some not as well. We are all just happy to hear what you have to say when it works for you. Take care, friend, and Happy New Year to you and your family. Big hugs!!
I’m not joining any reading challenges this year…I just want to be able to read whatever appeals to me in the moment and not worry about lists or numbers or goals. I hope you’re able to find lots of wonderful books to read in 2025, and that this year brings you and yours good health, laughter, and joy. Happy New Year! 😀
I read Murder Road this past year too and really enjoyed it. I am glad to see it was one of your favorites! It was a year, wasn’t it? I haven’t really thought of reading plans for this year yet. I was scrambling to sum up the year since I’ve been off the blogosphere for awhile. I hope 2025 will be a good one for you, Iliana!