Distractions and Reading

It's been a while since I blogged. My life feels so transitional and surreal right now that it is hard to think about things, anythings.

My main goal for a while now is just to distract myself from feeling and from thinking about the breakup (loss of relationship, home, et cetera). Besides spending WAY too much time on the internet (sorry Facebook friends for posting tons of articles, pictures, status updates... and I know some have noticed...) I have also been reading much more than normal. So much in fact, that I upped my yearly reading goal from 40 books to 50 (because at the end of August I was at 39 read for the year... and I'm still 7 books ahead of schedule...).

I have started to become more active in book communities on Instagram and Tumblr and Twitter. Because of that, I began a little Tumblr book blog where I can share pictures, quotes, and book reviews. I just started it, so it is a little rough around the edges still, but here it is: Literary Treasure Trove. If it does OK and I keep up with it, maybe I will link it back into this blog more. So I will be posting fewer reviews here and much more on the Treasure Trove. There are a few books I will probably post reviews of here, when I particularly love something or for special events (like October Halloween reading. Because Halloween).

Plus, I have been rewarding myself for emotional/physical strain of moving with books, so my book collection is increasing more rapidly than usual.

So that's my new thing. We will see what comes from it. Right now, it is a nice escape. Just read all the time and write about what I am reading.

August Book Bingo

I stumbled across this fun new idea on Instagram! A couple of the book themed accounts I follow created/are participating in an August Bingo Book-a-thon. See: nicole_in_neverland: August Bingo Book-a-thon. And here is another person I follow who is doing a slightly different take on the Bingo card: readingdiares: August Bingo Book-a-thon. There are different ways to approach this game.

I was intrigued so I compiled a to be read (tbr) list and randomly placed them on a bingo card that I created. 

My Bingo card!

The same list went on another piece of paper to be cut out, folded, and put in a bowl so I can randomly draw my books. I made some markers I can tape to my card as I go.

My books are a mix of physical and audiobooks. Since I drive so much, audiobooks are a great option for me. And since I tend to read and listen to multiple books at a time, I will have to get creative about how I play this game. I own some of these, but several I can easily get physical or audio copies of to help me balance what I'm reading (I hope).

Anyway, it should be fun! I hope others might join the game. Updates are being put under the hashtag bingobookathon on Instagram, an will probably come up in Twitter or Tumblr as well.

Read a Book! Goals for 2013

I love to read!

Coolest staircase ever! I will do this one day! I found this on Pinterest.

I joined goodreads.com last March, right around the time I began blogging. If you love to read and you are not a member, I highly recommend checking it out! It is a whole online community for book lovers! What could be better? Plus, there are several authors on the site so you can follow them and see what they read. I have found some good books by following the readings and recommendations of a favorite author of mine, Tamora Pierce.

In March of last year, I set a goal to read 20 books by the end of the year. If you come to my blog and look around, you probably noticed my little widget on the right noting my progress. If you click there you can get to my goodreads profile and the books that I have read towards that goal.

Last year in about 10 months I exceeded my goal by 13 books. I do tend to read a lot of young adult books, however (and 3 were audio books which I have mixed feelings about posting... but I did not post the other 4 audio books I got through last year so I guess I'm even?). These are far below my reading level, but they are what I enjoy the most. Life is too short to read crappy books. This does tend to raise my book count. Keeping that in mind, I set my new goal for 45 books to read by December 31, 2013. Think I can do it? I hope so.

Feel free to keep up with my progress and my books. Make goals for yourself. I always encourage reading and there are oh so many good books out there. If you add me as a friend, I can see what you have read and liked. Lots of my friends' books that rate high end up on my "to read" shelf.

Plus as you read and rate books, goodreads will make recommendations. Awesome.

My recommendation from 2012 for people who enjoy young adult books: read Rick Riordan! I have been raving about the Percy Jackson books. I am accepting converts *wink*. Love 'em.

Another cool resource for book lovers: What Should I Read Next? It is a database of sorts. You type in book titles or author names and it will give you a list of similar books you might like. Love it! (I found this site via Pinterest as well. I am on there all the time these days.)

What are your reading goals for this year?