Challenge Update, First Quarter 2024

I’m going to try to be a bit better about this in 2024. I really dropped the ball in 2023. Making this kind of commitment when I have the young one seems irrational, but I’ll give it a try. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in January, February, and March:

The Puzzler by A.J. Jacobs (3/5)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (3/5)
Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali (3/5)
Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard (2/5)
Can I Say by Travis Barker (3/5)
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakaur (5/5)

A lot of middle-of-the-road reads here, unfortunately. Three of these were holdovers from 2023- books I wasn’t really enjoying and moved very slowly through. I’m hoping to get some faster pace soon! it’s also interesting that there are three ebooks, two audiobooks, and one physical book. I think I’ll skew further away from physical books for a while until I come back to them.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

4/12
I’ll take it! This is a descent start for me considering how few books I’ve read. I’ve got ones on the go to fill up one more spot, taking me to just shy of half way very early in the year. The difference this year is going to be that I’ve tackled some time periods that I normally struggle with, specifically 1200-1499. Hopefully filling in the other slots is a bit more natural this year.

Goodreads Challenge

6/20
I lowered my goal this year with the second kiddo coming and I’m glad I did so far. While I’m getting a lot of ebook reading done during feedings, it’s going to keep being inconsistent and being on the low side will reduce any pressure I might have at the end of the year.

Book of the Quarter

With the ratings above, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I’m picking Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakaur. I hope to have the review out tomorrow to explain what it is I got sucked into with this book. Probably best described as morbid fascination.

Added to my TBR

I’m happy with where I am with my list. It’s at 39 right now. I added four this quarter and I’m reading one already. I’m hopeful it will keep going down! I’d love to be around 20 and have some that are several years backlogged wrapped up.

• Good Inside // Dr. Becky Kennedy. I follow Kennedy on Instagram and I’m hoping some of her advice will help us with our very defiant toddler. I’m already reading this one and hoping for some advice!
• Slow Dance // Rainbow Rowell. New Rowell coming out in July! I can’t wait, it’s been over a year since I’ve read her.
• The Year of Living Constitutionally // A.J. Jacobs. Another favorite author, this book coming out in May. I think this one will be really interesting!
• Rental House // Weike Wang. Another book coming later this year, this time in November. I knew Wang in high school and I’ve read one of her other books which I enjoyed. Looking forward to another one!

How aew your challenges going? I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

It’s On! The 2023 When Are You Reading? Challenge

I’m a little late, but it’s time to officially kick off the 2024 When Are You Reading? Challenge! I’ve done this the past eleven years and we’ve had a few small changes, but the format seems to be working great and I love it every year.

The premise of the challenge is to read one book from each of twelve time periods. It’s up to the reader where a book lies. You can do it based on publication date or setting, whatever you want. Feel free to switch it up, too. I’m keeping the small change I made last year. If you’re struggling with any one time period, please let me know so we can continue to adjust!

The challenge is located here. If you’d like to participate, leave me a comment somewhere on the blog letting me know and giving me a link to your challenge page or post. I’ll add a link to my challenge page so other readers can visit you and see what you’ve been reading. 

The time periods are:

• Pre 1200
• 1300-1499
• 1500-1699
• 1700-1799
• 1800-1899
• 1900-1919
• 1920-1939
• 1940-1959
• 1960-1979
• 1980-1999
• 2000-Present
• The Future

I do hope you’ll consider joining me. I’ve had a lot of fun with this challenge over the past several years and I’m looking forward to doing it again.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, 2023

So, I thought I’d been doing these all year. And I thought I was just doing a quick little update on how the end of the year went. But then I realize I haven’t posted one of these SINCE APRIL. Yikes. So forgive me, this will be a bit long to catch up on where I landed for the year. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in Q2-Q4 of 2023:

The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett (4/5)
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (4/5)
The Rebel Wife by Taylor M. Polites (2/5)
Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham (3/5)
Broken by Jenny Lawson (4/5)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (3/5)
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (4/5)
How to Find Your Way in the Dark by Derek B. Miller (3/5)
Seeing Sideways by Kristin Hersh (2/5)
What Makes Us by Rafi Mittlefehldt (4/5)
The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamund (3/5)
Splash! by Howard Means (3/5)
Poemsia by Lang Leav (4/5)
Queen of Thieves by Beezy Marsh (3/5)
Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith (4/5)
The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy (3/5)
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (4/5)
How the Mistakes Were Made by Tyler Mcmahon (4/5)
Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall (3/5)
Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford (3/5)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (4/5)
The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer (3/5)
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (4/5)

I know it’s a long list, but it’s for 3/4 of the year. I’m still proud of it, though!

When Are You Reading? Challenge

10/12
This is a first. I didn’t finish this year. I had the intention, but couldn’t execute. I’m in the middle of the two books that would have finished the challenge, but they aren’t done so I can’t claim to have done it this year. On the bright side, this gives me a bit of a jump start on the 2024 version. I do plan to run it again, for anyone who is curious! Just waiting on my partner to develop an image for me.

Goodreads Challenge

30/24
This is where I crushed it. I wasn’t sure I could read two books a month, but I really caught on and did way better than I expected. I know next year will probably be a lot slower so I’m going to enjoy the success of this year while I can. Yay!

Book of the Quarter

If you read my post yesterday, this won’t shock you. I’m going with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The ending was just so perfect in my opinion and this book really stayed with me because of that. I’m glad I stuck with it through parts that were a little down for me to experience that ending. Wow.

Added to my TBR

I’m at 41 total though this list will make it look like it’s blown up a lot. I have to remember I read over 30 books while these were all added! I haven’t added a book in a while so I’m optimistic I can get this down.

• Faraway // Various. This is one that I realized had some Rainbow Rowell I haven’t read so I need to get it on my list!
• Out of the Blue // Jason June. This is the first in a list of audiobooks I got for free through a library partnership. You’re about to see so many more. The good/bad news is that partnership ended. So this won’t happen again next summer. But it did a number on my list this year!
• Hurrican Song // Paul Volponi. Library audiobook, this one focuses on Hurricane Katrina. I feel old that something I have such a vivid memory of is the subject of a book!
• Tommy // Karen Blumenthal. Another library audiobook. I love the 1920s so something about the Tommy Gun was a shoe-in for me!
• The Boy in the Red Dress // Kristin Lambert. (You can just assume these are library audiobooks until I say they’re not at this point.) I loved the historical setting in this one! I’m excited to read it.
• Fresh Ink // Various. I’ve actually had this one from the program for a while but never ended up putting it on the list! Whoops.
• Yesterday is History // Kosoko Jackson. I’m excited for some time travel!
• The Memory of Light // Francisco X. Stork. I honestly don’t remember what about this one stuck out to me, but it sounds really interesting!
• Bump // Chiara Atika. I think having a bump of my own made this book feel like a kindred spirit.
• Red Hood // Elana K. Arnold. I’ve had good experience with retellings so I’m interested to see how this one lines up!
• The Running Grave // Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). Finally not a part of the library audiobook program! I’ve loved this series and I’m now two behind but excited to see what happens in this series!

How did your challenges go? I hope to not push it so close to the end next year! I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, First Quarter 2023

Whoops, a little late to the game. I realized over the weekend I forgot to do a Q1 post so my apologies for the delay! You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in January, February, and March:

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (4/5)
Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (3/5)
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron (3/5)
Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui (3/5)
Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Peña (3/5)
The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo (3/5)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (5/5)

I’m honestly surprised by how long this list is. I feel like I’ve ready very slow so seeing such a long list is making me feel great! It’s even more surprising that I’ve got a good mix of formats here with two ebooks, two audiobooks, and three print books. Shoot!

When Are You Reading? Challenge

3/12
It’s not the blistering start out of the gate that I often do, but I’ll take it. It’s keeping pace with the year so I’m still on pace to finish by December. I might have to get onto a bigger historical fiction kick to get this going!

Goodreads Challenge

7/24
I was hesitant to up my goal this year, but I’m doing pretty well! I know this will slow down in Q2 because I took on some long books but I can afford to slow down a bit after such a fast start at the beginning of this year.

Book of the Quarter

My reading buddy and I just adored Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We were not ready for his sarcastic adventure in space and we both found ourselves reading faster than we anticipated and flying through this story. We’re really excited to see it become a movie next year!

Added to my TBR

So… it blew up this quarter. I’m not sure how it got so bad, but it’s bad. I’m up net four after reading seven books. Yeah, it’s bad.

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo // Taylor Jenkins Reid. A coworker recommended it and I don’t get a ton of book recommendations lately so I latched onto it.
• Something in the Water // Catherine Stedman. Same coworker, same conversation.
• Then She Was Gone // Lisa Jewell. Ditto from above.
• The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks // Mackenzi Lee. I thought I might have had this one on my list but did not! I heard Lee speak live and got a signed copy of this.
• A Study in Charlotte // Brittany Cavallaro. Cavallaro spoke with Lee at the same event and this book sounded like fun!
• If the Fates Allow // Rainbow Rowell. I realized I was missing Rowell books from my TBR and decided that needed to be immediately rectified.
• Kindred Spirits // Rainbow Rowell. See above.
• Upgrade // Blake Crouch. I was thinking of authors who’ve never let me down and Crouch came to mind. I was happy to see he had a new book out!
• A Feast for Crows // George R.R. Martin. Another book I was surprised wasn’t on my TBR! I’ve got to keep pushing forward.
• The Anthropocene Reviewed // John Green. I found myself watching Vlog Brothers videos and realized I’d been resisting this one for too long, and I needed to just bite the bullet and add it.
• Never Split the Difference // Chris Voss. This was recommended twice in a week. I can’t ignore the universe when something like that happens!
• The Armor of Light // Ken Follett. Not yet released, but I won’t get to this for years. Looking forward to another Kingsbridge book!
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue // V.E. Schwab. My mom does not often recommend books to me, but this is one she did. I’ve got to respect a mother’s recommendation!

How did your challenges go? I hope to not push it so close to the end next year! I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, Fourth Quarter 2022

Reading didn’t come easily to me last year. I was learning how to be a mom to a toddler and it took a lot of mental capacity. I’m proud of all the reading I did manage, as scrappy as it was at times. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in October, November, and December

Like No Other by Una LaMarche (4/5)
Easy Prey by Catherine Lo (2/5)
Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe (3/5)
Powering Up by Anne Doyle (3/5)
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (4/5)
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (3/5)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (4/5)
Soldiers’ Pay by William Faulkner (2/5)

This is very audio-heavy. I was stuck on my ebook for months and my physical book is driving me crazy so I’ve relied on audio to get me through for the last bit. I owe a few reviews still. I had a big push to finish some reading challenges at the end and didn’t make enough time for reviews but I will get to them!

When Are You Reading? Challenge

12/12
By the skin of my teeth, but I made it. I finished Soldier’s Pay on December 30th which filled the 1900-1919 time period for me. Within the same week, I finished The Birth of Venus on audio which filled the 1300-1499 time period, one I often struggle with. So much happened in that time period, but it’s not as common for historical fiction. I’m glad Dunant tends to write of older times. I also sped through The Alchemist on audio. I made good use of some cleaning time and a bunch of car time and adored this short book. The setting is a little vague so I used the publication date which fit it in the 1980-1999 time period. It was a push, but I finished it and it’s never felt this good before!

Goodreads Challenge

24/15
This went so much better than expected and now I’m unsure of where to set the bar for 2023. Can I expect the stay this course? Read more? Will it go down with the toddler? I’m taking a shot in the dark any way I go.

Book of the Quarter

I enjoyed My Lady Jane by Hand, Ashton, and Meadows more than I thought I would. I loved the humor and the alternative history was so fun to read. This was unlike any other book I’ve read and I thought it was really fun. I might have to explore the other books by this team, especially if they give me some hard time periods!

Added to my TBR

Making my way back down. I’m at 41 and I felt like I added so many that I’m surprised it’s that low! Will I ever get under 20?!

• The Story of My Life // Hellen Keller. I thought I needed this one for my challenge last year but I’m going to hang on to it for the 2023 challenge instead!
• The Lincoln Highway // Amor Towles. I went to a virtual event where Towles was interviewed by Erik Larson and I got a signed copy of this. The sad thing is, that was about 9 months ago. I forgot to add it to my TBR since then. Whoops.
• Salt to the Sea // Ruta Sepetys. I like this author and my sister in law told me she adored this book. I got a copy in Spanish for Christmas so I’m planning for this to be my Spanish read for 2023!
• Scattered Showers // Rainbow Rowell. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Rowell.
• Choosing to Run // Des Lindon. I’ve been following Lindon’s career since she won the Boston Marathon in 2018. She’s from my state and I’m always impressed by her determination.
• Beyond the Wand // Tom Felton. I feel like this doesn’t need much explanation. I’m pumped!

How did your challenges go? I hope to not push it so close to the end next year! I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Let’s go! The 2023 When Are You Reading? Challenge Starts Today!

Today is the first day for the 2023 When Are You Reading? Challenge! I hope you’ll consider taking on the challenge and joining me. This is the tenth year! Yes, the tenth! There’s not a lot of things I’ll do for ten years straight, but this is one.

The premise of the challenge is to read one book from each of twelve time periods. It’s up to the reader where a book lies. You can do it based on publication date or setting, whatever you want. Feel free to switch it up, too. I did make a small update this year. For those who have been doing the challenges multiple years, if there are time periods you find very challenging (like I do for the 1300-1499 time period), let me know and we can make changes moving forward.

The challenge is located here. If you’d like to participate, leave me a comment somewhere on the blog letting me know and giving me a link to your challenge page or post. I’ll add a link to my challenge page so other readers can visit you and see what you’ve been reading. 

The time periods are:

• Pre 1200 [UPDATED]
• 1300-1499 [UPDATED]
• 1500-1699
• 1700-1799
• 1800-1899
• 1900-1919
• 1920-1939
• 1940-1959
• 1960-1979
• 1980-1999
• 2000-Present
• The Future

I do hope you’ll consider joining me. I’ve had a lot of fun with this challenge over the past several years and I’m looking forward to doing it again.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Announcing the 2023 When Are You Reading? Challenge!

It’s back again! I’ll be running the When Are You Reading? Challenge yet again in 2023. 2022 was a challenging year for me to read so much and I’m hoping things get a little easier in 2023. I think this is a good challenge for me to still aim to complete since it’s a relatively low number of books.

The premise of the challenge is to read one book from each of twelve time periods. It’s up to the reader where a book lies. You can do it based on publication date or setting, whatever you want. Feel free to switch it up, too. I did make a small update this year. For those who have been doing the challenges multiple years, if there are time periods you find very challenging (like I do for the 1300-1499 time period), let me know and we can make changes moving forward.

The challenge is located here. If you’d like to participate, leave me a comment somewhere on the blog letting me know and giving me a link to your challenge page or post. I’ll add a link to my challenge page so other readers can visit you and see what you’ve been reading. 

The time periods are:

• Pre 1200 [UPDATED]
• 1300-1499 [UPDATED]
• 1500-1699
• 1700-1799
• 1800-1899
• 1900-1919
• 1920-1939
• 1940-1959
• 1960-1979
• 1980-1999
• 2000-Present
• The Future

I do hope you’ll consider joining me. I’ve had a lot of fun with this challenge over the past several years and I’m looking forward to doing it again.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, Third Quarter 2022

I’m afraid to say I’m finally hitting a stride, but I feel like I’m reading more regularly. That’s been such a joy. I’ve met some major goals, too and I’m feeling like I read enough I can still be a book blogger, haha. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in July, August, and September

Into White by Randi Pink (3/5)
Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (5/5)
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince by V.E. Schwab (3/5)
Malorie by Josh Malerman (4/5)
Dollface by Renee Rosen (3/5)
Rebeldes by S.E. Hinton (5/5)
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa (3/5)
Vessel by Lisa A. Nichols (3/5)
The 158-Pound Marriage by John Irving (2/5)

I’m really happy with this list! I’ve got three audiobooks, three ebooks, and three physical books. Not bad! I can’t remember the last time I had a mix this varied.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

7/12
I got through three more this quarter! I need five more to go to finish, but that might just be possible. I knocked out The Future with Malorie, The 1700s with The Steel Prince (my best guess for fantasy), and 1960-1979 with Rebeldes. I’ll cut it close, but I just might make it this year!

Goodreads Challenge

16/15
No one is more shocked than me that I’ve completed this challenge! Reading with the Baby had been a challenge, to say the least. But we finally found something that works for the family and I couldn’t be happier at the role books have taken in my life again. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Cover image via Amazon

Book of the Quarter

This was easy for me since I flew through one of the longest books I read this quarter. I loved the mystery behind Troubled Blood. I’m even more excited that the next in the series came out almost as soon as I’d finished this so I’ll have another on the list to read soon.

Added to my TBR

I blew my list up a bit this quarter, up to 44. This tends to happen to me in the summer. My library hooked me up with a Summer Reading service that gives you free audiobooks. I don’t download all of them, but some I can’t resist!

• Mississippi Trial, 1955 // Chris Crowe. This was a summer audiobook from the library and since it’s set in a time period I’m missing for my challenge, it might end up being listened to sooner than I would usually plan.
• This is My America // Kim Johnson. Another book from the summer program. The summary is giving me thoughts of Just Mercy and An American Marriage.
• The Last Chairlift // John Irving. I had an Irving flop this quarter, but maybe there are brighter days ahead!
• Ink Black Heart // Robert Galbraith. I can’t wait to read the latest in this series!

How are your challenges going? I might just finish, but it’s going to take some major planning. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2022, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, Second Quarter 2022

Quarterly is the plan moving forward. I feel like I need that long to finish a book sometimes! You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in April, May, and June:

The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson (2/5)
Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati (3/5)
A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman (4/5)
A True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Caray (3/5)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling (3/5)

I’ve got a great mix of audio, digital, and physical books here! It’s been a while since I’ve had that so I’m very thankful to have time to enjoy books in all formats.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

4/12
It didn’t help that I read three books in the 1800s this quarter. I’m not confident I’ll get this one this time around. I’ll try, but I’ll have to be super intentional with my book selections and I’m not sure I’ll enjoy it so much if I do. I’d rather enjoy my reading while it’s so limited rather than read to meet a goal.

Goodreads Challenge

7/15
Oh my goodness, I’m on track! I thought I was irrecoverably behind but finishing so many books this last week has put me on track. I couldn’t be happier!

Book of the Quarter

I’m going to pick A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman for my book this quarter. I enjoyed the suspense of the book and I read it quickly. I don’t read many novellas so it was a nice treat to find one that I liked so much as well.

Added to my TBR

I blew my list up a bit this quarter, up to 44. This tends to happen to me in the summer. My library hooked me up with a Summer Reading service that gives you free audiobooks. I don’t download all of them, but some I can’t resist!

• Can I Say // Travis Barker. How did I not know such an iconic musician had a memoir? My husband alerted me so I had to add it.
• This Book Betrays my Brother // Kagiso Lesego Molope. One of the summer audiobooks. I’m trying to read more stories based outside the US so this appealed to me.
• Under the Banner of Heaven // Jon Krakauer. I couldn’t resist another Krakauer book of real life things that blow you mind!
• A Brief History of Fascist Lies // Federico Finchelstein. A little non-fiction is always appealing. Looking forward to learning something with this one.
• Paradise // Laura Maria Censabella. I liked the premise of this one, involving a good teacher-student relationship. Looking forward to the audio!
• The Family Outing // Jessi Hempel. This is a bit of a story. I wrote a review for an essay collection called Knitting Yarns a few years ago. In the review, I mentioned I enjoyed an essay by Hempel and was disappointed to see they didn’t have any novels. Hempel found my review and reached out to thank me and let me know their book is coming out this fall! So excited to support.
• Bacchanal // Veronica G. Henry. Another audiobook. I was feeling the need for some fantasy!
• Striking Distance // Sarah Rees Brennan. I like the idea of a book about a non-mainstream sport like fencing. Sounded like a fun ride!

How are your challenges going? I’m not flying through the year, but I’m making it despite some major life adjustments. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2022, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Challenge Update, First Quarter 2022

I think quarterly is going to be my new thing. I can actually finish a few books in that time frame (I hope) so there’s something to post about! You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.

Books finished in January, February, and March:

The Ghosts of Eden Park by Karen Abbott (3/5)
Tabula Rasa by Ruth Downie (3/5)

Unsurprisingly, this was all audio again. I’m slowly starting to get back to print books, but I’m not going to be surprised if it takes me a while.

When Are You Reading? Challenge

2/12
As usual, I’m starting off strong at the beginning of the year. It’s easy to knock out new time periods when you’re only finished with one or two books. This will be a bit challenge this year so I’ll have to focus on it and be very deliberate about my books.

Goodreads Challenge

2/15
I’m already behind, haha. I know 15 is a really low goal compared to where I am normally, but I think it’s reasonable with how much my life has changed. The lack of a work commute also makes this a lot harder. I think I can hit 15, but it’s going to take some work.

Book of the Quarter

This doesn’t mean a whole lot when there are only two to choose from, but I’ll pick Tabula Rasa by Ruth Downie for this quarter with full recognition that this might be a recency bias. Downie is always good for a laugh and I did laugh my way through this one. It was enjoyable and got me to add the seventh book to my TBR. Speaking of which…

Added to my TBR

39 is a very manageable number! Though higher than last month. I hope I can keep picking away at this.

• The Puzzler // A.J. Jacobs. I will read almost anything Jacobs writes. He’s a perpetual favorite and I can’t wait to see what else he’s explored.
• Running with Sherman // Christopher McDougall. I loved McDougall’s other running related book so I’m excited to see what else he can share about running culture.
• Vita Brevis // Ruth Downie. I’ll be happy to dive into book seven in this series. I’ve not been let down yet.

How are your challenges going? I hope your year is starting off well. If you’re interested in the When Are You Reading? Challenge for 2022, I’m hosting again so you can click here to learn more and let me know if you want in.

Until next time, write on.

You can follow me on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’m available via email at SamAStevensWriter@gmail.com. And as always, feel free to leave a comment!

Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. Taking on a World of Words is a participant in affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Sam will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated.