I actually read several books at a time and I wind up going back and forth between them, so I get my palette cleanser quite frequently. Thanks for reading!
I published Pt. 1 of my Winter Books Preview a few weeks ago and I'll be posting Pt. 2 in a couple days. I'm glad to see we've featured different books. That's a sign of how many good books are coming!
I don't know about you, but the books that I choose to feature are usually ones that I've read or want to read; I suggest books in genres that I enjoy reading. And yes, there are sooooo many great books coming this year. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading Heather! I've always been amazed at those who read hundreds a year. I'm quite pleased with what I accomplished. After all, it's not a competition or a race.
Iām so excited for a few new releases this month, thanks for spotlighting a bunch of them. Iām waiting for my blue box from BOTM to arrive - I chose Mercury and canāt wait to read it very soon. I loved The Beekeeper of Aleppo and didnāt realize that the author has a new book out, itās now on my (too long) TBR. Happy new year & happy reading!
Thanks for reading Jessica! I didn't mention it in this newsletter, but Lefteri has another book, Songbirds, that is supposed to be as well written and good as her other two. I haven't read it yet, but it resides on my too long TBR.
Gayla - I am interested in knowing what digital planner you are using this year to assist with your book reading/tracking! I'd love to do something like that too. Does anyone have a template or form that they've used that works great?
I actually decided NOT to do a "reading" journal/planner. This is more of a "daily/monthly" planner. I'm involved in several online book groups/clubs, local book clubs and I volunteer several times a month and I wanted a planner to keep track of those things. This is the one I decided to go with,
but I'm not sure that it's any better or worse than any other one I considered. The choices are in the thousands on Etsy and I think I was tired of looking at them (they all seemed the same) and just chose one so I could start it sooner rather than later. There are hundreds of reading journals on Etsy that you can search for. The one good thing about the planners on Etsy is they are reasonably inexpensive, so if you wind up purchasing one and decide you don't like it, you can choose another one. Good luck!
Thanks for all these recommendations! I've enjoyed going through your posts this past year, and I'll be looking to what you'll share with us this year. Have a happy New Year!
There is a great range of books and you make them all sound like must-reads.When I have the time, I think I'll start with Mercury. Thanks for the reviews. Keep 'em coming.
I love the list! I'll try and do one a month from your suggestions. Happy New Year, Gayla! I'm looking forward to reading (and staying caught up if at all possible) your wonderful newsletter this year. I was happy to find you! And I'll be planning one book fair to attend for a get-away. Enjoy your reads!
Happy New Year Patti! I'm so happy that you'll be reading some of these books. I think you will enjoy any of them. Excited for you to go to a book/literary festival, you'll have a blast.
I had not heard of The Mayor of Maxwell Street and am now very intrigued. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
Two books just released yesterday that I have my eye on.
A Fragile Enchantment is Allison Saftās latest work of YA historical fantasy. The last work of hers I read, A Far Wilder Magic, was a lush and atmospheric love story covering identity, belonging, and xenophobia in a fantastical 1920s New York and I devoured it. Iām hoping to enjoy this one just as much.
The other is Vanessa Chanās debut novel The Storm We Made which is about a Malaysian mother and her family living under Japanese occupation in 1945 and how her unlikely involvement in espionage a decade earlier aided in ushering in a more brutal Japanese occupation. Straight historical fiction isnāt my usual genre (I usually prefer a more specific sub-genre - historical mystery, fantasy, etc.) but itās been getting high praise everywhere so I am tentatively optimistic!
You're so right about an abundance of books! Readers will have no shortage of choices this year. May your 2024 be remarkable, or perhaps I should say SoNovelicious!
Oooh, I love a book preview. This is great. I just have to randomly say that Laurie Frankel's books are great but the titles are always like, WHAT!? I find the titles generic. Why is there not an editor at her publishing house pushing back? lol. I just had to express that somewhere.
I've wondered about her titles before, especially this one. For me, when I read the book the title seems to make more sense; hopefully this one will be the same to when I read it. Maybe this is all on purpose. The wonder at why her books are titled as they are may draw more readers to them. Who knows. Thanks for reading, Nina.
I never did count before the last several years; counting corresponds to when I became more involved in the bookish communities on the internet and started reading more. I'm an accountant, so we accountant's count everything. lol Thanks for reading!
I only read palette cleansers! :o) Thanks for the recs!
I actually read several books at a time and I wind up going back and forth between them, so I get my palette cleanser quite frequently. Thanks for reading!
Iām excited to read several of these! Adding Family, Family and When the Jessamine Grows to my list right now š¤©
This year is going to have so many great books to read and those are just the beginning. Thanks for reading!
I published Pt. 1 of my Winter Books Preview a few weeks ago and I'll be posting Pt. 2 in a couple days. I'm glad to see we've featured different books. That's a sign of how many good books are coming!
I don't know about you, but the books that I choose to feature are usually ones that I've read or want to read; I suggest books in genres that I enjoy reading. And yes, there are sooooo many great books coming this year. Thanks for reading!
Impressive number of books that you read! š
I'm excited to see how many I wind up reading in 2024 since I've retired. I know I've got lots more time lol Thanks for reading!
Wow! What a selection. I couldn't manage 75 books, but you're enticing me to get started in January!
Thanks for reading Heather! I've always been amazed at those who read hundreds a year. I'm quite pleased with what I accomplished. After all, it's not a competition or a race.
Amazing list, I wrote almost all of them down!
Super! I hope you find lots of enjoyment in reading them.
Iām so excited for a few new releases this month, thanks for spotlighting a bunch of them. Iām waiting for my blue box from BOTM to arrive - I chose Mercury and canāt wait to read it very soon. I loved The Beekeeper of Aleppo and didnāt realize that the author has a new book out, itās now on my (too long) TBR. Happy new year & happy reading!
Thanks for reading Jessica! I didn't mention it in this newsletter, but Lefteri has another book, Songbirds, that is supposed to be as well written and good as her other two. I haven't read it yet, but it resides on my too long TBR.
Gayla - I am interested in knowing what digital planner you are using this year to assist with your book reading/tracking! I'd love to do something like that too. Does anyone have a template or form that they've used that works great?
Thanks for reading!
I actually decided NOT to do a "reading" journal/planner. This is more of a "daily/monthly" planner. I'm involved in several online book groups/clubs, local book clubs and I volunteer several times a month and I wanted a planner to keep track of those things. This is the one I decided to go with,
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1613934568/2024-digital-planner-ipad-planner?ref=yr_purchases
but I'm not sure that it's any better or worse than any other one I considered. The choices are in the thousands on Etsy and I think I was tired of looking at them (they all seemed the same) and just chose one so I could start it sooner rather than later. There are hundreds of reading journals on Etsy that you can search for. The one good thing about the planners on Etsy is they are reasonably inexpensive, so if you wind up purchasing one and decide you don't like it, you can choose another one. Good luck!
Thanks for all these recommendations! I've enjoyed going through your posts this past year, and I'll be looking to what you'll share with us this year. Have a happy New Year!
Thanks for reading!
Loads of great suggestions here, thank you!
Thanks for reading!
There is a great range of books and you make them all sound like must-reads.When I have the time, I think I'll start with Mercury. Thanks for the reviews. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks for reading Jill! I think they are all must reads. lol
I love the list! I'll try and do one a month from your suggestions. Happy New Year, Gayla! I'm looking forward to reading (and staying caught up if at all possible) your wonderful newsletter this year. I was happy to find you! And I'll be planning one book fair to attend for a get-away. Enjoy your reads!
Happy New Year Patti! I'm so happy that you'll be reading some of these books. I think you will enjoy any of them. Excited for you to go to a book/literary festival, you'll have a blast.
Thank you, Gayla. I know I will have a blast and can't wait!!
I had not heard of The Mayor of Maxwell Street and am now very intrigued. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
Two books just released yesterday that I have my eye on.
A Fragile Enchantment is Allison Saftās latest work of YA historical fantasy. The last work of hers I read, A Far Wilder Magic, was a lush and atmospheric love story covering identity, belonging, and xenophobia in a fantastical 1920s New York and I devoured it. Iām hoping to enjoy this one just as much.
The other is Vanessa Chanās debut novel The Storm We Made which is about a Malaysian mother and her family living under Japanese occupation in 1945 and how her unlikely involvement in espionage a decade earlier aided in ushering in a more brutal Japanese occupation. Straight historical fiction isnāt my usual genre (I usually prefer a more specific sub-genre - historical mystery, fantasy, etc.) but itās been getting high praise everywhere so I am tentatively optimistic!
I've heard about The Storm We Made, I've seen it recommended several times. Maybe I need to read it. Thanks for reading!
You're so right about an abundance of books! Readers will have no shortage of choices this year. May your 2024 be remarkable, or perhaps I should say SoNovelicious!
Awe, thank you and thanks for reading!
Oooh, I love a book preview. This is great. I just have to randomly say that Laurie Frankel's books are great but the titles are always like, WHAT!? I find the titles generic. Why is there not an editor at her publishing house pushing back? lol. I just had to express that somewhere.
I've wondered about her titles before, especially this one. For me, when I read the book the title seems to make more sense; hopefully this one will be the same to when I read it. Maybe this is all on purpose. The wonder at why her books are titled as they are may draw more readers to them. Who knows. Thanks for reading, Nina.
Iāve never counted how many books I read in a year. Itād be interesting to know. Well done on your 75.
I never did count before the last several years; counting corresponds to when I became more involved in the bookish communities on the internet and started reading more. I'm an accountant, so we accountant's count everything. lol Thanks for reading!