In 2018, I read 15 books. For me, that's almost nothing!
In 2017, I finished 23 books. Better, but also not my norm.
In 2016? 40 books! And, I know I missed a few on my log in 2016 too--that was the year I got serious about tracking my reading, but I also found out that my library didn't automatically keep an accessible history of your check outs! You had to request that they turn on tracking! So, there were several books that I meant to list, but forgot to write down or photograph and they weren't in my library history because I didn't know that I had to request that it be turned on.
So, back to 2018...
2018 was a stressful year on many fronts. The actual work of my job was great, but the management was terrible and grew rapidly worse over the course of the year to the point that many people quit, two people were hired and fired after turning out to be complete disasters, and a few others are planning to quit.
My job was so stressful that, combined with other stresses related to dealing with my uncle's estate and his debts, I simply didn't have the energy for much more than simply existing. I certainly couldn't focus on reading as much as I used to read. I couldn't focus on my Etsy shops. I couldn't focus on writing.
I just simply could not focus.
As the year started to come to a close, I began to realize just how much I missed reading and creating and how off-kilter life was feeling as a result.
I became more intentional about setting aside time every morning to create. And, I became more intentional about setting aside time for reading in the evenings.
Over the last couple of months of 2018, my morning routine was, as often as possible:
- wake up, stretch, use the bathroom
- feed the dogs, cat, and fish
- make coffee
- gather creative materials
- turn on YouTube
- craft while listening/watching
In the evenings, my routine was often:
- feed the dogs and cat, and turn off the aquarium light
- make coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
- run a super hot bath with lavender infused epsom salts
- stretch while the bath filled
- read while in the tub
These two routines made such a huge difference in my life! I felt calmer and more centered, even though things were still chaotic otherwise!
Going into 2019, well, a lot is changing! First and foremost...
I QUIT MY JOB!
Thankfully, my uncle left me in a position where I could do so and go for quite some time without worrying about money (although I do worry about health insurance after my son and I both had health scares over the past few years). I'd rather have my uncle alive and in my life though....
I'm signed up for an EMT course that begins in January, and I'm looking forward to learning a new medically related skill set after years and years of secretarial and reception type work in healthcare (but also three years as a medical scribe which was insanely fun and inspiring, but doesn't pay enough to cover living expenses!).
I'm also committed to taking my Etsy shops (links at the end of this post) up several notches and earning real money from them, as well as to earning an income from my several blogs. Plus, I'm committed to revamping my writing career--in the past I have been a ghostwriter and a blogger for others. Time for mama to write for mama!
But....back to the whole point of this post: my 2018 reading list!
I like to keep track of my reading in an album on my personal Facebook page (no, I won't add you as a Facebook friend -- instead follow me on Instagram HERE, HERE, or HERE). I rank each book on a 0-5 scale with 0 being the absolute worst drivel you could possibly put eyes to and 5 being a book I likely will read again or that I highly recommend you read because it was just so fantastic!
Here are the books I read in 2018--each is linked to Amazon where you can purchase the books, but I found most at my local library:
5/5 -- You should definitely read these books:
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (Read my review HERE.)
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum (Read my review HERE.)
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro
Tumble and Blue by Cassie Beasley (This is actually a book for middle grade schoolers, but I still loved it!)
Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush (Non-fiction for crafters wanting to earn money from their handiwork)
Not Tonight Josephine by George Mahood (So freaking funny! A great look at my country--the USA--through the eyes of a Brit!)
Less by Andrew Sean Geer
4.5/5 -- Not quite as amazing, but you should still read these books, er, book:
The Whistler by John Grisham (Much better than the last few Grisham novels I've read!)
4/5 -- Still pretty darn good:
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (Not to be confused with Girl on a Train by A.J. Waines which I actually thought was better -- read my comparison HERE.)
Umami by Laia Jufresa
Pancakes in Paris by Craig Carlson (I got to visit Carlson's restaurant in Paris this past summer!)
Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman
A few photos from the real
Breakfast in America from Pancakes in Paris:
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| My London and Paris travel companions -- one of my dearest friends and her daughter (who is also a treasure). |
The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan
2/5 -- Ugh! Why did I bother?
The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz (This was actually great until the last chapter when it became obvious that you had to read the sequel to find out what happens. I don't like cliffhanger novels. Note: I don't link to books that I rate lower than a 3/5!)
What were the best and worst books you read in 2018? What are you looking forward to reading in 2019? Comment below!
Since I mentioned my Etsy shops above:
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| Marbles and Jam: A shop for coloring pages and stationery |
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| Vintage Goods MB: A shop for vintage finds for self and home |
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| The Crafty Hernitress: Hawking handmade crafty goods made in the silence and privacy of my own solitude |
(Please note: Amazon links are affiliate links -- if you make a purchase after clicking my links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
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