Read Part 1 of my 2016: A Year in Review Post to see what books most caught my attention last year!
My Blogging Bookish Life
In 2016 I published 159 blog posts. August was my most prolific month with 18 posts, and September was my slowest with only 9 posts. That's still pretty good considering.
Memes
At the beginning of 2016, I began participating in Michelle's My TBR List Meme at Because Reading, enlisting your help in choosing one book each month to read. I really enjoyed having you all take an active part in selecting what I would read. It can be difficult to choose on my own with so many choices. I can waste a lot of time deciding! I am grateful to Michelle for coming up with the idea. I plan to continue to participate in the meme in 2017, and hope you will join me!
Books Read Because Of You (My TBR List Poll Winners of 2016):
This past July, I celebrated 10 years of book blogging. Where has the time gone?! Thank you to everyone who has visited, read and/or commented here at Musings of a Bookish Kitty throughout the years. I cannot express just how much that means to me. You all are the reason I have kept at it for all these years. Well, that and my love for books. Obviously.
The second year of my Postal Mail Club was another successful one. Each member selects a book and mails it along with a journal to their specified person on the club member list. We have two months to read the book, journal our thoughts, and then we mail the book to the next person on the list. This year, the books chosen were not necessarily ones on my radar, and some were even ones I would have passed over completely otherwise. That is part of the fun of being a part of a group like this.
Postal Mail Club books read in 2016:
Postal Mail Club books read in 2016:
- Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala (my pick)
- The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
- The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys
- Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
- Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
- The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
Memes
Books Read Because Of You (My TBR List Poll Winners of 2016):
- January: What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan
- February: Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer
- March: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
- April: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
- May: Charming by Elliott James
- June: The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister
- July: 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick
- August: Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell
- September: The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
- October: A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley
- November: The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
- December: White Christmas by Rebecca York
I regularly participated in Diane's (Bibliophile By the Sea) First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros meme and later added in Tuesday Teasers (now hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker), which seemed a natural progression. I also took part in the weekly Book Blogger Hop hosted by Billy (Coffee Addicted Writer) and The Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. I have met so many new-to-me bloggers as a result. While my participation in Broke and Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday was at times sporadic, I had such fun coming up with lists--who among us doesn't like bookish lists?
I am so thankful to all of you who host these memes. It's amazing that you are able to keep up. Diane and Michelle, especially, make a point of visiting every blog who link to their memes, something I appreciate and admire.
In 2016, I tried out Karen's Beyond the Books topic, which was a lot of fun. My participation fizzled out after awhile, I'm afraid. Life got too busy to keep up. I also tried a couple other memes here and there as well, but they didn't stick.
Challenges
This past year, I signed up for several challenges early on. I tackled the TBR Triple Dog Dare hosted by James of James Reads Books in my own way and managed to complete it successfully. I also participated in last winter's Clean Out Your E-Reads Challenge hosted by Berls of Fantasy is More Fun, Michelle of Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life, and Stormi of Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!. which went hand in hand with the TBR Triple Dog Dare. I took on The Nonfiction Challenge, hosted by Jennifer of The Introverted Reader, with the goal to read between one and five nonfiction books. Well, I read one. So, I guess you can say that counts as a win, although not a very satisfying one.
I attempted to take on FitReaders hosted by Felicia of The Geeky Blogger's Book Blog and Jen from That's What I'm Talking About, but lost steam somewhere in there. I got sick or something and just never got my momentum back. While I don't think I will be joining them again this coming year, I do plan to make an effort to become more active again. Poor motivation and stick-to-it-ness are my weaknesses. I just have to keep getting back on the wagon.
My other challenge failure in 2017 was the What's In a Name? Reading Challenge hosted by Charlie of The Worm Hole. I managed to read three books that fit into one of the six categories.
- A country (try not to use ‘Africa’!) - If Neverwhere were a country then maybe. But it's not. It's just Below.
- An item of clothing - The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer
- An item of furniture - My husband says a broken wheel (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend) doesn't count.
- A profession - The Fireman by Joe Hill
- A month of the year - June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemere
- A title with the word ‘tree’ in it - I began reading The Syringa Tree by Pamela Gien, but could not get into it, and so gave up. I had really hoped to like it. The novel is set in South Africa during the apartheid.
2016 Goals
How did I do with 2016's reading and blogging oriented goals? Let's have a look:
1. Keep track of last sentences in 2016. By keeping a log of last sentences from the books I read this past year, I was even more cognizant of just how significant a role they can play in my reading experience. Going back and reading through them at the end of the year, brought back so many of the books for me, including the feelings I had reading the books. I plan to do this again in 2017, along with continuing to keep track of first sentences.
2. Make more time to read. Yeah. I read less this year than I have in four years. I don't think I did too well with this goal.
3. Make Mouse's Corner a more regular feature on my blog. Also didn't happen. It looked like it might happen for awhile there this past summer, but then life got too busy again to keep up.
Looking Ahead
I will not be participating in any challenges this year. As tempting as many of them sound, I like the idea of reading to my own tune this year. I also plan to participate in fewer book tours. I always try to only accept tour requests for books I really want to read, but occasionally I still get in over my head. There are so many great sounding books out there, after all.
Thank you to everyone who shared their recommendations with me in my poll last month. I plan to share the list of recommendations in a separate post shortly.
For several years now I have heard and seen people adopt one word of the year to inspire, guide and focus on each year. It's never something I took part in though. Until now. I got thinking about it a few weeks ago, playing around with the idea of choosing my own word. I floundered about for awhile, until finally seeking advice from friends on how best to come up with a word. The general consensus was that the word would more likely find me. One friend recommended journaling, or jotting down my thoughts in stream of conscious style, and it set me off on a different path than I had been on in coming up with my one word.
Journaling, brainstorming, poetry, creative writing, Girl Scouts, crafts, music, building, guiding, work, creative, creativity, creating . . . Create. And I had it! My word had found me. I felt both excitement and a bit of fear as I considered the word more fully in my mind. I like the Free Dictionary's definition of create the best:
What I want to do this new year is write more. Not just blog posts, but write more for myself. I want to start journaling again, and find my way back into letter writing. Most of all, I want to get back to writing creatively, be it stories or poetry. I also want to explore and develop a more defined place with my Girl Scout troop. I am not the most crafty person, but I do love to sing--and so do the girls. I can also think of places in my work and family life my word can be beneficial. I am a passive person in many respects, but with my word, I hope to begin to open myself up to opportunities to grow and, well, create. From what I understand, these words can take on lives of their own, and I look forward to seeing what 2017 will hold for me and how my word and I will grow and evolve over the course of the year.
I am also excited to see what the new year will hold for us in books. I look forward to hearing about what you are reading and comparing notes on books read that we have in common.
I hope you all have an amazing New Year.
Thank you to everyone who shared their recommendations with me in my poll last month. I plan to share the list of recommendations in a separate post shortly.
For several years now I have heard and seen people adopt one word of the year to inspire, guide and focus on each year. It's never something I took part in though. Until now. I got thinking about it a few weeks ago, playing around with the idea of choosing my own word. I floundered about for awhile, until finally seeking advice from friends on how best to come up with a word. The general consensus was that the word would more likely find me. One friend recommended journaling, or jotting down my thoughts in stream of conscious style, and it set me off on a different path than I had been on in coming up with my one word.
Journaling, brainstorming, poetry, creative writing, Girl Scouts, crafts, music, building, guiding, work, creative, creativity, creating . . . Create. And I had it! My word had found me. I felt both excitement and a bit of fear as I considered the word more fully in my mind. I like the Free Dictionary's definition of create the best:
It is the third point that stands out the most for me in what I hope to focus and work on this year. Although the others may come into play in other ways.1. To cause to exist; bring into being.
2. To give rise to; produce.
3. To produce through artistic or imaginative effort.
What I want to do this new year is write more. Not just blog posts, but write more for myself. I want to start journaling again, and find my way back into letter writing. Most of all, I want to get back to writing creatively, be it stories or poetry. I also want to explore and develop a more defined place with my Girl Scout troop. I am not the most crafty person, but I do love to sing--and so do the girls. I can also think of places in my work and family life my word can be beneficial. I am a passive person in many respects, but with my word, I hope to begin to open myself up to opportunities to grow and, well, create. From what I understand, these words can take on lives of their own, and I look forward to seeing what 2017 will hold for me and how my word and I will grow and evolve over the course of the year.
I am also excited to see what the new year will hold for us in books. I look forward to hearing about what you are reading and comparing notes on books read that we have in common.
- Do you belong to any book groups? What did you read this year?
- How did you do on your 2016 reading challenges?
- What are your reading and life goals for this year? Did you come up with one word to focus on this year?
- What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
I hope you all have an amazing New Year.
Mouse looking out the window
to see what 2017 will bring.
© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I know what you mean about participating in fewer book tours! I cut down a lot last year and felt a lot more relaxed about reading + blogging as a result (which should be the case since I'm doing this for fun!)
ReplyDeletePlus, I've had experiences were I didn't like a book that I signed up for and had to make last-minute arrangements about what to post (normally just a promo post, with my review later).
Eustacia - Yes! That's it exactly. I want to be more relaxed about my reading too. Sometimes I use the tours to motivate me to read books on my TBR sooner, which has been nice. But this year, I am going to be much more selective. I feel so bad when I don't care for a book I am on tour for. Fortunately that hasn't happened too often--but it has happened. :-(
DeleteI like the last sentence idea. That sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteJill - I thought it would be an interesting experiment, and found it rewarding--even if only for myself. :-)
DeleteI am on the fence about reading challenges. I like them, I didn't do any last year, so I was thinking maybe of retrying them this year, but I honestly haven't had time to get beyond that thought process so probably won't end up doing any. lol
ReplyDeleteKelly - I go back and forth with them. I'm always eager to jump in, even come up with a possible reading list, but I lose steam as I go. I don't find the as satisfying as I did early on. There's not as much community interaction as there used to be. Maybe it's just the challenges I sign up for.
DeleteI gave up on challenges years ago. I know a lot of them are fun but I'm a failure at them. I do belong to one book, in person book group. All of us, except one, live in the same neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteKathy - They tend to be hit and miss with me now. I used to be good at them. Many years ago. :-) I was involved in an in-person book group for a very short while, but the the timing was bad. I have to settle for online book groups and postal book groups as a result.
DeleteI haven't done any book tours in several years and only have two challenges I do each year (because they deal with my favorite genres). Maybe this year I will be more selective in my reading. In the past, I've sometimes chosen a topic and read as much as I good in both fiction and nonfiction on that topic. That is about as far as I can go in thinking up a reading goal. :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I really like the idea of choosing a topic and running with it in your reading. I few ideas along that line but I am not sure when I will get around to making them a reality.
DeleteI'm not a challenge person either. I want to be...but just can't do it. I do a couple of readathons, but they are a little more freeform. As for "create" for your word, it sounds like a good one. I want to journal more too. Good luck on living up to your word. :)
ReplyDeleteBryan - I think a break from challenges will be good for me. I am looking forward to applying my word to my life. I have kind of--a little--so far, but not much. It's still early yet. :-)
DeleteGreat wrap up. And I just love the idea of that Postal Mail Club!! I am still debating joining any challenges this year! I join a bunch every year and then never track anything so even if I have succeeded at some I never know! Boo. If I do it will be a really limited number.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - Thank you! I have really enjoyed being a part of the Postal Mail Club. It's a lot of fun. I'm sad though because two of our members are stepping down this year. We're looking for readers to take their place.
DeleteWhen it comes to challenges, I'm terrible about tracking too. I think that's my biggest downfall.
Sounds like you had a pretty good year. I also read less in 2016 than in the previous years but I think I will get back this year! :)
ReplyDeleteThe only challenge I'm participating in so far is the Goodreads Challenge.. That is more than enough for me.
I hope you'll be able to write more this year! ;)
Maureen - I hope we both are able to read more this year. That's the plan, anyway. :-) I always forget about the Goodreads Challenge. I am doing that one--but my goal is really low (13), and so I know it won't be a challenge to read that many at all. Maybe that's why I forget to count it as a challenge.
Delete10 years is so amazing! Good for you. I used to do Teaser Tuesday but I do TTT more now- I didn't know Teaser had switched hosts. I'll have to check that out. They are fun to do. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your word for the year! Best of luck and I hope you get to do some creative writing. I want to do some too. And I joined a few challenges after doing none last year- we'll see how THAT goes. :)
Greg - Thank you. The ten years came fast. :-)
DeleteJenn just recently stepped down from doing many of her memes to focus on other things, so Ambrosia picked her Monday and Tuesday memes up.
I am looking forward to doing more writing this year--and I hope you are able to as well. I wish you luck with your challenges this year!
Thank you for listing the Postal book club books! I am in two, and I was having trouble keeping track of which books came from which ones! I think I'm going to have to make a list for 2017, which will be easier as ours is now a month off from my other one.
ReplyDeleteMelinda - You're welcome. :-) I think it must have been your blog where I saw mention of a postal book club book and when I never saw that book come through was so confused. LOL
DeleteWhat a delightful post to read and I'm sitting here cheering on for your word for the year! That's awesome Wendy and I think you will have a great time creating this year. I've joined a few challenges but am hoping to participate in more memes throughout the year. My participation is always hit or miss on those but I do have fun! Anyway, here's to a great reading year!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you, Iliana! Your comment put a smile on my face. You know, I've been doubting myself the last couple days--did I pick the right word? Can I do this? I'm starting to regain my confidence now, I think. It'll be fun and I'm excited. I hope you have a great reading ear too!
DeleteReading challenges are fun, and I did participate in a few in the beginning but then when my daughters started their school I began to cut down on them and then totally put off joining a few years back.
ReplyDeleteI like your first word and I'm sure you'll be able to achieve it. :)
Melody - Thank you! I hope so. I'm not always the best at follow- through as we can see by my challenge history. LOL
DeleteExcellent year end post! Enjoyed reading it. Don't participate in reading challenges. Just challenge myself.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Thank you! I enjoyed putting it together. Sometimes challenging yourself is all you really need. I'm good at that too. :-) I think the draw for me in joining reading challenges has more to do with the community aspect, but even that hasn't felt the same as it once did for me.
DeleteThis was smart to separate the survey into two posts because it's so long. But wow, I still can't believe you've been blogging for ten years! That's almost 10x as long as I've been blogging, haha. And you participated in so much! I'm such a loner of a blogger lol.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you kept track of final sentences! I've never even thought to really pay attention to first or last sentences. Now you've made me want to look through my books and see what the first and last sentences are.
Create sounds like the perfect word to guide you :-)
Kristen - You have a lot of great features on your blog as it is, Kristen. I think you are doing great! You have a lot more energy and fresh ideas for it than I do anymore. LOL
DeleteI haven't done much creating as of late, but hopefully in coming weeks.
I think you had a great year! I love the idea of a challenge but tend to try to talk myself into ones that I would accomplish anyway which defeats the point. I signed up for my first one this year. The Blogger Shame challenge because I really need to get my review pile under control.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Thank you! That's generally how I do challenges too, especially in recent years. As you said though, it kind of defeats the purpose and just creates more work for myself. I think the Blogger Shame Challenge is a great one. I should've probably join that one too.
DeleteYou had a very successful reading year Wendy. Full time job, mom, wife -- not sure how u do it all. I stopped participating in challenges several years ago - too much pressure. Congrats on 10 years blogging and thank you for participating in my Tuesday Firsts, I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteDiane - Thank you! It was certainly a full year. I didn't get as much done this past year in every avenue of my life, but I keep at it. :-)
DeleteI think you read a great number of books you enjoyed, and I love that TBR poll idea. I also like the idea of your Postal Mail Club! That sounds fun. Have a great 2017.
ReplyDeleteSerena - It was a good year in books. :-) I hope you have a great 2017 too!
DeleteHappy New Year and happy 10 years! This year has been hard for keeping up with blogging. I know I struggled a few times this year and definitely didn't get everything I wanted to get accomplished. I love the name challenge but doubt I'd be particularly successful in it! I'm avoiding challenges too this year though I am doing a non-end date one that Anna over at Herding Cats is hosting where you try to read all the books by one prolific author. Love the picture of Mouse and hope 2017 is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Thank you! It has definitely been a challenge to keep up at times. I really like that photo too. :-) I hope you have a fantastic 2017 too!
DeleteI failed miserably at my goals last year, so I minimized quite a bit. Cutting back on tour requests is one of my big ones, as it competes with the #1 goal I have. Also helps that my favorite tour company shut down, so...no excuses! Happy 10 years! That is a long time and a lot of success. The Postal Mail Club sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - Minimizing seems to be the way to go for me too. I'm sorry to hear your favorite tour company shut down. :-( At least it gives you a break.
Delete