So back on January 1st, I set a goal of reading at least 125 books in 2013; today June 30th I've read (71) books. So unless things fall apart in the second half of 2013, I think I have a good chance of reaching my goal.
A few things that were different for 2013 was that I did not join ANY reading challenges and I am happy that I made that decision. I part years, I always joined: eBook challenge, audio book challenge, reading my own books challenge, classics challenges etc, and while I am still reading these types of books, for me it feels a lot better not having to keep additional lists and post about it on other blogs. I think I'm just getting lazy in my old age.
My Favorite Books reads in 2013 -
- Flora; Gail Godwin - 5/5 stars (eGalley) (May-2013)
- Let's Take the Long Way Home; Gail Caldwell - 5/5 (my shelves) (Jan-2013) (NF)
- The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne; Brian Moore - 5/5 (my shelves) (Feb-2013)
- American Psycho; Brett Easton Ellis 5/5 - (audio) - March-2013
- Benediction; Kent Haruf - 4.5/5 (eGalley/ARC) - April 2013
- Looking for Me; Beth Hoffman - 5/5 (review copy) May 2013
- The Dinner; Herman Koch (audio) - 5/5 May 2013
- The Other Typist; Suzanne Rindell - 4.5/5 - audio - library - June 2013
- Read a few more books off my Bucket List.
- Pull and donate some more books off my shelves that I don't want to read
- Read some eGalleys that I was so happy to have received.
- Find a few books I just can't stop talking about after I finish them - That didn't happen yet in 2013, even though I did enjoy several quite a bit.
Happy Reading
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So Bibliophile By the Sea turned 5 this week. What I initially thought would be good way for me to track what I've read and what I want to read, turned out to be so much more.
- 339,598 page views
- 2004 posts
- 37,185 comments
There is a lot I love about blogging....
- The friendships that I formed with so many sweet, caring book lovers, flower lovers, cat lovers and cooking fans
But there are weeks when I just feel like walking away quietly as well.
- Spammers, endless requests to review books by individuals who do not even bother to read my review policy, self-imposed pressure to post, feeling bad about not responding to everyone who leaves a comment, and oftentimes, just not wanting to spend my evenings on the computer when I spend all day on it at work M-F.
- I'd like to say thanks to my loyal readers by offering them a chance to win a new, Factory Sealed - MP3 player -- load audio books, download music, summer is the perfect time to enjoy a new gadget.
- Anyone who leaves a comment about this post will be entered in giveaway.
- Winner will be chosen next Sunday - July 7th.
- Good Luck to All
I don't need an entry in the giveaway, but I definitely wanted to wish you a Happy Bloggiversary! I hear you about the good and the bad of blogging. The whole spending all my free time on the computer after spending my whole work day on the computer is definitely a major struggle for me. Back when I started, it wasn't really an issue, but it totally is now. That said, it's hard to walk away, I'd miss all my internet friends too much!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your big blogiversary! This year has been one where it would have been easier to walk away from the blog, but for some reason (everyone who bothers to stop by) I just can't.
ReplyDeleteThe only one of your faves that I've read is Looking For Me and I thought it was really good. I'm anxious to see what all the fuss is about with The Dinner.
Congratulations on your 5 years. I enjoy your blog very much. Thanks for your Favorite Books list. Have a great second half!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary! i wish you many more year of blogging and reading pleasure.
ReplyDeletei admit that i'm regretting a little to have entered challenges sometimes because for some i need to wait before reading books i really want to and it lessen my wants to read then
Congratulations on 5 years, Diane. I've heard that most people who start blogging don't make it one year so 5 years is huge! I loved Looking For Me and Benediction. I hope you have a wonderful 6th year :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the five years. Good luck for the future as well and I do hope you stay around in the blogging world for many, many years.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary! I just started the Beth Hoffman book and am kicking myself for having waited so long to read her! :--)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 5 years! I often feel like walking away too. Some weeks the benefits really outweigh the negatives, but most of the time they don't :-( I do hope you continue though, as I enjoy reading your blog. Benediction is on my TBR pile for this month so I hope I enjoy it as much as you did. Have a wonderful July!
ReplyDeletePS. Don't enter me in your giveaway as I have an MP3 player already :-) )
Happy blogiversary! I totally get what you're saying about blogging - some days it's a joy and other days it feels like a chore. I think a lot of my blogging stress is self imposed as well. No need to enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWow, five years is a long time! I feel the same about blogging, it's a hassle and it's great fun, usually not both on the same day.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary!
Five whole years! I'm way behind you but I understand what you say about blogging. The best thing about it is the friends I've made. The worst for me is reviewing a book that I didn't like but that I recognize others may like.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will keep blogging for many more years. I greatly enjoy your posts and reviews even though you are continually adding to my lengthy want-to-read list. Thanks for being a caring friend.
Happy blogiversary! 5 years is a major accomplishment, and I hope you stick around for years to come. Looks like you're well on your way to meeting your reading goals for the year. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary Diane!! Wishing you many more years to come!!
ReplyDeleteHappy July reading!!
Happy Anniversary for you blog - I passed that milestone on May 1st this year.
ReplyDeleteI liked your mid-year stats....I am trying not to look at mine any more, but I did have to give up my blog WISE EARS because no one will pay for listening services and it was so much work - that was sad.
I am rather upset because I have found that a number of my winners have not received their giveaway copies from my blog. Way back to March, this is getting to be a huge problem. It has dropped my comments down considerably.
This week I am also waiting for a book to arrive that is next in line - so nothing came by mail and 6 by e reader. I need to figure out how to make a bigger splash
Reading #69 for 2013 Broke my glasses and that put behind until I could get a couple audio books.
Thanks for you great comments on my blog - I really appreciate all your efforts.
Happy 5th Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteWow, 71 books so far this year? That is amazing! I am probably at about 35-40 or so.
Boy, your list of pros and cons re: book blogging could have been written by me! I feel the exact same way. there are things I really like about it but sometimes I just want to give it up so I have more time for other things. Maybe we both need a hiatus!
Enjoy your books this week -
Sue
Book By Book
Big Book Summer Challenge
Congratulations on your bloggiversary, Diane! You are on your way to a wonderful reading year I'd say :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you many more years of blogging and good books!
No need to enter me in the giveaway.
Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI hope the good outweighs the bad in every way possible.
Here's to the next 5 years.
Congratulations on 5 years of blogging, Diane. That's quite an achievement! Yet I understand your concerns so well, too. I recently finished The Other Typist and thought it was wonderful. Finally got to the top of the library queue for The Dinner and plan to start in a few days, and hope to get to Flora before too long.
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me in the giveaway.
By chance I found a copy of The Other Typist on the "limited loan" shelf at the library. Woohoo! (Thought I would be on hold forever!)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary, Diane, and thanks for the giveaway!
Congratulations on the five year milestone. Looking For Me and The Other Typist are 2013 favorites of mine as well. I haven't read The Dinner yet but I think I'll like that one too.
ReplyDeleteI was nodding in agreement on all those blogging negatives but hopefully the positives will continue to outweigh the self-imposed pressure and stress. Here's to another five years!
Way to go, Diane! Five years is a long time in the blogging world. I am so glad to have met you via our blogs. You've been an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with your when it comes to reasons to want to walk away. It can be difficult at times, and yet I think the reason you give for loving blogging so much is the reason we both stay despite it all, isn't it?
Here's to many more years of blogging!
Congratulations on 5 years! And wow, you've read 71 books already? You will definitely make the goal you set for yourself!
ReplyDeletewow, happy blogiversary, that's a BIG one! I may imitate your wisdom next year, cutting down on reading challenges. I have far less than last year, but still too many. I'm also letting myself getting caught in irresistible book tours, sigh.
ReplyDeletethanks for the awesome giveaway
Emma
ehc16e at yahoo dot com
Congratulations on your 5 years of blogging, Diane! I love your blog's new look. Thank you for the 'About you" page, too!
ReplyDeleteI've missed you and your blog posts, I'm slowly (very slowly!) getting back to blogging. It's taking me a long time to recover from being ill (esp. as it seems to have left some perm. damage)
Your giveaway is so generous. Please enter me in it
Now I'm going to read some of your many posts I missed...I'm especially looking forward to your review of Flora by Gail Godwin, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it so much!
Happy 5th! You are one of my favorites to visit so I'm glad you are carrying on. I'm always impressed with your reading results!
ReplyDeleteI would like to enter your lovely giveaway.
Happy Belated 4th!
A belated Happy Blogiversary, Diane! I always enjoy catching up with your posts, but don't comment as often as I'd like. Here's to many more years of great reading and friendship.
ReplyDeleteFive years is an awesome milestone!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that there's a few of us with our five year anniversaries happening right now. There must have been something in the air! Congrats and here's to more years of community and books and fun. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 5 Years and I am making note of your faves so far this year. I totally understand the love/hate relationship of blogging and the things you mentioned about reasons for walking away have rang true for me many many times.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post. I'm so sorry I'm late, but Happy Blogoversary!
ReplyDelete