2015 Goodreads Reading Goals

{Disclosure: book links are via Smile.Amazon.com and any purchases made via those links will support my son’s PTO}

I set a goal of reading 125 books in 2014. I had the same goal for 2013. I didn’t meet my goal either year. I was close! In 2013 I read 98 books and in 2014 I read 94 books. I reduced my goal down to 50 books this year.

I track my reading on Goodreads, a handy website which allows you to track books you read as well as a great place to find new books and authors. You can set up different bookshelves, allowing you to customize your reading lists and tracking. I think that is sooo cool! My bookshelves are set up by year. I’m boring.

Goodreads also has an active membership where you can join various groups, enter free book giveaways, book clubs, reading discussions, and so much more. You can friend me if you want and find other friends too. You can also track my reading progress in the Goodreads widget in the left sidebar.

Meanwhile here are some books I read back in December –

The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews – this is a series I adore. You can read them out of order but it helps to start at the beginning with Murder with Peacocks.  Meg Langslow lives in small town Virginia near her rather large extended family. Being the South there are quite a few quirky characters which quickly grow on you.  While a solid mystery cozy, the series is also full of animals and screwball comedy written right.

Green Mama by Tracey Bianchi – I picked up this book at the Zondervan booth at one of the Bloer conventions I attended. Under no circumstances can I ever be considered “green” but I do like the idea of trying to be more environmentally friendly. I take reusable bags to the grocery store. I have started composting. I recycle paper for the school paper retriever. That is the extent of it. What I liked about this book is that while promoting different ways to be green, there is no pressure and no guilt attached. The author is a Christian and her faith comes through every page. Tracey keeps reiterating that as moms we need to evaluate what will work with our schedules, our families, and our current beliefs. Make changes that we can, where we can, and when we can. Otherwise, ditch the guilt.  Going green can be small changes like buying energy efficient appliances when the old ones die. Or having a free energy check from your electric company and then add extra insulation, weather-stripping windows and doors, etc.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Harrison – This is a classic Christmas children’s book. I read it to Charlie for the first time ever over the holidays. He loved it! I also bought the movie but we haven’t watched it yet. This chapter book is perfect for your early readers and for parents to read out loud. I love how the book gently reminds us of how the first Christmas really was, not perfect by any means. It also teaches about reaching out to the “unlovables” in our schools and community. The book is written from a child’s point of view which is refreshingly honest and quite humorous.

The Harolds of Valdermar #1-3 by Mercedes Lackey. I read this series decades ago and decided to read it again. There are 3 books in the first Valdemar series which introduces the country of Valdemar and it’s unique Heralds and Companions. The characters are endearing and the story flows with intrigue. There are many more books about Valdemar and each is it’s own little series. Some delve into the founding of Valdemar; others explore the Heralds and Companions in depth, and some books stand alone. All of Mercedes Lackey’s books are full of magic, fantasy, and humor. I highly recommend anything she has written!

What books have you read lately? Discovered a new favorite author? Or series?