My 54th Year in Books ~ Home In Heels

The year I turned 54, I decided I was going to set a pretty big goal…to read 54 books! I don’t know what possessed me to do that, other than wanting to give purpose to the year. I’m already a huge book nerd, and always have two or three books going at a time. I knew someone who was in their 80s when we met, and he kept track of every single book he’d read. It was an incredible thing to see! I wish I’d kept track of all the books I’ve read over the years. It has to be in the thousands…maybe that was my prompt.

Taking on the Challenge

I see lots of summer book challenges for kids which I think is terrific. Since my birthday is in June, maybe that was my prompt. I know some think dangling a cool prize in front of a kid just to get them to read is the wrong way to do it. In my mind, reading is the #1 most important thing anyone can learn. Without reading (and comprehension), you can’t do anything else! I don’t need a cool prize to read, but I promised myself if I reached my goal I would buy myself something bookishly special…

I’ve been collecting names of books on my phone’s notepad for several years. Did your eyes just bug out at that thought? Yup…several years. I have enough books on my “To be Read” list to last me ten lifetimes. When I hear about a book, read an article, or receive a publisher pitch, if it sounds like it might be interesting I add it to my list. When friends or co-workers ask me to recommend a book, out comes my handy-dandy list! It covers every genre (except Sci-Fi, I don’t like that), authors from around the world, and both current and century-old publish dates. You name it, it’s on the list. I’ve often joked that if it’s not there, you don’t need it…much like the local farm store where you can get everything from udder cream to chocolate cream…if it’s not there, you don’t need it! LOL!

Getting Started

My year in books wasn’t going to be a planned year. I decided I was going to take it one book at a time. When I finished a book, it went on the list, not before. I started on my birthday with a lovely, thought-provoking book called The Charm Bracelet. Off to the deck I went early on birthday Sunday, my dog, my coffee, and my book at the ready. My dog deserted me sometime mid-morning, bored to tears. Around noon, I took a break to get something to eat, then promptly went back to my book. Around mid-afternoon, I took a break to get a glass of my favorite sangria. I finished the book around dinnertime. (Maybe I forgot to mention I’m a skim reader – I don’t read word-for-word…ever, unless I have to).

I unabashedly admit that was the best birthday I’d had in a long time…just my book, my dog and me. The sun was shining, flowers were blooming, and a gentle breeze was making my wind chimes sing…absolutely perfect. I kept that pace up most of the year, typically reading 1 book during the week when I got home at night, and another over the weekend. Because some were eBooks, I never went anywhere without a book. When I traveled, I often could chew up an entire book just in flight and airport time. There were a few weeks I missed due to work commitments, or when my mom was in her final days.

The Finish Line

By my next birthday, I had made it to 63 books! I was so proud of myself, that I set a goal to read 55 books the next year. As I’m closing in on that next birthday, I have to say I will not reach that goal in large part because of starting this blog. I’ve spent much of the year learning about blogging, writing and getting my site set up, rather than “actual” reading. But, I’m o.k. with that because I’ve learned so much that would have been out of reach if I didn’t know how to read. Here are two fabulous quotes that sum my 54^th year of reading up so well…

“The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” Mary McLeod Bethune

“The journey of a lifetime starts with the turning of a page.” Rachel Anders

So if you’d like to start a bookish journey like mine, here’s my 54^th Year in Books to get you started. I wish you joy and adventure through the pages. You won’t regret it, I promise!