Thursday, January 20, 2022

Four Tips for Achieving Your Monthly Reading Goals


I know I made similar posts to this one early in 2021. However, given that it's 2022, I figured that it would be a good time to revamp these posts.

As I mentioned yesterday, please remember that a "good reading" period of time - be it an hour, day, month, or year - is not defined by how much you read. It's defined by the quality of your reads and if you enjoyed a majority of your reading.

Here are four tips for achieving your monthly reading goals.


Tip 1: Keep track of what you would like to read that month.
If you prefer to do this as a list, such as "Books to Read This Month," then go for that route. Or make a post about it on social media if you'd like to keep yourself more accountable. But it is not a necessity to do this. If you prefer to make mental notes of what you want to read a particular month, then go that route.

Tip 2: Pace yourself.
At this point, I'm pretty sure I mention this every single time, but I feel this is one of the most important reading tips. Do not rush your reading, especially if you're busy, and do not force yourself to read.

Tip 3: Utilize all book formats.
Another tip that I place in practically all of my reading-tips-related posts. So I won't go too much into this one aside from saying that using audiobooks, ebooks, and physical books can really help you reach any reading goals.

Tip 4: Spice up the genres you read from.
This tip helps in so many ways, and not just for reading slumps. If there is a book you've been wanting to read but haven't bought because it's not your usual genre, then borrow it from your local library (or apps like OverDrive or Libby).

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Eight Tips for Achieving Your Yearly Reading Goals


I know I made similar posts to this one early in 2021. However, given that it's 2022, I figured that it would be a good time to revamp these posts.

Today, I will be focusing on yearly reading goals and how to achieve your own. But before I do, I want to mention a few things about a "good reading year":
  1. You do not need to define a good reading year by the number of books you do or don't read in a single year.
  2. You do not need to read and/or enjoy any popular/hyped-up books to have a good reading year.
    1. You can read them, and if you enjoy them, that's great. But it's not a necessity for your reading year.
  3. I use the adjective "busy" a few times in these tips. This is a relative adjective, so take into account what is busy for you - it does not matter what "busy" means for others.
With that said, let's get into my eight tips for achieving your yearly reading goals.


Tip 1: Keep track of your TBR pile(s) in at least one way.
Goodreads tends to be the easiest way of keeping track of your TBR pile. However, there are several ways you can do this - whether it's as simple as a Microsoft or Google document or more detailed like a reading journal.

Tip 2: If you have a full work and/or school week, do not try to fit in multiple books into one month, or even one year. 
As a student (and as someone who's currently in a full-time internship when this is visible), I try avoid setting more than 6 books to read fr myself per year. Additionally, trying to fit too many books in a week, month, or year can burn you out and cause a reading slump. So there's no need to read 100+ books per year. (If you end up doing this, though, that's fantastic!)

Tip 3: If you have any anticipated reads for the year, pace them out across the 12 months.
From personal experience, I am not always able to buy books throughout the year. And whenever I immediately read new books, I always end up slightly sad because I didn't pace them out. As a result, I recommend spacing them out to one per month.

Tip 4: Prioritize your anticipated reads for the times of the year where you'll be less busy.
Similar to Tip 3, it may be best to place any anticipated reads during a month when you won't be as busy. Again, as I mentioned in Tip 2, I'm a student and intern, and I do not always have 100% of my attention span to devote to my anticipated reads. If you're in school, work, or both, it may be best to save your anticipated reads for the months and seasons you're not so busy.


Tip 5: Prepare a reading journal.
Reading journals are great ways to keep track of your reading (Tip 1). A reading journal is also something that you can have access to 24/7, even when technology and/or electricity are acting up. One I recommend is A Clockwork Reader's Reading Journal by Hannah Azerang, which you can preview here and buy at one of the following links: Penguin Random HouseBarnes & NobleAmazon (US).

Tip 6: Plan when and where you read.
If you're busy, it can be hard to just sit down and read. As a result, plan when (morning, afternoon, evening, or night) and where (bedroom, desk, table, etc.) you'll read each day.

Tip 7: Utilize all book formats.
Ebooks, audiobooks, and physical books. Ebooks for when you can't sit down and pick up an ebook or physical book. Use ebooks for when you have a bit of time but don't have a physical book on hand. And use physical books when you can.

Tip 8: Do not force yourself to read.
This is a tip I've given time and time again. Do not force yourself to read. I have noticed amongst myself, friends, and acquaintances that t is the main cause of reading slumps.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Four Book Recommendations Based the Color Pink


This was an interesting prompt I found: create a book recommendations list based on your favorite color. While book covers will factor into this, I also plan to factor in settings, storyline, emotions, etc. in these recommendation lists.

Yesterday, I focused on green books, and today I'll focus on pink books. Here are four books based on the color pink.
  1. The Paris Orphan, Natasha Lester
  2. Lovely War, Julie Berry
  3. Natives, Akala
  4. Cleopatra, Stacy Schiff

Monday, January 17, 2022

Five Book Recommendations Based the Color Green


This was an interesting prompt I found: create a book recommendations list based on your favorite color. While book covers will factor into this, I also plan to factor in settings, storyline, emotions, etc. in these recommendation lists.

Today, I'll be focusing on green books, and tomorrow will focus on pink books. Here are five books based on the color green.
  1. The Hero's Journey, Joseph Campbell
  2. Celtic Legends, Michael Kerrigan
  3. Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales, Brothers Grimm
  4. The Middle Sea, John Julius Norwich
  5. The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior, Paul Strathern

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Six Tips for Reading Before Bed


Given my post on January 12, I thought I'd make another post about the subject that was not attached to my Bookish Dilemma series.

I, like many other readers, read around our bedtime, no matter what time that actually is. As a result, we often try to find ways that we can comfortably read before bed. I wholly understand that, on occasion, we can't fall asleep for whatever reason. In these cases, I am in full support of reading for as long as you want - it gives your mind something to do other than scrolling through TikTok.

However, it can be hard to tell if it's one of the times where you can't fall asleep. This is where these tips come into play. You can try them out, give yourself the opportunity to try and sleep, and go on from there if needed. Here are six tips for reading before bed.


Tip 1: Set a time limit and/or timer.
This is the most important to implement, which is why I placed it first. Timing your nightly reads before bed can help you have a better day the next day. 

Tip 2: Don't end in the middle of a chapter.
Ending in the middle of a chapter can be annoying for any reader. As a result, it's for the best if you don't do this if you're reading before bed. If your time limit or timer is up, it is okay to finish up the chapter so you don't end in the middle of the chapter.

Tip 3: Don't start a new book.
This is similar to Tip 2. Let's say you set a time limit of one hour, and within 30 minutes, you finish a book. Don't start a new book to spend the last 30 minutes of your time on.


Tip 4: Choose physical books over ebooks.
It doesn't really matter what book format you ultimately choose. However, blue light does tend to keep you up longer, so choose physical books, and use a book light if needed.

Tip 5: Set the book in a place so you won't have to get up to set it down.
It can be annoying if you need to get up to set a book down. As a result, it might be best to set the book where you won't have to actually get out of bed - whether it's a nightstand, on your bookshelf, or some other little place near your bed.

Tip 6: You can listen to an audiobook, but choose an audiobook of something you've already read.
Your nighttime routine is a great time to listen to audiobooks. However, listening to new, unread books while you fall asleep is not the best idea in my opinion. Although many audiobook apps have timers of some sort, you'll have to rewind, reread, and relisten if it's a book you have not read yet.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Burn, Rewrite, Reread Book Tag


I've seen quite a few book bloggers and BookTubers do this tag. I thought I'd give it a shot, given that this may be a fun tag to do.

Rules:
  1. Randomly choose 3 books
  2. For each group, decide which book to burn, which to rewrite, and which to reread (think of Kiss, Marry, Kill)
  3. Repeat for at least 3 times
Notes:
  1. If you have Goodreads,  you can use the "Sort > Random" feature and choose the first three books
    1. You can do this for each new round, or just do it a single time and use the first 9+ books depending on how many rounds you do
  2. Be aware that you may get some of your favorite books in a single round together, but stick with it - it'll give you some reason to think about your favorite books

     Burn: Washington: A Life
     Rewrite: Tudors
     Reread: Greek Myths

     Burn: Lilac Girls
     Rewrite: How Chefs Holiday
     Reread: Natives

     Burn: 1493
     Rewrite: Children of Virtue and Vengence
     Reread: The Hero's Journey

I was going to do more than 3 rounds. However, I decided that doing this to nine of the books I have read was enough, no matter what my feelings were on some of the books.

Friday, January 14, 2022

The Historian Dilemma: The Stereotype “Historians Are Snobs”


This stereotype really bothers me. Yes, some historians are snobs. Yes, enough historians have acted snobbish for this stereotype to become a "normal" view of historians. However, even I have gotten something along these lines, even though I'm under 30. I've gotten comments like "You may not be a snob now, but you'll still be a snob once you get your degree."

Again, as I said: there is a reason why this stereotype is normalized now. However, this does not mean that we should let the stereotype stand - especially when we consider that being a historian, while a choice, is still a job.


I think the main issue that comes up, especially for historians, comes from the fact that many people try to tell historians - especially specialized historians - that they're wrong in one sense or another. And yes, historians, like any other person, can be wrong. But when it comes from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about, then it gets annoying for historians (especially when the person is adamant in their "knowledge").

Most historians and history buffs look forward to civil discussions about history. Most of us love these situations that allow us to talk on and on about history. But there have been too many people who tell us what is "right" or "wrong" about our approaches to history. So if we appear "snobbish" at first, give us a bit of time to realize that you do want a civil discussion with us.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Bookish Dilemma: Sleeping


This is a fun bookish dilemma to talk about, so to say. We all want to sleep, and we all need sleep. But the book we're currently reading can't be put down quite yet, no matter what time it is.

We can stay up well after midnight just to finish that one scene or chapter only to find that it's now 6 in the morning and we've finished the book. And others who aren't avid readers, or don't read at all, don't understand why we end up staying awake for most, if not all, of the night just to read.

Here are a couple of simple answers:
  1. The part we stopped on before prepping for bed ended on a cliffhanger
  2. The part we stopped on was in the middle of a chapter
  3. The book is suspenseful and hard to set down
  4. Nighttime gives readers more of an atmosphere
On the 15th, I will be making a post on tips for reading before bed. Stay tuned for that post!

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Controversial Bookish Topic: Books with Controversial Authors


It is the first Controversial Bookish Topic post of 2022! And we are starting off the year with a great topic. (I say that both sarcastically and seriously.) This is a topic that first came up in June 2020 with J.K. Rowling's controversial tweets that were both homophobic and transphobic. However, I think enough time has passed between then and now for me to be comfortable posting about this.

The whole idea of "controversial authors" really seemed to come into full force after Rowling's tweets and for good reason. I'm not going to list off every author that has been deemed "controversial" for one reason or another. There are so many that there can be no single, comprehensive list of controversial authors that makes everyone happy.

From what I have gathered in the bookish community, the main issues are:
  1. Whether or not you should buy books from controversial authors
  2. Whether or not you should buy merchandise of the controversial authors' books
  3. If you own books or merchandise from controversial authors, should you keep it or get rid of it

Here is what I ultimately think of each of the above issues.

Should buy books from controversial authors? Once they are deemed "controversial," I think it really depends on you. Do you feel comfortable buying books by a controversial author, given why they are now controversial?

Should buy merchandise related to the controversial authors' books? Again, it's really what you're comfortable with.

Should you keep or get rid of the books or merchandise you own? I personally don't see the point of this, mainly because you already own them. If you can't separate the book from the author, then getting rid of the books and/or merchandise may be for the best. However, if you can separate the book from the author, then it can be okay to hold onto the items.

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

On My Shelf - January 2022 Edition


I saw this on a few different book blogs. I initially thought I would do this as a tag, but I then decided that I would just do this as a normal post.

Here are the "rules":
  1. Count your shelves - this will account for the first number (a shelf can be any space that has books, it does not have to be an actual bookshelf)
  2. Count the books on the shelves with the most books, and choose the highest number - this will be the second number
  3. Post to your Instagram story or Twitter, asking your followers to choose two numbers, the first for your shelves and the second for the books
  4. Once you have some submissions, go to that specific shelf of the first number, and then count the books until you get to the second number
  5. If you want, discuss the book a little - did you read it, why did you pick it up, when do you plan to read it, etc.
For example: if one of my submissions was 13, 11, then that book would be Europe and the Making of Modernity by Robin W. Winks. Here are some things I would mention: I have read it, it was a school-assigned reading for one of my university classes, I really enjoyed it, etc. (I do not plan to actually do this in this post, though.)


1, 12: The Riviera House, Natasha Lester

2, 23: Revolution, Peter Ackroyd

3, 24: The Greek Myths, Robin Waterfield

4, 24: Lovely War, Julie Berry

5, 16: Joan of Arc, Helen Castor

6, 8The Histories, Herodotus


7, 13: The Lady Queen, Nancy Goldstone

8, 22: Napoleon: A Life, Andrew Roberts

9, 1: The Song of Roland, W.S. Merwin (translator)

10, 5: A Great and Terrible King, Marc Morris

11, 9: Washington's Spies, Alexander Rose

12, 12: The Pirate Hunter, Richard Zacks

Monday, January 10, 2022

I'm Selling on Mercari!


This will be a short post, but I wanted to let you all know: I'm selling on Mercari.

I'm selling mostly books on Mercari, with a couple of other trinkets (mini statues, keychains, some bookmarks, etc.). If you would like to support me in another way, my Mercari's another great place to do so, even if it's just a follow.

If you're in the United States and are interested in any of the books, feel free to support that way too. (But there's never any pressure to support monetarily.)

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Twelve Tips for How to Deal with a Reading Slump


I was having a conversation with a friend who is currently in a reading slump. I made a post last year about how to deal with a reading slump. However, as with January 4's post (Ten Tips for Reading More, 2022 Edition), I thought that this would be another good post to update.

I, like with many other readers, have often dealt with reading slumps. These can really be off-putting, and they can last for seemingly a long time. Hopefully, this updated post will help out. Additionally, I hope this post will help in getting out of a reading slump as well. Here are twelve tips for how to deal with a reading slump.

If you want to try rereading, check out Tips 6-12. However, if you do want to try, please take Tip 3 into account while doing so.


Tip 1: Let yourself ride out the reading slump.
This is a surefire way to deal with a reading slump. Sometimes, you just need to let the slump actually happen before you start reading again.

Tip 2: Try to see if there was some reason why your slump started.
Sometimes there is a reason for a reading slump. Maybe a book you read upset you somehow. Or it is possible that certain personal issues popped up right around the time the slump started. There does not always have to be a reason for a reading slump, but it might be a good idea to find out.

Tip 3: Do not force yourself to read.
This is the most important tip. If you force yourself to read, then that may prolong the reading slump. Additionally, it might be possible that forcing yourself may actually put you off of reading for a while.

Tip 4: Check out bookish social media - Bookstagram, BookTube, BookTok, bookish Twitter, and others.
While this may not inspire you to actually read, you may actually find some more books that you want to add to your TBR pile for future reading.

Tip 5: Reorganize your bookshelves.
Again, this is another tip that may not actually inspire you to pick up reading. However, there is the possibility. But reorganizing your bookshelves can help you get out of the reading slump.

Tip 6: Choose a shorter book - or even a graphic novel.
Reading a short book or a graphic novel (which tends to be short) can help you get back into reading. And reading something short also means that you are not dedicating a lot of time to a single book.


Tip 7: Try out a new genre if you want to try reading.
Many readers stick to one to two genres. As a result, if you want to try to get out of a reading slump, checking out a new genre may help, even if you don't ultimately enjoy the book(s) you read.

Tip 8: Reread a favorite book.
Similarly with checking out a new genre, rereading a favorite can help you get out of a reading slump. Favorite books are nostalgic little worlds in their own right, and that return to them can really help out.

Tip 9: Try out an audiobook.
Many people do not read using audiobooks, no matter how accepting they may be of audiobooks as reading. If you normally don't listen to audiobooks, try a couple out during your reading slump.

Tip 10: Ask for reading recommendations from friends and family.
This is something that can truly help if you want to try getting back into reading. Even if you do not immediately get around to the books your friends and family, the recommendations can still inspire you to read.

Tip 11: Try out the Chapter Challenge.
To do the Chapter Challenge, you should read the first chapter out of a couple of your books, and choose to continue the book that you were the most drawn to. You can also narrow it down to the first page, or even paragraph. But this can inspire you to read more.

Tip 12: Go to a library or bookstore.
You do not have to borrow or buy books. However, being in a physical library or bookstore can inspire you to pick up one of your own books in your collection.

Monday, January 3, 2022

2021 DNF-ed Books


This is something that a lot of people have trouble with: DNF-ing books. (If you need a refresher, "DNF" means "did not finish.") I want to try to normalize this through my blog, even in the smallest of ways. So here are the books I DNF-ed in 2021.
  1. White Rage, Carol Anderson
  2. The Red Queen, Victoria Aveyard
  3. Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  4. Elizabeth I, Margaret George
  5. Fingerprints of the Gods, Graham Hancock
  6. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah
  7. The Five, Hallie Rubenhold
  8. Scythe, Neal Shusterman
  9. The Invisible Light of Addie LaRue, V.E. Schwab

Sunday, January 2, 2022

2021 Favorite Books


Again, Happy 2022! Let's hope that this year is on the up-and-up. I thought I'd make a couple of final posts on my 2021 reading, so here we are. Here are my favorite books of 2021!
  1. Sisters in Arms, Kaia Alderson
  2. The Red Prince, Helen Carr
  3. Joan of Arc, Helen Castor
  4. My Own Words, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  5. The Riviera House, Natasha Lester
  6. A Promised Land, Barack Obama
  7. Becoming, Michelle Obama
  8. The Answer Is..., Alex Trebek
  9. The Fountains of Silence, Ruta Sepetys

Saturday, January 1, 2022

January 2022 TBR


Happy 2022!
2021 went by in a blur, but let's hope 2022 goes better. It's that time of the month: my monthly TBR list! As you may know from my TBR posts over on my bookstagram, I am keeping my TBR at 4 books since some of my books are taking forever to read.

January 2022 TBR
  1. The Good Kings, Kara Cooney
  2. Egyptomania, Ronald H. Fritze
  3. Pachinko, Min Jin Lee
  4. Promised Land, Barack Obama
January 2022 TBR: Books I Need to Finish
  1. Lovely War, Julie Berry
  2. The Mirror and the Light, Hilary Mantel