I Delved into the Horror Fiction Genre

As I mentioned a few days ago, I bought Hannah Azerang's A Clockwork Reader Reading Journal. In the "What to Read Next" section, I placed Stephen King's The Shining under the heading of "read a book with a movie adaptation." Soon after, I borrowed it from Libby as an audiobook and began listening.

I tend to not read books within the horror genre. It's not that I dislike the genre, it's simply that there hasn't been anything to grab my attention within that genre. However, the A Clockwork Reader Reading Journal gave me the opportunity to delve into the genre without committing to buying any format of a book within the genre.

Stephen King's The Shining

So, what are my thoughts? It's an interesting book. I'm glad I read it as an audiobook, but I had to actively not read it during my nightly routine before bed. (Yes, I'm jumpy that way.) The book took some interesting twists and turns, and it kept me on my toes as I listened to it.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Sometimes human places create inhuman monsters."

"Monsters are real. Ghosts are too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."

"We sometimes need to create unreal monsters and bogies to stand in for all the things we fear in our real lives."

Three Steps for What to Do When You Damage (or Lose) a Book You're Borrowing

Things happen. In my post on February 12, I talked about why loaning out your books is a controversial topic. Here is one of the scenarios I gave:

"Common courtesy is that you return the book in the condition it was loaned to you. Obvious, right? Sadly, although it's "obvious," this common courtesy is not always followed through with. Many readers have experienced situations where their books are returned with damage to some extent. Sometimes, it's accidental.... But more often than not, it's an insensitivity - if not full-on disrespect - to the fact that the book belongs to someone else."

That got me thinking. It is "common courtesy...that you return the book in the condition it was loaned to you." But, as I mentioned, things - and accidents - happen from time to time. A book gets damaged, and the actual act of the damage was out of your control. Additionally, it can also get lost. So, what do you do when an accident happens, and the book is damaged? Here are three steps for what you should do.

Step One: Admit it honestly, and don't try to come up with an excuse.

I think I speak for many readers by saying the following: don't lie to us if you damage or lose our books. Yes, we'll be upset. But we'll be more upset if you don't tell us and just return the book, or if you lie about it. And we'll be upset if we just never get our book back because it was lost.

Step Two: Offer to replace it.

Offering to replace it can be one f the nicest things you can do when you damage or lose our book. So simply offer to replace it. Whatever their answer is, respect it.

Step Three: If they ask you to replace it, just do it.

It's annoying when we, as readers, say "Yes, I'd appreciate it if you could replace my book" and you (as the person who loaned the book, fuss about it (especially after offering). But if we say you don't need to replace it, then that's fine.

14 Books Featuring Love (but NOT Necessarily Romance)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you all have, are having, or had a fantastic day. I also hope you're able to take some time to show the people in your life your appreciation and love for them.

So, when we think of Valentine's Day, we tend to think of romance, passion, and lovers. But this year, 14 February 2022, I wanted to take a slightly different approach. I wanted to lift up books that showcase love in a broader sense - love for family (parents, siblings, etc.), love for friends, passion for a job or hobby, and so on.

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are 14 books (with no explanations) that feature love, but not necessarily romance. Some of these do have romance in them, but it's not the main focus of the books in this list.

1. Hamilton, Ron Chernow
2. Joan of Arc: A History, Helen Castor
3. The Iliad, Homer
4. The Odyssey, Homer
5. Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly
6. Lost Roses, Martha Hall Kelly
7. The Riviera House, Natasha Lester
8. Six Crimson Cranes, Elizabeth Lim
9. The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller
10. Circe, Madeline Miller
11. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
12. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
13. The Fountains of Silence, Ruta Sepetys
14. A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales, Various

Bookish Dilemma: Not Being Able to Pack A Book (or Two)

It's a new year, and it's time to pick back up my Bookish Dilemma series. Today, we're discussing the dilemma of not being able to pack a book or two when going somewhere.

I know every reader has a non-reader friend or two who's always wondering why we need to always have a book handy. The answer is simple: reading is a convenient pastime, no matter what's going on. However, there are times when we aren't able to pack a book, whether it's because of space, time, and/or overall convenience.

So, why is this a dilemma? Again, it's another simple explanation.

It's easier with today's technology to have books handy, with audiobooks and ebooks and any related apps. However, there's something about having a physical book packed and handy that's comforting. And even if there doesn't seem like there'll be free time to read, things happen that'll make reading a possibility.

Controversial Bookish Topic: Lending Out Your Books

My first Controversial Bookish Topic post of 2022. As a result, I decided the series needed a photo update. So here we are!

Today's topic, as you probably can tell, is lending out your books. This is a slightly controversial topic, but it's thankfully not as heated as some other controversial bookish topics. So, whether or not you're part of the bookish community, you may be wondering: "What's the big problem of lending out your books?" Well, let's go over three scenarios of where this can be a problem (and why it's led to controversy).

Scenario One: The condition in which the book is returned.

Common courtesy is that you return the book in the condition it was loaned to you. Obvious, right? Sadly, although it's "obvious," this common courtesy is not always followed through with. Many readers have experienced situations where their books are returned with damage to some extent. Sometimes, it's accidental (which I'll go over in a post on February 15). But more often than not, it's an insensitivity - if not full-on disrespect - to the fact that the book belongs to someone else.

Scenario Two: Big moves.

Another "obvious" common courtesy is that you return the book once you're done, or if you haven't picked it up since receiving it. However, people move - either to another city, county, state/province, or even country. Sometimes, the book is forgotten about in the process. Sometimes, it's found and returned, but there is some damage (Scenario One). However, sometimes it's never returned, which leads to the next scenario.

Scenario Three: The book is never returned.

This scenario probably happens more than Scenario One. Additionally, Scenarios One and Two are probably the biggest factors in this scenario. We loan out our books, and they never get returned. However, no matter the reason (or, sometimes, "excuse"), you loan out a book, and it's never returned. Even if we ask about it, and are reassured that we'll get it back, it's still never returned. And, depending on the book, we may have to buy a new book to replace it.

If you're not a reader, hopefully, these scenarios help you understand why so many readers are hesitant, or even reluctant, to loan out their books. And if you encounter them being hesitant, be a little understanding.

Eight Tips for Reviewing Books

For some, book reviews come naturally. It's easy for them to rate a book on a scale of 1-5 stars and put their thoughts into a clever review that gets their thoughts across clearly. For others, they don't come naturally. It's harder, and it takes a while for the thoughts to clearly and easily be put into words. And still, others may be more in the middle. Some books may be easier to review, and others may be harder to review.

This is why I decided to make this post. It may not get easier, but hopefully, these tips make the process a bit smoother as you prepare reviews for any platform or reason. Here are eight tips for reviewing books.

Tip One: Actively give yourself time to mull over the book.

Tip Two: Think of five words or phrases that come to mind after reading the book.

Tip Three: If you're using Goodreads, it's okay to make a note that your rating is slightly different than the rating you entered.

Tip Four: Consider what about the book you did or didn't like.

Tip Five: Think about what you gained, or did not gain, from reading the book.

Tip Six: Reflect on why you bought, and later picked up, the book in the first place.

Tip Seven: Look at others' reviews of the book (but don't let these influence your review).

Tip Eight: See if anyone's up for talking about the book with you.

My Top Eight Book Accessories

To many who are outside of the "bookish community," it can be hard to picture how you can accessorize your books or accessorize reading. However, it's a very simple thing to do, and just like anything else you'd accessorize.

I personally differentiate between "reading accessories" and "book accessories." For me, this is mainly because while most of my book accessories can overlap with my reading accessories, not all of my reading accessories can overlap with my book accessories. However, this is my personal opinion and differentiation. You don't have to differentiate like this, and if you do, it doesn't have to be the same way I do.

Yesterday, I'll be focusing on my top six reading accessories.

Today, I'll be focusing on my top eight book accessories.

Book Accessory One: Bookshelf.

This one may be an "obvious" one, but I wanted to include it. This is mainly because, even if you don't have a traditional bookshelf, any surface that can be used for books, and that you do use for books, can be considered a "bookshelf."

Book Accessory Two: Book sleeve.

Book sleeves are great ways to travel safely with your books, especially if you want to protect your books from damage out of your control.

Book Accessory Three: Goodreads.

I use these Goodreads for specific books and to keep track of my TBR pile, currently reading pile, and read pile.

Book Accessory Four: Bookends.

I use bookends more as decoration for my bookshelf, but they are useful if you have enough space for them to hold up books on your shelf.

Book Accessory Five: Bookmarks.

Bookmarks are a great way to accessorize your books, especially when you can cycle between a few.

Book Accessory Six: Booklight.

Booklights are useful for when you're reading in the dark before bed.

Book Accessory Seven: Bookstand and/or book page holder.

This is a great way to accessorize, and they're an easy way to keep your page.

Book Accessory Eight: Personalized bookplate stamp and/or library kits.

Not only are they personalizable, but they're also a great way to keep track of books you loan out.

My Top Six Reading Accessories

To many who are outside of the "bookish community," it can be hard to picture how you can accessorize your books or accessorize reading. However, it's a very simple thing to do, and just like anything else you'd accessorize.

I personally differentiate between "reading accessories" and "book accessories." For me, this is mainly because while most of my book accessories can overlap with my reading accessories, not all of my reading accessories can overlap with my book accessories. However, this is my personal opinion and differentiation. You don't have to differentiate like this, and if you do, it doesn't have to be the same way I do.

Today, I'll be focusing on my top six reading accessories.

Tomorrow, I'll be focusing on my top eight book accessories.

Reading Accessory One: Background noise.

Whether it's music or a movie I've seen at least a hundred times, I personally prefer to read with something playing in the background.

Reading Accessory Two: Comfortable reading position.

Mine tends to be lying in bed, but one of my favorite reading positions after that is in my rocking chair and under a blanket.

Reading Accessory Three: Reading journal.

This is a recent thing for me, especially since getting A Clockwork Reader Reading Journal. But I personally think that reading journals are good reading accessories, if you can stick to them.

Reading Accessory Four: Pen and/or pencil.

Using a pen or pencil for a reading journal and/or doing marginalia in physical books.

Reading Accessory Five: Earphones or headphones.

This is particularly helpful during quiet hours, or if you don't want to be disturbed, while you listen to background music or cinema (if you do this).

Reading Accessory Six: Phone and/or iPad.

I tend to use these for my audiobooks and ebooks and keeping easy track of my Goodreads information.

Monthly Goodreads Reading Challenge Update

Time for a monthly Goodreads Reading Challenge update!

Date: 8 February 2022

2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge: 100 books

Books read: 5 books

Currently reading: 5 books

Note: the number "5" comes from the fact that I am reading The Lord of the Rings, and I am counting both that book as one whole text and the individual books within it. I am currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring.

Negative Goodreads Reviews: How to View Them

Recently, I was reading the reviews for Kara Cooney's The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt on Goodreads since it's one of my current reads. There were so many negative reviews for the book in proportion to the overall number of reviews. Essentially, these reviews went on about the "hypocrisy" of Kara Cooney, especially in The Good Kings.

This got me thinking: how should we approach and view negative reviews? In my opinion, there are two main steps in how to approach negative reviews.

Kara Cooney's The Good Kings

Step 1: Take them with a grain of salt, even if you don't end up reading the book.

Honestly, in the case of The Good Kings, most of the negative reviews seemed to come from people who ardently disagreed with Cooney. However, this may not always be the case. So it's good to take reviews with a grain of salt, especially if you don't read the book.

Step 2-A: Read the book yourself.

This is the best way to approach negative reviews, especially with viewing them. At the end of the book, do you agree? Do you disagree? Are you in the middle?

Step 2-B: Fact check.

This is important for history books, which is why I put it separately under 2. Once you read a history book, fact-check.

Eight Tips for Setting Up, and Continuing, a Reading Journal

This is something I've been wanting to do and stick to for a while: setting up, and continuing, a reading journal. Additionally, A Clockwork Reader (Instagram and YouTube) recently published a reading journal that I actually wanted to try out (see here on Goodreads). So, I bought it (as I'm writing this post, I'm waiting for it to arrive).

Since I decided to buy it and give a reading journal a whirl, I thought I'd share some tips. Most of these will come from my previous experiences, and hopefully will help you (and myself) avoid starting one and just stopping soon after. Here are eight tips for setting up, and continuing, a reading journal.

Tip One: You don't have to design a whole journal - buying a basic journal is okay as well.

I did this way too often when I would try to start a new reading journal: I would try to design each page a certain way so that it would be "perfect." But then I would want to write past the design I set up, or there was too much space. Additionally, after a while, it would get to the point where I just didn't want to put in the effort to design every single page, get it matching to previous pages, and so on. As a result, you don't have to create an elaborate design for your reading journal. It can be as simple as a lined notebook.

Tip Two: Buying a pre-set-up journal (like A Clockwork Reader's journal) is perfectly okay!

Let's say you want something more elaborate, but don't want to (or can't) do a designed journal on your own. Buying one, like A Clockwork Reader's journal, from Amazon or any other bookseller is a great way to do this - that way, you have something creative and designed, but you didn't have to do it on your own.

Tip Three: Don't buy a new journal until you're almost, or fully, done with the reading journal you're currently working on.

This was another habit I fell into: I would be halfway through one journal, and one day, be walking through Barnes & Noble and see a cute journal I'd want as a reading journal. Then I'd buy it and never finish the one I was halfway through. Try not to fall into this habit. If you're almost done with a journal (let's say, 25 pages or less to go through), or if you used one up, then buy a new journal. But don't buy a new one before then!

Tip Four: Your reading journal does not have to be fancy.

This is something that I, and many others, think we have to have: a "fancy" reading journal. I'm here to tell you that no, your reading journal DOES NOT have to be fancy. As I mentioned under Tip One, it can be as simple as a lined notebook.

Tip Five: You don't have to record every single read (unless you absolutely want to).

Again, another habit I would fall into: attempted to record every. Single. Read. However, there were times I would be too busy to record every read in my reading journal, and then I would just drop it off because I wasn't recording every single book. Unless this is something you want to do, it is not necessary to record every single book you read.

Tip Six: Include the important stuff: title, author, a rating of some sort, and a few of your thoughts.

Most pre-designed journals only have space for this information, so it's okay to keep the record simple. Additionally, including some of your thoughts is always a good thing, because then you'll remember why you did or didn't enjoy a book. Quotes are also a good way to go about this!

Tip Seven: If you decide to include a review, it doesn't have to be paragraphs upon paragraphs.

Unless you want to do a 5-or-more-paragraph review, a single paragraph is enough for your review. Additionally, unless your reading journal is a simple, lined journal, you won't have enough space for a review of more than a single-paragraph review.

Tip Eight: Record some of your favorite scenes.

I don't recommend this verbatim. But doing a simple overview and page number(s) of your favorite scenes is always a good way to go back and remember the specific things you enjoyed.

Six Reasons Why, and How, I Pick Up a Book

 

I may have done a post like this, but I can't quite remember. If I have, this will be a revamp. If I haven't, then this is a new post. I've seen other blogs and BookTubers do posts like this, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Why, and how, readers pick up books varies from person to person. Many of these reasons are relatable, no matter if that's a reason why or how you pick up a book. Here are six reasons why, and how, I pick up a book.

Reason One: I focus on the history, historical fiction, and mythology genres.

Reason Two: Paperbacks over hardbacks, although either physical version will do.

Reason Three: Borrowing before buying.

Reason Four: Mood reading.

Reason Five: Covers.

Reason Six: Favorite authors.

20 Questions Book Tag

It's time for another book tag! I haven't done one of these for a while, so here we are. This is where I got the questions: 20 Questions Book Tag, the Book Nut. As with other book tags I've done, I've included the questions, on their own, at the end of the post.

1. How many books are too many in a book series?

It really depends on the series for me. I would say anything more than 5 books is pushing it a little bit.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

Again, it really depends. If there's a sequel, and if the cliffhanger is done well, then I enjoy them. But if these things don't happen, then I don't enjoy them.

3. Hardback or paperback?

I tend to prefer paperbacks due to how heavy hardbacks tend to be, but I enjoy both.

4. Favorite book?

I can't pick just one, so here are my top 3:

The Hobbit

The Lord of the Rings

Six Crimson Cranes

5. Least favorite book?

The Pillars of the Earth

6. Love triangles: yes or no?

Not usually, no

7. The most recent book you couldn't finish?

I was so close to DNF-ing The Mirror & the Light. But I was able to push through it, thankfully. But the most recent book I DNF-ed was Red Queen

8. A book you're currently reading?

Northern Spy

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

The Riviera House

10. Oldest book you've read?

The Iliad and/or The Odyssey

11. Newest book you've read?

The Riviera House

12. Favorite author?

Natasha Lester

13. Buying books or borrowing?

Both, but I've been borrowing more recently

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

Twilight

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks for the most part, but I sometimes dog-ear my favorite quotes or passages

16. A book you can always reread?

The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings

17. Can you read while listening to music?

Usually, yes. But the music has to fit the book

18. One POV or multiple POVs?

Usually one POV, but I like multiple POVs when they're done right

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Usually over multiple days unless it's a really short book

20. Who do you tag

Anyone who wants to do this

1. How many books are too many in a book series?

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

3. Hardback or paperback?

4. Favorite book?

5. Least favorite book?

6. Love triangles: yes or no?

7. The most recent book you couldn't finish?

8. A book you're currently reading?

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

10. Oldest book you've read?

11. Newest book you've read?

12. Favorite author?

13. Buying books or borrowing?

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

16. A book you can always reread?

17. Can you read while listening to music?

18. One POV or multiple POVs?

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

20. Who do you tag

How to Define a "Good Reading Year"

This idea came to me as I was preparing January 19th's post, "Eight Tips for Achieving Your Yearly Reading Goals." What makes a period of time - day, month, or year - when you read "good" or "bad"?

For me, it's the quality of your reading and not the quantity of your reading. I know, it's the cliche "quality over quantity," but it's true, especially when it comes to hobbies like reading. I'll play out a couple of scenarios for you.

Scenario One: You read 150 books in one year, but you did not like or even hated, 100 of them.

These figures are big: 150 books, 100 of which you didn't like, and 50 of which you did. That's roughly 66% of books you didn't like versus roughly 33% of books you did like. While you read a lot of books, you, in a sense, did not have a "good reading year" because you did not like over half of them (half would have been 75 books). 

Scenario Two: You read 150 books, and you enjoyed 125 of them.

A similar scenario to the first one, but you enjoyed more books. You enjoyed roughly 83% of the books you read, and that's what makes a good reading year "good."

Let's look at some smaller numbers now.

Scenario Three: You read 10 books, and you enjoyed 4 of them.

So, this wasn't a great reading year. But that doesn't make it a "bad" one.

Scenario Four: You read 10 books, and you enjoyed 9 of them.

This was a good reading year since you enjoyed most of the books you've read.

For me, I try not to use the phrase "bad reading year" when it comes to my own reading. If you're up for it, I suggest that you try the same. Every year is different, and each year has its own challenges. Just because you don't read as much or enjoy as many books one year as you did the year before, that doesn't make it a "bad reading year." Simply focus on what you did enjoy that year.

Six Tips for Achieving Your Weekly or Daily 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. See the posts on January 19th and 20th for achieving your monthly reading goals and yearly reading goals.

Today, we're focusing on how to achieve your weekly or daily reading goals. Personally, I don't make big plans for reading daily or weekly. At most, I try to plan to read daily, and sometimes I try to plan for a chapter a day.

However, if you want to have more detailed goals for your daily or weekly reading goals, here are six tips.

Tip One: Utilize all book formats.

This is a tip I give all the time, so I'll leave it here.

Tip Two: Don't force yourself to read.

This is another tip I give all the time.

Tip Three: Set a limit.

Whether it's a chapter limit, page limit, or time limit, setting a limit can help you achieve reading little by little until you finally finish the book.

Tip Four: You don't have to read your limit in one go.

Let's say your limit is read for 30 minutes. You can read for 15 minutes in the morning, and 15 in the evening. Or if you decide that one chapter is your limit, you can read half of it as you have breakfast and the other half of it over dinner.

Tip Five: Choose when, where, and how you'll read.

Are you reading over a meal, before bed, or as you do your morning or nightly routines? This is important in deciding what book you'll read and how you'll read it.

Tip Six: If you're reading physical books, then keep them in a pile that's easily accessible.

This way, you're more likely to pick up a book and read for a little bit. If your stack is close by to where you work a lot, you can take a quick reading break. Or if it's close to your bed, you can read after waking up or before falling asleep.

Update

Hello, everyone!

Firstly, I wanted to make an apology.

I went a bit MIA here after my last post on the 20th. While I was able to schedule most of my posts for January until then, I have been very busy during my first couple of weeks here in Washington, DC. However, I am finally starting to feel settled in. Hopefully, I can get some posts scheduled & published for February and on.

Secondly, and more importantly, is my update.

This is something I began doing on my bookstagram, but I decided to carry it over to here as well. For the time being, I won't be doing monthly TBR piles or reading wrap ups. I came about this decision for a few reasons:

1. Recently, I haven't been sticking too close to my monthly TBR piles. I've been only reading 1-2 books off of the lists I've made, and since I've been using Libby, I don't always know what I'll have access to next.
2. Over the past couple weeks while I've been in DC, I've felt like doing monthly TBR piles and reading wrap ups put too much pressure on me during a time when I haven't been feeling like picking up physical books or ebooks. (I have been listening to audiobooks, though.)

Thank you all for understanding, and let's hope February 2022 goes well!