What I read: The Melting Snow Edition

BOOK COUNT FOR THE YEAR

• January: 4
• February: 29
• March: 21
• April:
• May:
• June:
• July:
• August:
• September:
• October:
• November:
• December:

WHAT LITTLE BUN READ

• Big Nate books – I got him a bunch at thrift stores and the Epic collection online
• More David Walliams books. He adores this author.

WHAT I READ

I was engrossed in reading all the Bridgerton novels because the third season is going to air this year!!

BRIDGERTON SERIES (13 books)

[ ENGLAND, CHICK-LIT, ROMANCE, FAMILIES ]

They are all excellent. Absolutely worth the read, even if you have watched the series, and vice versa. LOVED. I can see myself re-reading them again.

I also read all of her offshoot novels related to this:

And I still have more offshoot novels to read from her!

 

PRETTY BABY

[ THRILLER, HOMELESS, PSYCHOLOGICAL  ]

I am not sure I picked the right book of hers to start with, because this one really didn’t grip me. I mean, it did, I had to know what happened but I was not satisfied with the ending. Maybe I was hoping more of a revenge story of sorts. I am giving her another try.

STILL LIFE

[ MYSTERY, QUÉBEC, SERIES OF INSPECTOR GAMACHE ]

I really like it. I am finally starting the Gamache series but from Book One. I had a feeling I knew who it was halfway through, but it was still nice to be surprised right to the end.

what love is

[ LOVE, FORMS OF LOVE, EXPLORATIOn, SOCIOLOGY ]

An exploration of what “love” is and what it could be.. basically the whole book was talking about its various forms of what it means to say ” I love you “…

LOVELIGHT FARMS

[ CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, BEST FRIENDS, CHICKLIT ]

It was meh. I think I need a stronger character because this one felt very wishy-washy, and I am not into those kinds of depictions of women. I am not keen on starting her other books in this series. Maybe if I get bored.

WHALEBONE THEATRE

[ FICTION, GROWING UP, INDEPENDENCE ]

I very much enjoyed this book and I had low expectations of it. Would I recommend it? Maybe. If you are looking for a story of a young girl growing into her independence and self, yes. But I wouldn’t say – OMG IT IS A MUST READ. It isn’t, but it was a good read nonetheless.

LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN

[ CHICKLIT, VERY BRIDGERTON-LIKE, FEMINIST, SUFFRAGIST ]

I rather liked this author and series. She has a fourth one coming out end of this year. It is very Bridgerton-esque in its writing and feel, so give it a go if you were into the series. Good reads, more on the feminist slant, same sort of excellent tension/drama/push+pull….

FAQ

How do I read so quickly?

I don’t know either. I’ve been reading books for as long as I can remember. I feel like my sibling is the one who patiently taught me how to read one book, and from there, it exploded.

So, lots of practice? I have been reading for so long that words come easily to my brain, it’s like I see a picture of the word rather than reading the word individually. So “disastrous” would be a word that you read “dis-sas-trous”, but in my head it’s disastrous“, just one word, meaning imprinted. Makes sentences go a lot quicker.

Save for my parents, my entire immediate family is a family of voracious readers.

We read while eating, we read while walking, we read in bed… I guess I just followed what my older siblings did as they always had their nose in their books, and a few going at the same time (you know, the disrespectful way we read through half a book than leave it half open facing the table, spines cracked, no bookmark?).

I used to read 30+ books from the library a week – all young adult, easy stuff. I can read 2-3 books of young adult fiction in a current work day to give you an example, and as a child I had way more time than I do now, so I burned through books like a firestorm.

Our partners remark that they’ve never seen a family read so much, and I guess it’s true.

Where do I get my books?

A lot of you have asked and I generally don’t buy books unless they’re secondhand and in ebook format, for many reasons – price, environmental, space, and even then, I don’t buy books. I borrow them.

I read them on my Kobo ereader (also secondhand), and check out books from the library from Overdrive. If the book isn’t there, I generally don’t read it, UNLESS.. it is a book I REALLY REALLY want to read, then I MAY consider buying it if I cannot wait for it or find it. So far, I have only done this for Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. Libraries are a gift, and we pay for them in our taxes yearly even if you don’t personally use them, so thanks.

How do I know what to read?

I don’t. I see recommendations and make notes, or put it on my Wishlist / On hold. I sometimes go into bookstores and browse, then decide if it is worth getting from the library. Or in secondhand stores, I pick up or buy books only if they’re photography / style-related where pictures and colour are a MUST (the one drawback to an e-reader).

I purchased only two physical books in 2020 that I couldn’t / didn’t want to buy in e-book format: Distinction (it was cheaper secondhand than the e-book), & Scoff (not available in ebook format at all).

Don’t you prefer physical books?

Who doesn’t!?

Aside from the cost, the space they take up, how heavy they are (we have a small bookshelf, most of it is Little Bun), I find them heavy to hold and hard to read in rooms unless there is bright daylight or very strong lamp light (I suffer from aura migraines and I’ve noticed dim light or lack of light triggers it when I am reading). I really like that the ebook illuminates the book.

I’d rather carry my entire library around with me in an ebook reader, plus be able to read with a backlight on.

I am currently considering a library option however only because we plan on buying a larger home in the future and I could allow a small library in my closet, perhaps.

Likely, it will only be filled with photography and style books however. Those are the only books I really want in physical copy and ebooks won’t suffice.

Where do I find the time to read?

I just make time for it. I have no other answer…

I’ve noticed if I am not watching TV shows, or aimlessly browsing on Instagram, I seem to have plenty of time to read if I am able to foist Little Bun off on my partner and/or keep him occupied otherwise.

I can go through a lot of books in a short amount of time if I am both interested, reasonably well-rested (or in a good mental state, not in limbo or stressed out) and the book itself is engrossing.

I read while brushing my teeth as you need to brush a full minute to two minutes (I have the reader on a stand), and I read while eating or drinking tea, I read while Little Bun plays or reads…. I read every time there is a spare moment.