BOOK COUNT FOR THE YEAR

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

WHAT LITTLE BUN READ

He has been OBSESSED with the Tom Angleberger series called Origami Yoda. OMG. He has taken my Kindle Oasis so many times that I bought him one of his own.

He also read Pippi Longstocking and liked her very much.

WHAT I READ

I am trying to read more but work has been kicking my bum. I try to squeeze out time to read, but it is rough. Also, Little Bun is an e-reader hog. Can’t wait for the new one to arrive.

Storyteller

[ DAVE GROHL, NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS, MEMOIR, ROCK STAR, MUSIC ]

I loved reading about his journey. It felt like him in the pages, and what was interesting, was I saw a bit of him on the show Top Chef where they had to cook for the Foo Fighters before a big show (a Thanksgiving dinner, Season 5 Episode 3 if I am not mistaken) and it tracks because his personality on TV is just like the way the book was written.

Anyway, a good read. Great journey, great guy, I came away with it with some self-reflection of my own, and I love it when people make you do that in their memoirs.

CULINARY INTELLIGENCE

[ FOOD, HEALTH, EATING, HABITS, IDEAS ]

I wasn’t sure what to expect but I enjoyed reading this book because it gave me more ideas on top of what I already had. To be frank, we eat the same way, around 90% of his advice, is what we follow. I enjoyed it thoroughly, getting notes, ideas, and facts from improving our mealtimes.

Santa, Please bring me a boyfriend

[ CHICKLIT, CHRISTMAS ]

This was cute, and kind of interesting, mixing it up with the love interest part. I am not going to give it away, but it was a refreshing change from some of the other ones where it feels agonizing. I am not sure I’d recommend it though – if you need fluff, go for it, but I found it forgettable. I did however, google all the shopping things in the book as I read it, so there’s that.

THE BAT

[ MYSTERY, THRILLER, MURDER, SCANDINAVIAN DETECTIVE ]

This is the first of so far, 13 books with Harry Hole (pronounced: HOLY) as the detective. I have to tell you, I was underwhelmed. I found myself drifting off mentally, not really following WTF was going on, and really not feeling it. I will give his series another shot, and we will see if it gets better. For now, not a must-read.

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.