How much reading is too much?
Back at the start of 2022, I deliberately set out to read less than in 2021, because I read at night before sleep, and I have trouble getting enough sleep. And that’s usually the only time I have to read. So I started 2022 with a reading challenge of just 12, and when I reached that I doubled it to 24, though I ended the year 2022 with 81 books read.
But in 2023 that determination flew out the window. I will confess, I’ve been stressed about finances these past two years, and I find that my favorite escape is fiction. This past year, 2023, has been the hardest year yet. So it’s no surprise to me that 2023 was the year I read 168 books.
I debated whether to even set up a Goodreads challenge at all for 2024, since I don’t need to challenge myself to read more. My real challenge is to read less, so the number of books I’ve set my challenge for is equivalent to about one book every two weeks. Though I know I’ll surpass that, I plan to try to slow down this year, and one way I might do that is to read more challenging fiction, more literary classics, and more nonfiction.
My plan for when I need an escape is to reread an old favorite ever so slowly (if I can get myself to) and savor each sentence. That’s the plan, anyway. We’ll see how I do.
My 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/…
My 2023 Goodreads Year in Books is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_i…
2023 Favorite Reads by Month
Note, as I’ve mentioned here before, I read on a Kindle, and many of the Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice variations I read are self-published and available only from Amazon. I apologize for any confusion that may cause when you see something listed that may interest you. For all their faults, Amazon is incredibly friendly toward self-publishing authors, and this exclusive availability is sometimes the unfortunate result.
Favorites Finished in January 2023:
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variations
An Excellent Walker by Lindsay Constable
Mr Darcy Lands on His Feet by Sophie Linbrook
Nonfiction
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey
Favorites Finished in February 2023:
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variations
An Unpleasant Sort of Man by Michelle D’Arcy
Nonfiction
Your Year in Art: Watercolor: A project for every week of the year to inspire creative exploration in watercolor painting by Kristin Van Leuven
Favorites Finished in March 2023:
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variations
An Appearance of Goodness by Heather Moll – mystery
Dangerous When Wet by Jennifer Joy – comedy
Any Fair Interference by Nan Harrison
Mr. Darcy’s Household by Lyr Newton
Nonfiction
Geninne’s Art: Birds In Watercolor, Collage, and Ink by Geninne D. Zlatkis
It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders
Favorites Finished in April 2023:
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variations
April was a great month for me, for this genre!
I Never Knew Myself by Melanie Rachel
Like Father, Like Son by Lyr Newton and Jo Abbott
The Fire at Longbourn by Laraba Kendig
Death of a Clergyman by Riana Everly
Allow Me to Tell You by Monica Fairview
Unfounded by Jessie Lewis
Nonfiction – Writing
On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer by Stephen Marche
Nonfiction – Fiber Arts
Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs: Creative Techniques for Joining Motifs of All Shapes by Edie Eckman
Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman
The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman
Knit-And-Crochet Garden by Arne Nerjordet, Carlos Zachrison (Arne & Carlos)
Favorites Finished in May 2023:
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
I read many new and old favorites in this genre in May!
Think of Me by Elizabeth Adams
A Faithful Narrative by Mary Smythe
An Affectionate Heart by Heather Moll
Fate’s Intervention by Jann Rowland
A Folly of Youth by Amy D’Orazio
The Ball at Meryton by Bronwen Chisholm (reread)
Letters From the Heart by Kay Bea (reread)
Nonfiction
Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol
Favorites Finished in June 2023:
Fiction – Romantic Fantasy
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Fiction – Historical Thriller
The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker by Bronwen Chisholm
Favorites Finished in July 2023
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variations
I Dreamt of Pemberley by Lin Mei Wei
A Gentleman’s Honor by Melanie Rachel
Suddenly Mrs. Darcy by Jenetta James
The Sailor’s Rest by Don Jacobson
A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity by Amy D’Orazio (reread)
Some of the above are quite unusual variations. A good month.
Favorites Finished in August 2023:
Fiction – Romantic Suspense
Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart (reread)
My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart (reread)
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice Science Fiction variation
Pride and Prejudice and Planets by Renata McMann and Summer Hanford
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice Mystery variation
Lover’s Knot by Jenetta James
Favorite(s) Finished in September 2023:
Fiction – Romantic Suspense
Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart (reread)
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
Drawing Mr. Darcy Duology by Melanie Rachel
Stranded with Mr. Darcy by Lin Mei Wei
A Lady’s Reputation by Amy D’Orazio (reread)
Favorites Finished in October 2023:
Fiction – Fantasy – Time Travel – Historical
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
Cursed by Elizabeth Adams
Favorites Finished in November 2023:
Fiction – Science Fiction
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
Fitzwilliam Darcy Elopes by Beth Wood
Favorites Finished in December 2023:
Fiction – Science Fiction
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Fiction – Pride and Prejudice variation
Wits & Wagers by Amy D’Orazio
Twelve Days of Christmas by Jennifer Lang (reread)
Nonfiction
God and the Afterlife by Jeffrey Long, MD and Paul Perry
Happy 2024 and Happy Reading!