Isn’t this a fabulous image? It’s a WPA poster created for the Chicago Library in 1941. I can’t say exactly why I’m inordinately fascinated with WPA art posters, but it’s certainly some combination of appreciation for the graphics of that time period and the WPA program itself providing opportunities for artists. In any case, art and books – two of my favorite things.
2022 was an exceptionally prolific year of reading for me. Yet, as I suspect all readers appreciate, there are SO MANY books out there, and a great many of them demand reading. It’s a never-ending task of which I will never complain..
In our household, where avid reading is second nature and books are always welcome, in the week before New Year’s arrives I always enjoy contemplating what projects it will delight me most to focus on. Then I plan, in broad strokes, what books I’m committing to giving priority to. This year, I’m excited to feel a strong pull towards exploring color in various ways and I have quite a few color-related books I can’t wait to dig into. I’ll make these a priority, but leave plenty of space to read “around” them. My tastes are nothing if not eclectic.
Once again, I’ve chosen to participate in a few reading challenges. There are literally hundreds to choose from and part of the delight for me is settling on a few. For 2023 I’ve chosen one with specific prompts and a few more with more loosely defined parameters. Here’s what I’ll be playing in:
- The 52 Book Club’s 2023 Challenge. This is the one with a list of 52 prompts, and I’ve had fun selecting potential books to fit them. Read more and see the prompt list here.
- 2023 Alphabet Soup Challenge. You know my penchant for abecedariums and my inability to resist almost any A-to-Z challenge, so is a natural for me. You can read more about the details here.
- Color Coded Reading Challenge. Given my aforementioned interest in color this year, I can hardly refuse to play in this one. You can read more about the details here.
- Bout of Books Read-a-thons. These aren’t challenges in the same sense as the above are, but instead are 3 week-long periods during the year in which one specifically dedicates time to reading. The year’s first one is currently underway, and I’m happily kicking off the new year reading season with a rather ambitious pile of books. Find out more here if you’re interested.
While it’s true that I allowed my blog to languish in 2022, I do hope to hang out in the blogging world a bit more consistently this spin around the sun. I’m definitely going to try to do some regular posting of some of my favorite books discovered amidst all my planned reading.
What about you? Was last year a good reading year for you? Had a favorite book (or two)? Planning on playing in any challenges in 2023? Love the idea of a sled full of books to take home and find a cozy spot to snuggle in and read? Have some good things on your to-be-read list? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Those are some fascinating looking challenges! I love to read and fit in as much as I can around whatever we chose for Book Club. I enjoy discussions of what we read, thus I need to finish those books first. My time has been limited due to the birth of a new grandson and my mother’s health issues but I’m hoping to fit in some purely pleasure reading. I hope you’ll share your top choices and some book reviews with us! My favorite reads of the past year were fiction like “The Lincoln Highway” and “This Tender Land.” I also loved “Island of Sea Women” and “Take My Hand.” “Lessons in Chemistry” was thought-provoking; I assumed it would be silly and funny yet there were many messages in it.
I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned Margaret, but a couple are in my TBR pile. Book clubs can be a bit tricky finding one that’s a right fit, so it’s always nice to hear someone whose found one. Hope you read (and discuss) lots of things you love this year.
Hi Deborah -. those are interesting challenges – but I think I’ll stick with my blog and the other things in life I do …but this year is my year of reading … I must read plenty of books – and I’ve lots to get my teeth into here (or my eyes!) … I tend to read more informative books rather than novels/fiction …. which I prefer, but which take time to absorb … I’m not sure where I’d start with my list – but I might make one this year … we’ll see – but thanks for coming by and have a good year ahead – cheers Hilary
It’s always a delight to see how you share the info from you extensive researching. Hope it brings you lots of joy in 2023.
Hari OM
I have quite the TBR file/pile and definitely need to up my game on getting through them. in 2022 I discovered the wonderful world of audiobooks, so did get through more than in many years prior. Mostly straightforward murder mystery and police procedural stuff. Two physical books that I read, though, I loved: Corvus by Esther Woolfson and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Highly recommended. YAM xx
I’ve become quite a fan of audiobooks as well – there’s something so delicious about being read to! I’ve read Corvus and Braiding Sweetgrass and I loved them as well. Happy reading always!
It is a great image! I enjoy mid-century artwork as a general rule, but when it involves books it’s doubly “my thing.” 🙂
I, too, read a lot in 2022. I have a daunting TBR pile (that I can’t stop adding to!) and am well on my way to my reading goal for 2023.
Good luck with your reading challenges, and happy new year!
Happy New Year to you as well, and may all your reading be satisfying. I’m perpetually curious about the phenomenon of the ever-growing TBR pile. Why, no matter how much you read from it, does it grow exponentially? It’s a mystery of the universe I cannot solve.