Reading Goals
If you've read The Archdale-Trinity News over the years, you'll be familiar with my yearly reading goals (and the occasional friendly competition with Librarian M to see who can read the most). As with previous years, I set my 2020 reading goal at 100 books. I failed, miserably. My grand total of books read-to-completion in 2020? A mere 61.
At first I thought it was my worst reading year in decades, but then I read an old social media post that informed me I read a few books less in 2008. Whew. Not quite as shocking, but still - I look at my 2020 total and can only shrug. If anyone asks, my response is simply "2020." In a year when so many discovered reading as an escape, I had a hard time finding books that took me away. And that's okay. If you set a record or failed to meet even previous years' limits, it's okay. Because none of us have lived through a pandemic before, and we are all learning as we go - adjusting as we go.
In light of all that ... what did I set as my 2021 reading goal? 100 books. I know, I'm a glutton for punishment, ha. {I really just like the math - having every book be a complete 1% toward the goal.} I have no idea whether I'll make it or not, but I'm going to see.
Do you set reading goals?
Have you noticed the current state of the world influencing how much (or little) you read?
Book Bingo!
Did you see the Instagram announcement? The Winter 2021 Book Bingo card is officially live! Check this blog post for more information, then swing over to Instagram and our "Book Bingo" story highlight to save your Book Bingo card.
Foodie Books
One thing became abundantly clear during 2020: I am most definitely a fan of foodie books. I love a novel with a strong kitchen/cooking/eating/food theme. I also devour {pun intended} foodie memoirs, the narrative nonfiction offerings from those involved with food.
In case you're in need of some inspiration this winter, here's a few of the best foodie reads I conquered in 2020 [all links to the library catalog]:
- A Blissful Feast: Culinary Adventures in Italy's Piedmont, Maremma, and Le Marche by Teresa Lust
- Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford
- The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux by Samantha Verant
- Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
O. Henry
Are you familiar with Greensboro's own O. Henry? Perhaps best known for his poignant short story "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry has been a literary favorite for years. I love perusing the O. Henry section of the Greensboro History Museum, and thought I had a decent idea of his biography. But this Book Riot post introduces whole new aspects of his story, and I feel an intense need to delve deeper. When the pandemic ends, I'm going back to the Museum, reading every word on the signs, to see if I missed these details somehow. In the meantime, I may have to brush off my O. Henry volumes and do a little reading this winter.
Bonus: Teasers for February
There seem to be even more reading "challenges" floating around this year to help people make the most of their reading in 2021.
Book Bingo reading suggestions.
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