This has been a challenging blogging year for me for many reasons. My full-time job has required much more time outside of my work day. My health status was further compromised with Lyme Disease in the spring. Wow, I can't imagine how a wee-bitty tiny tick can create such havoc and illness with one small bite. Then during this year, two of my dogs had major medical issues, and as many of you know I lost my sweet Webster in the summer. Mystery is doing much better and will always be on medicine. She is a little Diva, but cute as a button anyway. Lion is my heart dog..ever present and my protector. He is my biggest dog with an old sensitive soul. Wizard is the resident nervous Nellie. He is always on guard for my terrorist cat Owen, who sits and waits to take pot claw shots at him as he tries to sneak by him. Houdini turned fourteen and true to his name is elusive, having no interest in dogs or people, with the exception of his love for me. He is my book buddy.
Reading is always my solace and the sunshine to look forward to each day. The obstacles that prevented my passionate pursuit of print are hopefully behind me. I am looking forward to 2011 with optimism and hope to be physically better able to read and write again.
My stats for this year are: 75 Books Read
Challenges:
Challenges: ABC Historical Fiction Challenge 6 of 26 books. Although some of my books would have worked, I lost interest in the game. I loved this challenge and wish I had more focus to participate.
Reagan Arthur Book Challenge: Read two books.
War Through the Generations: One book....but it was an awesome one: The Lotus Eaters.
New Author Challenge: I didn't post or keep up my stats on this, but I read many new authors as I review for different magazines. Therefore, of the 75 books read, 63 were new authors.
Authors who blew me away with their writing this year.....
Helen Hollick
Ciji Ware
Elizabeth Chadwick
Barbara Erskine
Brady Udall
Tan Twan Eng
Fiona Mountain,
Robin Oliveira,
Lauren Belfer
Michelle Moran
Alison Weir
Catherine Delors
Alan Cheuse
Cathy Marie Buchanan.
I will be posting my 2010 Favorite Pics withing the next two days. Hmmmmmmm?
I think it is safe to admit that I am really awful at challenges. Therefore, I will probably only do one challenge this year. I love the War Through the Generations challenge, and my interest in Civil War history really makes this challenge a must accept. I already have a stack of books to include so Serena and Anna...I'll be signing up. LOL
Something new for me this year will be reading a daily journal called The Book of Awakening. This was a "favorite thing" of Oprah's this year and it became one of my favorite gifts to give special friends.
Happy New Year !
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2011].
9 comments:
You did well!
I read 95 books, not bad, considering I was in a reading slump for more than four months.
Happy New Year to you and your family. Have a great reading year in 2011!!!
Here are my Best Reads of 2010
Considering all of your challenges this year, you did great!
I read 143 books, but I have no excuse for not reading more, except that I am easily swept up into the web; plus, I've done several writing challenges this year.
Hope to organize my challenges better this year.
Here's my Salon, which shows some of my year's reflections:
(click on my name)
2010 was definitely one challenging year for many of us, wasn't it? Hopefully 2011 will be a good one. I think we've earned it. :-)
I just ordered Brady Udall's book. Hopefully I will like it as much as so many others have.
I hope you have a great New Year. Here's to wonderful books and good health!
Lovely reflections of 2010. I think it is really annoying how work interferes with the things we enjoy the most....LOL
Love hearing about the dog-children. Have a safe, happy, healthy New Year. I have Lymes Disease as well, but treated it early enough hopefully. It is debilitating.
I think a 75 book goal in 2011 is a good #, I read 62 this year (up from 44 in 2009) so I'm gonna shoot for 75 as well! I really hope 2011 is a better year for you Wisteria and your sweet animals!
May it be filled with love, laughter, friendship, happiness and of course, lots and lots of yummy books!
You've been through a lot and an overcomer!
2010 has been a busy year for me too and the new job I took on in June had turned my reading and blogging life upside down. Not to mention things that happened to my personal life too. But we all managed!
Happy New Year, Wisteria!
Gautami...Awesome job even with the slump. I so can relate. Happy, Happy New Year to you.
Laurel...Wow! 143 books. Impressive.
Literary Feline...You are going to be surprised by the Udall book. Laugh, cry so many emotions. I loved it. Happy New Year to hubby and fur babies. I hope to be in better contact this year. :)
Diane...Happy New Year. Sorry to hear you have Lyme's also. Yuck!! At least you and I can relate. Have a Wonderful New Year...joy, health and prosperity...and most of all happiness.
Amy...You do so much posting. I love reading your blog. I haven't set a goal for 2011...hoping to go beyond this year..but no pressure.
Enjoy this coming year and I hope it is remarkable in all ways. You deserve it!
Alice...I know you had a lot going on this year. I was so happy for your move. You seem to really love your new surroundings, and have made your place so you!!!
I always enjoy your photos and all the pics of your fun times. I wish I could visit you. :) Happy New Year. I know your heart is big and all goodness will come to you in 2011.
The Lotus Eaters made my best of 2010 list (which I'll be posting at some point today). I highly recommend Matterhorn if you want to delve into Vietnam again at some point.
Glad you'll be joining us again this year. I haven't read too much about the Civil War, so I'm eager to learn more about it. I've added you to the participants page on War Through the Generations.
I would say the first half of 2010 was also a bit rough for me with some health issues so I understand. I wish you all the best Wisteria. May this year bring you a lot of health and joy and a lot of good books too :)
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