Thursday, January 3, 2013

Reading in 2012

I read 82 books in 2012. That is an average year for me although less than I always hope. Nearly all of my books came from the library, actually, all of them did, even the ones that I read on my Kindle. I already published my best of 2012.

There were some books that were disappointments, that is, books that I started and for whatever reason (it did not engage me immediately) did not finish although there were only a few of those. Since I get my books from the library (did I mention that I am a librarian?), if a book is on hold for other people, I do need to take it back as soon it is due. There are a few books that I took back and back and finally forgot about. Because I was not really interested or I was not really interested at that time.

Sometimes, I pick up a book later and wonder why I did not delve into it immediately--sometimes the season or the mood is not right. Other books sound great in the description and the reviews but just do not really speak to me. I waited and waited for The Light Between the Oceans and when it came, I started it and just could not really get into it. But I put myself back on the list and will try again. Maybe the next time will be the charm.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Reading Tools--Noting Books

I work as a librarian so I am always finding books to read. I read book reviews from several newspapers, from some cherished blogs and I go through our catalog to see what we are ordering and what will be published soon so that I can get on the list.

We can put books on hold but sometimes they need to go back before I have finished them (or even started them). So keeping track of what I have read, what I want to read and what I started to read but did not finish is a challenge

I keep some lists on my iPhone but I find that I am happier or perhaps more comfortable making paper lists. I use a tabbed ClaireFontaine notebook because I can keep track of a lot of different things at the same time. Books I want to read, programs that I want to present and even such mundane things as my to do lists.

But, I also like to keep a notebook by my side while I am reading a book so if there is a great line or something about the book that intrigues me or confuses me, I can note it and come back to it later. For this, I tend to use a Moleskine because they are small and easy to carry around. For Christmas, my husband gave me 3 Moleskines from the Strand Bookstore--two large in red and one pocket-sized in black. They are embossed with the Strand logo and tagline "Where books are loved" which seems just perfect for my purposes.