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I think it’s safe to say we all have reading goals that include our To Be Read books and some of us have a TBR pile so long that we couldn’t even finish it in the afterlife. I fall to the side of TBR TLDR. In an attempt to remedy this, I decided to embark on a quest to see if I could help myself along and get control of the reigns on my reading. There are just so many amazing things I want to read and new genres I want to try out thus, the First 5 challenge is born. No, this challenge isn’t very innovative or new to the universe but I think myself a clever creature anyway. I decided that I would amass a stack of books and read through the first 5 chapters of each. If I want to continue after chapter 5, the book makes it to my bedside table to finish. If I don’t want to continue or I cannot make it to chapter 5, I know that the book isn’t meant for me.
Here's what I learned:
- This is a “DUH BETHANN” moment but I have to put it in even if it shows my stupidity. Books aren’t written or formatted the same. Not all books have numbered chapters or chapters with consistent lengths. West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman has long chapters divided by weekdays. The first “chapter” is 65 pages long. If I were to read the proverbial 5 chapters here, I would have the book finished. My adaptation for this book was to read chapter one only; I continued to make adjustments to other books like this staying about 65 pages long for my assessments.
- Reading 5 chapters is a lot if you’re slow like me. The change that I would make here is that I would pick 3 books at a time instead of 5. It takes the pressure off and calms my Currently Reading list on Goodreads down. (I tend to have a lot of books on that list anyways because I never read one book at a time).
- I GET TOO DISTRACTED! Plain and simple! While trying to read these chapters, I got inundated by friend suggestions, new releases, ARCs, and a load of other things I can’t keep myself from starting! I also have a currently reading list that spans about 7 books at a time; my focus is never easily captured. Advice to myself: maybe only read 1-3 books at a time or no books when I’m doing a challenge like this!
- One of the great things I learned is that when I am forced to buckle down and read, I get a lot more done! I also found myself enjoying new and different genres in the mix. Albeit I started a few and read right through to the end instead of stopping, BUT I found things that I really liked that I thought I wasn’t “into” right now. When I make the time it’s worth it.
- I used my resources more. When juggling books like this, the reality is that I don’t want to buy all of this to simply DNF them later. I was able to use Libby and Hoopla more and also borrowed more physical books from here at the library. When I was done and didn’t want to continue all I had to do was press a button or give the book back; no money spent. I was also able to pull some dusty books off my ancient TBR; when I knew I wasn’t going to read a book I could offload it by giving it away or turning it in for spend credits at my local bookstore. This opened up my bookshelves for more things I love.
This trial had its wins and fails, for that I am very glad; when we read, try new things, and push ourselves outside of what is comfortable or habitual, we can gain new insights and interests. I was able to find a few new books and genres that I would like to try and was also able to weed out some things that I couldn’t realistically get to right now. Moral of this story is to jump out, do the thing, and if it doesn’t work just scrap it and try the OTHER THING. Don’t stop reading, don’t stop creating hobbies, and don’t stop being at the library!
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
Bethann
What was your biggest reading “win” in 2023?
I had the opportunity to receive many ARCs throughout the year and to speak with quite a few amazing authors including Ellie Marney, Ann Fraistat, and Maureen Johnson!
How did you read your books?
I mostly read eBook and a few physical copies. I would like to read more physical books in 2024.
Books you DNF’ed (Did Not Finish)?
I DNF’ed The Whispering Dead by Darcy Coates and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. The Whispering Dead started off right in the middle of action and had me confused, and Warbreaker was just a bit too heavy on world building.
Who was the author you read the most from?
Probably Rebecca Yarros and Richelle Mead
What was the book that was most fun for you to read?
Re-reading the Vampire Academy series was so nostalgic and brought back a lot of great memories of reading the series for the first time!
What was a book that dragged on?
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead. It started out good, but then it was pretty slow.
What were some books you reread?
I did a reread on the Vampire Academy series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. I also started a reread of House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas in December in preparation for House of Flame and Shadow releasing January 30th!
Are there any books you read in 2023 that you would read again?
I would 1000% and will 1000% be rereading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.
What’s on the TBR (To Be Read) list for 2024?
The TBR is so long. But my most anticipated book is the 3rd book in the Crescent City series, House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas. I am also excited to read A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat!
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
-Samantha
The end of the year is generally a time of reflection so I wanted to do a reading wrap-up! I found some great questions that I think would be good for any reader to add to the end of their reading journal. Links will be added in if you find anything you like for your 2024 TBR!
Happy Holidays everyone!
- What was your biggest reading “win” in 2023?
- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman as an introduction to the reading world of LitRPG and humor is my biggest win. LitRPG is a fresh new world of reading that I have the ability to really explore (not that I needed more things added to my TBR). As far as the win of “humor,” I realized this year that the more you read the more you get to know yourself. The realization, or win, for me in knowing myself as a reader is that I love humor in my fantasy. Taking reading risks lead me down that road!
- How did you read your books?
- 26 Physical Books
- 1 Audiobook
- 116 Ebooks
- Books you DNF’d (Did Not Finish).
- Who was the author you read the most from?
- Instead of going with number of books from an author, I went with longest time spent with an author. I read a lot of graphic novel series this year but didn’t feel like I spent a lot of time with those authors compared to the time I spent reading Brandon Sanderson novels. Even though I haven’t finished Yumi and the Nightmare Painter and Words of Radiance, I have started them this year and that makes an impact. Brandon Sanderson is definitely the winner of this question with my completion of Warbreaker and Words of Radiance at over 2,000 pages and some deep reading.
- What was the book that was most fun for you to read?
- The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, and Kaiju No. 8 series by Naoya Matsumoto
- What was a book that dragged on?
- What were some books you reread?
- Are there any books you read in 2023 that you would read again?
- What’s on the TBR (To Be Read) list for 2024?
- Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson, Confessions by Kanae Minato, Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio, Sunbringer by Hannah Haner, A Place For Vanishing by Anne Fraistat, Leviathan Wakes by James Corey, He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
Bethann
Wellness by Nathan Hill
607 pp
Adult Fiction
5/5*
Formats Available: Physical book, Libby eBook and eAudiobook
When Jack and Elizabeth meet as college students in the gritty '90s Chicago art scene, the two quickly join forces and hold on tight, each eager to claim a place in the thriving underground scene with an appreciative kindred spirit. Fast-forward twenty years to suburban married life, and alongside the challenges of parenting, they encounter the often-baffling pursuits of health and happiness from polyamorous would-be suitors to home-renovation hysteria.
For the first time, Jack and Elizabeth struggle to recognize each other, and the no-longer-youthful dreamers are forced to face their demons, from unfulfilled career ambitions to childhood memories of their own dysfunctional families. In the process, Jack and Elizabeth must undertake separate, personal excavations, or risk losing the best thing in their lives: each other.
Parenthood can easily become very isolating. Jack and Elizabeth see their old college friends pairing off and starting families, and they are left by themselves. After having a child of their own, they find that they long for their college years where they lived as a collective rather than a set of individuals.
Jack and Elizabeth live in a new world where they see perfection everywhere. From the houses on Instagram to the (mostly imagined) worlds of their fellow parents, it’s easy to find the faults in their lives. Jack needs to work out to lose weight and Elizabeth needs to make the perfect plates of food for their son, all while juggling their busy lives together. But they just aren’t sure if this is all there is. They recall the artist’s life they had in college and yearn for something deeper.
Finding the answers to these problems means confronting their troubled and abusive pasts and envisioning a future together where maybe everything isn’t perfect.
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
-Justin
I Want To Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino
442 pages
YA Manga
4.5/5 *
Formats available: Libby Graphic Novel
Also known as Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, the manga version of the coming-of-age novel that inspired two films! In this deeply moving first-person story, an introverted high school boy finds his classmate’s diary—and learns her biggest secret. Yamauchi Sakura is dying from a pancreatic disease and now he is the only one person outside her family to know the truth. The last thing the boy wants is to be her friend, but Sakura’s cheerful demeanor and their shared secret draw them together in this heartrending tale of friendship and mortality.
When you lay this book down, title facing up, people read it then look at you weird; what I am trying to say is that it’s worth it. Personally, I am not a big fan of slice of life romance; however, when I saw this title I knew I had to take a bite. The author does nothing to disguise the inevitable ending of this book and I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough to keep me attached and invested in the story; sometimes I love being wrong. Sakura and her morose little friend build a unique bond quickly, and you’re sucked into this joyous tragic ride. Be ready to laugh, giggle, and then cry a little. As a reader I think you’ll easily relate to one or the other character. For me the sad little friend shared a lot of experiences and feelings about interacting with people that I felt as a young adult. The struggle to make deep connections and friendships, the battle to have people in my life and not hide in books, and the struggle with finding purpose and meaning. Then suddenly, and even violently, Sakura disrupts his world and their lives are immediately intertwined changing them both in ways they didn’t realize they needed. I enjoyed the devastation and the heart. This is a great addition to your reading list and an amazing refresher. Give this amazing book a go!
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
878 pages
Romantasy
5/5*
Available: Book, Playaway, Libby eBook, Libby eAudiobook
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
Ride or die.
And I died. Rebecca Yarros sure knows how to leave us hanging on a cliffhanger. Iron Flame, the sequel to The Empyrean Series was a literal emotional roller coaster full of battle, love, and of course…DRAGONS! I can confidently say I had no idea what was going to happen for even a second. I didn’t know who was going to lose their lives, or if I could emotionally repair myself after the final page. Our main character, Violet, has come so far from the first book and has grown into quite the badass. Proud mother moment. I tried to stay off social media because I knew people were going to be talking about Iron Flame since it is so wildly popular. However, I did watch people’s reactions to reading the ending. The temptation was too strong.
So, to the ending I trudged…. absolutely dreading what could be waiting for me to read. There isn’t a good enough description to tell you guys about how utterly “shooketh” I was. My heart has left the building and has been eviscerated by you, Rebecca. Until next time you emotionally destroy me in the best of ways.
For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday.
-Samantha