Here’s my Goodreads review of the ebooks I read in 2024, a service similar to Spotify’s wrap of your most downloaded songs. It’s important to state that I read hardcovers, too—those purchased at an author’s signing event at a local bookstore are prized.
Think about the books you’ve read in 2024. Imagine them all around you, covers closed, titles on top. What do they tell you about the year you’ve just lived? What do they say about your state of mind, life stage, desires and needs? If it’s easier, imagine a friend coming upon you, surrounded by these books, looking at each one and then at you. What would they say the books reflected about you?
Would they be surprised?
P.S. Here’s a tidbit to tally—a reassurance of how easy it is to achieve desired peace and joy via reading. It’s gleaned from a reliable source: Michael Castleman’s new book, The Untold Story of Books. “Last year (2023), 2.7 million books were published by publishing houses and self-published authors.” For further perspective, he cites this: that translates into 74 releases per day or 308 per hour, five every minute. It could be one per genre, to please every taste.
To my mind, there’s no reason not to read.
Reading is a great way to escape the craziness around us today.
Obviously, I agree!
Without reading, I’m not sure I’d survive the chaos. When people say they don’t read, I go mute with shock.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/short-story-wednesdayagain
I agree – it flabbergasts me, in fact!
I really don’t know what to say to people who don’t read 🙂 And yet I see myself reading much less than I used to, or at least, reading fewer books (and more on-line stuff, good, bad, and above all indifferent. I’d do better to read books).
Thanks for reading my blog entry – happy new year!
I’ve always loved to read. I so agree with what you’ve said about reading. It’s gotten me through some super hard times in life.
Read on –