Books Conquered 2012

December is always a month of reflection for me.  I spend the month working through and processing my year, reflecting on people I miss, things I could have done better and eventually in wonder of what God has done in my year.

My pictorial year in review may not be posted until January.

Last December I decided that I would set a goal for reading.  I had a moment a number of years ago that I had wanted to join a book club -- I was told that it was serious and that my goofiness would not be tolerated and I would have to actually READ the book.  Little did they know, how much I read, and how much of my life I spend sitting, being still, being engrossed with a book, I get lost in a world that is not my own.  I mourn the loss of the characters long before the book is over go through withdrawal once the characters are finished.

So, my goal for reading was 2, 450 paged books per month.  A total of 10,800 pages for the year.  In December 2012 I thought it was stupidly lofty, this ambition of mine.  But I have to say: I did it.  And the year isn't over.

I have read a total of 11,697 pages.  27 books.  8 series.  1 romance.  (Thanks to Julie Presley).  I did not include in this list my bible reading.  The only book I didn't accomplish this year on my list was to re-read the Lineage of Grace, but Pam still has that book I think....(I <3 Pam!)

The truth of this is that had I not gotten sick, this goal probably not happened.  The fact that I had this simple goal, got me out of bed in the morning.  I would sit in the sun of my backyard (for 10 minutes at a time only) and read.  When I was strung out on my "uppers" I would read from 2 am to about 5-7 am most nights. When I was feeling "ok" I would walk to my neighbourhood Starbuck's and people watch and read.

The best gift I have ever gotten was an e-reader.  I was reading the Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and I was too weak to hold the book to read.  My family saw this and gave me the e-reader for Mother's Day.  An extravagant gift for sure--and I am so, so thankful for it.  I thought I would miss page turning, the feeling of a lot of book in my right hand and watch it move slowly to my left..I didn't miss it, I was too engrossed in my new characters or world..I didn't notice.  I did miss the smell of a good book.

And I am so proud of my accomplishment.