2019 End-of-Year Reading Wrap Up

Hey there, readers!
I shared my End of Year Reading Survey yesterday but here's a final wrap up for the year of 2019!

My Life in 2019
It's been a crazy busy year! 
I made a list of all the places we've been this year (from local parks [counted once] to state parks to vacation destinations) and it topped 50! We've been extra active going on bike rides and hikes, as well as camping, swimming, and canoeing. Basically, we've been spending as much time in nature as possible! It's been a blast and I wish I could have shared more here but blogging took a backburner again this year, though I did try to review consistently.

Other than that, this year has been full of ups and downs, gains and losses, lessons learned and plenty of new ones on my plate to work on. I'm hoping to step into the new year with a little more focus on what's important and worthwhile.
As for my upcoming reading goals, I'll be posting them tomorrow!
Happy New Year!

My Year In Books on Goodreads

2019 Reading Challenges

Alphabet Challenge

This one isn't part of a group or link up. It's just another list for me to update, to be honest. 

I read 19 out of 26 letters.

Beat the Backlist Challenge

I slew this challenge in 2018 but I ended up reading more popular, newer stuff from the library this year over books I already owned. That just means I have to join again in 2020 and focus on my own TBR more!
I read 27 out of my goal of 40.

2019 PopSugar Reading Challenge

This was my first year participating in this challenge but I didn't really bother to focus on it. I just mark things off if I read the prompts.
I read books for 13 of the prompts.

Read Around the World

I've been tracking the settings of books I read for a few years now and have enjoyed seeing my map fill up with markers. I didn't focus on filling in locations at all this year so I didn't keep very good track but here's my 2019 map.

 And a close up of the US and UK/Europe

I also keep a master map of all the years I've tracked so far and it is filling up quite a bit!

Apparently, I need to read books set in Africa, Australia, Canada, and South America in 2020!

My Top Ten Favorite Books of 2019

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Where the Crawdads Sing

The Nightingale
The Great Alone
Pet Sematary
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
_________

Overall I think I did an okay job of sticking to my goals. I wanted to read more nonfiction, more books out of my comfort zone, more authors I've never read before. I did well with those goals. I didn't do the best with reading more of my own books or unique settings but there's always next year!

Are you ready for the new year? How many books did you read in 2019?

2019 End of the Year Reading Survey

The End of the Year survey was created by Jamie over at Perpetual Page Turner



2019 Reading Stats

Number of books you read:
(Adding a few of my own because I add picture books I review to Goodreads but also keep a separate list of books that are at least 100 pages or more)

Goodreads total: 190 total 
My personal total: 84

Number of rereads: 7

Number of chapter books read aloud to my daughter: 20
Number of picture books reviewed/documented on Goodreads: 104

Best In Books

1. Best Book I Read In 2019
I was blown away by The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

2. A book you were excited about and thought you would love more but didn't
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
(I started it, hated it, and returned it. Might try again someday.)

3. Most surprising (either good or bad) book you read
Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire
I wasn't expecting to love it so much! 

4. Book you pushed the most people to read
I probably recommended The Nightingale and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens the most.

5. Best series you started in 2019?
The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire

Best sequel of 2019?
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
(Wayward Children series)

6. Favorite new author discovered in 2019?
I suppose Kristin Hannah because I loved The Nightingale, read The Great Alone soon after, and have added two more of her books to my TBR shelf since then.
I also read Laurie Halse Anderson's poetic memoir, Shout, this year and have decided I must read ALL of her books in 2020.

7. Best book from a genre that isn't your typical read / out of your comfort zone?
I really enjoyed Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Was None' and mystery is probably one of my least read genres. It was my first time reading her as well. 
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Either Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes or Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
9. A book you read in 2019 that you would be MOST likely to reread again next year?
Animal Farm by George Orwell
I read this for the third time this year and will definitely read it again in the future.
On Writing by Stephen Kingbecause I found it to be quite helpful.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?

11. Most memorable character?Leni from The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

12. Most beautifully written book of 2019?
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
This book was spooky but I loved the writing! 

13. Most thought provoking / life changing read of 2019?On Writing by Stephen King, maybe, because it helped put my writing (and other things) into perspective

14. Book you can't believe you waited until 2019 to read.
1984 by George Orwell

15. Favorite passage / quote from a book you read in 2019
"You're nobody's doorway but your own, and the only one that gets to tell you how your story ends is you."
- Seanan McGuire (Every Heart A Doorway)

16. Longest and shortest books of the year
Longest: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah at 564 pages
Shortest: All Around Bustletown: Winter at 14 pages

17. Book that shocked you the most
Maybe The Great Alone or The Nightingale

18. OTP of the year
(one true pairing)
Lale and Gita from The Tattooist of Auschwitz is the only couple I can remember at this point!

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the yearMike and Eleven from Stranger Things?
Despereaux and the Princess?
I'm not sure about this one.

20. Favorite book you read in 2019 from an author you've read previouslyI finally read Pet Semetary by Stephen King this year and loved it

21. Best book you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else/peer/social media, etc.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A reading group I'm in was posting this one nonstop so I gave it a chance and ended up loving it! 

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019

Not applicable? I can't think of one.

23. Best 2019 debut you read
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

24. Best worldbuilding / most vivid setting
The Steel Prince by VE Schwab

25. Book that put a smile on your face / was the most fun to read
Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2019The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

27. Hidden gem of the yearMaybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
This one was an important read!

28. Book that crushed your soulAlso The Nightingale and Where the Crawdads Sing

29. Most unique book of 2019
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

30. Book that made you most mad (doesn't mean you didn't like it.)The Mist by Stephen King


My Blogging / Bookish Life

1. New favorite book blog / bookstagram / youtube channel you discovered in 2019
I'm glad to have found The Ladies of Horror Fiction over on Instagram and Goodreads

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2019
I didn't really take the time to write anything more than reviews and Sunday Posts

3. Favorite bookish related photo I took in 2019
Just one? I have so many great 'books out of doors' photos on my Instagram but I especially love this one of Stardust by Neil Gaiman!

4. Best bookish event that I participated inI participated in a few blog and bookstagram challenges and a read-a-long with LOHF

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging lifeHaha, I don't think I was that immersed in blogging life but I made a few unforgettable bookish friends this year

6. Most challenging thing about blogging / my reading life this year
I battled with finding time for reviews this year but I still made it a reality and think I did pretty good considering all my time constraints.

7. Most popular post this year on my blogThe most popular post on my blog this year is this Read Around the World post from 2016. (I really want to get back into tracking my book settings here instead of just in my private Google Maps so I may do this again in 2020!)
My most popular post written in 2019 was my review for Nat Geo Kids' 'Weird But True: USA' which has over 1200 pageviews!

8. A post I wish had gotten more love

9. Best bookish discovery

10. Challenges I participated in / finished

Goals i reached / completed


Looking Ahead

1. A book I didn't get to in 2019 but will make a priority in 2020
The Near Witch by VE Schwab

2. My most anticipated book of 2020 (non-debut)
I'm not sure yet

3. 2020 debut novel I'm most anticipating

4. Series ending (or sequel) I'm most anticipating
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire (#5 in the Wayward Children series)

5. One thing I hope to do or accomplish in my bookish/reading life in 2020I would like to start reading in a second language (Spanish first, then French) whether that be children's books or adult novels

6. A 2020 release I've already read and recommend to everyone
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
I haven't read more than the first chapter but it was impactful!

 

Want to do the End of the Year survey yourself?

See the original post and Link Up HERE. 

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November 2019 Reading Wrap Up

Hello bloggers!

November was cold and wet and busy and I probably won't have a moment to myself from here on out so I also had to rush to write up these posts! I spent most of the month catching up with things (reviews, travel journaling, craft projects, etc) and also lots of Fall cleaning to help the holidays be less stressful. There were a few beautiful days so, of course, we went out on walks and bike rides! Thankfully, November flew by with all the extra focus on other things. Christmas will be here before we know it! 


The books I read and finished in November:

Chapter Books I Read to My Daughter: 

Started but haven't finished yet:

Book Reviews I Shared This Month:

We read and reviewed A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel which was a beautiful picture book about perspectives, and Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers which is a nonfiction picture book all about the Statue of Liberty!

I shared my reviews for some of the horror books I read in October such as the graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Coraline by P. Craig Russell and the super spooky adult historical fiction novel, The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, which I loved!

Tunnel of Bones is the sequel to City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab and The Familiars by Stacey Halls is a historical fiction set against the Pendle Witch Trials.

We read nonfiction picture books like How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump? by Alison Limentani and Around the World in 80 Ways illustrated by Katy Halford.

A World of Pausabilities by Frank J. Sileo is a gorgeously illustrated picture book about mindfulness and W is for Webster by Tracey E. Fern is about Noah Webster and his American dictionary!

We received both 5-Minute Stories by Margaret Wise Brown and How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith from the publisher to review but adored both! How Winston Delivered Christmas is an advent story told in 24-and-a-half chapters that include lots of holiday craft activities as well!

I also shared my reviews for The Thief of Always by Clive Barker and Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire, which is the 3rd book in the Wayward Children series!


NOVEMBER MUSICI love music. Music heals.
I'm always on the lookout for something new and would like to keep track somewhere besides my bujo so here are my latest faves!

links to youtube
Power  by  Isak Danielson
He Don't Love Me  by  Winona Oak
Woman  by  Mumford & Sons
Five Cups  by  Foxing

What's next?
December is always a busy time but we have a few holiday-themed books we will be reading and reviewing soon! I'm going to attempt to be more active on bookstagram in December as well!

Are you ready for the holidays?

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LazyDayLit's October 2019 Reading Wrap Up

Farewell October.
You shall be missed.

This past month has been filled with lots of arts & crafts with my Little Monster for Halloween, fun community festivals and trick-or-treating, and I even went last-minute camping twice and got to see a sunrise on the beach!

It's been a great reading month as well. I read 11 books in all. 8 of my own and 3 of my daughter's. I started my spooky TBR early this year and ended up reading so many great horror stories! Some ghosts, some witches, and some super spooky magical beings. The only one I didn't really get to was IT. I'm still not ready to bother with that no matter how many times I tell myself to read it.

The books I read and finished in September:

Chapter Books I Read to My Daughter: 

Started but haven't finished yet:

I somehow lost my copy of The October Country after reading the first two stories on a camping trip so I'll have to wait til I purchase a new copy to finish that one. The other two I am already working on.

Book Reviews I Shared This Month:
I usually share ALL of my reviews here but I didn't have time to whip up that portion of this wrap up so perhaps I will come back to it at a later date!

I hope those of you that celebrated had a wonderful and safe Halloween!
Happy reading!

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LazyDayLit's September 2019 Reading Wrap Up

Goodbye September!

It's been a super busy month and I had hoped to do a lot more reading in anticipation for 'the spooky season' but I didn't do too bad.
I celebrated my birthday this month by visiting a few different museums and gardens around the state. My daughter and I love going on adventures together!

I also started my horror movie marathon, which I haven't really done since my daughter was born but used to love doing every October. So far I've watched the old and new Pet Sematary, worked through the original eight 'Friday the 13th' films (yes, I started on Friday the 13th), and started Marianne on Netflix, which is pretty creepy so far.

The books I read and finished in September:

Chapter books I read to my daughter in September:

Books I started but haven't finished:

Book Reviews I've shared on the blog this month:

I received a copy of Ocean: Secrets of the Deep by Sabrina Weiss from the publisher in exchange for a review but loved it! The illustrations were amazing and it's full of information all about the sea!
I reviewed And Then the Seed Grew by Marianne Dubuc for Netgalley. We've read two other picture books by her and loved them all!


Small Spaces by Katherine Arden was my first spooky read of the season and it didn't disappoint!
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris was a sobering WWII novel based on a true story that I definitely recommend!

My daughter and I learned all about the birds we see in our back yard in Bird Watch by Christie Matheson and learned about being brave in I Will Be Fierce! by Bea Birdsong.

Many thanks to Annick Press for providing me with an ARC of The Ghost Collector by Allison Mills to review. This coming-of-age ghost story is a heartwarming tale of grief and loss.

I reviewed The Big Book of Monsters: The Creepiest Creatures in Classic Literature by Hal Johnson for Netgalley and really enjoyed reading little biographies from some of my favorite literary monsters!

I finally got my review of Wilder Girls by Rory Power up but I didn't love it. I also read and reviewed Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer and Michael Moreci.

I reviewed Look, It's Raining by Mathieu Pierloot for Netgalley and requested The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner from my library because we loved her other nonfiction book 'The Sea Book'.

 We read and reviewed two books in the I Look Up To... board book series, I Look Up To Malala Yousafzai and I Look Up To Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Anna Membrino.  

I started Every Heart A Doorway, the first in the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire and am going to try to work my way through the series in the next couple of months!
I finally read On Writing by Stephen King at the urging of a few of my writer/bookstagrammer friends and am so glad I did! It really helped put my own writing journey and my writing hang-ups into perspective.


I hope you all had a fantastic reading month!
Keep an eye out for my spooky October TBR!
Happy reading!

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