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Books I Read This Month: April 2023

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »

April was another wonderful reading month for me. I completed ten books. Of those ten books, I read eight for Old School April. This readathon was part of an epic nostalgiathon. I finally completed Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley which I had been reading since January to kick off my Year of Christie reading project. I buddy read one book off my 23 Books for 2023, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Lastly, I read We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix which was the selection for the Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club. I enjoyed a variety of genres, discovered four new authors, and revisited a couple of old school favorites.

Old School April Readathon

The Old School April Nostalgiathon was created by Kelsi @ Slime and Slashers. She invited 7 other booktubers, including me, along with one Instagrammer to cohost this month-long event with her. It was a blast! In addition to reading prompts, there were movie prompts and bonus activity prompts. There were nine reading prompts for inspiration, and I used one book for two prompts.

  • Read a Goosebumps or Book that fits AYAOTD vibes (Night of the Living Dummy 2 by R.L. Stine)
  • Read any 80s Horror Book (The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker)
  • Read an Animal Attack Book (The Werewolf of Fever Swamp by R.L. Stine)
  • Read a Book with Old Technology on Cover or in Story (The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene)
  • Mood Read  (The X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird by Jason Rekulak)
  • Read a Fear Street, Point Horror, or Christopher Pike Book (Double Date by R.L. Stine)
  • Read a Book with Magic or Cursed Objects (The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker)
  • Read any 90s Horror Book (The Unexpected Guest adapted by Charles Osborne)
  • Read a Book by Female Author or with Female Protagonist (We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix)
  • The Night of the Living Dummy 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • The Hellbound Heart ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • The Werewolf of Fever Swamp ⭐⭐⭐
  • The Secret of the Old Clock ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • The X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Double Date ⭐⭐⭐
  • The Unexpected Guest ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • We Sold Our Souls ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed reading the picture book featuring young Mulder and Scully. This book is my first written by Jason Rekulak and illustrated by Kim Smith. The story was fun and the illustrations were well-done. I would love to purchase more picture books in this series featuring other nostalgic characters. The Goosebumps books and my first Fear Street book were entertaining. I loved revisiting The Secret of the Old Clock and The Hellbound Heart. Both stories are terrific! Nancy Drew is extremely nostalgic for me. I loved reading her mysteries in middle school. The Helbound Heart is not for the faint of heart with its body horror and sadistic Cenobites, but a classic for horror fans and fans of Clive Barker. I substituted The Unexpected Guest for the 90s horror prompt. This book is my first Agatha Christie story for the year. It was originally written by Agatha Christie as a play and later adapted as a novel by Charles Osborne. This book is the first I have read by him. I rather enjoyed it and would have loved to have seen the play performed on the stage. Of course, I did not guess the murderer. Christie is so clever!

We Sold Our Souls was the April book club selection for the Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club, and it was a rockin’ good time. Kris Pulaski, lead guitarist for a heavy metal band, is close to making the big time with her bandmates when the lead singer, Terry Hunt, sells them out for fame and a solo career. Kris is the only member of the band who is not on board with signing Hunt’s plan for the future of their band. After no options and reluctantly signing a questionable contract, her music career and relationships with her bandmates cease, leaving her alone, broke, and extremely bitter. Years pass, but she is still bitter. While driving home early one morning from her dead-end job, she spots a billboard of Terry Hunt advertising his upcoming epic concert and decides to reclaim her music and her life. I enjoyed this story with its heavy metal references, a well-developed protagonist, and off-putting creatures amid a social commentary about capitalism and conspiracy theories.

Year of Christie

Many thanks to my friend Rita for recommending Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman to me at the end of 2022. I knew next to nothing about Agatha Christie’s personal life or career and have only read a handful of her mystery novels. Lucy Worsley wrote a fantastic biography that included plenty of photos of Agatha Christie and the cast of characters that impacted her life. I liked the way Worsley formatted the book and gave examples of where Christie’s life made its way into her fictional stories. Agatha Christie was a fascinating woman and a wonderful writer who lived an interesting life. I look forward to reading more of her mysteries this year. 5 stars!

Buddy Read

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was an AMAZING read for me! It is one of the books on my 23 Books for 2023 list which I buddy read with my friend Mary @ Booking Through Life. We had two wonderful discussions about this terrific book.

Nora Seed’s life is less than ideal. She is extremely unhappy with her current job and nonexistent personal life. After the one bright spot in her life is unexpectedly taken from her, despair completely takes her over, and she ends her life. However, she finds herself inside the Midnight Library, between life and death,

where she is greeted by her childhood school librarian, Mrs. Elm. The books inside this library are the lives that Nora could have lived if she would have chosen them. The Midnight Library is a well-written, captivating story about purpose, choices, success, and second chances. Nora struggles with her purpose in life in regard to her relationships as well as what it means to be successful. I loved how Haig connected elements in the story to growth. Nora Seed, Mrs. Elm, a root life, and “then the tree-the tree that is our life-develops branches” all point to growth and the development of the many lives we live. The fact that Haig chose an elm tree, a symbol with the Underworld in Celtic mythology, to name Mrs. Elm was wonderful to me. She is Nora’s guide and someone who connects her between life and death.

This book made me pause and examine my own life, my choices, as well as my regrets. In our first meeting, Mary and I discussed whether or not we would want to see how our different lives played out or keep our current life. At first, I was all for wanting a sneak peek, but as I read on and experienced Nora’s different lives, I agreed with Mary that our “root life” or our current life is exactly where we need to be. Choosing an alternate life has far-reaching consequences not only for ourselves, but also for others. I think once you make peace with your past and your present circumstances are embraced, your current life then opens up to plenty of possibilities. It is no longer about changing the past, but living in the now and paving the way for your future. 5 stars!

If you want to hear more about my thoughts on this book or the other books I read in April, please check out my April wrap up video.

May has gotten off to a great start. I completed two books that I carried over from April and have finished three books already for Zombiethon, a month-long readathon/watchathon event that I am hosting on my channel. The Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club chose a zombie selection for May called Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall. It also happens to be the group read for Zombiethon. It is a humorous zombie story. I am also joining the Middle Grade March Book Club, and their May selection is The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. So much fun stuff to read in May.

Lastly, I have two winners for the Middle Grade March giveaway. Congrats to Kathryn and Katie for winning a copy of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. The books are on backorder, so as soon as I receive them, I will contact you. Thanks for participating. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“Man reading should be man intensely alive. The book should be a ball of light in one’s hand.” ~ Ezra Pound

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Books (and Short Stories) I Read This Month: March 2023

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2023| 7 Comments »

March was a MARVELOUS reading month for me. I read six short stories for The Week of Weird Readathon and completed eight books. Of those eight books, I read five for Middle Grade March. Both readathons were new reading adventures for me. I read quite a few new authors and discovered new middle-grade favorites. In addition, I completed The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson which I had been buddy reading with my sister Rachel since January. I completed Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam which I had been reading since January while also participating in Vanderkam’s Tranquility by Tuesday Challenge. Lastly, I finished Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier which was the January/February selection for the FOMO Book Club.

The Week of Weird Readathon

I have been wanting to read more short stories ever since devouring three collections by Joe Hill back in the spring of 2020. These collections are Strange Weather, Full Throttle, and 20th Century Ghosts. For those of you who do not know, Joe Hill is Stephen King’s son. He is a fantastic writer, and his books and short stories are wonderful! I sprinkle short stories into my reading life sparingly, so when The Week of Weird Readathon was announced by Crystal @ fiberartsy and Jason @ Jason’s Weird Reads, I was excited to add a few of them on my March TBR. There were five reading prompts for inspiration. I read a few of the stories and listened to a couple on the podcast, Levar Burton Reads.

  • Old Weird: Read a weird fiction story or book published between 1910s – 1970s.
  • New Weird: Read a weird fiction story or book published between 1980s to the present.
  • Out of This World: Read a weird fiction story or book featuring science fiction elements.
  • The Dark: Read a weird fiction story or book featuring supernatural or horror elements.
  • Flora and Fauna: Read a weird fiction story featuring nature.

For Old Weird, I listened to Levar Burton read “Childfinder” by Octavia Butler. This story was my introduction to Butler’s work. It is about a rogue telepath that defies the establishment to protect telepathic children who have not yet tapped into their abilities. It was a good story; however, I felt like it was the prologue to something bigger. 3.5 stars

For New Weird, I read “Afterlife” by Stephen King. Anyone who has followed me for some time knows that Stephen King is my absolute favorite author, so it should be no surprise that one of his short stories made this list. Bill, an investment banker, dies and ends up in a purgatorial waiting room of sorts. He meets Mr. Harris and is given the opportunity (again, because he has been there before) to choose between two doors. Bill can choose to relive his past life with no previous memories or choose finality of existence. It is an interesting dilemma, and I was surprised by Bill’s decision. 4 stars

For Out of This World, I listened to Levar Burton read “I Was a Teenage Space Jockey” by Stephen Graham Jones. This story was my introduction to Jones’s work. Two 6th grade Native American boys spend Halloween evening in a video arcade and have a surreal experience while playing Galaga. I loved this nostalgic story centered around these two characters. 5 stars

For The Dark, I listened to Levar Burton read “The Story We Used to Tell” by Shirley Jackson. This story was my introduction to Jackson’s work. Katherine visits her friend Y at her late husband’s family mansion. During the visit, they come upon a creepy painting in one of the bedrooms that disburbs both women. The next day Y goes missing and is later discovered inside the off-putting painting by Katherine. This story was incredibly dark and eerie, and I loved the goosebumps it gave me. 5 stars

For Flora and Fauna, I listened to Levar Burton read “Cricket” by Kenneth Yu. This story was my introduction to Yu’s work. (I thought I had listened to another story of his, but that story, “The Paper Menagerie” was actually written by Ken Lui. HA!) Richard and his family were tasked with caring for his mother until her death. He held a grudge against his siblings for this arrangement, perceiving it more as a burden then a blessing. After the elderly matriarch’s death, a talking cricket mysteriously appears, dispensing wisdom to Richard and his wife Lucy. This unexpected guest intrigues Lucy, entertains the couple’s young son, but angers Richard. Lots of great messages in this short story. 4 stars

I read an additional story that could pretty much fulfill all of the reading prompts except New Weird, and it was “Colour Out of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft. An alien entity comes to earth and lands near a farm where it destroys the family who owns the farm as well as anything living in direct proximity of the farm. This descriptive story is scary, ominous, and exudes dread. If you read this short story, dear reader, make sure to check out the movie with Nick Cage afterwards. It was a terrific film adaptation. 5 stars

Middle Grade March

The Middle Grade March Readathon on BookTube was hosted by four lovely ladies, Krista @ Books and Jams, Amanda @ The Curly Reader, Katie @ Life Between Words, Jenna @ Jenna Reads n Writes (Instagram). As you know, dear reader, I enjoy reading children’s literature, and I read some fabulous middle-grade books throughout the month of March. There were five reading prompts for inspiration plus a group read, A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga.

  • An award winner, but not Newbery (The Voyage of the Frog by Gary Paulsen)
  • A Sci-fi/Dystopian book (A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga)
  • Sky or Sea on the cover (Odder by Katherine Applegate)
  • Book with a neurodiverse character (Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling)
  • Book published in the last year (Odder by Katherine Applegate)
  • The Voyage of the Frog ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • A Rover’s Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Odder ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Vacancy (Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club selection for March) ⭐⭐⭐💫 3.5 stars

Even though I enjoyed everything I read for Middle Grade March, my absolute favorite story was Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. It was heartfelt, humorous, and had wonderfully written characters. I fell in love with the spunky main character Aven Green. Dear reader, if you want to hear more about my thoughts on any of the books I read during Middle Grade March, please check out my Middle Grade March wrap up video. It also includes my thoughts on Vacancy by K.R. Alexander which was my March book club selection for the Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club. I also hosted my first book giveaway on my channel. Since I loved Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus so much, I gave away 6 copies to readers who expressed interest. I have 3 more copies to give away, so if you are interested, dear reader, please leave me a comment on this blog post, and I will enter you into a drawing. Giveaway ends on Sunday, May 7th at 11:59 PM.

FOMO Book Club

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier was the January/February book club selection for the FOMO Book Club. This online book club is run by three brilliant British booktubers, Alice @ Alice and the Giant Bookshelf, Gemma @ Gem of Books, and Jack @ Spread Book Joy. I must confess that Jaimaca Inn is my first Daphne du Maurier story, and I was not disappointed by this classic tale. Jamaica Inn gives off gothic vibes with its suspenseful atmosphere, gloomy and dark setting, and mysterious characters, including Jamaica Inn.

Despite her naïveté and lack of good judgement on occasion, I really liked the protagonist, Mary Yellin. She is young and inexperienced; however, I admire her sagacity, determination, and courage. After the death of her mother, Mary leaves her home in Helford to live with her Aunt Patience, her mother’s sister, and Uncle Joss at Jamaica Inn. Soon after her arrival, she is disheartened to learn that Aunt Patience has married an unsavory man, and Jamaica Inn has unpleasant secrets. This novel is considered romantic suspense, but it is my kind of romance. While I was not too surprised by Mary’s decision at the end of the novel, I did enjoy all of the twists and turns, the mystery surrounding Jamaica Inn, and Daphne du Maurier’s storytelling. 4 stars for Jamaica Inn!

Buddy Read

Back in January, my sister Rachel and I started the personal development book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (Caring): A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson. Yes, I covered up the expletive so as not to offend anyone; and, yes my sister laughed at me and pointed out it is just a word. Personally, I do not think it was necessary for Manson to use this word to effectively get his information out to his readers. However, he probably would not give a f*ck what I think anyway.

Once I got passed the cuss word in the title and the first chapter, laden with foul language and crude examples, I actually learned some valuable information that I could apply to my own life. There were quite a few takeaways from this book, but a few that really resonated with me included: happiness comes about through problem-solving, there is value in suffering, distinguishing between good and bad values, failure is a way forward, and the “do something” principle. I personally like how instead of looking for motivation to inspire action, you can take action to inspire motivation. Manson states, “If you lack motivation to make an important change in your life, do something – anything, really – and then harness the reaction to that action as a way to begin motivating yourself.” This self-improvement book earned a solid 3.5 stars.

23 for 2023 List

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters by Laura Vanderkam is #20 on my 23 for 2023 List. I was not planning to read Vanderkam’s book until the summer; however, she hosted a Tranquility by

Tuesday Challenge in January, and it became the perfect time to dive in and get reaquainted with a few of the rules to see if they could help calm the chaos in my own life. My plan is to write a separate post specifically about my overall thoughts about this book and my experience with participating in the challenge. As I have mentioned in a previous post, I was excited to read Tranquility by Tuesday because I was one of the 150 participants in her time study to gather the data for this book. A couple of the rules had become habits or modified habits during the original time study, but most of them had fallen by the wayside and were forgotten. However, after reading the book (which I thought was fantastic) and completing the challenge (which I thought was eye-opening and fun), I am excited about how most of these rules can become effective habits in my life over time if I intentionally put them into practice. 5 stars for this personal development gem.

As you can see, I had a productive month of reading, dear reader. If you want to hear more about my thoughts on this book or the other books I read in March, please check out my March wrap up video.

My sister and I are taking a break in between now and June. Rachel is an actuary and started her busy season at work at the end of March, and I have commitments in April with Old School April and in May with Zombiethon. I have been reading a bunch in April. I finally got around to reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club chose a rockin’ selection by Grady Hendrix. And, I finally finished reading Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley. Hopefully (always hopeful), I will be writing a post soon about what I read in April. Lots of terrific reads to share with you!

Lastly, do not forget about my book giveaway. Leave me a comment on this blog post if you are interested in a chance to win a copy of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Giveaway ends on Sunday, May 7th at 11:59 PM. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.” ~ Vera Nazarian

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Books I Read This Month: February 2023

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2023| 2 Comments »

I have been wanting to write this wrap up post about everything I read in February for some time, dear reader. February was a much better reading month than January. I completed 12 books, and I owe a bunch of thanks to the creation of my very first month-long readathon, Folklore February, where I read folktales, fairytales, and fables.

FolkLore February Readathon

I read eight books and watched one movie for this readathon. Reading beautifully illustrated picture books added a layer of whimsy to my folkloric experience. Additionally, I read “Snow-White and Rose-Red” from my Brothers Grimm collection (Flame Tree Publishing) in anticipation of reading Snow & Rose.

I highly recommend watching Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. It is a perfectly blended musical, dark fantasy, and stop-animation film with all the feels. I loved it even though it made me cry like a baby.

In addition to reading and watching a movie, I hosted (for the very first time) reading SPRINTS on my YouTube channel. Sprints are a wonderful way to engage with your community of followers while completing reading goals or productivity tasks. I hosted three times throughout the month and had a blast. Kelsi joined me as a co-host which made it an even more enjoyable experience.

  • Read a Folktale. (Stone Soup by Marcia Brown)
  • Read a Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen. (The Snow Queen adapted and illustrated by Richard Hess)
  • Read a Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm. (Rapunzel adapted by Barbara Rogasky and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman)
  • Read a Fable. (The Hare and the Tortoise illustrated by Brian Wildsmith)
  • MOOD READ or WATCH (Snow & Rose by Emily Windfield Martin)
  • Read or Watch a Retelling of a folktale, fairytale, or fable. (The Cajun Little Red Riding Hood by Berthe Amoss)
  • Read a Fractured Fairy Tale. (The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Brian Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith)
  • Read a Folktale from a country other than your own. (The Mitten adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett)
  • Watch a screen adaptation of your favorite folktale, fairy tale, or fable. (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio)
  • Folktale ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Fable ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Mood Read (Fairy Tale Retelling) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Fractured Fairy Tale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Ukrainian Folktale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Fairy Tale Retelling ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Even though I enjoyed everything I read for Folklore February, my absolute favorite story was Snow & Rose. It was fantastic, and I actually enjoyed it more than the original fairy tale written by the Brothers Grimm. Dear reader, if you want to hear more about my thoughts on any of the books I read during Folklore February, please check out my Folklore February wrap up video.

Other February Readathons

In addition to Folklore February, I participated in a weekend readathon, GarbAugust 1.5: Wasted Weekend, hosted by Olly at CriminOlly. This readathon was a fun event where you read something trashy. I chose a book I picked up at a recent library sale called Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times by James Finn Garner. They are modern retellings of classic fairy tales. The stories were short, sweet (and not so sweet) as well as entertaining. It was a 3-star read for me.

I participated in a week-long reading event, the Little House Readathon, hosted by Elizabeth at LizziefayeLovesBooks. This readathon was wonderful because I revisited a childhood favorite, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved reading the Little House on the Prairie series as a child. The Long Winter is the 6th book in the series and was the group read for this event. The story is about the horrendous winter the Ingalls family and their neighbors of De Smet had to endure from October-April of 1880-1881. I gave it 5 stars!

Cozy Cottage Book Club

At the beginning of February, I finally finished Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It was the January selection for the Cozy Cottage Book Club. I did not finish the book in time but still attended the online meeting and had a splendid time. Stardust is a beautifully written fairy tale for adults. It has romance, magic, fantastical creatures, and villianous characters set both in the village of Wall and the beautiful and dark world of Faerie. I was captivated by the whimsical world as well as the well-developed and likeable characters. 5 stars for a magical journey!

Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay was our February book club selection. It is a psychological horror novel about a family of three vacationing at a cabin in an isolated wooded area. All is well until four strangers unexpectedly show up at the cabin with an ominous message that is not well-received, leading to brutal and heartbreaking consequences. I had high expectations going into this novel which was my introduction to Paul Tremblay’s work. Unfortunately, I finished reading this novel with more questions than answers.

It was an okay but not exceptional read for me, thus earning a 3.5 star rating. I am eager to see the film adaptation, Knock at the Cabin, since I have been told the film is less ambiguous than the novel. I already put the film on my Halloween Movie Marathon list. Dear reader, if you want to hear more about my thoughts on this book or the other books I read in February, please check out my February wrap up video.

As you can tell, dear reader, I had an marvelous month of reading in February. My book club selection for March was Vacancy by K.R. Alexander. I read several middle-grade books for Middle Grade March, and I finished my first book for the FOMO Book Club. Stay tuned because I will be posting a wrap up of what I read in March. I will also be sharing my epic plans I have for April. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”  ~ Mary Schmich

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Books I Read This Month: January 2023

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2023| 3 Comments »

It is my first reading wrap up of 2023, and I am late writing about what I read in January. Back in January, I announced that my goal on Goodreads for this year is 75 books. I completed only one book in the month of January and that was No Exit by Taylor Adams. It was FANTASTIC! This suspenseful psychological thriller was chosen for the Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club that I host with my friend Kelsi. It was the perfect winter read to start off the new year. I found it engrossing, action-packed, and at times, quite brutal.

Darby Thorne is attending college in Colorado. The story begins with her heading home to be with her dying mom in Utah. Due to an intense snowstorm, she is forced to make an unexpected detour to a remote rest stop in the Colorado Rockies. There, she encounters four strangers, who seem to be experiencing a similar fate. Shortly after arriving, she makes a horrifying discovery that will forever change her life. Now, it becomes a race against the clock to not only save herself, but to also attempt to save a total stranger. I loved it! I loved the setting (cold and isolated), Darby (flawed but strong), and the intensity throughout the entire story. What a terrific introduction to Taylor Adams! 5-star read for me.

Although I only completed one book in the month of January, I began the new year reading quite a bit. I started five other books for various projects I am participating in for this year. Except for Stardust (finished in February), I am currently still reading the books on the following list.

  • Stardust by Neil Gaiman (Cozy Cottage Book Club – January)
  • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F%#k by Mark Manson (Buddy Read with sister Rachel)
  • Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam (#20 on 23 for 2023 List; participating in the Tranquility by Tuesday Challenge)
  • Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley (Year of Christie project)
  • Choose Joy: 3-Minute Devotions for Women by Barbour Books (on my 23 Books to Read in 2023 List)

Overall, dear reader, I am pleased with where I am at with my reading in 2023. February has been a terrific reading month because of Folklore February, my very first readathon I hosted on my channel. I look forward, sometime in the next couple of weeks, to share everything I read for Folklore February as well as what I read for other reading events throughout February. My book club selection for February is The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” ~ Mortimer J. Adler

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Book Nook: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2022| 3 Comments »

What an AWESOME reading experience! I have been wanting to revisit A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle since 2021. Thankfully, I not only read it again (for the third time), but I also buddy read it with my sister Rachel over the course of four months. She set up Zoom meetings for the duration of the book, and we met online on Wednesday evenings. I also listened to Eckhart Tolle’s podcast episodes with Oprah for each chapter and took notes to incorporate in our discussions.

For me, A New Earth is the perfect book to read when feeling overwhelmed, wanting to make a change, or struggling in an area (in my case areas) of life. Unfortunately, I have been on the struggle bus for some time. I seem to end one season of sacrifice, just to enter another one shortly afterwards. Since 2022 has been all about CHANGE (my one-word theme for the year), my life desperately needed to undergo another transformation, an awakening boost, a reminder to be present. By having my sister join me on this reading adventure, her ideas and knowledge from her own spiritual journey helped me tremendously. This was Rachel’s first time reading A New Earth; however, she read his book, The Power of Now, so she was already familiar with Tolle’s spiritual teachings and the practice of being in the present moment.

A New Earth has 10 chapters with the first chapter setting the stage by explaining human consciousness, the purpose of the book, and the need for transformation, not only within ourselves, but also within the world around us. From there, the next three chapters explore the ego, its core, and its many faces. When most people think ego, they associate it with arrogance or being braggadocious, and that is one way ego presents itself. However, complaining, resentment, faultfinding, playing the victim, and negative self-talk are other examples of the ego. The “illusory sense of self” is the ego.

Chapters 5 and 6 tackle the pain-body and breaking free from it. Eckhart Tolle states, “Because of the human tendency to perpetuate old emotion, almost everyone carries in his or her energy field an accumulation of old emotional pain, which I call “the pain-body” (140). The pain-body is your story, your emotional baggage from the past, and it can wreak havoc on your thinking. As Tolle explains, “Whenever you get taken over by the pain-body, whenever you don’t recognize it for what it is, it becomes part of your ego. Whatever you identify with turns into ego” (181).

Thankfully, we can break free from our painbodies, but it takes work, especially if you have a huge one. Personally, I am still working on breaking free from my own pain-body. My meetings with Rachel helped significantly when reading and discussing these chapters because we share a childhood and similar events that have contributed to our pain-bodies. I think it is also important to pay close attention to when your pain-body resurfaces. Mine tends to become more prevalent when I am exhausted or feeling overwhelmed. My ego tells me to throw in the towel and quit because I am wasting my time. Sadly, I am listening more and more to my ego. Part of it is because the year is winding down, and I am extremely disappointed with myself for not reaching goals or not being more ahead of the game. I had plenty of expectations, and I do not feel like I have met them. Therefore, with the last two weeks left of 2022, I need to sit with myself in the present moment and reflect on my year. I know as I write about my feelings of failure that my ego is loving me being hard on myself. However, I recognize the feelings I am having right now stems from the ego, so I thank the ego and kick it to the curb. I have to finish this post, and I really do not have the time or energy to deal with my ego’s game. HA!

Chapter 7 is an important chapter. It is about finding out who you truly are, knowing yourself, knowing about yourself, and developing a relationship with the NOW (the present moment). Eckhart says, “The decision to make the present moment into your friend is the end of the ego…Time is what the ego lives on” (201). He further explains, “Fear, anxiety, expectation, regret, guilt, anger are the dysfunctions of the time-bound state of consciousness” (202). And, I can take this idea a step further with examining what influences some of those emotions which my sister shared with me. Sadness is influenced by the lack of something; anger is influenced by the identification or attachment to something or someone; and anxiety is influenced by the feeling of not having control. Once she shared this nugget of wisdom with me, which makes so much sense, I can now acknowledge what is influencing my emotion, thank the ego for pointing it out, and give myself grace. Rachel also shared that last part with me as well. Dear reader, this has been immensely helpful to me. I am practicing it right now by writing this blog post.

Chapters 8-10 is all about discovering inner space and learning to enjoy the present moment, realizing that your inner purpose is to awaken, and putting the three modalities of awakened doing into your daily life. Eckhart emphasizes the importance of those modalities when he states, “If you are not in the state of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm. look closely and you will find that you are creating suffering for yourself and others” (295). Let us be clear that when we use the term acceptance we do not mean that we are in total agreement with a situation, but rather that we accept a situation as “what is” in the present moment and willingly take action to deal with it. For example, if I get a flat tire, I accept that I have a flat tire and it is inconvenient instead of getting angry, or ranting and raving while kicking the flat tire. All of those negative shenanigans (fueled by the ego) do not make me feel better about the situation (the flat tire) or actually fix the tire. I do not have to like that I have a flat tire, but I can accept it in order to willingly (calmly) take action to get my tire fixed and continue with my day.

I have awakened, dear reader, and have been since I first read A New Earth 12 years ago; however, I am a work in progress. I needed a kick in the pants so to speak. I can recognize my ego in myself and in others. One of my biggest stumbling blocks I have with ego is dealing with other people’s egos, especially family members. I must be better at evaluating their egos and why they are acting a fool. Then, accept their behavior in the present moment and not react with my ego. It does not mean I have to like their behavior or them for that matter. I strive to be present, smile, acknowledge the interaction is temporary, and enjoy the moment. Harder said than done, but necessary if I want a joyful life. Happiness!

“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” ~ Eckhart Tolle,  A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

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Books I Read This Month: March 2022

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2022| 2 Comments »

March brought Daylight Saving Time, spring, and a rewarding reading month for me. I completed six books in the month of March, and as of today, I am seven books ahead of schedule. Go, me!

Nonfiction Selection

Life is Messy by Matthew Kelly was my March nonfiction selection. I received this book as a Christmas gift from the administration of my school. Last year, I finally got around to reading a couple of Matthew Kelly’s books, which I had received as gifts from my church parish over the years, and I really enjoyed them. The messages in his books are comforting and inspirational, instead of being preachy, and Life is Messy is no exception. Kelly’s inspiration for this book stems from three years of intense struggles in his own life that he documented in his personal journals. Kelly explains, “It’s what we do with the mess that determines everything.” Life can be messy; however, it can also be filled with joy if one seeks to fill one’s life with goodness. This was an enjoyable 4-star read.

#Read21in21 Challenge

I kicked off the month of March reading a middle grade horror book (or so I thought) and then switched to middle grade realistic fiction for the remainder of the month. I read another Gordon Korman novel because I love his writing, and I was not at all disappointed with my choice. Korman is fast becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors.

The first book was Creep by Eireann Corrigan. I expected a horror novel, but I ended up reading a mystery/thriller novel with a splash of drama. So, needless to say, I was a little disappointed. A new family moves into a house that was vacated by the previous family under unusual circumstances. The family discovers someone is watching them when they receive ominous notes shortly after moving into their new home. A few of the storylines running through the book could have been eliminated, so other storylines could be fleshed out a bit more. Overall, it was a decent read. I gave it 3 stars.

The second book was Ungifted by Gordon Korman. What a funny and heart-warming story! The characters are endearing. I love how the chapters are written in alternating perspectives of the characters. Basically, the main character, Donovan Curtis, accidentally destroys school property at his middle school, setting off a chain of events that lands him at another school for gifted students. Hilarity ensues along with touching moments and a clear message of acceptance at the core of the novel. I had no trouble giving this literary treasure 5 stars.

The third and final book was Rules by Cynthia Lord. Rules was another enjoyable read; however, it has a more serious vibe to it than Ungifted. The main character Catherine is trying to lead a normal life even though she considers her family circumstances not so normal. Her brother has autism, and her parents lean on Catherine a great deal to help with her brother when they work, or she has a social event. Two new people enter her life, and her world becomes complicated. Soon, she learns the pitfalls of not being honest, the true meaning of friendship, and the importance of acceptance. This tender-hearted story easily earned 5 stars from me.

Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club

March’s selection for my book club was the The Troop by Nick Cutter. Oh, my! This book was horrifying, disturbing, and at times, heart-wrenching. Five teenage scouts and their scoutmaster head to Falstaff Island to spend the weekend camping in the wilderness. Shortly after arriving on the island, an emaciated man with a rapacious appetite wanders into their camp, exposing the troop to an unseen threat that soon turns their enjoyable camping trip into a nightmare and a desperate fight for survival. The Troop is one of the best horror novels I have read in quite a while. It is definitely a must-read for horror fans. However, be warned that body horror runs rampant throughout the novel, and children behave brutally towards humans and animals. It is a 5-star read, hands down!

Year of King

March’s selection was The Langoliers. It is one of the four novellas originally published in King’s Four Past Midnight collection. Even though I watched the made-for-tv mini-series back in the 90s, I had never read the novella. Basically, ten passengers and a black-bearded man on Flight 29 from Los Angeles to Boston travel through a time-rip to the past where they encounter the langoliers. They must race against time to survive the menacing timekeepers.

I really enjoyed The Langoliers. It earned a 4-star rating from me. I love a novel with a plethora of characters who have interesting backstories. Stephen King does a fine job with character development. The mini-series sticks pretty close to the novella. There is dialogue in the movie lifted straight off the page. Kelsi and I had a terrific time chatting about The Langoliers and laughed quite a bit. If you were unable to watch us live on 27 March, dear reader, you can check out the recording on Kelsi’s YouTube channel (see below).

That’s all she wrote for March, dear reader. It was another productive and fun month of reading. I recommend all of the books I read in March, especially my 5-star reads.

April starts tomorrow, and I am currently reading Slasher Girls & Monster Boys compiled by April Genevieve Tucholke for #Read21in21. My book club selection for April is The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. The Dark Half is the novel Kelsi and I will be reading for Year of King. We will be chatting live about the novel and the movie on Sunday, 01 May at 2:00 PM. Finally, for my nonfiction choice, I will be reading The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp (with Mark Reiter).

Last but certainly not least, I am also attempting to participate in Kelsi’s Old School April Readathon & Watchathon. I presently do not have a TBR list for the readathon; however, I know I will be reading Night of the Living Dead by R.L. Stine. It will be my Goosebumps book. April is going to be a busy but exciting reading month for me. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“Reading brings us unknown friends” ~ Honoré de Balzac

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Books I Read This Month: February 2022

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2022| 2 Comments »

February may have been a short month, but it was a productive reading month for me. I completed seven books in the month of February, and as of today, I am four books ahead of schedule. Woot-Woot!

Nonfiction Selection

Even though I absolutely adore reading horror and thrillers (my favorite genre), I also enjoy reading realistic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, nonfiction, and a good mystery. The only genre I am not a huge fan of is romance. Therefore, each month, I plan to read at least one nonfiction book in addition to everything else I have slated for the month. Back in January, my book club chose a nonfiction book, so I did not choose a separate title in that category like I did for February.

Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore by Patric Richardson and written with Karin B. Miller was my February nonfiction selection. I received this book as a gift from mon frere Simon. I never in a million years thought I would read, much less enjoy, a book about laundry. It is a delightful read about how to properly take care of laundering any textiles that you own. Richardson gives you lists of necessary supplies for washing clothes as well as for removing stains. There is a section devoted to types of stains and how to treat them. Another section lists various textiles and how to clean them. In addition, he claims a dry cleaner is no longer necessary, even if the tag on the article of clothing states “dry clean only.” While Laundry Love is technically a resource guide on how to properly take care of laundry, it is written with humor and more like a story than a reference book. An appendix with recipes from the women influencers from his Appalachian upbringing is included in the back of the book. This was a pleasurable 5-star read for me.

#Read21in21 Challenge

As I mentioned last month, this daily reading challenge is devoted to children’s literature which I adore just as much as horror and thrillers. Last month, I did focus on middle grade horror selections. However, for February, most of my selections were middle grade realistic fiction with the exception of my first read being middle grade horror. I fell in love with every one of the main characters in the books I read this month, especially Ollie in Small Spaces and Hope in Hope: Project Middle School.

The first book was Small Spaces by Katherine Arden. It is a terrifically well-written middle grade ghost story that takes place on a farm with a creepy past, a deadly secret, and the Smiling Man. Ollie and her two classmates work together to save themselves and the rest of their class in this spine-tingling adventure. It is the first book in the Small Spaces series. I gave it 5 spooktacular stars.

The second book was The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. This tender-hearted story is about redemption and not giving up. It has well-written, likable characters and lots of humor. Each chapter is designated to a character in the book giving his or her viewpoint. It was an entertaining 5-star read for me.

The third book was Firegirl by Tony Abbott. I have been wanting to read this short book for quite some time. It is a moving story about accepting others, the power of friendship, and having the courage to get to know someone who looks differently than you. This is a wonderful coming of age story that is worthy of receiving 5 stars.

The fourth book was Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech. Another heartwarming story about a young boy named Louie who decides to nurse a sick donkey despite his unfortunate attempts at helping critters in the past. This story shares a beautiful message of empathy, compassion, and the meaning of love with its readers. I also gave this literary gem 5 stars.

The fifth and final book was Hope: Project Middle School by Alyssa Milano and written with Debbie Rigaud. It is not surprising that this was another fantastic 5-star read for me. I absolutely adore the main character Hope and her story about navigating through her first year of middle school. Hope is smart, friendly, confident, loves animals, and wants to save the world. It is the first book in the Hope series.

I look forward to reading more great stories from these authors and continuing the series featuring Ollie and Hope. Reading middle grade books brings me lots of JOY.

Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club/Year of King

February’s selection for both my book club and Year of King was Gerald’s Game by Stephen King. This was a reread for me; however, it had been so long since I read it that I could only remember that Jessie and her husband Gerald go away to their lake house for a little hanky-panky. Soon after they arrive, Jessie is handcuffed to the bed, and Gerald suffers a heart attack and dies. Therefore, I felt like I was reading Gerald’s Game for the first time. Basically, Jessie is left all alone to face the demons of her past and her present fears that threaten her future. Personally, this was a hard book to read because of content. King tackles sexual abuse, abused women, as well as female inequality in Gerald’s Game and does it in a respectful way. Like Misery, there is no supernatural element, but there are human monsters, and sometimes they are scarier than the boogyman. I gave Gerald’s Game 4 stars, not because it was poorly written, but more or less, I think it could have been condensed in parts, especially those pertaining to the sexual abuse and the length of time it took Jessie to take some action in saving her own life. I was also a little disappointed with the mysterious presence in the bedroom and would have liked that element to have played out differently.

As for the movie adaptation of Gerald’s Game, well…it was okay. I rated it 3 stars. I think I would have rated it higher if I had not read the book. After watching the movie, it made me appreciate the novel more, and it also made me realize the slow pacing of the novel may have been mirroring how Jessie was feeling during her horrific ordeal, exhausted. I found it exhausting to read at times. Mike Flanagan did a fine job directing this film, considering I never imagined it could be done since so much of the story takes place in Jessie’s mind. There are significant differences between the book and movie. While the cast was chosen well overall, their portrayal of the characters was unlike the book. Gerald is attractive and more understanding in the movie than in the novel, suggesting a different perspective of what really happened between the Burlingame couple at the lake house. Kelsi and I had an interesting chat about Gerald’s Game and discussed it more in depth along with tidbits surrounding both the novel and the movie. If you were unable to watch our live chat on Sunday, 27 February, you can check out the recording on Kelsi’s YouTube channel (see below).

That’s my reading round up for February, dear reader. I am super proud of the amount of reading I did throughout the month. I recommend all of the books I read in February, including Gerald’s Game. However, if you have never read a Stephen King novel, I do not suggest starting with Gerald’s Game. Misery would be a better first read in my opinion.

March has officially started, and I am currently reading Creep by Eireann Corrigan for #Read21in21. My book club selection for March is The Troop by Nick Cutter. The Langoliers is the novella Kelsi and I will be reading for Year of King. It is part of my Four Past Midnight collection. We will be chatting live about the novella and the mini series on Sunday, 27 March at 2:00 PM. Finally, for my nonfiction choice, I will be reading Life is Messy by Matthew Kelly. To see my current book reviews or books I have read in the past, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world.  Love of books is the best of all.” ~ Jacqueline Kennedy

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Books I Read This Month: January 2022

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 31, 2022| 2 Comments »

As I mentioned earlier in the month when I announced all of my goals for the year, I joined the 2022 Reading Challenge on Goodreads. My goal for this year is 50 books. I completed five books in the month of January, and as of today, I am one book ahead of schedule. Go me!

Even though reading is one of my absolute favorite ways of spending my time, I have to make reading a priority. Therefore, setting a yearly reading goal, adding books to seasonal fun lists, buddy reading with Kelsi, and participating in a book club as well as a daily reading challenge ensure I will not only make time to read daily, but I will also reach my goal on Goodreads.

Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club

Kelsi and I formed the Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club in the spring of 2021. Our members nominate books each month which Kelsi and I narrow down to four choices; then, everyone votes on a selection.

Our January book was nominated by Rachael and won the majority of the votes. Kelsi asked for nominations that had a wintry vibe to it, and Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar definitely fit the bill. It was our first nonfiction selection, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it 4 stars and had a great time discussing it with my book club. The story captivated my interest immediately. I love a good mystery, especially if it is a true story with unsettling circumstances.

Nine young hikers die in 1959 on a hiking expedition to Otorten Mountain in the Northern Urals of Russia. The author, Donnie Eichar, stumbles upon this riveting case while researching for a scripted film project. He is so captivated by the mysterious case and its eerie circumstances that he ventures all the way from the United States to Russia to determine the true cause of the hikers’ demise that fateful night in 1959.

#Read21in21 Challenge

I know that we are in 2022 and Gretchen Rubin’s #Read21in21 is finished, but I enjoyed this challenge so much last year that I decided to do it again this year and kept the hashtag. Last year, I used the daily challenge to read nonfiction. This year, I am reading Children’s Literature which I adore to a great extent. I read three books this month, all middle grade horror selections, for my daily challenge.

The first book was Haunt by K. R. Alexander. It is a good middle grade ghost story worthy of earning its 3-star rating. It’s a fun and fast read.

The second book was Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh. I love this delightful book which is also a ghost story with lots of suspense and chilling moments mixed with cultural identity and well-developed characters. It is the first book in the series. It was a 5-star read for me.

The third book was Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon. Another 5-star read for me. It is creepy, suspenseful, and has an awful monster called the Seeker who turns a popular kids’ game into a nightmare.

Year of King

Kelsi and I are spending each month of 2022 reading a novel, novella, or short story written by Stephen King. Afterwards, we will watch the screen adaptation or adaptations, if there is more than one. Each month, we will have a livestream chat to discuss what we read and watched with tidbits about King’s writing process, the actors, and more.

January’s selection was Misery. It was actually a reread and a rewatch for me. However, it had been a good while since I had read or watched Misery, so it was almost like reading it or watching it for the first time with fresh eyes. Also, I am a good bit older than my first experience with the material. Perspectives change and scenes are long forgotten. Kelsi and I chose Misery because the story begins in the winter. In fact, author Paul Sheldon actually crosses paths with the peculiar Annie Wilkes in the midst of a blizzard.

I really, really, enjoyed Misery. It earned a 5-star rating from me. It has so many awesome scenes in both the novel and movie. Anyone who is a horror fan and has not yet read Misery, should definitely give it a whirl along with watching the movie. James Caan does a terrific job in the role as Paul Sheldon, and Kathy Bates does an outstanding job as Annie Wilkes. Bates’s portrayal of Paul’s number one fan earned her an Oscar. Kelsi and I had an absolute blast chatting about Misery. If you were unable to watch us live on 23 January, dear reader, you can check out the recording on Kelsi’s YouTube channel (see below).

That’s a wrap of the books I read this month. I think January was a fairly productive reading month for me. I am currently reading Small Spaces by Katherine Arden for #Read21in21. My book club selection for February is Gerald’s Game by Stephen King. It also happens to be the novel Kelsi and I are reading for Year of King in February. I know, I know, we are double dipping. However, it did get the majority of the votes in our poll. And yes…Kelsi and I nominated it. To see my current book reviews or books I have read, follow me on Goodreads at Katherine Loyacano. Happiness!

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” ~ Richard Steele

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Have a Year of King (Stephen King)

Posted in Books/Reading, Movies, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 16, 2022| 4 Comments »

As you may already know, dear reader, I am a HUGE fan of Stephen King’s extraordinary storytelling. The “Master of Horror” made an indeliable impression on me way back in the 8th grade when my Uncle Robert’s girlfriend at the time gave me her paperback copy of The Stand. Stephen King caught my attention and captured my heart with his character-driven story set in a post-apocalyptic world. Since then, I have read at least 40 of his novels (some of them more than once) and several of his short stories.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that Kelsi and I decided to spend each month of 2022 exploring King’s extensive body of work by reading a novel, a novella, or short stories written by him, then watching the screen adaptation of it afterwards. Subsequently, we will host a monthly livestream on Kelsi’s YouTube channel to discuss our thoughts on both the written work and the movie. Back in October, Kelsi and I had one of these chats where we discussed Cycle of the Werewolf and Silver Bullet. We had a blast!

Our January selection is Misery. I am more than halfway through reading this incredible novel and will be watching the movie later this week. Our livestream for Misery is scheduled for Sunday, 23 January at 2:00 pm CT on Slime and Slashers – A Nostalgia & Horror Channel.

For those of you who are interested in joining Kelsi and me on our journey through Stephen King’s universe throughout 2022, I have created a list of our selections for the entire year. We will encounter fanatical fans, menacing monsters, ghastly ghosts, the devil, and so much more, making this year frightfully fun.

Year of King Schedule

  • January: Misery
  • February: Gerald’s Game
  • March: “Langoliers” (Four Past Midnight)
  • April: The Dark Half
  • May: Pet Sematary
  • June: “The Mist” (Skeleton Crew) and “1408” (Everything’s Eventual)
  • July: It
  • August: Cujo
  • September: “Lawnmower Man,” “The Mangler,” and “Graveyard Shift” (Night Shift)
  • October: Needful Things
  • November: Dead Zone
  • December: The Shining

Needless to say, dear reader, #13 on my 22 for 2022 list is not going to be difficult to accomplish this year. Let me know if you are a Stephen King fan or may consider joining us on this literary adventure. Happiness!

“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” ~ Stephen King

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Reading Roundup 2021

Posted in Books/Reading, tagged , , , , , , , on December 31, 2021| 7 Comments »

Congrats to me, dear reader! I surpassed my 2021 Reading Challenge on Goodreads. My goal for this year was 50 books, and I read a total of 52 books. I think my reading success this year is attributed to developing a daily reading habit, creating a book club, participating in a Halloween readathon, and adding books to my thematic fun lists.

I participated in Gretchen Rubin’s #Read21for21 challenge, and I am amazed by how many books I read this year just by reading for 21 minutes every day. Establishing a daily reading habit and sticking to it has been an eye-opening experience. According to Gretchen Rubin, “If you read for 21 minutes per day for 365 days, that’s 7,665 minutes, or almost 128 hours of reading. You can read a lot of books in 128 hours!” And, she was correct. I read a total of 24 books. With the exception of The Money Tree, a fictional story implementing the steps to running a successful business, the books chosen for this challenge were nonfiction selections. They fell into the following categories:

autobiographies/biographies

  • The House of Kennedy by James Patterson and Cynthia Fagen
  • I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart with Neil Strauss
  • Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

self-help

  • Atomic Habits by James Clear
  • Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
  • The Money Tree by Chris Guillebeau (business parable)
  • High Performance Habit by Brendon Burchard
  • Joy at Work by Marie Kondoand Scott Sonenshein
  • Fish by Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D, Harry Paul, and John Christensen
  • How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick
  • The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
  • Refuse to Choose! by Barbara Sher
  • Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee

improv

  • Improv Wins by Chris Trew and Tami Nelson
  • Improv Nation by Sam Wasson
  • How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth by Will Hines

inspirational/spiritual

  • Rewriting A New History by Havilah Malone
  • Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly
  • Everyday Grace by Marianne Williamson
  • The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey
  • Rediscover the Saints by Matthew Kelly
  • Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly

writing/literary criticism

  • You Are a Writer (so start Acting like one) by Jeff Goins
  • How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

I enjoyed the majority of these books and found some value in all of them. Reading the books on my list taught me some interesting facts, provided me with new strategies and resources, inspired me to take action in different areas of my life, and exposed me to new ideas and ways of looking at the world.

In addition to my daily reading challenge this year, I co-created the online Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club with my friend Kelsi. We scheduled a meet-and-greet with members in April where we voted for our first book club pick. In May, we met for our very first book club meeting to discuss our first selection, Later by Stephen King. No thanks to Hurricane Ida, I did not finish A Deadly Education. I am half way through it and plan to finish it (more like reread it) some time in 2022. And, as you can see from our list of reads this year, we opted out of reading a club selection in December since the holidays can get pretty hectic for everyone.

  • Video Night by Adam Cesare (June)
  • Children of the Dark by Jonathan Janz (July)
  • Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (August)
  • A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (September)
  • The Halloween Tree by Raymond Bradbury (October)
  • The Reckoning by Ruby Jean Jensen (November)

We chose some terrific books this year. I enjoyed all of the ones I read; however, my favorites were Later, Mexican Gothic, and The Halloween Tree.

Reading is one of my absolute favorite activities, and I am grateful to have such a wonderfully rich reading life. I am looking forward to continuing my daily reading habit of 21 minutes per day; however, instead of using that time to read nonfiction selections, I will be reading children’s literature. This will allow me to read quite a few books I already have stacked up in piles waiting to be cracked open to take me on new adventures. I will also participate in the Goodreads challenge. For those of you who like to read, please follow me on Goodreads @ Katherine Loyacano. I would love to see what you are reading. The Chills, Thrills, & Kills Book Club will resume in January. Our January selection is Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar. It is our first nonfiction book club choice.

And, last but not least, Kelsi and I will be engaging in the Year of King in 2022. We are SUPER excited about this literary adventure. A couple of years ago, I did a Summer of Poe and spent the entire summer reading as many short stories, poems, and one novel written by Edgar Allan Poe. It was a wonderful experience. So, why not spend a year reading my favorite author? Kelsi and I have decided that we will devote each month to reading either a novel, a novella, or short stories written by Stephen King. In addition, we will watch the movie or television adaptations of the literary work chosen for the month. Towards the end of each month, we will do a livestream together discussing both the book and its screen adaptation. To kick of the new year, we have chosen Misery for January. We would love it if you would join us, dear reader. What’s more enjoyable than reading a book? Talking about it with others. Happiness!

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” ~ Garrison Keillor

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Creative personal growth toward better health and happiness

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Health Matters

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The Kat Files

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