Just Let Me Finish This Chapter!

Over this past year, I've read 31 books, not including the many picture books that comprised the majority of my Amazon purchases! #teacherprobs Five of the 31 books were nonfiction; two were historical fiction. The majority of my reads were fiction. When it comes to books, I definitely have a “type”. Give me a great thriller, and you’ll find me on the couch for the next 24 hours!

Here’s the books I read in 2019:

• The Innocent Man (NF)
• True Places
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz (HF)
• Magic Hour
• Stories From Webb (professional)
• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
• Picture Perfect
• Magic Hour
• Valencia and Valentine 
• Nine Perfect Strangers
• We Got This. (professional)
• Killers of Flower Moon (NF)
• Educated (NF)
• A Boy Called BAT (children's)
• Those Girls
• False Step
• Pieces of Her
• Run Away
• Where the Crawdads Sing
• The Polygamist’s Daughter (NF)
• The Wife Between Us
• Girl, Stop Apologizing (motivational)
• I am Watching You
• The Woman in the Window
• The Silent Patient
• One Day in December
• The Alice Network (HF)
• Room to Breathe 
• If You Tell (NF)
• Unspeakable Things
• Drowning With Others

The best book I read in 2019 was Educated by Tara Westover. I could not put this book down! The shocking story of Tara’s childhood experiences followed by her journey for education and a better life was truly inspiring. Books like this (and also the books The Polygamist's Daughter and If You Tell) are shocking reminders that things aren't always as they seem; there are monsters out there. From this unbelievable real-life horror story, comes stories of strength and perseverance. This "type" of book is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.

Currently, I’m reading Children of Virtue Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi This is the long-awaited sequel to Children of Blood and Bone. This fantasy series rivals the Harry Potter series. Yes, it’s that good!

So, what are my book goals for 2020?

• Read 36 books
• Read more nonfiction
• Try at least one audiobook. I have friends who listen to audiobooks on their commute and while doing housework. I don’t have much of a commute, but I’m thinking I could listen while doing things around the house! 

Today is January 1, 2020: the first page in the next chapter of our lives. As we embark on this fresh start, I plan to replace more of my screen time with other, more productive things, and, to me, one of the best ways to do that is through reading good books... and on that note, I've got to get back to book number one for 2020... yeah, whatever!