We all know what a strange and troubling year 2020 has been and I understand that for some people the trouble and turmoil has prevented them from reading. Not so me. Books have always been my escape. From that first year in high school when I turned to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s ‘Little House’ stories to get me through, I’ve buried my nose in a book to remove myself from reality.
The same goes for my writing, although I find that grappling with a novel is harder when my mind lacks a certain level of tranquility, but once immersed in that special writing zone, I am completely transported. And so this year, I have one novel on the point of publication and another one already up and running.
The final quarter’s books
Since the end of September, when I completed the #ArmedWithABingo challenge, this is what I’ve read.
I exceeded my 2020 Goodreads Challenge of 36 books and I read and reviewed 57 books. Maybe I set the bar too low, but you know how I believe in setting achievable targets (why stress?).
I read even more widely this year, partly due to the Armed with a Bingo challenge and partly in response to the recommendations of others. I continue to try to support fellow indie authors and twenty of the books were written by indies, including four volumes of poetry by writers I’ve come across on WordPress.
Contrary to previous years, more than half the books I read this year were physical books. This is mainly because I told myself that before I bought any more, I should read some of the ones that had been sitting unread on my shelves, which are mostly acquisitions from second-hand bookstores (a favourite haunt of mine). But there were a few new releases that I just had to buy as paperbacks. In particular, Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende and The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (my two most favourite authors). The latter was absolutely the best book I’ve read this century!
Onward to 2021 then. My TBR pile is tottering, but I’m happy to take more recommendations if you’d like to offer them. Drop them in the comments below!
luna's on line 
I am envious of your reading achievements! 😍 I have read a few books but my reading has been hampered by my blogging. ❤️
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It’s hard to balance all the competing priorities. My ‘sacrifice’, although it isn’t really, is to hardly watch any TV. I just announce, ‘I’m going to bed with…. [the author of whatever I’m reading]. Going to bed with Dante, as I am at the moment, sounds rather cool 😉
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Haha! It really does! 😜😉😂
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Wow that’s awesome! I must confess I’m more of an “audible books” person, since what transports me away from my problems is working with my hands… although if you count Ludington Daily News from the early 1900s online, I could spend hours reading that! 😂
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Audio books count too! I love being read to, but unless I find something to do as well, I often nod off 😉 As for the Ludington Daily News, even without the family connection, it’s fascinating. There must be so many more old newspapers online. Mmm, another rabbit hole; best not to go there… 🙂
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It’s definitely a rabbit hole! There actually are a lot of papers on that one site. There’s an alphabetical index so you can find papers from everywhere. I’ve pretty much stayed in Ludington but I’m sure they are all just as fascinating 😀🧐
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Don’t remind me where that site is!!!
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You’ve had a very productive reading year! I’m impressed!!
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One of the positive aspects of lockdown!
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Fantastic. I need to read more and your works are a definite must.
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Thanks, Joe 🙂 Another one coming very soon…
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*sigh* So productive, Chris. You out us to shame! 😉
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Since most of my clients fled this year, I had to find some way to pass the time 🙂
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Seems you haven’t been wasting your time… Knowing what I like, as I think you do, is there one you particularly could recommend?
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Okay, I think you’d enjoy ‘River of Thieves’ by Clayton Snyder (and maybe the new book I have coming out soon) 😉
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I believe I will 🙂 I understand that it’s not your first… How many have you published?
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Three previous books, plus a tiny volume of short stories. All on Amazon – see the Books tab.
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They seem to be unavailable as Kindle in Spain. I didn’t know Kindle books were limited to countries. Do you know why it’s like that?
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That’s odd. I was pretty sure they’re available in all the EU countries. Let me take a look and come back to you.
I just tried adding the links here in the comments, but then when I tested them they took me to the US site (?). Who knows. I’ll send you an email with the links in that. You can see they go to the Spanish Amazon.
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57 books. Wow. From that list it was Stephen King and our Jeans book I’ve enjoyed this year
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I can’t wait to read Jean’s next one. Her books are so well-crafted!
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I like your thinking, achievable goals for sure, I also like your list which I see on Goodreads too, you have a broad and juicy palette Chris.
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I’m far too long in the tooth to try to stretch myself with inappropriate goals, but I do enjoy stretching my imagination and broadening my horizons, which stretch right around the globe 🙂
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The best way 🙂
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