Well folks, January has been a mixed bag for me. I read some very good novels, posted quite a few times with reviews and other bookish stuff, received some stellar titles in my monthly book haul, and, on a personal note, booked a vacation.
Then, as fate would have it, our family experienced yet more serious health issues. You never know what awaits you when you wake up in the morning…
One thing that almost didn’t get off the ground was my proposed “Bookblogger’s Fiction Reading Challenge“. I anticipated that it would be fun way for many bloggers to whittle down their TBRs. There weren’t many bloggers who showed any interest in participating, but I’m super grateful to those four who did. In addition to myself, here are some of the other bloggers who will be taking part.
Sheila of “The Quiet Geordie” blog
Debbie of “ExUrbanis” blog
Carla of “Carla Loves to Read” blog
Jules of “One More Word” blog
I will endeavor to link to their #FFRC2020 book reviews throughout the year in a monthly post on Fictionophile.
One reading challenge that I created did really fly however. On Goodreads, within the Edelweiss Reviewers Group, I started a reading challenge for reading Edelweiss titles. As of today’s date, there are 28 people participating who have pledged to read and review 701 Edelweiss titles! Awesome!
Here’s how we are doing so far with the Edelweiss challenge:
I am participating in two blog tours in February for Rachel’s Random Resources.
One thing I have started this year is a ‘Reading Journal’. I have always kept track of the books I read via Goodreads (and I will continue to do so), however, I am also tracking my reading in other ways so that at the end of the year I can compile a recap of statistics for my own benefit. Things like how many books of each genre? How many NetGalley books did I review? How many Edelweiss books did I review? How many blog tours did I participate in? What blog post received the most comments? What post generated the most likes? That type of thing. It is not a fancy ‘bullet journal’, rather it is just a spreadsheet for my own perusal. Do you do this type of thing?
Anyway, I think I’ve been trying too hard. To get more followers, to engage with other bloggers, keeping up with social media, etc. I guess I need a vacation. On that note, from late February through mid-March, for about a three week period, I will be away from the blog, social media, etc.
I hope to have some scheduled posts ready before I leave on my trip, but I will not be able to respond to comments or interact socially during that time period.
I very much hope that you guys will still be there upon my return. I appreciate each and every one of you, your comments, and your support.
Fictionophile 
Oh Lynne, I’m so sorry to hear about the health hurdles! Sending you all of the love and good vibes, sounds like that holiday can’t come around soon enough ❤️ Enjoy your time away from the blogging world, we’ll all be here for you when you get back, refreshed and rejuvenated!
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Thanks so much Sheree. Your support is appreciated. 👍❤
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Well, darn, so sorry about your setback with the family health situation–our January started out just the same. I’ll be including that note in my January recap, but it is a sad way to start the year. Hope your vacation is a relaxing and happy time. On the book journal. Nope. I may have bit off more than I can handle with the challenges, going to be tough to keep up with that and I’m already stretched pretty thin (that’s why I asked the CE to help!). Fortunately, he’s a fast reader and had a couple reviews for me when we were doing the hospital thing. Keep us up with your news.
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Thanks Virginia. It seems that health issues and sadness is everywhere. Sending my best wishes.
Congrats on getting help from CE. My husband only reads the newspaper… Sigh….
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It’s important to take breaks and I’m glad you’re taking some time away….we’ll be here when you return! I hope your health situation resolves in the best possible way.
We had a scare this week….our newest grand baby arrived but the mom suffered severe preclampsia (sp.) after delivery (rare) and has been in the hospital with seriously high BP….difficulty finding meds that will stabilize her for some reason. Hopefully it will resolve soon! Rough start for a new mom!
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I hope you enjoy your time off! And I’ll look forward to when you return! ❤
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Thanks so much for your kind words.♥
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So sorry to hear about your family health issues, thinking of you xx
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Thanks so much Nicki. ❤
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Hope all results come back clear!! Have a fab break. Will be waiting for your return!! 😘
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Thanks Mani. 👍😍
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Enjoy your vacation!
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Thank-you so much ♥
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Oh Lynne, I am so sorry to hear your family is dealing with another health issue. I hope news is better than what you are anticipating. Have a great vacation and tell us all about it when you get home. You know I’ll still be here.
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Thanks SO much Carla. Your support is appreciated more than you know.
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I’m sorry to hear of the issues your family is facing, I hope it’s resolved soon.
I’m using Book Riot’s spreadsheet this year to track some reading aspects, like gender split, setting, etc
Enjoy your break!
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Thanks for your continued support.
I’ll check out Book Riot. I’m not familiar with that site.
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Lynne hope all ok. Take care x
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Thanks Mairead. We won’t know until we receive the pathology report.
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I admire how busy you are with books and know you deserve the vacation.
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Thanks James. 👍📚❤
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