Happy 2024!

Happy 2024!

Wanna hear about some book goals I have for the year? Of course you do! I always make a goal for number of books read and I’ve done that, too, but I want to focus on the following (insert trumpet fanfare here):

1. Read Jane Austen’s novels in order of publication. I’ve read all but two of Austen’s 6 main novels. I want to read the other 2 (Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park) and revisit the others. I thought I’d do it in the order they were written, because that feels very proper.

2. Read more nonfiction. I rarely gravitate towards nonfiction, but when I do I always like it more than I thought I would. So, here we go! I’ve got some travel nonfiction as well as a couple biographies on deck.

3. Read books about or set in New Zealand. I’m going to NZ this summer! I love to read books that either take place or are about my upcoming destinations. Got any good recs?

4. Speaking of New Zealand…I have a confession. I’ve never read Lord of the Rings. I know, I’m sorry. So, I’d like to get into these before I go. I know they don’t take place there, but they might as well thanks to the movies, which I’ve also never seen.

Follow along if you dare. First up in the Austen challenge is Sense and Sensibility. I’ll be reading the copy I found this summer at a used bookstore. It is my favorite cover of all time. I’ve already searched to see if they made all 6 novels in this style, but I can’t find them. Someone in 1995 really dropped the ball.

As for Lord of the Rings, I’m starting with The Hobbit. I’ve had the same box set since I was in middle school and looking for something to read between Harry Potter release days. I think I started The Hobbit once but never finished. Let’s see how it goes this time around. Wish me luck.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

-Kirsten