Friday, April 4, 2014

One Easily Met Goal

Most of my friends know I am quite an avid reader. I always thought of myself as an avid reader anyway until I started keeping track of what I read and realized I am not such an avid reader after all. If I read 20-24 books a year that is a lot for me. Reading this amount of books is not so challenging that all you are doing is reading. In fact you can take long breaks between books and still read that many in a year. I do like to do other things with my time besides reading so 20-24 books each year is enough.


This year I set a goal of 24 books and have already read 22 of them. I hadn't planned on it but the weather has been inclement and I haven't felt much like doing the things I normally spend my time on. So I've made more progress than usual. I will have to increase my reading goal but need to make sure I don't continue to neglect my Bible readings. I got out of the rhythm of the Bible readings when I had to deal with some family matters and then I didn't get back into my routine.  I like to read a little bit out loud while listening to someone (on a Bible app) read the same verses.  It makes the words come alive for me.

I know many of you are readers too.  But if you are not a regular reader, I encourage you to set a modest reading goal for yourself. It's not too late to set a goal for 2014!

I'm also pleased to share this mosaic of today's sky.


I wrote yesterday of the forecasted rain but was pleased to get some breaks in the clouds and rain for even a short while today.

I hope you are are all enjoying your day.  Please do check out my sidebar Go Fund Me appeal for Elvis in Kenya. God bless.

Frugal Notes:  For those that like to save money, this is one of the least expensive hobbies you can find.  Books these days can be purchased super cheaply at your local thrift or second hand store. You can find a lot of popular fiction in these places and you can also find lots of reference materials. Sometimes I even find full sets of Christian reading material that have earlier been purchased from television offers.  If you would rather not spend the funds no matter how little, you can also borrow books from friends or trade something they want of yours or you can borrow books for free from the local library.  Four (4) of the seven (7) books in the photo at the top of this post are from the library.

Have a wonder - ful week!

24 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

Oh.my.goodness! The clouds are bee-you-ti-full.

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

The sky is soooo blue,especially with the accent of those clouds,have a blessed weekend,Phyllis

Jan said...

Wow! You have already almost reached your reading goal for the year! I can understand having periods of reading more than usual. I sometimes get the urge to read and do nothing else, usually if I am reading a book that is really grabbing me. Lately all I am reading are social work texts as I am studying. However I have a fiction on the go at bedtime, when my eyes are starting to droop and I usually only manage one or two pages. Love the blue skies. Just having a pint her blog catch up so will be reading all your posts I have missed. Take care Penny. Xx

Jan said...

Not having a pint! My text changed itself. Meant to say I'm having another blog catch up! Lol

Joyful said...

I understand what you mean, lol. It is so annoying and embarrassing at times when the phone does autocorrect and substitutes incorrect words!

jabbott said...

I really need to read more, Im terrible.You doing very well x

eileeninmd said...

I am trying to read more, sometimes it is hard to find the time... I love your pretty sky shots, lovely mosaic!

Enjoy your new week ahead!

Ceil said...

Hi Joyful! Wow, you just devoured those books, didn't you? I don't think I read that many books in a year. It seems like I am always juggling a few books at a time, so it goes slower for me. I know what you mean about the weather though. Cold and snow/rain just call for a cozy chair and a book!

Thanks for the reading encouragement. You are a wonder :)
Ceil

Elisabeth said...

Penny, I know exactly what you mean about getting books so cheap at local thrift stores. I always find even practically brand new ones at our local Goodwill stores, for under $3. on hard covered and 79cents for soft covered books. I love to read, as well, but haven't read that many as you did, this year so far.
Congratulations, you are an avid reader!
Have a wonderful week! xo

Joyful said...

Hi Ceil, I like to have 3-4 books on the go at a time as well. Of course I usually like one better than the rest so some get read a lot more quickly than others. Enjoy the reading ;-)

Joyful said...

Hi Elizabeth, isn't it a thrill to get almost brand new books for next to nothing? I have so many books at home that I am never really at a loss for books to read. I am always buying more and getting rid of those I read so someone else can enjoy. I can only do that by actually reading what I have from the library, the thrift store or my bookshelves ;-) I have more books on my "to read" list than I have actually read! So I am going to be busy for awhile. Enjoy your week too.

Joyful said...

Hi Eileen, just try a book a month and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish ;-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Joanne. We have been having very interesting skies this week. More to come tomorrow and then we will be having a lot of sunshine.

Joyful said...

Thank you Phyllis. You have a wonderful week also. I hope it is getting warmer where you live.

Joyful said...

Hey Jan. I can't believe I've read that much already! Truthfully it wasn't a push or a strain. I think the more you read the faster you end up reading also. I'm like you, I sometimes get the urge to read and do nothing else but lately I haven't come across as many good books as I used to. I remember when I was in university, I didn't want to read what I had to read, lol. I hope you are better at required reading than I was. I also hope you are getting some beautiful skies.

Joyful said...

Hello Mrs. Abbott, Just start with a book you've been wanting to read and give yourself a time line of a month or so. Reading a few pages a day you will finish in no time. Happy reading :-)

Anonymous said...

Well done you ! I wish I had more time for reading.

Joyful said...

Thank you Lady Fi. I hope you can carve out a few minutes each day in your busy schedule for reading. I know it can be difficult.

clairz said...

I don't know what I would do without a public library. I really prefer not to buy books, so that is my last approach when looking for a particular title. Even if the library doesn't own the book I want to read, they will borrow it from another library via interlibrary loan. We do have a wonderful used book store here in Las Cruces (New Mexico), called COAS Books. They have an online presence for anyone looking for good used books. I'm a recycling fan, and that includes books and clothes.

Margie said...

I love to read but with taking care of my granddaughter, have little time.
Happy reading ....

Those clouds are gorgeous ....
x

Unknown said...

I am with you. Go to the library. It is the best way to get as many books as you can read without having to pay.

Joyful said...

Thanks ladies! Nice to see so many that like to read and save money ;-)

Joy said...

You're doing so well with your reading Joyful - well done - my main reading time is nights mainly because it's crafting and craft books that take my 'other' time, but I do love to read and eventually I'll get there!
Love that beautiful blue sky behind the wonderful cloud formation, thank you! Hugs, Joy xo

Denise said...

Awesome clouds.

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