The Cozy Pastime of Reading ~ Tuesday 4

 Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we give you 4 questions to think about each week.People make reading lists for the various seasons and many mention how cozy it can be to cuddle up in a favorite spot to read.

1. Do you have a list of books you'd like to read? 

Yes, I keep a list of books I might want to read in future. It's very long so I'll never run out of books in my lifetime.

2. Where do you get ideas for books you want to read?  What kind of books catch your interest?

I get ideas everywhere. When I read blogs or watch vlogs, I keep a note of what people are reading if it sounds of interest to me. I also get ideas from television, social media, library websites, bookstores, people I know and so on. If I've read a book by an author and really loved it, I will start reading other books they've written.

3. What have you read lately?

Currently on my reading list is a Jane Austen book, Mansfield Park which I've read before. I'm also reading The Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly. Prior to that I read Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See and The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel. I've read other Jane Austen books before and enjoy them as well as movies based on her books. I've also read all of Lisa See's book which I love and I'm working my way through the novels written by Kristen Harmel, some of which are better than others.

4. How do you find time to read and where do you make yourself cozy and comfy to read?

I read several days a week unless I'm really sick. When I was struck this year with Shingles, I found I couldn't read anything for several months until I started feeling well again.  I cannot read in bed like many people seem to. Some days I read only for a short time.  Other days I'll read for a few hours. I like to sit in a corner of the sofa under a wall lamp with my tea and snack and read.  My issue isn't finding the time to read.  It's stopping to do other things, including sleep once I'm settled and enjoying a book.

What Are You Going to Do? ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 continued in the memory of Toni Taddeo, its original author.

Here are a few questions for you to consider.

1.   What things do you enjoy doing when you have time on your hands?

Reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, various other handicrafts, going for a walk, having lunch & get togethers with family and friends, going on a day trip to see something new and outside of the neighbourhood.

Currently reading

Newest hobby

2.   Last minute company coming tonight for dinner!   What do you cook?

In cooler months, chili with cornbread.  In warmer months, baked salmon with rice and salad.  Maybe some corn on the cob.  It's been a long while since I've cooked for company.

3.   You've got a day to do anything and the weather is perfect outside, how are you going to spend the day?

I'd go for a walk, preferably by the waterfront.

Village of Steveston

4.   It's morning and you are asked out for breakfast.  What are you ordering?

Probably bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast with coffee and orange juice. If it's a Dutch pancake house I'll have a ham and cheese pancake.

Favourite breakfast

I made this breakfast. I don't often make or eat breakfast but if I do, it's often bacon and eggs or a variation of it.

That's all for today. I hope you'll visit again soon.

Reading

Bookshelf: read

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

The end of 2024 is fast approaching and I still have several books I'd like to complete before the year is ended. I met my modest reading goal of 30 books for 2024 some months ago but I'm trying to see how many more books I can complete this year.

I set my goal very modestly due to my intention to focus on 'creating' through various hobbies. I'll have more to say on that at the end of the year.

I keep track of most of my reading material on the Goodreads platform but they don't have a good widget for copying books as I've done above. Consequently there are a few errors. I did not read Shadows over the Zambezi (read in 2018) or Nothing but the Truth (read in 2022) this year.

It's hard to pick a favourite from these books but my top picks would include: The Armor of Light by Ken Follett,  The Venice Sketchbook by Rys Bowen, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and A Path Through the Highlands:  A Missionary Memoir From Papua New Guinea, by Jessica Cormier (presently a missionary to Kenya). I also enjoyed My Name is Barbra, by Barbra Streisand.  

Typically I like books that are written in a 'cosy' style, as in a conversational type of style. It helps me stay focussed on the information and it is more enjoyable late at night while reading. I also like books that present information in a straight forward manner (non-fiction) or one that gives personal details as in a memoir. Having said that, the Barbra Streisand memoir was very informative but almost overwhelming in terms of its details and facts. 

What about you dear reader? Do you like to read paper books or ebooks? Which do you prefer?  Do you also keep track of your reading?

I've put a link to each of the books in case you'd like to learn more and read one or two of them yourself. Happy reading!