The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
The first part of January is typically the coldest part of the year. This year is no exception. We have had a stretch of weather with a couple of days of single digit highs followed by a couple of days of highs in the 20's, then back to the single digits again. The days in the 20's have brought snow. I try to get outside for a walk every day no matter the weather. On single digit days, I bundle up and keep my walk short. Just getting the outside air in my lungs and the sun on my face makes such a difference in my mood.
Here's what I have been up to this week:
Seeing ~
*Snow glittering in the sunlight
*Animal tracks in the snow
*Beautiful sunsets
Smelling ~
*Coffee in the morning
*Apple Cinnamon muffins
In the kitchen ~
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Cooked Carrots
What I've been reading ~
Reading Goals for 2022
My main goal for 2022 is to read what I feel like reading when I feel like reading it. I have participated in reading challenges for several years and really enjoyed them, but in 2021 they just started to feel like too much work and caused me to read something for the challenge, rather than what I wanted to read. So, I have cut back on the challenges I am participating in. I do keep TBR lists in the notes app on my phone, but I don't consider these lists of books I must read, rather lists of books I might want to read if I can't think of anything else I want to read.
I did set a Goodreads goal of 100 books, down from my goal of 104 in 2021. I will also continue to read books from series I enjoy.
I hope you all have had a good week!
~ Gretchen
Go You! Happy Reading!📚🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy! 😊
DeleteI understand this completely! I am cutting way back on ARC so I can enjoy more books that are already on my TBR lists...and so I can enjoy some reading challenges. Have a great weekend, oh, by the way, can't wait to hear what you think of the book about Anthony Fauci!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! Yep, sometimes cutting back is the way to go. The Anthony Fauci book is very dense with lots of citations - the introduction had 70 citations! I will probably not read it cover to cover, so won't review it. What I have read has been quite interesting.
DeleteI share your reading goal for 2022 - "read what I feel like reading when I feel like reading it." Why put yourself in a box of things to read ahead of time? Have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Harvee. Happy Reading!
DeleteYou have exactly captured why I have never done any reading challenges or other types of blog events that dictate what to read (or watch). I feel exhausted just thinking about them.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That's interesting, Mae. I have usually enjoyed reading challenges, but near the end of 2021 I began to feel just like you described - exhausted thinking about them.
DeleteSounds like some good reading and yummy eating!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jinjer!
DeleteI have 4 challenges for the year which is enough. Back in the day I used to do dozens of challenges and it was way too much. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your challenges, Marg!
DeleteI have heard more readers say they are not setting reading goals this year (except maybe for Goodreads) and indicate that reading what they want to read is the goal! Maybe 2020 and 2021 have been challenging enough! Who wants to make reading a challenge also?! Honestly, I find no pleasure in reading a book simply because it has a blue cover! Happy reading Gretchen!
ReplyDeleteI think you might be right about 2020 and 2021 being challenging enough contributing to the feeling of not wanting to set reading goals. Have a great week Carol!
DeleteI use the challenges to focus my reading a bit, to purposefully choose good books over what I might just find at my house or in my library. I try not to do too many where I feel overwhelmed, though.
ReplyDeleteAnd I admire how you go out for a walk every day. We did that in 2020, but we slacked off in 2021. I hope to get back into the habit of walking at least a few times a week in 2022.
Deb - I do see how challenges can focus your reading and help you choose better books. You have set up a great system that helps you read the books you want to read. And going for a walk everyday is definitely a habit. I don't feel right if I don't go for a walk.
DeleteHi Gretchen! I think that is a really good reading challenge. Just read what you want, when you want.
ReplyDeleteI am a summer person and I am enjoying the lovely summer weather we have here in SA at the moment a lot!
I have read Reserved for Murder (you can find my review on my blog), but wish I have read the first one in the series too.
Have a good week and enjoy your cooking, baking and reading.
Elza Reads
Thanks, Mareli. I envy your summer weather. Have a great week!
DeleteLove that you are reaching for your reading goals.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGood luck with your reading goals this year. I decided against challenges, too, and set a low goodreads goal - no pressure allowed! The Mozzarella Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes sounds really good... just bookmarked it to try later. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that lowering Goodreads goals is a theme this year as well as cutting back on challenges.
DeleteMozzarella Chicken Pasta is a favorite of ours. I hope you enjoy it!
I love reading challenges. They help me to keep focused and read books I've been wanting to read. I'm trying to cut back on the number of ARCs I get, though. Those are starting to get to be too much for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week!
I have loved reading challenges for several years too. They are so fun. I just need to cut back this year. Have a great week!
DeleteGretchen, I agree with you on Reading Challenges. I used to participate in so many but, it felt like a job and too the fun out spontaneous reading. Stay warm; it's cold here too.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I was feeling, Diane. Maybe another year I will pick more challenges up, but this year it just feels like work.
DeleteSame here, I sued to do tons of challenges. But getting old (11th year of book blogging), so focusing more on my TBR. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteSo many books, so little time...
DeleteHave a good week Emma!
In the meantime are aircon has been running for 3 days straight because it’s so hot!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week and good luck with your goals for the year
You are having the complete opposite weather of us!
DeleteHave a good week!
It's nice to walk even on cold days. We had a two week stretch here where it was below 0 and awful. Luckily today will reach 40 and that will feel like Miami weather. Just have fun with your reading seems a good plan.
ReplyDelete40 would feel like Miami weather! That is the positive thing about such cold weather, it makes the 20's seem balmy.
DeleteHave a great week!