Friday, September 2, 2016

The Company and Comfort of Reading

Since I took a break from blogging, I've been thinking about what it might take for me to write again. I feel like I've given myself a necessary and treasured gift of time and I wasn't sure I would ever return. I'm still not sure I have anything interesting to say, and I'm still in the midst of multiple scary medical things that demand too much of my time (and will be for months), but there is one subject that needs and deserves a post - reading and Book Bingo.


Like many other bingo players, I covered my card. I'm incredibly grateful to Mary for introducing me to Book Bingo, hosting it, and encouraging all of us to do some summer reading. This is my third year of participating, and it was a special one in many ways. In the past I've had to fuss, fret, and search for books to fit in squares, but this year, books seemed to present themselves in lovely serendipity. This year, I read 7 5-star books, 11 four-stars, 5 got 3-stars, and I only had 2 two-star duds. This is unprecedented as I've been a bit stingy with stars in the past. This year, I finished early with no frantic reading and listening into the wee hours of the night. It just felt like a summer of wonderful reading.



These are the books I read, in order of descending stars. I'll leave you with a link to my Book Bingo 2016 shelf in case you are interested in any of my thoughts, reviews, or specific book information. 

I read a lot this summer, and while I truly enjoyed most of these books, I have also derived great pleasure from the company and comfort of reading. Audiobooks provided many hours of diversion and enjoyment during long drives to hospitals and doctors' offices. Reading on my Kindle (and even a few real books) kept me occupied during too many hours in waiting rooms. I also feel lucky to be part of a reading community, composed of real-life friends, blog and Goodreads friends, and all of you. This reading community has also given me company and comfort, along with some darn good book recommendations, and I can't thank you enough. Happy Reading!

6 comments:

  1. Congrats on your cover all! Reading is a great way to escape from all of the scary things of the world but I am sorry that you are dealing with so much of that right now.

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  2. Bravo, Bonny!! I agree, books are simply the best of friends. The one that doesn't care that you can't stay focused and need to read the same page over again. The one that is happy to help you get lost in another world. The one that is there with you in the wee hours of the night when you cannot sleep for whatever reason. I am happy to see you back here today!! XO

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  3. I am impressed with your reading and I am SO EXCITED to see you blogging. You are in my daily prayers and I think blogging about everything and nothing is a great stress release. I believe that when you send out your worries or fears, big or small, the little blog community we share lift us up. So blog when you can and even the most mundane post is exciting to someone like me :)

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  4. Another coverall! Wow! I enjoy your book recommendations, commiserations, and reviews. Books have long been able to take me away from life and they continue to be a great escape. You are in my thoughts as you navigate the bumps, turns, and fears of the current. For myself, I am so happy to see you back and hope you find it comforting to continue to blog, if only occasionally. xox

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  5. So happy to hear your voice again! I find that I revert to books the instant I am down, tired, sick, or out of sorts. Reading is soothing and replenishing in a way that nothing else is, including my great loves of knitting and spinning. May books always be a balm and a point of connection, too.

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  6. I'm also happy to see you back! Congratulations on your covered card... I always enjoy your book recommendations/reviews. Thinking of you.

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