Winter Reading

Hello... it's me. Yes I'm still here. Yes I'm still sewing, quilting, stitching, teaching, reading, gardening...  just haven't been doing much blogging. I'm hoping to change that this year. 2018 was a very busy year with some unexpected demands on my time. That combined with lack of inspiration, motivation and energy for blogging.. well, you know what happened if you're a regular reader/follower. I wasn't "here" much. The year flew by and even though my intentions were good, my "output" was pitiful. (Why don't you help out with the motivation aspect by leaving me a comment occasionally?)

Anyway... on to a new year. And here it is already mid January! Ackkk! Since January is always a month when I try to take some extra time for reading, that's where I'm starting. I have so many projects to show you, book reviews and more, but let's start with a book chat.
I LOVE getting books for Christmas. To me there is no better gift. This year I lucked out - look at this wonderful stack of  books I found under the tree.. I can't WAIT to dive into this pile. (Actually I've already read Forgiveness and have started Eleanor Oliphant.. more about them soon.) And I received two copies of Educated and already had The Tattooist of Auschwitz, so two more from my "I Want to Read..." list will be added to this pile from those exchanges. Yippee! I'm all set for the winter - my dark chocolate stash has been nicely replenished, and I've got lots of reading material. I'll do my best to ignore the nasty cold winter weather by snuggling up to my pile of new books. 
Yes I do love getting books for Christmas. I also love giving books as gifts. My children always knew there would be new books under the tree. They both continue to love reading as adults which makes me very happy. Mark actually set a goal for last year to read 50 books, and he surpassed it by 10! Since he has a fairly lengthy commute each day to work by subway, he passes the time by reading. Good for him!
Of course I will keep my grands well supplied with books too! One which was a big hit this year was The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. It was much in demand this fall after a Youtube video of a Sottish Grandma reading it to her grandson was widely shared on Facebook... If you have a little one you MUST add it to your library... and be sure to click on the link above to listen to Grandma reading. Get ready for some good chuckles.

So, what's on your "I Want To Read" list? What have you read lately that you'd recommend? Did you have a "favourite read" from 2018? DO tell....

Up next, a small project finish.

Peace,
Linda

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you the knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is moral illumination."
~ Elizabeth Hardwick