January Check-In

I'm trying a lot of new things this year with this blog, and I'm pretty happy with how things are going.  It is more work, but I feel it is more rewarding as well.  I'm working on pacing my reading better, but already I'm getting behind.  I'm keeping track of my reading using an Excel spreadsheet downloaded from another generous blogger, but I'm ashamed to say I can't remember who it was!  I love it, whoever you are.

Total books read or listened to so far this year (not counting books read while teaching): 16

Nonfiction

• Eleanor, Quiet No More (biography)
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (biography)
• Green Grass and White Milk (informational)

Middle Grade

• Love, Aubrey
• The Unfinished Angel

Picture Books

• The Mitten

Audiobooks

• Heroes of the Valley (not reviewed - somewhat too long but really well crafted, with three dimensional characters and a smashing, gruesome conclusion... but really, I think reading Powers ruined me for any other coming-of-age fantasy quests)
• Shug (not reviewed - great characters; reminded me of Rules)
• Farm City (currently listening - interesting, but not as good as some other eco-memoirs I've read in the last few years; the writing is funny but somewhat abrasive, and I haven't developed much love for the family yet)

Graphic Novels

• Stitches (not reviewed - amazing and powerful; reminded me of Blankets)

Challenges

• YA Through the Ages: This is my most challenging challenge, because there are so many books I chose to read.  I just finished The Yearling.  Whew!  It took me longer than anticipated.  I'm quite behind on my schedule, but I hope to catch up over February break.  Next is Seventeenth Summer.
• Take Another Chance: I finished #1 (Read Your Doppelganger) and have started #2 (Blogroll Roulette), so I'm right on schedule with this one.
• Clover, Bee and Reverie (poetry): I've scheduled my poetry reading (all poetic novels) for this one for February and March, so there will be lots coming up.  I just read my first book yesterday, All the Broken Pieces.
• Original TBR: I scheduled one per month here.  I should be reading Dove and Sword this week, but I'm swamped with other reading and ack!  I hope I don't get too behind.  
• Read'n'Review: I'm doing well here -- I've actually reviewed just about all the books I've read so far this year, which is a huge improvement over last year!  I have not reviewed many of the audiobooks, though.  I'm not sure if I plan to include these or not.  It's hard to write review notes when I'm walking around or driving while listening.
• Finish That Series: This is a very brief challenge for me, and I'm only participating at the lowest level.  It was really just an incentive for me to actually read/listen to Inkheart once and for all.  I've done one book so far and it was very good!
• GLBT Challenge: I still need to come up with a list of books, but I read Tango Makes Three and wrote a mini-challenge piece on why I am doing this challenge.

Memes, Themes and Other Writing

• I reviewed my last year experience and made some goals for this year. 
• I've done a few Nonfiction Monday entries, which is helping me keep up on  my nonfiction reading.
• I'm trying out Booking Through Thursday.  Themes this month were Favorite Unknown and Twisty Endings.
• I did one Saturday Review, though it's hard for me to sit down at the computer on the weekend.
• Memes to try in the future: Poetry Friday, Fairy Tale Friday and Saturday Network.  
• I participated in Bloggiesta this January, which was a blast and so helpful to get my blog spruced up for the new year!  I highly recommend it.
• I compiled my list of favorite middle grade books for Betsy Bird's 100 best poll at Fuse 8.  I loved her picture book poll and can't wait to see the favorite books revealed this year.