What’s on Your TBR List?

As 2015 draws to a close, I’m busy trying to get things done that should have been finished months ago. I’ve given up on writing projects – hopefully two months of not writing will result in a fresh look at the plot problems and wayward characters! I have several sewing projects I still hope to get done, and the house to clean, since the family Christmas gathering is this coming weekend.

I also set a reading goal each year on Goodreads. This year I decided I would read 50 books – ten more than last year. But I really let things slide in the middle of the year, and now I’m reduced to reading a lot of short books. The longer books, especially those written by friends, will have to wait for January 1. I’m going to pledge to read another 50 in 2016, because I really don’t think an average of one book a week is too much. Here are the ones I plan to tackle first:

The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé by Diane Burton. Diane is a fellow member of the Mid-Michigan RWA, and a very supportive author. She’s made a name for herself writing romances set in outer space, so when she started a mystery series set in West Michigan it was a change of pace – and a delightful one! It’s about a female detective, Alex O’Hara, who inherits her father’s agency, and Nick Palzetti, the son of her father’s partner. I read the first in the series, The Case of the Bygone Brother, and loved it – so when the second one came out a few weeks ago I bought it and will start reading.

Christi Bell by Lori Lapekes. Lori is a fellow member of my other writing group, the Grand Rapids Region Writers Group, as well as a fellow Eskape Press author. Christi Bell is a new adult novel, another genre I don’t usually read, but the few chapters I’ve read so far have intrigued me and I want to know how it ends. Also, like Diane’s book, it takes place in locations I’m familiar with. Christi, the main character, is described as “quirky” and someone for whom things never seem to go as planned. I understand the feeling, so I imagine I’ll identify with her.

Watercolors in the Rain by Kay Springsteen. Kay was a guest here at Four Foxes, One Hound in November, just after this book was released. I tried to get the book read before her guest appearance, but failed miserably. It’s set in the world of fine art, so I know I’ll love it. And, like the other two on this list, it takes place in my home state of Michigan – but this one is set a little farther north, on Mackinac Island. Again, I’ve read the first few chapters, but then got caught up in year-end stuff. I’m going to want to give this my full attention when I got back to reading it.

Love Overcomes by Angela Schroeder. I know Angie’s got other books, but this is the first one of hers that I bought and I feel bad that I haven’t read it yet. That’s going to change soon!

So here are my first four titles for 2016. If I read one a week I should get these all read by the end of January. And hopefully the momentum will continue!

What’s on your To-Be-Read list?

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