Month: December 2023

50 Books/50 States

It’s no secret that I love books. I love that reading transports me to places I may not otherwise visit and introduces me to so many interesting people and scenarios.

Between the regular demands of life, working a full-time job, and writing my own stories, I’m usually good for about three books a month, 36 books a year. Last year I heard about a fun challenge; to read fifty books set in fifty different states. I decided to push myself a little further this year and see if I could complete that challenge.

Though I do buy new books from time to time, most of my TBR pile comes from library book sales, yard sales and thrift stores. On these treasure hunts I have discovered many older titles I missed. I’ve discovered some amazing new- to- me authors and reconnected with some old favorites. It was fun to try and collect my fifty states and I read some books I might not have read, had I not needed those states.

I met the goal of reading fifty books more than a week ahead of schedule. I feel great about that. However, I only managed 39 of the 50 states. Finding some books that were not set in the USA, but that I could not resist, I ventured across the ocean to England, Israel, and the Netherlands. I visited Maine, New Mexico and Virginia twice this year. Sadly, there were two books I had to abandon after a couple of chapters. Life is too short to read books that don’t hold my interest!

I read so many wonderful books this year that I gave 5-Star ratings for content, writing style and characters, that it would be hard to narrow it down to a favorite. But there were three that I rated 5-Plus. These three books will stay with me for a long time and earn a permanent place on my book shelf.

Favorite #3

Favorite #2

Favorite #1

I would have to say this heartwarming story of unlikely friendships was my number one favorite book of the year for its characters, content and being an all-around incredibly written story:

(I also read through the entire New Testament this year, but that was part of a different challenge 😊)

And so another year of books is, as they say, in the books. I am thinking of trying the Alphabet Challenge in 2024. Only half as many this time because I have projects of my own simmering on back burners that need my attention. But since I am the type who needs to finish what I start… Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, and Utah – I will catch up with you soon!

Comment and let me know about your reading challenge, or what your favorite books were this year 😊

Treasures

My grandmother had the most amazing collection of jewelry. At least it seemed that way to a little girl who loved all things aglitter. I loved to get out Grandma’s big jewelry box and spread its contents out on the table. Strands of colorful beads, brooches of every kind with colored rhinestones in blue, gold, red and green. I loved the clip – on earrings and never tired of trying them on.

I was in my early twenties when Grandma passed away. I selected one or two pieces to remember her by, but by that time glittery peacock and Christmas tree brooches had lost their appeal for me and I had long since graduated to pierced earrings. My sister inherited the bulk of the jewelry and though I didn’t want to wear it, I liked knowing it was still around.

A few weeks ago, we heard about an art jewelry class. The project was a Christmas tree made of bits of old costume jewelry. Excited, we once again spread the contents of Grandma’s jewelry box out on the table and selected a few pieces for our projects.

The class was so much fun, and I love my Christmas tree! I love that each holiday season Grandma’s jewelry will be displayed in my home. I’ve heard it said that jewelry is a treasure that is passed down from one generation to another. That’s so true! Even if it’s just old costume jewelry, the memories are priceless.

I’m so glad my sister and I went to the class, and that the costume jewelry I so adored as a child has been given new life – a beautiful, meaningful piece of art that I will treasure for years to come. I think Grandma would be pleased!