How has social media changed my perspective on my reading?

I was thinking about this question earlier this week. As a kid my reading life was a very solitary hobby. I selected my books by going into the book store and seeing what caught my attention. I remember wandering around the Books-A-Million or the smaller Walden bookstore that were in the shopping plaza down the street. My mother would take us to the bookstore frequently and we would pick out books or just wander around and read a variety of books. I would select books from the kids section and when I got older I moved into classics. The fiction section was a bit too daunting for me and I loved reading classics so that is what I read. My book selection was looking at classics or buying books that were on sale. I had one friend that we would talk about books occasionally, but it was not a regular occurrence. I loved talking about books and stories in my English classes. Hearing other peoples thoughts and perspectives on the stories and how it affected people differently. I wanted to hear what people thought and how we saw it differently. So my reading before social media was very solitary. In the last few years my reading has become a more social activity. Once I started getting more into Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram it allowed me to share my passion for books and follow others who are just as passionate. I can get book recommendations and reviews from people around the world. I can have discussion with people online all over the world about books we are reading or want to read. This has opened up the opportunity to stretch myself as a reader. I can explore different types of books and get ideas on where to start with new genres I want to try. Once there it was an obvious move to branch out to Book Tube videos. I am now on You Tube all the time watching a variety of Book Tubers who are reviewing and discussing books. This has made me even more aware of different books out there and what I might be interesting to check out. It also allows me to anticipate when books will come out. I am also more aware of new releases and what to pick up that people are talking about. Some Book Tubers also have groups on Goodreads that then discuss a specific book and you can be a part of an online book club. While I still struggle with finding people to meet with in person, I can find discussion and suggestions on different social media sites. I can get involved in live web chats and watch videos that allow me discover new authors and genres that I would otherwise not have known about. It also makes me more culturally aware of what and who I am reading. I think social media has made me a more active reader because I like to share my thoughts and see what other people are saying about specifics books and the book world in general. Podcasts are another great way to learn about books and interact with others on your thoughts and questions. I have discovered so many interesting books and book news from the wide variety of podcasts available to me. I also think that all of these avenues of exploration all us to feel more connected to each other as readers. Reading is becoming a more social hobby in which we can share our thoughts and feelings with each other. I am excited to see how our communities as readers changes and grows.

Reading Challenge

I have been spending a lot of time watching book tube videos. One of the topics that has come up a few times is the idea of doing reading challenges. I did not realize what a hot topic this was. I feel like approaching this topic negatively from either side is not a great approach. I was actually surprised how passionately people where for or against them. I have done the Goodreads reading challenge for a couple years now. In 2012 I didn't reach my goal of 50 books, I got to 28 books, but that did not bother me. In 2013 I challenged myself to read 50 books and I surpassed my goal and read 53 books. This year I challenged myself to read 52 books in the year. As of today (10/3/14) I have read 63 books. Over the last couple for years I have made reading more of a priority. I also know my number is higher for me because of the types of books I enjoy reading. I also have been reading more because I am a middle school Language Arts teacher. I need to be able to recommend books to my students and model that I am a reader. I use the 40 book challenge in my classroom that Donaylnn Miller writes about in her book The Book Whisperer. I think this is the book that really had me making time to read. I challenged my students to read 40 book in a school and I felt I had to model this and participate as well. Now there are a lot a of rules I use to help students achieve this. They don't have a page minimum, any book over 350 pages counts as two books, and they may read graphic novels. Also middle grades books tend to be shorter reads. So this is not an unobtainable goal for them. But we also celebrate the success they have. If they read 20 books that year I make them feel great about that because that is usually a lot more books then they typically read. This also started me on reading a variety of genres. Since I need to have book recommendations in a variety of genres this means I have to read widely. I do read a lot young adult and am working on including more genres to my TBR. I also do the challenge instead of giving them book lists. I have tried that in the past and students hate selecting a book off a list. This gives them the freedom to explore and discover what they like. Now while that has also broadened my own reading horizons, I also find I like the reading challenges throughout the year. This year for example I have a few challenges going on. I have my Goodreads challenge of 52 books, I do the 40 book challenge between August to June, and I have a 25 categories challenge. The last one I chose to do because I wanted to stretch myself as a reader. I don't find it stressful or feel under the gun to read a certain number of books. My average is about four books a month. I do average one a week. Sometimes it takes me two weeks to get through a book and sometimes I fly through a couple in a weekend. I also read graphic novels which don't take as long to read. So it does depend on what I want to read. It also depends on how much time I have during the week. Having the challenges are like goals for me. But it helps me stay focused on my reading as opposed to freaking myself out. Now I also do not make a goal of a number that I don't think is obtainable. So I don't see a problem if people want to participate in a reading challenge. I was starting to feel a bit bad and having some self doubts as I watched the growing number of Book Tubers telling me how stupid it is. But you know what if the challenges make me a more focused and motivated reader then so be it. I don't have a problem if you find them stressful and choose not to do them, that is what is right for you. But I am not going to feel bad or like less of a reader because I do enjoy them.

The Devil Wears Kilts

The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting look at certain characters. Ranulf is a the chief of his clan and Marquis of Glengask, does not have a high opinion of London or Englishmen. So he is not happy to have to go after his sister who sneaks away to London to have her Season. When Ranulf comes to the Hanover home he meets Miss Lady Charlotte Hanover. She stands up to him and is a very honest and upfront period. Ran is fascinated and frustrated by Charlotte.

The Maclawery's are very interesting characters. I also like the different interactions with the Hanovers and other characters throughout the book. I also liked how each character changed and how they view the world also shifts. This did it very well. I really enjoyed the story and how the situations played out. You do have the balls and the parties and typical events because it does take place in London. I liked that the supporting characters where just as involved and important as the main couple.


View all my reviews

Reading challenge

So as we are early into the year I was looking at how much I have been reading so far. Now I have been reading a good amount each day. While I haven't read as much as would like I am doing pretty well. I finished Ghost Story by Jim Butcher last week. I'm a little over half way done with Cold Days. I am really loving that book so far. But it is over 600 pages, so I should be done with it this week. Then I will post a complete review. I originally had the book as my fantasy but I may put it in the chunker category since it is so long. It really doesn't matter because I have quite a few books this year on my list that are pretty long. 

I am trying to decide what to read next. I have so many good books waiting to be read and I am trying to decide what I want to read. So as is there tonight and continue to read Cold Days. I am hoping to finish tomorrow or Friday. I am comfy with my blanket and my cup of tea. 

Challenge #2

The second challenge I am undertaking is the monthly genre challenge. Here is the link for those of you who are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118012-the-2014-reading-challenge-group. Know this group has a variety of reading challenges on it since it is the 2014 Reading Challenge Group. So this allows you to select a challenge that is right for you. I selected the genre challenge which means each month you read a specific genre. You can read one or as many as you like. I have chosen to read one book for each genre. Here is the run down....
January - Historical
February - Romance/Chick-Lit
March - Young Adult
April - Humour
May - Fantasy/Science-Fiction
June - Contemporary
July - Utopian/Dystopian
August - Crime/Mystery
September - Classic/Literary
October - Horror
November - Non-Fiction
December - Adventure

This group is pretty active and I like when i can see what other people are reading and talking about. it helps me select books and get an idea of what may be good or interests me. 

So that those are the challenges I am trying this year. So my goal is to read 52 books this year, the 25 genre or category challenge, and the monthly genre challenge. I am very excited to get started on my reading adventure!!

Challenge #1

So as of today I have added two more titles to my reading list. There are 25 genres that were selected by the Goodreads group I am following. They are: read a chunker (+600 pgs), mystery, young adult fiction, accidentally watched the movie first, relive the magic, gathering dust, loved by others, second chance, award winner, classic, biography/memoir, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, adult fiction (romance), fantasy, horror, lost in translation, secret Santa, short stories, graphic novels, banned books, true crime, current NY Time #1 best seller, cover story ( a book selected only by cover), and humor. 

Here it's the link for those of you who are interested. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/119797-2014-book-challenge

Now I selected this challenge because some of the categories are out of my comfort zone. I also have most of the categories covered by what is already on my bookcase. So this is to try reading a bit more variety the. I may usually try. I have branched out throughout the years and am trying new this. Now this is one of the challenges I am doing. I am also doing a genre challenge that is a different genre each month. Now to an extent I may try and get so e crossover between the two. But since my goal is 52 books this year and one challenge is 25 and the other is 12 which is only 37. It should not be a problem. I am very excited and have the books I will start with all mapped out. 

As for starting the challenges I should be ready to start hem next week. I am finishing up Ghost Story by Jim Buthcher, which will count for 2014, but not for my challenges. So I will keep chugging along with that one for now. 

Next post will cover the second challenge I am doing. 

Reading list

So I have been compiling what books I have to read for my reading challenges. I am hoping to read a lot of books that I have just had sitting on my shelf. Below I have taken a picture of the books I plan to read for the 25 genre challenge on Goodreads. I have put a post it note on each book to remind me of the category I chose it for since some of my books fall into more then one category. I did select two for so e genres since I was not sure which to choose. I may just read both. I am missing four selections and will upload a new picture once those have been selected. 

Right now I have to swinish up the books I was already reading. So first I need to finish Ghost Story by Jim Butcher and The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. The. I can get started on the reading challenge in the picture!

one year 50 books

Here is an awesome site that has book related t-shirts and bags.
http://www.litographs.com/collections/totes/

While the year is coming to an end I have been evaluating my reading goals for the year. My Goodreads goal had been to read 50 books this year. I did succeed and am actually at 52 book right now. I am very proud of this achievement. I also think making the time to read more and to read more young adult books makes me a better and more efficient teacher. I am better able to guide students towards books and understand what they like by talking to them about books they have already read and liked.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5410323-stacey-mackin: here is my goodreads profile for those who want to join me in my yearly challenge.

Hunger games and competitions

I am much behind in my reading this year! While I am not concerned since I usually make up for it in the summer, I still feel bad. I am in the middle of The Hunger Games. My students kept asking me to read it. While it is not one I would have picked up on my own I am enjoying it. I think it is suspenseful and very engaging. I also really like the characters so far.

I have been reading education books and am going to write up some reviews on those. I had not really thought about it before. But I am thinking of gathering all the books I have read and writing up reviews and such in the summer. hmmmm. we shall see.

I am also very excited that I get to judge the 21^st Annual National Readers Choice Awards (NRCA). I was selected to judge the category for Novel with romantic elements. Which is very exciting. I have never really done anything like this at all. I am really excited to be apart of it and can not wait to see what books  I need to read and judge for the competition. 


I also have a few books I have won on goodreads that i need to read and review. I really love the goodreads site. I am totally addicted to it. It is a great way to communicate with readers and authors!!

Nook simple touch and back to the movies

On Black Friday this year I bought a Nook simple touch. I must say I do love it. It is actually a bit easier then my first generation and has some really great features I can use. Looking up words is easier and making notes and highlights. Navigating is also a bit easier. It was an awesome purchase and I am very glad I bought it. I would recommend it to anyone. Now it is time to save up for the nook table. ;-)

My movie club is starting back up in January. Which I am excited about. I will be posting movie reviews as well, even if they are not about books. I am very excited about all the new movies coming up!

I have been playing on the goodreads site and must say I really like it. It is a good way of keeping track of the books you have read and want to read. I stopped using shelfari when they changed it and I did like how it worked anymore. I may go back and see what has been going on recently with the formatting. I wish I could post a goodreads widget in my blog, but I have not figured out how to accomplish that yet.

I have been reading a lot of good education books. One I want to start soon is Waiting for Superman. I actually watched the documentary last week and found it very informative and interesting. If you are interested in public education I would definitively recommend it. It discusses some problems which I understand. As a teacher I can understand what they are saying and some of the changes that need to be made, but there are some issues that are not as black and white.

I am going through the books I would like to read for the upcoming year. I have joined the goodreads 2012 challenge. I started my goal to read 50 books in 2012. I did a similar challenge a few years back and accomplished over 50. But with me being so busy and having to take classes. i decided to stick with 50. So I should have plenty of reviews to write. That is all for now.