1MissWatson
Hello, I am Birgit and I live on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
2025 is my second year of retirement. I am happy that I now have so much more time for reading, but the basic problem remains: what shall I read next? This year, I have decided on a mix of expert advice and chance to help me make up my mind. The experts are critics, reviewers and compilers of lists, the random element is provided by time and the luck of the draw.
Meet my cheerleading team: dachshund Strolch, Valerius Maximus, Austin Reed, Arzhel, Richard Sean and Corrado.
All images are my own, except for The VIB list.
2MissWatson
I am not setting numerical goals for my categories, but I like to keep track of how many pages I read, aiming for 3,500 per month.
3MissWatson
The Big Box
I’m sorting (slowly) through the nooks and crannies of my apartment, and one of the things I ran across was a big shoe box filled with newspaper clippings, all of them reviews for books which I thought interesting. Most are non-fiction books, I think. Once every month I intend to put my hand into this box (with my eyes closed) and either read the book or dismiss the review.
I’m sorting (slowly) through the nooks and crannies of my apartment, and one of the things I ran across was a big shoe box filled with newspaper clippings, all of them reviews for books which I thought interesting. Most are non-fiction books, I think. Once every month I intend to put my hand into this box (with my eyes closed) and either read the book or dismiss the review.
4MissWatson
Author of the Day
One of my daily habits is to check the list of authors who were born or died on that day. The plan is to choose a book by one of these authors if they’re on my shelf and I am looking for a new book to start on this day.
One of my daily habits is to check the list of authors who were born or died on that day. The plan is to choose a book by one of these authors if they’re on my shelf and I am looking for a new book to start on this day.
5MissWatson
The VIB list(s)
Like many other readers, I keep an eye on several “You must have read this!” lists. But when the time comes, the Very Important Book has to make way for something more alluring. The plan is to actually read one book per month from my various lists. At least one.
The list was compiled by Deutsche Welle for a campaign back in 2018.
Like many other readers, I keep an eye on several “You must have read this!” lists. But when the time comes, the Very Important Book has to make way for something more alluring. The plan is to actually read one book per month from my various lists. At least one.
The list was compiled by Deutsche Welle for a campaign back in 2018.
6MissWatson
Siren Song
This is the category for books that beckon from my shelves, on other people’s threads, or in bookshops. In short, everything that detracts me from my own categories.
This is the category for books that beckon from my shelves, on other people’s threads, or in bookshops. In short, everything that detracts me from my own categories.
7MissWatson
CATs and KITs
Sir Puss has agreed to preside over the various CATs and KITs. I am just going to keep track of my participation by month. I probably won’t manage to cover them all, but we can have our ambitions. Double-counting is allowed here, but not for my own categories.
Sir Puss has agreed to preside over the various CATs and KITs. I am just going to keep track of my participation by month. I probably won’t manage to cover them all, but we can have our ambitions. Double-counting is allowed here, but not for my own categories.
8MissWatson
BingoDOG
My favourite challenge!
Many thanks to LShelby and Christina for the lovely card. The markers are provisional until 2025.
My favourite challenge!
Many thanks to LShelby and Christina for the lovely card. The markers are provisional until 2025.
9MissWatson
Welcome!
11MissWatson
>10 mnleona: Yes, and I think he knows it.
12majkia
I love the Big Box. Hope it gives you tons of joy. Wishing you a happy year with enjoyable reading.
13clue
Best wishes for great reading next year and for your second year of retirement! I always enjoy seeing what you have read.
14LadyoftheLodge
Your pictures are very interesting and I love the Sir Puss especially. Charlie Dickens and Toeney also approve.
15VivienneR
It must have been wonderful to come across the big box of newspaper clippings. Have a great year of reading!
16lowelibrary
I love Sir Puss and your cheering squad.
19MissWatson
>12 majkia: Thanks. I’ll try to get somewthing from the bottom, I have no idea how old these are.
>13 clue: Thank you, and a good reading year to you!
>14 LadyoftheLodge: Sometimes it’s scary to run into things I had completely forgotten about, but I am hoping they will prove interesting.
>15 VivienneR: One of these days I hope to find a Lady for him. He and the team say Hello!
>16 lowelibrary: Yes, unrestrictive was the main idea, because I never stick with plans made in advance.
>17 pamelad: Happy reading to you, Betty!
>13 clue: Thank you, and a good reading year to you!
>14 LadyoftheLodge: Sometimes it’s scary to run into things I had completely forgotten about, but I am hoping they will prove interesting.
>15 VivienneR: One of these days I hope to find a Lady for him. He and the team say Hello!
>16 lowelibrary: Yes, unrestrictive was the main idea, because I never stick with plans made in advance.
>17 pamelad: Happy reading to you, Betty!
21JayneCM
The box of reviews sounds interesting - I wonder which book is nothing more than a thick letter?!
I love random draws for choosing books, so all your categories look like lots of fun.
I love random draws for choosing books, so all your categories look like lots of fun.
22MissWatson
>20 Tess_W: Thanks, Tess. I am getting slowly excited about it.
>21 JayneCM: I peeked, because it’s the article on top, and it celebrates the 250th anniversary of German writer Jean Paul. It was his own comment on his work.
>21 JayneCM: I peeked, because it’s the article on top, and it celebrates the 250th anniversary of German writer Jean Paul. It was his own comment on his work.
23DeltaQueen50
I've been working on book choosing for years but my TBR is still far behind my ambitions! I hope you have an enjoyable and successful 2025, Birgit.
