Ann Makes a Late Start on ROOTing in 2024

Hi all! I'm making a late start this year on tackling my stack of books and audiobooks I own. (I made an attempt in 2023 but had to drop out of tracking books as my mom was very ill and eventually passed away from endometrial cancer.)

Any books I currently own as of May 1, 2024 can be counted toward my ROOTs reading goal of 25 books. I hope joining in here will help me motivated to read off my bookshelf. My mood and the seasons, usually dictate my reading choices more than anything else.

My apologies to Chèli if I've messed up your monthly stats. If you'd like me to hold off rejoining until 2025, then please let me know. Otherwise, everyone please feel free to stop by and comment in my topic here.

Thanks and happy reading ROOTers. :-)

Total ROOTs Read To Date: 4/25
Fiction: 2
Nonfiction: 2

ROOTs Currently Reading

• Dracula Daily (ongoing through November)
  
• Sense and Sensibility
  
• 
  

(Image: 'Tree Roots' by Vincent van Gogh - public domain)

My one 2024 challenge that is in the spirit of Book Voyage @ bookgirlsguide.com. (I don't always stick to the assigned month.) There are some excellent global challenges on LT, but for the time being I need to stick with something very simple. If possible, I'm using books I own to fulfill each category.



JANUARY: Books Set in Antarctica and the Arctic
(skipped)
FEBRUARY: Books Set in Western Europe
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - U.K.
MARCH: Books Set in Africa
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith - Botswana
APRIL: Books That Take Place On an Island
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery - Prince Edward Island
MAY: Books Set in Eastern Europe & Russia
Songbirds by Christy Lefteri - Cypress (read prior to joining group)
JUNE: Books Set in Australia and New Zealand

JULY: Books Set in Asia: Southern Countries
AUGUST: Books Set in Asia: Northern Countries
SEPTEMBER: Books Set on a Form of Transportation
OCTOBER: Books Set in the Middle East
NOVEMBER: Books Set in North America
DECEMBER: Books Set in South America

BONUS PROMPT: Books that Span Multiple Continents

As of May, I also have a thread on Club Read focusing on other book related subjects.


Image credit: clipart.info/sunshineclipart

Welcome, Ann! Never too late to start!

>2 Ann_R: Welcome.

and sorry about the loss of your mother.

Cecilturtle and EGBERTINA -
Thank you both for the warm welcome.

It's good to see you back, Ann. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother.

>9 Jackie_K: Thank you for your thoughtfulness. After a sad and challenging time, I'm glad to be feeling up to reading more again.

May ROOTs Read:

1. The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore ★★★★
   Slow moving narrative but a worthwhile read covering the horrors of Victorian mental asylums and the lack of women's rights.
   
2. Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts ★★★★★
   A well researched historical fiction novel that deserves more attention. For anyone who loved The Wizard of Oz or is interested in learning more about Maud Baum.
   
3. Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May ★★★
   I didn't like this book as much as I'd hoped to.This is group of essays, very loosely arranged by the categories of Earth, Water, Fire and Air. I most related to May's experiences during the pandemic and also the after effects, with a feelings of disconnect and disenchantment as a lingering hangover. I think this book is best approached as a memoir, without the reader having any other expectations.
   
4. A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith ★★★★
   This was one of the more well rounded stories in the series with most of the regular characters making an appearance. Mma Makutsi's insecurities gets on my nerves though. Sometimes I wish Mma Ramotswe would tell her to get over it already. Sadly this is the second to the last book in this cozy mystery series but hopefully McCall Smith will publish a new installment soon.
   
   


* And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie ★★★ Tagged as #READFORJULIA - not counting toward my ROOTs total

June ROOTs Read: Will update personal ticker and report in the group thread at end of the month

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July

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August:

Sep:

Oct:

Nov:

Dec

Welcome back Ann. So sorry to hear about your mother. That really was a challenging year for you. I hope this year will be better and reading will help to heal.

>19 connie53: Thank you for your kindness.:-) I think you a right, too. Sometimes books are my solace and comfort. I'm considering starting Enchantment by Katherine May soon.