Sandi Shilhanek | Look Both Ways....Reviewing 2009 And Plotting 2010

Sandi Shilhanek
January 3, 2010

Before we begin I want to wish everyone a happy healthy new year.

Now, that the niceties are out of the way it’s time to review 2009, and look ahead to 2010. In 2009 I resolved to read a book by each author that was invited to the DFW Tea Readers book club dinners. I started out great, but failed to follow through for the year.

I also wanted to complete a challenge from one of my Yahoo groups that was to read a book with a certain word in the title. Again, I started out great, and again failed to follow through for the year.

I did succeed in reading 91 and listening to 44 audio books in 2009, and discovering approximately fifteen new authors. Of those new authors I would highly recommend Chelsea Cain and Marie Bostwick. I also succeeded in either listening to or reading the complete Gretchen Lowell series by Chelsea Cain and Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar books.

So…how was your 2009? Did you track the number of books you read? Did you have a favorite? Was there a new discovery that you think everyone should be reading? Do you have a reading resolution for 2010?

In 2010 I’m in a challenge with my friend Yvonne. Basically, we’re trying to see who can read the most. Cheer for me! I’d also like to challenge all of you to try at least one new author this year, and to share a small review with me, so I can broaden my horizons as well.

Until next week happy page turning.

Sandi Shilhanek

DFW Tea Readers
Readers 'n 'ritas... celebrating literary obsessions

Comments

19 comments posted.

Re: Sandi Shilhanek | Look Both Ways....Reviewing 2009 And Plotting 2010

I didn't really track the
books I read, but I paid
attention to the ones that
struck a chord in me. Two of
those books - which I would
recommend - are According to
Jane by Marilyn Brant and Fire
Me by Libby Malin. I loved
them both and eagerly await
the next books by these
authors.
(Margay Roberge 9:59am January 3, 2010)

I didn't read too much in 2009 but they were all good to very good. There are 4 that probably I would rate the highest and will look for more by these authors: Dog On It by Spencer Quinn -- a debut mystery told from the dog's point of view (#2 comes out in 2010). Body Movers by Stephanie Bond -- 1st in a romance-mystery series, I have the rest of the series & need to get moving! A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen # 2 in a cozy mystery series set in the 1930's London (actually liked this better than the 1st and will get to #3 this year). A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson -- a delightful book set in Nairobi/Kenya. A sweet romance w/ a bit of a mystery set against a competition to identify the most # of birds in a week. Heartwarming!
(Pam Nolan 10:40am January 3, 2010)

I don't keep a journal of the books I read but I do keep a month to month list of new books I want to buy and mark off the ones I have bought. I usually try at least 1 new author a month, since I only read historical, I want to support all new historical authors as best as possible. Some of the new Historical authors I've discovered this year are Meredith Duran, Deanna Raybourn, Michelle Marcos, Lori Brighton, and Anthea Lawson, just to name a few.
(Shauna George 10:59am January 3, 2010)

The only tracking I do is to remember what I read when I brows bookshelves to avoid duplication.

One thing I have noticed is that more serious authors are putting one liners from current events in the minds of their characters. It doesn't matter what genre or sub genre it is almost universal in serious fiction.

Ray
(Ray Getzinger 12:54pm January 3, 2010)

Sandi,
I let Eharlequin do my tracking for me and since I didnt' join there until March there was about 3 monthes of what I read that wasn't tracked. So according my blog on there I have read 261 for 2009 my goal is to double that in 2010. I am off to a great start with 5 books. So lets hope I can keep it up. I know school is starting back up and as a substitute teacher my days are about to become very busy again. I can't wait though I love it. As far as a new book I have a bad habit of not paying attention to new authors but I tried alot of new ones this year because I started branching out once I became a member of eharlequin. I was only reading Love Inspired books but I have now been enjoying books from all Genres. My favorite book this year I think though was Holly Jacob's Unexpected Gifts I loved it.

Happy New Year! :)
(Jessica Phillips 1:26pm January 3, 2010)

I didn't read as many as I'd like but I did listen to lots so I guess I'll be happy LOL I keep a monthly listing of what I've read. Now that I keep written notes I don't usually buy duplicates. I have been reading a variety of books several by new authors but do like romance the most LOL I like a HEA lol
(Barbs Ferris 3:47pm January 3, 2010)

Yes, I keep track of what I've read. My grand total for the year was 134 books read. New authors, 15 that I can count for sure!! There are several I didn't count as they were non-fiction books. Authors new to me that I would recommend: Robyn Carr, Elle Kennedy, Victoria Dahl, Dan Brown, Leslie Parrish (aka: Leslie Kelly), Michele Scott & Louisa Edwards. Can you believe I just discovered Robyn Carr this year? I can't wait to go pick up the newest Virgin River book! Several of these authors will be auto buys for me! Oh no! My list continues to expand.
Happy New Year to all of you here.
(Donna McClure 3:56pm January 3, 2010)

I started out the year reading lots and lots of books. My dad was in the hospital for 3 months so I had plenty of time. Then when we realized he was not going to be going back to work. I had to take a second job to help my parents. I am going to try to find some more time somewhere to read. I miss getting to read as much.
(Julie Harper 4:48pm January 3, 2010)

Passing books on that I've already read is one of my goals. I've got quite a collection to go through. I try not to buy the same book twice.
(Alyson Widen 4:51pm January 3, 2010)

I didn't track the books I read, nor will I in this New Year; I read what I can when I can. As for trying a new author I usually try a couple of new authors a year, that's how I started Shelly Laurenston, Lucy Monroe and quite a few others; my choice is done by what I read online, on your website or in the Romantic Times magazine.
(Diane Sadler 5:25pm January 3, 2010)

My reading resolution is to just make more time to enjoy reading. I do intend to track my reading habits from now on.
(Mary Preston 5:41pm January 3, 2010)

There must be something wrong with the website today as it keeps jumping up and down on me. It's enough to make a person go cross-eyed. . . And then add what all I went through to get here -- Sandi, it's a good thing I love you as much as I do. . .

I didn't read nearly as much this year as I have other years. I read almost 300 books in 2007, that was the most. Last year (oops, 2008) I read around 200, but only got half of them blogged. This year (oops, 2009) I still read around 200 but got even less blogged.

In 2010 my goal is to blog all the books I read, though I don't have very high hopes of accomplishing it. My blogs are getting shorter and shorter, which isn't fair to the authors or the ones who read the blogs.

Out of all the books I bought last year I got about half a dozen doubles, which is not bad, considering I don't have any kind of program to keep track of them.

I know there were several new-to-me authors in the books I read, but none of them stand out in my mind. They were all good.

One book which has been sitting half read on the floor beside my bed for more than 2 years is Dating Can Be Deadly by Wendy Roberts. How come I remember the title to this one I have no idea. All I know is that every time I pick it up I remember that the language is horrible, and I set it down again.

Happy New Year, everyone!
(Donna Breitkreuz 6:10pm January 3, 2010)

I always read quite a few new authors each year. Alot I have been totally hypnotized by and others I would never read again. I love reading and variety is the spice of life. Good luck in your challenge and in the New Year. May all your dreams come true and that is to everyone.
(Vicki Hancock 6:15pm January 3, 2010)

I've read a lot of new authors this last year, and have been pleased to find some new authors that I really like. I hope to discover some more new ones this year. Happy New Year!
(Brenda Rupp 6:27pm January 3, 2010)

I am a fan of historical mysteries and a member of an online book swapping site. I find their online search capability to be a great way to find new authors. I recently read and very much enjoyed a mystery based on the Shanghai tunnels in Portland, OR. I've visited Portland often and didn't even know they existed.
[email protected]
(Penny Tuttle 6:44pm January 3, 2010)

Hi Sandi--Happy New Year and another good question! I keep a record of what and how many books I read. I read 80 books in 2009 which matched my 2008 total. I continued reading Karen Rose's backlist and highly recommend her books. I discovered some new authors again this year--Patti Callahan Henry, Alison Leigh, Holly Jacobs and CB Scott. I will continue to look for their books in the future. My favorite book this year was Black Hills by Nora Roberts which I highly recommend.
I will continue to read books as often as I can in the new year but would like to get back to some of my favorite authors I have neglected somewhat the past two years.
(Mary Perry 8:53pm January 3, 2010)

There are some interesting reading
challenges out there that I am thinking of
trying this year.
Hope everyone has a great 2010!
(Patricia Barraclough 9:27pm January 3, 2010)

Hi Sandi! Happy New Year to you too:)

I have to agree w/Donna B - this page is jumping all over the place. I wonder why?

So, my goal, like others, is to read more this year. Only read 64 this year. Only down 5 from last year, so fairly consistent. Really wish I had more time.

As for tracking, I think I actually have you to thank for it. Been tracking since mid-2003. And I'm sure I read a few new authors - the one that stands out is Jan Hambright. Read an Intrigue of hers I loved. Another stand out is Leslie Kelly story in a 3-in-1 Blaze. Loved the idea of the fairy tales we grew up actually being real but on a different plane than us. Thought it was a great concept!

Here's to hoping we all get a little more time to read in 2010!!!!
(Amanda Reeder-erdly 11:52pm January 3, 2010)

Happy New Year!! I resolved to expand my reading gener and try new authors, with the getting hired in as a reviewer with RCC I have done both very well and will continue to do so. :)

Have a great year.
(Melissa Tackett 6:42am January 4, 2010)

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