Category: Conversations with Kav

March is the month bibliophiles celebrate Middle Grade books thanks to a readathon created by some clever booktubers / bookstagrammers, aptly called Middle Grade March. There are a few prompts, a group read and some reading sprints, but mostly they encourage readers to rediscover their first bookish loves and meet some new MG books during the month of March. I’ve participated for a few years, often revisiting some old favourites but also discovering what’s new and popular in the middle grade genre.

Anyway, this year, I got to thinking about how my reading tastes haven’t really veered from my childhood loves. I can actually trace almost all of my most read genres to books that sparked a life long interest from waaaaaaaayyyyy back when I was a young bookworm. 🙂 I started making what we call in the biz ‘text-to-text’ connections between the children’s lit I devoured as a preteen and early teen and the books I gravitate towards as an adult.

So, I thought it would be fun to share our reading foundations. Are we still attracted to the same type of books? Or have our tastes changed as we have matured? Mostly I’ve just switched from MG to ‘grown-up’ books in the same genres and covering the same themes. I am consistently loyal (or perhaps boringly predictable?) in my reading habits, I guess.

I’ll go first (obviously!) so…tada!…here are some of the Middle Grade books that shaped my reading future:

Historical Romance

My love of historical novels began with The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett but my love of historical romance started with Kit’s experiences in a Connecticut Puritan colony. She was raised in the Caribbean, but orphaned and shipped off to relatives she’d never met. Talk about culture shock that leads to her being suspected of witchcraft! Of course there’s a young sailor friend and, voila, I discovered the joys of historical romance!

World War II Fiction

The Silver Sword was my first experience with WWII fiction. It’s based on a true story about four displaced children banding together to survive in occupied Warsaw and their quest to find their parents after the war. This made such an impact on me and began my emotional connection to WWII and Holocaust novels.

Mystery

Santa left this book at the end of my bed one eventful Christmas and created a mystery reading monster! When I found out this was the third book in a series about kids who solve mysteries, belong to a secret club dedicated to good works, “ride, swim, go to parties with the best friends in the world” well, I needed to read them all! We were a financially struggling immigrant family but my dad managed to buy me one Trixie Belden book a month. I still have them. Still read them. Still hug them and smell them and pour over the sweet pictures. Happy sigh. Haven’t stopped reading mysteries since.

Mystery with a Gothic Flare

My love of Gothic mysteries in exotic settings started with the mysteries Phyllis A. Whitney wrote for children. I still remember the thrill that shot through me when I discovered that she wrote similar mysteries for adults when I was in my late teens! I still get a thrill when I come across Gothic mysteries today.

K-9 Centric Stories

I have been dog obsessed since I fell out of my pram trying to reach a dog. My mum had to harness me because I’d lunge after every canine that crossed our paths. Personally I think my being leashed naturally bonded me to all the dogs who were also on leashes. So it was only natural that the first novel I read on my own was a book about a girl and her dog. I still have my battered old library discard copy with this exact cover.

Rom/Coms With Heart

I’m sure that Ramona has made an impression on millions of girls across multiple generations by now. Her antics never get old and the rich family dynamics are so comforting. Her personal dilemmas so relatable. The perfect blend of humour and heart and my stepping stone into my current appreciation for rom/coms.

Fantasy

I was a huge fantasy reader as a child sparked by my discovery of E. Nesbitt – Five Children and It is still my favourite. Set at the turn of the century where children discover a sand fairy who grants wishes only the wishes never go as expected. This book opened my reading world to the fantastical – Narnia (of course!) Edward Eager’s droll magic books, Catherine Anthony Clark’s Canadian Native legends, Carbonel and the Kingdom of Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh…oh, there were so many! I read fantasy for years and then…well, I didn’t! I’m just now getting back into the genre thanks to some Best Reads encouragement! and It feels like getting a bit of my childhood back!

I could talk books all daybed now it’s your turn…and time for the Giveaway Announcement!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Share a book from your childhood that has influenced (for good or bad!) your adult reading choices. Then share the title of a book you would like to add to your toppling TBR pile and, if your name is drawn, that is the book you will win.

Remember:

• Books must be Christian Fiction or Clean, Closed Door Fiction
• Books must already be released
• Remember to check availability — I’ve noticed some older books are no longer in print (if it’s a physical book you’re after.)

Winner announced on Saturday March 21 2026

Today is a two part question day (because I am that nosy!) If I’m not talking about books, I’m thinking about the routines of avid readers in their natural habitat. 🙂 So, here we go!

How many books do you read at the same time?

I’m pretty boring — used to be I just read one book at a time but once I started listening to audio books it became two fiction books at a time. I just have to make sure that the physical book and the audio book are different genres. I tried reading one cozy mystery while listening to another cozy mystery (not at the exact same time, but you know what I mean) and it was so confusing!

In my booktube sojourns I’ve come across multiple content creators who read multiple books at the same time — like six, seven, eight! I was gobsmacked. Still am. To me that just means the books aren’t engaging enough and I would DNF them licektey split and move on to find something I couldn’t put down. Which brings me to the second topic of the day.

Are you a DNFer? If so, at what point to you give up on the read?

I am a firm proponent of DNFing. (Do Not Finish) Life is too short to waste my time with characters I don’t like or plots riddled with holes or a writing style that doesn’t call to me. And there are so many books in my TBR begging to be my next best read! How can I disappoint them by wiling away precious reading time on something that I’m not connecting with?

I have a three chapter rule (usually.) If I’m not hooked in three chapters then I give up. Even when people say – but the last half of the book is awesome! I shouldn’t have to slog through the first half to get there. Sometimes, I’ll DNF earlier. Like if there’s a coarse language issue or other content that I don’t want to read. Or if a trope or issue comes up that I’m not keen on. Sometimes it’s a mood thing. Those are soft DNFs and I’ll give the book another chance sometime in the future. Usually, though, I’m unapologetically decisive and don’t look back.

This year I’ve started keeping a DNF log, writing a ‘for my eyes only’ review explaining why I DNFed. It’s been eye opening and I’ve discovered I can be snarky sarcastic when my readerly sensibilities have been offended. Oops. Reason why I don’t post DNFs or reviews on GR. 🙂

The Giveaway

Let’s get the conversation started. Share your thoughts on multiple book reading and DNFing in a comment below and I’ll enter your name in a draw for a $10 bookish gift card – Baker Book House or Amazon – winner’s choice.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 14, 2026.

The Olympic Readathon Bingo stats have picked up over the last couple of week (heads up — one more week until the deadline – Feb 26 midnight EST) and I’ve discovered that I’m really getting a bibliophile thrill over what you’ve all been reading. It’s like a guilty pleasure every time I get an email. And you’re introducing me to new authors and titles I’ve never even heard of which is all kinds of fun! Yay for growing my Wishlist because…really, can a wish list ever be too long?! And sometimes I’m bouncing up and down because you’ve read a book that I have loved or you remind that oh, yeah, I have had that book on my TBR for a while now too!

I so appreciate random acts of book sharing! They often lead me to literary gems I likely would have passed over otherwise. I’m reading one of those right now – A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith. I don’t know who recommended it — whether it came out of a Bingo discussion or another conversation day or Reader’s Choice Week – but whoever you are -THANK YOU! This is the book I didn’t know I needed. And definitely one I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Not a romance (gasp) at least, not yet anyway, but I’m so invested in these characters! And the plot and the setting….I’m just…enchanted!

So, today I thought it would be fun to share what we’re reading and I’ve added a giveaway twist so listen up:

The Giveaway:

1. Share the title and author of the book you are reading right now in a comment below
2. Include the title and author of another book that you don’t own but would love to add to your TBR. Book must already be available. If your name is drawn, that is the book you will win.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 28 2026.

Let’s talk!

I recently came across an instagram post ( books.on.the.grange) about publishing trends that I found really interesting so I thought I would share. The creators are a copyeditor and a former literary agent, so they’re in the know. They talk about the rapid changes in the publishing industry and I have to say, some points really surprised me and some just made me plain sad. But there’s good news too so here’s the scuttlebutt!

Slashed Library Budgets Across the US.

I’ve noticed this in Canada too. I’ve heard of a number of library systems both in the US and Canada that have cancelled Hoopla (which makes me wanna weep) and in my public library, new additions to Libby have been cut back quite a bit, especially the audio books. (Cue the soundtrack of me weeping.)

Print books are still being ordered – just not as many. I’m guessing the higher price of books, paper, production etc. is the culprit. And that makes sense – library budgets haven’t increased at the same rate as the cost of book production. I’m still so grateful for the books I’m able to check out from my library. I have over thirty out right now so it’s not like I’m left with nothing to read!

Increasing Book Bans – Especially for Children’s Books

This is definitely a controversial topic though not unexpected. Personally, I am not a supporter of book bans. Libraries provide material to meet the needs of all their patrons, and that means they have a mandate to offer a wide cross section of books. They should not be forced to narrow down their collection in order to meet the criteria of a small subset of patrons. Easy enough for all of us to pick and choose what we want to read and just ignore the rest.

School libraries are a bit trickier. I was a school librarian for twenty odd years – elementary schools along with a few years in the school board’s Central Library. A common sense approach to collection development can head off a lot of headaches. But again, the collection should reflect the community it serves and that sometimes means controversy but it shouldn’t automatically mean book banning.

Middle Grade Books are Being Scaled Back

I find this rather alarming! Understandable though when you look at the first two points – library cuts and book bans. Sadly that’s making publishers wary. And there’s a move towards more graphic novels, which I find kinda sad.

More Investment in Adult Books

This really surprised me. There seems to be a resurgence of interest in reading in our adult populations. Yay! In fact some children’s authors are being encouraged to switch to writing for adults! I find this partly encouraging – yay for more adults getting back into reading – but yikes, who will be our future adult readers if we’re cutting back on books for our younger readers?

Increases in Printing Costs

Tariffs and inflation affect every aspect of book production which makes publishers more risk adverse. I’ve definitely noticed less new releases per publishing house when we make up our Reader’s Choice Week wish lists! I’ve also noticed that some publishers are skipping the print editions altogether and only publishing ebook and audio.

Overall, Author Advances are Lower

That doesn’t directly affect us as readers, but I hate to think of authors not being fairly compensated for the amount of work they put into their novels. Plus, if they can’t make a decent wage with their writing they might have to spend more time earning money to support themselves which means fewer books down the road for us! (Is that a selfish take or what?!

AI is clogging up Agents’ inboxes!

This one kinda stuns me. Apparently so many AI generated queries are being sent to agents that it’s taking valuable time to weed through them all. Most publishing houses have anti-AI policies (as they should!) so it’s taking some effort to filter out the AI content submissions. Which is discouraging and must be so frustrating for them! And potential authors waiting for a reply to their genuine manuscripts!

More Indie Books are Converting to Traditional Publishing

This one is another surprise. I would have thought it would be the opposite since traditional publishers are releasing fewer books. It seems they are looking for a sure thing so they are scoping out popular indie authors and signing them up. Makes sense, I guess, since those authors already have an online presence and if they’ve made enough of a name to be noticed by a big publishing firm, then they will come with a huge following which would be a marketing dream.

Big Publishers are Investing in Christian Publishing

Gobsmacked! Whaaattt???? Good news for us because some of the big publishers are expanding their Christian imprints, increasing new titles each year! Exciting to think that we readers are making a difference in the industry just by buying Christian Fiction (or requesting it for our libraries.) Woohoo!

Indie Bookstores are making a comeback!

This is really exciting. Unexpected, but exciting. I actually have two indie bookstores fairly close to me. One is within walking distance (well 30 minutes) and the other is a short bus ride a way. They are both fairly new – The Spaniel’s Tale is about five years old and Westboro Books is maybe two. I honestly thought one of them wouldn’t survive because they are pretty close. Just two neighbourhoods away from each other in an urban setting. But they both have unique spins on marketing and different focuses so they kind of compliment each other too. US indie bookstores have actually increased by 70% in the last five years! That’s amazing!

Film Adaptations Galore

There are a ton of popular fiction being adapted for the big screen and TV. In fact, it seems like books are being used as the inspiration for quite a lot of film creations which is all kinds of exciting (as long as they stick to the plot!!!!)

Lots of conversational talking points here so feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments! I look forward to chatting with you!

‘Tis that time of year when a young (or old) reader’s fancy turns to books…well, technically, that’s all the time…but today we’re going to celebrate the love of all things bookish in honour of St. Valentine’s Day with a:

Valentine’s Day Book Tag and Giveaway

To participate in the giveaway simply answer one or two (or as many as you want) Book Tag questions in a comment. You’ll be entered in a draw for either a Baker Book House or Amazon gift card (value $10). US and Canada entries only. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 14 2026.

1. First book crush
2. A book you love that no one else is talking about.
3. Standalone book you love
4. Favourite Love Triangle
5. Favourite Book Couple
6. Book that other people love but you don’t.
7. A book that depicts a favourite romance trope.
8. This year’s Valentine’s Day Read

First Book Crush

It’s a tie — between Gilbert Blythe and Jim Frayne. I started reading both series at the same time and discovered the wonders of book boyfriends.

Is it weird that I still get swoony when I look at these images of Trixie Belden and Jim Frayne? I think if I had to choose between Gilbert and Jim, I’d have to pick Jim. And now I need to reread some of my Trixie Belden books!

A Book I Love That No One Else is Talking About

This book never got the attention it deserved. My first experience with WhiteCrown Publishing and I was impressed. Still get twitterpated when I think about it!

Standalone Book I Love

I’ve been meaning to revisit this one too. Might even have been my first Christian Fiction rom/com!

Favourite Love Triangle

No. Just. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favourite Book Couple:

Way too many to pick just one but I’ll say Freddie and Grace because I recently read The Juliet Code and am gearing up to read The Highland Heist. They’re just such a great couple and since it’s a five book series, we’re given ample time to really bond with them. Love how Pepper Basham has kept their romance alive in every book. Fun to see a happily ever after play out.

Book That Other People Love and You Don’t

A Book That Depicts a Favourite Romance Trope

Not sure if magical realism is considered a trope, but I love it! This book was such a great surprise.

This Year’s Valentine’s Day Read:

Been on my TBR for awhile. I read the second book (St. Patrick’s Day) first and it’s time I got around to this one. Plus — woohoo, hockey hero so it counts for the Olympics Readathon!

You’re turn. Let’s get the conversation started!

Have you heard about ’26 in 26′? It’s been making the rounds on booktube and bookstagram. The challenge is to select 26 books you want to read in 2026. Easy peasy, right? Ha! I thought so, until I tried to pare down all my potential candidates. I was well over a hundred titles and the list kept growing…basically everything on my wishlists past and present made it onto the list!

Obviously, I needed a new selection strategy (and the ability not to take myself so seriously!) So I eliminated all the 2026 releases and targeted books already on my physical TBR, or on my audible wishlist, or library holds shelf. Still way too many books, so I added all the titles to a random generator wheel and let the fates decide the 26 books I will for sure read in 2026! And here they are :

1. The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen (this has been on my physical TBR for forever!!!)
2. There Goes the Groom by Esther Hatch (same…been on my TBR for a couple of years.)
3. The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham (have to get current before the final Freddie & Grace book releases later this year!)
4. No Stone Unturned by Jennelle Hovde (debut novel with rave reviews…what is taking me so long?)
5. Loving Lieutenant Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden (finishing this series has been in my goals for the past three years!)
6. Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder (she’s a read-to-zero author this year)
7. Charming Artemis by Sarah M. Eden
8. Where Stillness Speaks by Cheryl Sterkenberg

1. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (this has been my most checked out library book and yet I haven’t read it yet!)
2. An Irish Kiss by Carolyn Miller (going to be a St. Patrick’s Day read this year!)
3. Wedding at Sea by Melissa Tagg (I have to finish this series!!!!!)
4. Planning for Nick by Tasha Hackett (I’m waiting for the audio book)
5. Honeysuckle Breeze by B.R. Goodwin (loved the first book in this series and now all the books are out.)
6. Meet Me in Virginia by Elizabeth Camden
7. But He’s My One Regret by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (the last book I need to read in order to finish the series!)
8. The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs by Sharon J. Mondragon (loved the first book!)

1. Daniel’s Oil by Urcelia Teixeira (this whole series beguiles me and I’ve only read the first book.)
2. On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley (to finish the series!)
3. Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett
4. Crossed Off by C.C. Warrens (the content in this one scares me!)
5. The Glass-Bottom Boat by Laura Thomas
6. Burying the Evidence by K.T. Lee (and a series will be complete!)
7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by Peggy Rothschild
8. Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

1. Nightfall in the Garden of Time by Tracy Higley (look at me being brave with a speculative fiction on my list!)
2. Wishtress by Nadine Brandes (I have earnestly engaged in not reading this book for two years now! It’s time!!!!)

Now it’s your turn: (and the Giveaway)

Let’s talk. Are you interested in creating your own ’26 in 26′ TBR list? What books would wind up on it? Share the title and author of one book that you would like to read in 2026 (must be Christian Fiction and already published) in a comment, and, if your name is drawn, that’s the book you will win.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 7 2026.

Eeeepp!!! I’m so excited! ‘Tis the season for this decidedly non sports fan to get a little addlepated over the Olympics. I know, it makes no sense, but I’m all in when it comes to Olympic sports. Figure Skating is my favourite but I become a bit obsessed with all the Olympics coverage and willingly watch anything (well, except hockey …gasp, I know, and me a Canadian, but we just won’t talk about that. Shhhhh!)

So, anyway, I thought it would be fun to get into the spirit of the Games with a Reading Challenge. This one will last from January 26 2026 – February 26 2026. Prizes awarded – Gold, Silver and Bronze (of course) See the end of this post for those details. First off, here’s the Olympics Readathon Board:

And just for fun, I’m adding in two BONUS categories, each worth 5 extra points. They are:

• Ice Hockey – read a book with a hockey theme, or at least one hockey scene (as spectator or player.)
• Italy – read a book set in Italy (at least part of the time) to celebrate the location of the 2026 Winter Olympics!

How to play (and have a chance to win):

• Bingo runs from Monday January 26 2026 Thursday February 26 2026 (midnight EST)
• Read a book that fits a prompt (or prompts) to fill in a square (or squares)
• So yes, that means, one book could fit multiple prompts.
• 8 chances at a Bingo – 3 rows across, 3 rows down, 2 diagonal rows
• Your name will be entered into a draw every time you get a Bingo (so the potential for 8 times)
• Bonus round: Fill your entire card to have your name entered 5 more times 
• EXTRA BONUS PROMPTS: Ice Hockey and Italy, both are worth 5 extra points
• Once you’ve achieved a Bingo, submit the prompts and corresponding books to me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. using BINGO in the subject field
• Technically, you have until midnight EST February 26 to submit all your entries, but it would be easier on me to have them trickling in throughout the month.
• Winner will be announced on Saturday February 28 2026

Gold Medal – US – $20 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $20 Amazon gift card – Medalist will be chosen from all Blackout entries. Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

Silver Medal – US – $15 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $15 Amazon gift card – Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

Bronze Medal – US – $10 Baker Book House gift card, Canada – $10 Amazon gift card. Names will be added to the Random Wheel of Names Spinner (one entry for every point earned) in the order I receive the entries. Then the spinner does the hard work of choosing the winner.

• Nordic Combined – a book featuring mixed genres (like history and mystery) OR a dual timeline novel
• Speed Short Track Skating – a novella (can be just one in a collection) OR a short novel (under 300 pages.)
• Luge – ‘Luge’ yourself in a good book 🙂 – a novel that carries you away from reality for awhile.
• Biathlon – 2nd book in a series – this could literally be the second book in a series OR the second book you have read in a series (even if it’s #4) Hope that makes sense.
• Curling – Curl up with a book that has been on your TBR since last year. This should be a book you actually own either in physical form or audio or Kindle, but just haven’t gotten around to read it yet.
• Skeleton – Read a Mystery, Suspense or Thriller. For those of you who don’t read suspense, another genre that features a mystery as part of the plot would work as well.
• Snowboard – a book that has snow on the cover or features at least one snowy scene
• Cross-Country Skiing – a book that includes a journey, the physical kind. It could be a cross-country adventure or just one trip in the middle of the book or even a hero or heroine who is travelling somewhere else to start over (as long as there’s a travelling scene at the beginning of the story.)
• Ski-Jumping – A book that gets your heart racing – could involve a swoon worthy hero or a high-speed chase or romance with a Gothic vibe etc.
• And don’t forget the two BONUS PROMPTS (see above, just under the Bingo card.)

Phew! I think that’s everything. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Let the Games Begin!

I think it’s fair to say we all have strong preferences when it comes to the kind of books we read. Likes and dislikes vary with every reader but occasionally some topics can actually do emotional harm to a vulnerable reader. Triggering subject matter like grief, addiction, abuse, cancer, violence, darker themes in suspense novels to name just a few. Triggers are as unique and numerous as there are readers!

Lately I’ve noticed an increase in trigger warnings offered by both authors and reviewers which seems like a kind, helpful thing to do. Warning off sensitive readers can be beneficial…except those same triggers often become spoilers which can actually ruin the reading experience by revealing too many plot points. Such a conundrum!

For example, let’s say you’re reading a contemporary romance and the author skillfully, slowly and deliberately reveals what’s behind the hero’s grumpy attitude. We won’t know his whole story until we’re well into the book….unless ‘grief’ has been listed as a trigger warning. That would be a spoiler for me.

Or how about a woman’s fiction novel about estranged sisters coming together to clear out the family cottage after their parents’ death. The author digs deep into the emotional dynamics of these adult women and the reasons they grew apart. It will take the whole novel to come to grips with everything each sister has dealt with on their own and that’s the thrill of the read….except if you read the list of triggers ‘miscarriage, addiction, domestic violence’ before you open the book!

So, I’m curious about your thoughts on trigger warnings vs spoilers. Do you post triggers in your reviews? Can you think of a way to include triggers without giving away spoilers? Or are there times you think it’s more important to post a trigger warning even if it gives away key plot points? Do you look for triggers before choosing a book?

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Let’s get the discussion started. Share your thoughts in a comment below to be entered in a draw to win a $10 Baker Book House gift e-card (US) OR a $10 Amazon gift e-card (Canada). Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 24 2026.

The start of the year is the perfect time to cozy up for a nice bookish chat, don’t you think? Okay, I know some of you are way farther south than I am, or in another hemisphere entirely and are experiencing record heat levels, but, for today, let’s pretend you’re up here with me in the chilly, very snowy North. That way we can gather around an enchanting fire and sip some hot cocoa (or lemon ginger tea with a splash of honey if you prefer) and talk bookish hot topics.

Books vs Audio Books

Who knew that my social media feed would be rampant with controversial bookish chats in January? It started with the heated debate over whether audio books should count as reading. I’m still gobsmacked that there is a very opinionated faction among the larger reading community who are adamantly opposed to considering audiobooks as actual reads! I mean…whhaaaattttt?

I was encouraged by the pushback these naysayers received and moved by the myriad of heartfelt stories about the difference listening to audiobooks made in readers’ lives. I know first hand how audio books have provided distraction and encouragement in my battle with chronic pain. And isn’t listening to a book while engaged in other activities a mood boost? I’ll never do housework without audio accompaniment again! Or tedious garden tasks like weeding! Don’t know how I survived before audio books!

So, what do you think? Audio books – yay or nay? And do you think they should be counted as books read in a Good Reads Challenge?

Category Romances don’t count

Think Love Inspired or Love Inspired Suspense or Harlequin Heartwarming. Again, there are well, literature snobs I guess, who don’t consider these novels to be legitimate reading material. Critics can be quite scornful not only of the books, but of their readers. I’m like, seriously, aren’t there more important things in this world to worry about than whether folks are spending their time reading a category romance as opposed to a 600 page literary tome?!

Opinions? I know my Love Inspired Suspense giveaways aren’t as popular as other books but I’m hoping just because this genre niche isn’t your cup of tea that you don’t look down on those of us who do enjoy them?

Books under 400 pages don’t count either

Seriously, the same literature snobs think that longer somehow makes a book more valid! Most of the books I read are in the 300 – 400 page range. I find that’s the perfect pacing for me, though, of course, I’ll read longer books if the story warrants those extra words. I don’t have patience for authors who extend their word count with excessive flowery descriptions, or copious unnecessary scenes that don’t propel the plot forward. Maybe it’s because I mostly read romance and I figure if a hero and heroine can’t get their act together within 400 pages then they need to go to therapy and try again later! Bwahahaha!

How about you? Do you worry about word count? Make specific goals to read very looonnnggggg books? (That’s a thing on booktube.)

If you read over a hundred books in a year, you aren’t a serious reader!?

Seriously, I had no idea reading could be so controversial! But yes, those same literature snobs maintain that people who read over one hundred books in a year can’t possibly comprehend, retain or appreciate what they read. I can only speak to my experiences so here we go:

I read a lot (and I include audiobooks in my book count) and I feel that it’s been reading time well spent. Do I remember every detail of every story? Not always…but, hey, that’s what rereads are for, right? And I’d challenge any reader to give a detailed accurate recall of a book they read ten years ago.

Plus, I think we have to look at lifestyle as well. I live alone and have a medical condition that restricts how much I can do. I have a three hour daily activity threshold before my pain levels spike to a point that will take hours to bring back down, so I spend a lot of time at home. Alone. Not a huge TV or movie fan (though I am dedicated to some British murder mystery series) so what’s a reader to do but read? 🙂 Then I share what I read on this blog (or Good Reads if it’s a cozy mystery) so in away, my reading is my job too. Love the motivation blogging gives me and the readerly fellowship here so that’s a huge mood booster for this not-quite-shut-in. Talk about appreciating books and reading!

Any thoughts on this controversial subject (at least, I think it’s controversial!)

New Year, New Reads Giveaway

Share a thought or two in the comments below and you’ll be entered in a draw to win a:

US – $10 Baker Book House ecard

Canada – $10 Amazon ecard

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 17, 2026