After my three part series on Bloggers Who Read as part of the #ReadersSpeak feature here, I took a break. Today, I’m really glad to be back and featuring a lovely blogger, Lisa Burgess, who I connected with online with at the start of this year.
Lisa blogs at Lisa Notes and is an avid reader. I love her thoughtful posts and I’m a regular participant on her One Word 2021 link up, which helps me to focus on my word more mindfully.
Lisa Burgess #ReadersSpeak
On average, how many books do you read in a year?
I usually read between 75-100 books a year, although I’m always shocked when I see those numbers. I never feel like I’m reading that much!
Do you think it helps to take part in reading challenges and/or to have a reading target for the year?
This year’s goal is to read 70 random books (I’ve already finished 62, so the goal was too small?). But I intentionally choose 4 or 5 books each year to go with my One Word theme (this year it is Uncertainty). I take the whole year to read slowly through those books alongside other books.
Do you take part in reading challenges? Which has been your favourite one so far? or Are you taking part in any reading challenges? Which ones?
I have loved doing reading challenges in the past. Some of my favorites have been Mount TBR, Back to the Classics, and Library Love. But I haven’t done any the past three years because I wanted more freedom to read whatever of interest comes my way.
Tell me something about your reading history. When did you start enjoying reading? How do books help you, etc?
As a young girl, we didn’t have a public library in my small town. But we did have a bookmobile, a traveling van loaded with bookshelves and as many books as they could hold. I read every Nancy Drew book in the bookmobile, plus so many more books. I have been an avid library patron ever since. I have no idea how many library books I and my girls have checked out through the years, but it would be in the thousands.
What is your favourite genre?
I’m definitely #TeamNonFiction. I love books on spirituality, psychology, behavioral economics, memoirs, etc. But in my stack of nonfiction, I like to keep one fiction book in the mix at all times too.
Any favourite author? If so, why?
There are three Dans among my favorites (I have so many favorites!): Daniel Pink, Dan (and Chip) Heath, and Dan Ariely. I’ll read whatever they write. Their books are informative, organized, and entertaining. I also love Barbara Brown Taylor, Glennon Doyle, and Anne Lamott for their deep spiritual insights and their personal stories. They make me think and reevaluate my own beliefs.
Favourite book? What makes it so?
The question is too hard! 🙂 Two favorite books I’ve read so far this year are Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling (nonfiction) by Matthew Dicks and
The Midnight Library (fiction) by Matt Haig.
Reading quotes. Please share your favourites.
Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.
—Henry David Thoreau
Reading a book is among the most high-leverage activities on earth. For an investment more or less equivalent to the length of a single workday (and a few dollars), you can gain access to what the smartest people have already figured out. – Greg McKeown
Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book.—Jane Smiley
Do you review books?
“Yes, I selectively review certain books as time allows, either favorites the I own or advanced reader copies from NetGalley. You can find all my reviews here.
Some of my reviews this year include these three.
Do You Feel Guilty When You Read? : “Books Promiscuously Read: Reading as a Way of Life” by Heather Cass White
How to Harness the Voice in Your Head : “Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It” by Ethan Kross
How Can I Change My Way of Thinking? : “Dwell on These Things: A Thirty-One-Day Challenge to Talk to Yourself Like God Talks to You” by John Stange.
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Anything else you’d like to share with regard to reading, books etc.
I’m SO grateful for all the books I’ve been able to read through the years. I type up notes from the best ones and occasionally go back to read the highlights. Authors are more to me than just people who write; they are my teachers whom I learn from. They’ve taught me so much about God, about others, and about myself. I’m glad the books keep coming.
Thanks for allowing me to participate in your series, Corinne! I’ve enjoyed reading about the other readers in your previous posts. 🙂
Lisa notes recently posted…Sign Up Now to Touch the Light—1 John 1 {Create Your Own 6-Week Challenge}
My pleasure, Lisa. I enjoyed reading your responses and the links to your reviews too.
75-100 books, wow!!! These days reading 10 books a year is also becoming a challenge for me. This post is so inspiring, I really need to buckle up and read more. Ever since Netflix came in my life, my books became my second cousin. Bad me…Thanks for this guest post, Corry
I enjoyed reading about your bookish habits, Lisa. I like some reading challenges to encourage me to expand my horizons, but I like enough leeway to pick up something new or unplanned.
Barbara Harper recently posted…Be Equipped: Acquiring the Tools for Spiritual Success
I’ve always wondered how people manage to read 75-100 books a year! That too mostly non-fiction. Pretty incredible! StoryWorthy sounds like an interesting book, though. I think I will add it to my TBR!
Modern Gypsy recently posted…Reading round-up: 5 books set against the backdrop of war
That is a lot of non fiction books to read in a year! I read almost a book a week, sometimes two but most of them are fiction. Now I want to read the books Lisa has reviewed. They seem interesting, not like the normal self help sort of non fiction.