Several posts ago, I wrote about the “Read Your Shelf” challenge I’m following for this year, and so far the motivation of being able to check things off a list seems to be working: I’ve read six books since January 1, and should have a seventh one done before the end of the month (“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is quite short and fulfills the “Shortest Book on TBR Shelf” square, on top of it being one of the first books I ever downloaded onto my Kindle for reasons I no longer recall). I’m enjoying the mix of books I’ve chosen this month: Two mid-grade/YA (I’d put them on the cusp, though the later books may properly be YA) novels in Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven series, which I’m working my way through with my older son at bedtime; a mystery, which I don’t read much of so was a bit of a departure for me; Jill Duggar’s autobiography, which I found compelling and courageous; “A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them,” by Timothy Egan, which should be required reading for every citizen of the United States; and a bit of self-indulgence in reading the “Fear Forge” fall quarter 2023 anthology I’m published in, because I’d read a few of the stories when it came out but hadn’t read start to finish.

I’ve even held fast so far to my self-promise to not purchase any books this year, but it’s only been a month, so we’ll see what the next 11 months bring!

Reading generally fulfills one of two purposes for me: Escapism or expansion. I’m either looking to escape life for a bit (which is where my oft-read comfort reads, fluffy regency romances, and comedy-type books come in), or I’m looking to expand my awareness of the world and/or humanity in some way (which is where my nonfiction reads, historical novels, and especially autobiographies enter the picture). Straight fiction, mysteries, horror, sci fi, and fantasy generally straddle the two, particularly the deeper ones (looking at you, Kim Stanley Robinson books). That I often learn something about myself in the process is something I’ve long taken for granted, and is one of my favorite parts about the written word—it so often exposes you to yourself.

It’s been several years since I’ve managed to find time to read six books in one month, and I’m giving technology the win here: Having the Kindle app on my phone means I can read anywhere if the book I’m reading is on my Kindle, and I take full advantage of that when I’m waiting for a kid’s lesson to end, hanging out at the doctor’s office, or just find myself with five minutes to spare before a meeting. How wonderful that digital books have made reading more accessible! Now, don’t get me wrong, I fully intend to dive into my physical TBR pile as well, but for out-and-about access there’s no better way than to have something lightweight, portable, and available at the tap of a finger.

Are you a physical book person or an e-book person? Or, like me, have you become a hybrid, taking advantage of the best of both worlds?