New Year Archives - Books by Rose

A new year is always a great time to do some quiet reflections to gain perspective on how to move forward.

Join me and my author friends in this Blog Hop as we have our different journeys to report back to you. We hope you’ll join us with the following questions and let us know how your year went, as well.

Let’s Talk About Your Year

Please read the following questions and pick one, or two of them, and let us know how your year went in the comment section below.

* How would you describe 2023 in one word?

* What was your biggest challenge last year? How did you overcome it? What didn’t work? What life lesson did you learn from the experience that you’ll take with you in the new year?

* Describe the happiest day of 2023? What can you do to have more days like that in 2024?

* Name one change or difficult decision you made in 2023 that improved your life in a substantial way. What will you change this year to improve your life?

* What do you regret doing – or not doing – last year that you plan to stop/start doing in the new year?

* What were you most grateful for last year? What are you most excited about for this new year?

* What is the most courageous thing you did in 2023? How do you plan to push yourself out of your comfort zone in 2024?

* What was your biggest accomplishment in 2023? What do you want to accomplish this year?

Here’s Mine…

My biggest accomplishment in 2023?

New Releases

I released three new titles! One in the spring and two in the fall.

Goodreads Challenge

What a year in reading for me!

I made it to 50 books with it ending just in time for the holiday rush. Christmas Eve Eve, I finished my last book and was so relieved. Sure, I could have taken it to December 31th, but I knew there would be lots to do to wrap up 2023.

Here’s my last December 2023 Marathon of Titles I finished up…

A few of these last books were chosen because of the page numbers. As long as they were 100 pages or more, they counted towards the challenge. I really did enjoy them and will look for more of those this next year if I get in a bind again.

I’ve decided to only go for 40 books in 2024. The crunch time in getting them read, almost took the fun out of reading. That made me a little sad because I love looking forward to my reading time.

I will have to say, I did enjoy the books I read. Yes, there were a few you never saw on my list. If I felt at the beginning if a book was not going to be one I didn’t want to spend time with, it went into the return file. (I get most my books at our local library. I’ve also been lucky enough to find some in our Little Free Library my husband built for me in 2020.)

My 50 Books for the Goodreads Challenge

I didn’t review all these books yet, but I did rate them with stars. You can see more of those ratings ► here on Goodreads.

Like I said, loved them all, but my favorite ones?

Favorites

“Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond,” by Henry Winkler

“Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond,” by Henry Winkler is an entertaining book from start to finish. Winker writes this truthful, candid memoir of his life as an actor and more.
We all knew Henry Winkler as, “The Fonz,” on the sitcom, “Happy Days.” Mr. Winkler shows us his time during those years where he didn’t feel as cool as what we saw on screen.
Growing up, he never had the support of his parents due to his inability to succeed in school.
Back in those days, they didn’t know about dyslexia, which is a disability where spoken and/or written language is difficult for readers. It also can cause poor concentration, difficulty following instructions, forgetting words. This impacted most of his life.

I’m so glad he wrote this book. He will help inform adults about this issue as well as young children struggling with this. He also has a series of books for young readers with learning differences. which are funny and resourceful

I applaud Henry Winkler for writing this book. You will also enjoy how he writes this book in his own genuine voice.

2nd Place…

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt was a book I enjoyed returning to each day.
When I told my sister it started out being narrated by an octopus, she laughed and said, “Hum, I’m not sure about that.” I told her, No, no, it has a great storyline intertwined as the chapters unfold.”
I received a hard copy of this book at our local library. There were no errors liked mentioned in the reviews. I highly recommend those that stopped reading it, to give it another try.
The characters were well developed, the settings were descriptive which made this story very visual.
I’m looking forward to more books written by this author.

3rd Place…

“The Maid,” Nita Prose

I enjoyed this book, even though it’s not one I’d normally read.
Molly in “The Maid,” was one I wanted to protect and cheer for throughout the story.
It was somewhat predictable at times, but a page turner to the very end.
I’m looking forward to more of Nita Prose’s books.

Other Books…

Art Books

What a fun year I had reading art books. I’m so excited to try out new techniques with all the new art supplies my family gifted me at Christmas. Keep watching for those.

Why So Many Cookbooks?

Our family was blessed with a new family member in January!

I knew I was going to cook for her family so mom and dad would have the time to not fret over, “what’s for dinner?”

We gifted ourselves a “Food Saver” for freezing meals. The cookbooks I devoured this past year had great tips and recipes.

What’s To Come From Books By Rose

Art, Audio Books and Remakes?

I know for sure, art and audio books will be a thing for me in 2024. I found the site to our local library to listen to books. Yes, those still count for the Goodreads Challenge.

Like I said, I received many art supplies over the holidays. So, I’m picturing listening to books and creating something, not sure what yet, ha! I guess I’ll see where the muses take me.

Another thought for 2024, and I want your opinions on this.

Making my “Maggie, Millie, and Merrie” books into a hardcover chapter book. Yes, I will still have the picture, illustrated books for younger readers. I’m thinking of using the same stories, tweaked a bit for higher readers and maybe an added story or additional activities? Please let me know what you think about this in the comment section below.

Tell Us About Your Plans For 2024!

Did you read a lot of books?

Authors, are you writing any new books you’d like to share?

Artists, what new projects can you share with us?

I hope you all have a wonderful 2024! May you have everything you want and need in this year to come.

As always,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

Don’t Forget To Read These Author’s Post…

► Author Sandra Bennett

► Author Julie Gorges

In this blog post, you’ll find come special quotes to consider as you leap into the new year. I’ll share some of my favorites first, then at the bottom of this post, you’ll find some other inspirational blog posts from our author friends who will share theirs, too.

Enjoy!

My Favorite Quotes From One Of My Favorite People…Zig Ziglar!

Before I start, let me tell you about Zig Ziglar.

Zig Ziglar was born on November 06, 1926, and sadly passed away, November 28, 2012. He was a salesman, a motivational speaker, and later became a wonderful author, sharing his wisdom to people around the world.

I first heard of Zig Ziglar when I was a high school graduate. Our mother had been a fan of him for many years. When my boyfriend, now husband, started in sales, she highly recommended he read his books and follow his advice.

Mr. Ziglar had some of the best quotes of anyone I’ve known. I’ll share some here with you today and give you my personal thoughts on each one. I hope you’ll take the time to look him up and watch some of his videos.

Please let me know if you would like to add your thoughts to the meaning of these quotes in the comment section below.

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” ~Zig Ziglar

This is the first quote of his I learned and it has stayed with me my whole life.

Helping other people get what they want is key here.

Say, you’re selling a product or providing a service. Of course, you want that customer to buy that product or sign up for that service. If truly in your heart you know they will benefit from this product or service, then you are helping that person get what they want or need. Even if they don’t buy, the excitement and passion you showed them, may want them to reconsider down the road. If not, it’s still a win. You helped them and that’s a wonderful feeling in itself. Doing good deeds shows great character, in personal relationships and in business.

Thought two on this.

The best way to bring yourself out of a bad mood or attitude, “stinkin thinking,” as Zig would say, do something for someone else. Helping others always makes us feel better, right?

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” ~Zig Ziglar

Ooh, I love this one! I know in my heart of hearts that if I want to become better at writing or drawing, I’m going to have to practice it, and practice it a lot. Showing up each day with with consistent goals in mind and doing them, is a must to me. Repeating the hard work through putting those actions into motion will eventually take me to the accomplishment of my goal.

Writing and Drawing — Image Credit: Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels

“You can start where you are with what you’ve got and go to wherever it is you want to go.” ~Zig Ziglar

Success Go Get It — Image Credit: Gerd Attmann from Pexels

Another one that hits home to me.

When I was a substitute teacher, my days were filled with walking into a blank slate of the unknown. I wouldn’t know which students excelled or didn’t. I would literally have to meet those students where they were at and help them the best I could. Comparing them to each other and what they knew, was something I would not do. I would meet them where they were at and we’d go from there. They in turn, would have to meet me where I was at, as well. I wish I could share all the wonderful stories of success I saw with those students. They liked that I saw them for who they were, not the expectations of what I thought they were suppose to be.

Another personal note, I was older when I became an author and illustrator. I had to start a road of learning with little background in this field. I had to start where I was at. Small steps were eventually built to bigger and bigger steps. Even after almost eight years, I’m still learning and growing everyday.

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” ~Zig Ziglar

I do believe we all have dreams we want to achieve in this life. Some want promotions, some want items, some just want to get through the day having a happy, healthy life with our family and friends.

One thing I would like to add about dreams though, they don’t come true without some effort on our part. If you want that special dream home, a certain career, etc. it all takes planning, steps to make it happen and dedication to make it to the finish line. Sure, there are obstacles, but getting back to those plans at a later date is always a wonderful possibility, too.

Now join me as I introduce to you some amazing authors that have written on this subject to get you inspired for the new year. Click on their names below.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

Julie Gorges

Rebecca Lyndsey

Cat Michaels

Carmela Dutra

Sandra Bennett

James Milson