Read What You Own 2026

Finished Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

Amazing ! Well done!

Well done!

50 pages read today ✔️

Of course you are!! I thought I was replying to a new person. I'm an eejit!!

@JanetheObscure Funny, Light Perpetual is on my TBR

Now, I loved Golden Hill, though its authentic (or so it was claimed) language took some getting used to. A friend told me that Light Perpetual, by the same author, was one of the best books she'd ever read. But that one didn't do much for me.

I also read Golden Hill didn’t rate it and can’t remember a thing about it

I remember struggling with Golden Hill a few years back, I did finish it but I had to force myself. I can’t remember a thing about it now beyond that, but then I can’t remember a thing about most things I’ve read these days, my memory has disappeared to the same place my attention span buggered off to it seems.

@CatWithThreeLegs - glad it wasn’t just me. Well I know it wasn’t by the reviews TBH.

@WinterFrogs - I’m definitely tempted! Might put it on my wish list. I think my sister would love it too so might buy the paperback and then I can pass it on.

I've struggled too, and I have found revisiting old favourites has helped. I started with Pullein-Thompson pony books, a bit of Enid Blyton and then moved to who-dunnits by the likes of MJ Aldrige. It's really helped to form a new reading habit.

@Peridot1 I have had Bookworm on my wishlist since I heard the author on a podcast some years ago. I'd downloaded and read the sample, and when my daughter bought me the paperback for Christmas I decided it well and truly qualified as a 'what you own'. (Who doesn't love a bendy rule?)

It's really inspired me to carry on reading, as I was such a bookworm pre internet!

@Peridot1 I didn't even get that far with Golden Hill before DNF'ing it. I realised it was just not my cup of tea after just a handful of pages. Sometimes a book is just not meant to be, but someone else will probably love it.

I've been on NetGalley since lockdown and have in the past fallen down the hole of requesting more than I can read .
I'm now auto approved for quite a few and get send invitations and for awhile that also made me accept too many .
I now only request my favourite authors or if one in a series I've read gets released .

@WinterFrogs - have just looked at Bookworm by Lucy Mangan. It sounds right up my street. Very tempted to buy it. Which is not what I’m supposed to be doing!

I finished Vince and Joy by Lisa Jewell. Quite enjoyed it.

Have just started one of the books DS gave me for Christmas- Golden Hill by Francis Spufford. Might be my first DNF of the year. Not enjoying it so far. Thought I would like it as it’s set in New York in 1746. One of the reviews on Good Reads sums up just how I’m feeling about it 66 pages in.

My first RWYO for 2026 was The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. It was a 3 read for me. I found it interesting *but not gripping, just a bit flat and mediocre. It certainly didn't leave me 'gasping for air' (one of the reviews on the back cover😂)

Haha I did think "should I mention it"

They do approve quite a lot of requests so let my downfall be a warning...or an encouragement!

Finished Bob The Robin by Tony Putman today.

It was a charming little tale of the author's growing friendship with the robins living in the garden where he works as a gardener. He spent the longest time with one he called Bob - several years, taking photographs and building a following on social media. The photographs are delightful.

Currently re-reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell ahead of (hopefully) going to see the film soon.

I've just cleared my kindle of all the rubbish i downloaded over a year ago on one of the "fill your kindle days" I felt like it had got overwhelming and I was never using it as a result. Still have over 50 physical books ive brought some as far back as 2020

..still sticking to my original pledge. I just signed up. That is all😆

I have looked at NetGalley😜I might have actualy 'more than looked!'

Thank you.
I'll try this.

@Raven08start by goal setting. I once went a 2 year period of no reading at all (mental health) I started back with a goal of 50 pages a day, absolutely forcing myself to do it. I was back in no time.

I wish I could get my reading mojo back 😕
I used to read every day.
My attention span is just shot 😕

I am already there! My favourite place on Mumsnet