Six Month Reading Review

I have been reading a with a purpose in mind this year...  Trying out the library for free entertainment, reading more non-fiction, and reading at least 4 books a month.  I have been tracking all the books that I have read this year here.  I can't believe that we are half through the year already!!! 

Goal #1: 
I have enjoyed checking out books from the library and learning how to search and reserve books online.  I don't often have a ton of time to myself to search around the library.  But on the rare days where my little man stays home with Daddy or was in preschool, I found a few sections of the library that I liked a lot of books in.  I normally look at one section when I am there and pick up a few more books quickly. 

I hope that everyone tries out there library and asks about what new digital tools are out there to do some of the fun searches from home.  They have Kindle books to loan out, events for kids and adults, and LOTS AND LOTS of books!!  I can renew my books online and reserve books that I want for next time!  The age of card catalogs is over (even though my mother in law and I both looked for one when we went to the library just a few years ago).  All this fun stuff is on the computer now :)

The great thing is that I have read a lot of great books which I haven't had time to do in years.  It is very entertaining and helps me fall asleep at night :)  The big bonus is that it is free!!!  That fits into the frugal budget now that I am a stay at home mom!

Goal #2:
I used to only read "light" books when I even got a chance to read so I was trying to read more non-fiction (for those who have to look it up every time like I do those are the ones that are true and not made up stories).  I was hoping to learn something from my books to keep my mind thinking about things since I don't spend a lot of time talking to adults now that I am a stay at home mom.  Plus I am also looking for interesting frugal tips about being green, investing properly, and new recipes.  I try to share all of the information that I learn on this blog :)  I do try to add in a fiction book every once in awhile just for fun but I am surprised by how fun some of the non-fiction books are to read.

Goal #3: 
I started wondering how many books I could actually read a month and fit into my busy schedule.  Many blogs out there suggested 2-3 so I decided to be an overachiever and aim for 4 books.  Okay, I thought that I would work a few cookbooks which don't count as "real reading" even though it is super entertaining for me.

January- 5 books
February- 6 books
March- 9 books
April- 8 books
May- 4 books
June- 10 books

Total Books= 42

Average 7 books per month

I have read a ton of books most months and have gone far above my goal for the beginning of the year (almost meeting the whole year goal of 48 books).  Looking forward to the next six months to see what the library holds for the rest of the year!!

We just signed my three year old up for the summer reading program.  The goal for them is only 15 books which we finished in two days!  I guess like mother like son.  We got our coupon book for all the neat things to do and see around the area.  We already went to one nature center and got free green bean seeds and containers.  I can't wait to see what the other places hold for our summer of reading and fun!!!  Hope that your summer is filled with lots of great books.