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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


33 / 30 bookish books. 110% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (9)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (3)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (9)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (3)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (2)
- Washington, D.C.* (2)

International:
- Argentina (1)
- Australia (3)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (2)
- England (22)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)

My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 50 books. 100% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


36 / 50 books. 72% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


36 / 40 books. 90% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


18 / 40 books. 45% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


26 / 25 cozies. 104% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

My Progress


23 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 88% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


42 / 100 books. 42% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

My Progress:


97 / 109 books. 89% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

My Progress


136 / 165 books. 82% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

My Progress:


83 / 100 names. 83% done!

The Life Skills Reading Challenge

My Progress:


19 / 80 skills. 24% done!
Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: HappyMerryChristBirthMas to Me!


There are so many things to love about today.  Not only is it a few days before my favorite holiday, but it's also my birthday (which I share with my dad), and Top Ten Tuesday.  Talk about a delightful trifecta!  My dad and I live in different states, so unfortunately, we don't get to celebrate our special day together very often. The Norman Rockwell-ish picture above is from a family party in 2013.  It's not a great shot of either of us, but I think it shows how much we love each other :)  I hope you are feeling lots of love this season as well, even if the holidays look a little different this year.  Merry Christmas to you and yours! 

Today's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl) has a Christmas theme (naturally).  It's all about the treasures we're hoping to find under the tree this year.  Honestly, I live a very charmed and blessed life, so I already have everything I could possibly want and need.  Having all my babies happy, healthy, and home for Christmas is all the gift I need in this crazy year.  Still, if Santa really, REALLY wanted to spoil me, he could check this list twice:   

Top Ten Bookish Things I Hope Santa Brings 



  • I bought my Harry Potter books as they came out, so they're old.  They've been loved so much that they're tattered and torn.  I'd love a clean, new set.
  • Speaking of HP, my sister just snagged a pair of these fun socks at the grocery store of all places.  She really should have grabbed an extra pair for me, don't you think?  I think Santa should leave her coal and bring me some of these cute feet-warmers.

  • Since Santa can make magic happen, I'd love a newly-published Kate Morton book on December 25th, please and thank you!  It's so hard to be patient when it comes to new books by my favorite authors ...  
  • And while we're dealing in Christmas miracles, how about a paper copy of The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan?  It was supposed to come out in the U.S. pre-COVID, but that never happened.  The book has been released in Australia and it can be ordered via Amazon for $40.48.  As much as I love McTiernan, I'm not paying that kind of money for her newest book!  Santa and his elves can just magic a copy to me, right?



  • I love the idea of book-themed subscription boxes, but I'm not enough of a risk-taker to spend a bunch of money on something I might now love.  If the Big Guy wanted to sign me up for one gratis?  I wouldn't complain.

  • This puzzle is so cool!  It gets kind of dubious reviews on Amazon, so I decided not to buy it for myself, but I still love the picture.
Obviously, Christmas isn't about what fills Santa's sack, but I still hope he brings you something fun that makes you smile.  What are you hoping to find under the tree on Christmas morning?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I'll gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT! 

58 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! I hope it's a lovely one for you.

    Warm socks were on my list, too. :)

    My post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have very good circulation, so I LOVE warm socks :)

      Thanks for coming by, Lydia!

      Delete
  2. Happy Birthday, Susan! I hope it's a good one. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I had a great day with the family. Calm and relaxing. My favorite kind of day :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

      Delete
  3. So.much.guilt!!! I will have to get some for you! They are super soft and warm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kidding, kidding! You're still my favorite little sister. And you'd never get coal for Christmas - you're too nice :) I love you, Pee Wee!

      Delete
  4. Happy birthday! I hope these gifts make it to you! Warm socks are the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! My toes are always cold this time of year. I did buy myself a nice pair of slippers for my birthday, but I do love warm, fuzzy socks as well.

      Thanks for stopping by, Deanna!

      Delete
  5. I love the tablet pillow. I am always propping my kindle because of my arthritis. Hope you have a wonderful birthday and holiday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same! I've got frozen shoulder on my left side, so I'm constantly trying to balance my iPad so it doesn't put more strain on my bum side, but that just ends up with both of my shoulders and arms hurting! I think I'm going to give the tablet pillow a try.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  6. I love the Puffin books! In fact, I would take any of these gifts on your list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and me both! The Puffin books are beautiful. I love them. My favorite indie bookstore gives out a big discount on books during your birthday month, so I might have to take advantage of that and buy a Puffin set for myself.

      Thanks for stopping in, Debra!

      Delete
  7. Happy birthday!

    Those hardcover classics really are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They really are! They're also expensive, unfortunately and it's hard to justify buying them just because they're pretty when I already have copies of the novels. LOL.

      Thanks for coming by, Nicole!

      Delete
  8. Happy Birthday, Susan. I hope you have a really great one despite all of the limitations that 2020 brought us.

    Love your list. I've never bought one of those B&N special editions, but that one is really tempting since it's one of my all-time favorite books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sam! I did have a lovely birthday. We had a family lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant - the weather was lovely, so we sat outside and had a fun time together. Then, I took a long nap. At night, we piled the kids into the truck, bought hot cocoa, and drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was great all around.

      Same here. The copy I have of TKAM is a mass market paperback and while it's still perfectly serviceable, it's not very pretty! Still, I can't quite bring myself to pay the money for the B&N one, even though it's gorgeous.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  9. Happy birthday!! I love your positive spirit. Nice list of things in your post and I hope Santa Brings them all to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! I try to be positive even in rough times. It helps me get through anything that comes my way, including a pandemic :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. Happy birthday! Cozy socks are the best! And I agree, subscription book boxes are intriguing, but not enough to buy myself. 😊 Hope you have a lovely holiday! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! It seems like they come with all kinds of stuff that's fun but that I wouldn't actually use. I'd rather spend the money on buying the books I know I want.

      Merry Christmas to you as well! Thanks for coming by.

      Delete
  11. Happy birthday to you and your dad!

    I have that edition of To Kill a Mockingbird and love it!

    I would love a book subscription box but there's no room for one in our lifestyle right now. I've asked for a tea subscription box for Christmas instead.

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I love sharing a birthday with my dad, even if we rarely get to celebrate it together anymore.

      A tea subscription box makes sense for your lifestyle! It's fun but doesn't take up much room. Nice.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jen!

      Delete
  12. Happy Birthday to you and your dad! I hope you're having a wonderful and relaxing day. And Christmas is just a few days away so I hope your whole week is grand. Great gift list. I highly recommend Book of the Month because you only pay for what you want and can pass in months you don't like the book choices.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am having a lovely week so far! I put off doing my big holiday cooking/baking trip until today, so that's what I have to look forward to today. Ha ha.

      I have heard good things about BOM. I might have to check that out. I like not having to pay for anything you don't want.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  13. Happy Birthday Susan. I hope you get some of these items under your tree or in your stocking, or for your birthday, lots of choices for those gift givers out there. 🎈🎁🎄🎅

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. There's really no reason at all for my loved ones not to give me a gift this month :) I've gotten some lovely presents already, plus very sweet messages, texts, and phone calls. I've felt very loved.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

      Delete
  14. We got the lap/iPad pillow thing for my son and it's fabulous! Definitely worth buying if it doesn't find it's way under your tree. I love cozy socks and second the Kate Morton book! Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I think I am going to buy it for myself. I know for sure that there are going to be some cozy socks in my stocking. Sometimes you just have to be your own Santa, you know?

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

      Delete
  15. I wish you the happiest of Happy Birthdays!! Yay, a fellow December baby :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I love having a December birthday. I know a lot of December babies hate it, but I've always loved it. This is my favorite time of the year, hands down!

      Thanks for stopping by, Natalie!

      Delete
  16. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021. I hope Santa brings you everything you want.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the well wishes, Marilyn! Same to you and yours :) Thanks for coming by.

      Delete
  17. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that Santa brought some of these things for you!! I LOVE those Puffin editions and bought them myself. I love looking at them on my bookshelves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm super, super tempted to just go ahead and buy the Puffins! You're helping to convince me :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Leslie!

      Delete
  18. Happy Birthday! And I totally get wanting a new HP set. I want the new UK set, even though I have perfectly fine US hardcovers. I probably won't get them, but they're sooo pretty.

    Hope you get some of the items on your list! Thanks for visiting Shell's Stories!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same! It's hard to justify the cost of buying a whole new set when my old set is still serviceable. Some of the new editions are so gorgeous, though!

      Thanks for coming by, Shell!

      Delete
  19. Happy Birthday for yesterday, Susan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cath! It was a lovely day, all around.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

      Delete
  20. Happy birthday, Susan! I hope you've a wonderful time with your family! That's a great list and I hope you'll receive what you want for your Christmas gifts! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Melody! I've had a lovely week already and I'm looking forward to all the Christmas Eve and Christmas activity still to come.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  21. Beautiful wishes.

    Happy, happy Birthday 🎂
    and a very merry Christmas 🎄

    Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Marianne! This is such a fun time of year for me :) Merry Christmas to you as well.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

      Delete
  22. I love your list! It is nice how you added in book-related gifts along with your titles. The pencils and the pillow are so neat.

    Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I talk about the same books over and over, so I wanted to change up my list a little bit this week :) I do love those pencils - they'd make perfect stocking stuffers, wouldn't they?

      Thanks for the well wishes and for stopping by today, Cheryl!

      Delete
  23. Lovely list!! I have that version of the "To Kill A Mockingbird" and I love it. It is so pretty! My mom, sister and I loved the book so much that we named our dog, Boo Arthur Radley aka "BRadley" after Boo in the book!

    Thank you for stopping by HerBookishDesires. I really appreciate it! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I love that! A bookish dog name. So fun.

      Thanks for coming by, Maya!

      Delete
  24. I love your list! Those hard cover books are gorgeous. I also love the idea of book themed socks! Thanks so much for visiting Long and Short Reviews!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love beautiful hardcover books. I just wish they weren't so dang expensive!

      Thanks for stopping by, Poinsettia!

      Delete
  25. Oh my goodness, you've got some great things on this list! I kind of want those Little Women pencils!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they cute? If they were in stock, I would totally buy some right now.

      Thanks for coming by, Christine!

      Delete
  26. Happy birthday and merry Christmas! If I had pretty bookshelves, I’d get nice hardcover editions of my favorite classics. I have nowhere to display them right now.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have pretty bookshelves, but they're already full! I need to clean them out, then maybe I'll get some pretty hardcover classics.

      Thanks for stopping in, AJ!

      Delete
  27. What a fun post idea! So enchanting to read, and everything on your list is so wonderful that it makes me wish I could win the lottery so I could *become* Book Santa for everyone on TTT. (and other reasons, sure, but fulfilling wishes would be a good one)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? How wonderful would that be to have the means to make everyone's Christmas wishes come true?

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, RS!

      Delete
  28. Replies
    1. They're fun, aren't they? If they had been in stock I would have bought them for my stocking :) Maybe next year.

      Thanks for stopping in, Jess!

      Delete
  29. I hope you had a wonderful birthday and a lovely Christmas and that you got lots of goodies from your list. :)

    ReplyDelete

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