April is one of my favorite months! The weather is starting to warm up and the days are getting longer. With the exception of a few tornadoes in the area, it's been great. I've been running, walking my dog at new-to-me parks, visiting Chicago with my husband and friends, studying for final exams, and trying... Continue Reading →
March 2023 Book Update
March was a lot of fun for reading. I read books from my local second-hand bookshop and from several Little Free Libraries. I even took a bike ride with my backpack to go to 8 different Little Free Libraries on the same day! I donated 5 books and came home with 3 new ones. It... Continue Reading →
February 2023 Book Update
Happy end-of-February! We made it through the shortest month of the year and read some good books along the way. In a mere 28 days, I finished another 6 books for the 2023 Reading Challenge! I was pleased to read one of Neil Gaiman's classics that I regret not reading sooner. I also spent half... Continue Reading →
January 2023 Book Update
A new year, a new book challenge! So many books to choose from and only a year to read them. If you're new to Spine & Leaf Books, be sure to check out the 2023 Book Challenge posted at the end of last year. This year, we'll read 50 books from 50 prompts, like #25:... Continue Reading →
2022 Reading: A Year In Review
I Read 100 Books in 2022 2022 was an amazing year of reading for me. I created and participated in the 2022 Reading Challenge. I read a total of 100 books in 2022. I consumed over 30,000 pages. I read 95 new-to-me books. I found a new top 10 favorite author. I discovered that I... Continue Reading →
December 2022 Book Update
It's the end of the year and that means this is the last monthly book update for 2022! It has been a wonderful year full of amazing books and I have been so happy to find some new favorite authors. December's book list took me to my goal of reaching 100 books in 2022. I... Continue Reading →
November 2022 Book Update
The end of the year is almost here! I'm getting very close to reaching my goal of reading 100 books in 2022. This past month I've been reading more from Fredrik Backman and Sue Grafton who I have previously read this year. I also brought back George R.R. Martin and Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills. So lots... Continue Reading →
2023 Spine & Leaf Books Reading Challenge
Welcome to the Spine & Leaf Books 2023 Book Challenge! How Do I Complete the 2023 Book Challenge? This challenge starts with the phrase 'Read a book...' and then lists 50 different categories or prompts that complete the sentence. Choose 1 book that satisfies each category and cross off the number on the list when... Continue Reading →
15 Productivity Tips to Make Your Day More Effective
Life is busy and if you're like me, you probably find yourself being pulled in too many directions. Your schedule is full and there are never enough hours in the day. But with a few productivity tips, you can do more in less time. You can meet your deadlines and have fun. You'll be healthier... Continue Reading →
October 2022 Book Update
If you've been around Spine & Leaf Books lately you'll know that I've been reading several authors that I've read before: Jean Hanff Korelitz got 2 books on my list this month, Fredrik Backman has reappeared after Beartown, and of course, Veronica Roth's brand new book Poster Girl has made my list. I'm really into... Continue Reading →