Pam Webb

Reader Roundup: December 2024

As usual I set my Goodreads reading goal at 101 books for the year, and as usual I surpassed it. I was hoping to surpass my 2023 record of 171 books read over the year; however, I reached only 161. I think the distraction of traveling to Japan to greet my new grandson is part of the reason. But hey–it was an easy tradeoff to make.

Here are the five star reads from December:

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

A surprisingly engaging story of a fourteen year old girl who runs away from the harsh life of keeping house for her father and brother. Set in 1911, young Joan hops a train to the city, changes her name to Janet and her age to eighteen, becoming the hired girl for a Jewish family.

Told by way of diary entries the story reveals more than a young girl’s struggle to make her way in the world. The story discusses with thoughtfulness Janet’s commitment to being Catholic while employed in a Jewish household.

What might have been a slow read becomes unexpectedly inspiring due to Janet’s genuine voice as she learns about her place in the world.

I know, only one five star for December. The others were mainly four stars, meaning they were decent reads, not necessarily exceptional reads.

I am looking forward to 2025’s Reading Challenge, as I have lots of Want to Reads on my list and hope to read at least one book a week this year–wait, that would mean only 52 books for the year (which was my original reading challenge goal when I first took on the Goodreads challenge. I better rethink my strategy. Then again, I could just enjoy reading and not worry about numbers.