Home » Archive by category 'Ultimate Blog Challenge'

Archive of ‘Ultimate Blog Challenge’ category

Reading Goals Reality Check

Two people in an independent bookstoreAren’t reading goals kind of silly? Honestly, I just want to read good books. Lots of them. That’s the goal. At least, that should be the goal. Right?

Last year, I was quite specific about my goals, and now I’m looking back at them and laughing my ass off. Here is how my year went:

Goal # 1 – Read 40 books in 2024.

Reality check – In September, I lowered my Goodreads goal to 35, then 30, then 25. Knowing I’d never hit 25 this month, I lowered it once more to 20 books. Then, I kind of cheated and added the last book on January 1st. I figured I earned that last book in 2024 because I had two chapters left to go, but you are supposed to count only when you finish. So, technically, I ended up with 20 books read in 2024 and finished my first book of 2025, “Be Ready When the Luck Comes,” by Ina Garten.

Side Note – I don’t consider myself a competitive person, except when it comes to reading. I can’t explain it, but I long to be one of those readers who can read 50 books in a year. But, while I’m a fast reader, I am concerned I’ll be too worried about finishing the book rather than enjoying it. How many books did you read this year?

2025 Goal – Read 40 books in 2025. (Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment regarding books).

Goal #2 – Complete the backlist book challenge, which means reading any title not published in 2024.

Reality check – I didn’t do too bad on this one. Half the books I read were from a backlist.

Side Note – I’m not a fan of official book challenges in any shape or form. They feel like another to-do list I must complete. Instead of motivation, I feel pressured to succeed. How do you feel about book challenges?

2025 Goal – Read the books I want, preferably more nonfiction.

Goal #3 – Track books on a Google spreadsheet to remember where I heard about different books, where I bought them, how I consumed them (actual book, e-reader, or audiobook), and why I liked them.

Reality check – 🤣🤣🤣

Side Note – This is too much work. I’m tracking my expenses, steps, calories, salt intake, water consumption (or lack thereof), word counts (in blog posts), LinkedIn connections, and much more. Maybe someday I’ll dig into my reading habits, but counting the books I finish is all I can manage for now.

2025 Goal – Take note of (not track!) where my book recommendations come from. I would like to know my best sources so I can focus on their content and listen to fewer book-themed podcasts.

Goal #4 – Buy less books. Borrow more.

Reality check – I’d have to look at my credit card to see if I accomplished this goal. I can tell you that I borrowed more from the library this year than ever before.

Side note – I love our local library. They can get any book for me. The question is, how long do I want to wait for it to come in?

2025 Goal – When I want another book, look on my bookshelf to see if something else appeals to me instead. If I still want the book, check the library before the bookstore. When all else fails, check Spotify Premium for the audiobook.

New 2025 Reading Goal

In general, I want to heighten my reading experience by carving out a half an hour to read every day. I want to sit by a fire and read in the cold weather. My patio will be the place to spend an afternoon in the spring and summer. I’d also like to seek out places to hang out and read. To that end, we have a membership to Longwood Gardens, a botanical marvel located about an hour away from me. My friend and I keep saying that we are going to go there one day, walk around, grab lunch, and read our books. We haven’t done it yet, but this is the year we will make that happen. In what ways do you enhance your reading life?

2024 Reading Highlights

On a positive note, I had some terrific bookish moments in 2024. Here are a few:

  • I discovered a new indie bookstore – Capricorn Books, in Jenkintown, PA. It’s small but packed with all the latest reads. It’s also 15 minutes from my house. My daughter took me there on my birthday and bought me a bunch of books. I hope that’s a tradition we continue.
  • I attended one author event and remembered how much I love going to them.
  • I had another successful “No Book Buy July.” I bought clothes for vacation instead.
  • Shout out to my book club for picking some fantastic books this year. I finally read “All That Is Mine I Carry With Me,” by William Landay. It’s still a terrible title, but a great read.
  • I DNF’d a lot of books. I gave it 50-75 pages, and if I didn’t like the book, I gave up. Why waste time on books that aren’t my cup of tea?
  • Favorite nonfiction book of the year – “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me,” by Whoopi Goldberg. It’s an excellent memoir. I recommend listening to it. She narrates it, and it’s like sitting in her living room as she shares her life story.
  • Favorite fiction book of the year – “Family Family by Laurie Frankel.
  • Least favorite fiction book of the year – “The Sequel,” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I loved her first book, “The Plot,” and was so disappointed in this one. (I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I’m sticking to it.)
  • If you are new to my blog, I write a lot of book reviews. I’ll be diving into a few of them this month during the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Stay tuned.

Last thing. I canceled my Audible Premium Plus subscription after learning that Spotify Premium offered better books and more of them for $5 less. I thought I’d pass that on.

Okay, it’s your turn. How was your reading year? Do you set reading goals? Let me know in the comments.

XO,
Elisa

Spiritual Awakenings and Safety Concerns

“The correct response to antisemitism is Jewish pride,” Brett Stephens, American journalist.

“Be 10% Jew-ier in whatever way you want,” Rabbi Craig Axler said during this year’s Rosh Hashanah service at Temple Isaiah.

The author standing by a canal in Venice, Italy wearing a blue dress, red foldie, and her hamsa necklaceBefore leaving for my vacation in Italy last month, I called my best friends, Craig and Pam, and asked them a question I usually don’t have to ask anyone.

“Is it safe to wear my Jewish star necklace when I travel?”

It was the first time I asked this out loud to anyone. Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve thought about it. Far from it.

When I go food shopping for the Jewish holidays, there is one local supermarket where I order my Break the Fast trays for Yom Kippur, my latkes on Hanukkah, and the gefilte fish to serve at the Passover Seder; I often wonder if it is safe to go in there. There isn’t a regular police presence outside the store to protect us like at most synagogues. Why would there be? It’s your typical supermarket whose deli counter is quite popular with the Jewish community during the holidays. But where else would we go for the best chopped liver? Side note: I’m told it tastes incredible, but I’ve never touched the stuff.

It’s not just my safety that concerns me. I worry about my family and friends as well, particularly my children. They are coming home this weekend for a post-Rosh Hashanah dinner. Andrew is a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. When he comes home on weekends, he often takes the train back to his apartment on Monday mornings. But this Monday morning is October 7th—the first anniversary of the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis attending the Nova music festival. A day that resulted in 1200 Jews murdered and over 200 were taken hostage. A hundred of them are still being held in captivity today. This weekend, Andrew wants to go back to his apartment on Sunday night to avoid the Pro-Hamas rallies that are planned this Monday on the streets of Philadelphia. He is concerned about his safety while walking home from the train station. And frankly, so am I.

Jenna currently works for the University of Maryland Hillel in College Park. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about the anti-Semitic rhetoric and encampments happening on many college campuses all over the country today. This Monday, October 7, the Students’ Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter is hosting an event on the University’s largest public convening space to mark the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Understandably, the Jewish community is incredibly upset about such a public display of hate, but Maryland Hillel will have educational and awareness events during the day.

October 7 will be a tough day for our community everywhere. But it is also an opportunity to share our Jewish pride, stand with Israel, and build an even more robust, resilient presence. I pray for the safety of everyone at universities and in major cities around the country as we all mark this difficult anniversary. Side note: I’m all for free speech, but never, ever, hate speech. 

Back in Italy, my friends advised me to do what I felt was most comfortable, and I should be fine. I opted to wear my less obvious Hamsa necklace that my daughter bought for me in Jerusalem instead of my Jewish star. I didn’t run into any problems, but I did feel a pang in my heart as I saw others wear their crosses and other religious symbols freely while I had to question my choice of jewelry. This feeling, while overwhelming, was also inspiring.

I agree with the quote above by Bret Stephens that Jewish pride is the correct response to antisemitism. I have never hidden my identity or how proud I am to be Jewish. My love of Israel is steadfast, and being an active member of my local Jewish community brings me great joy. I will never stop worrying about the safety of my family and our community, but I will continue to take the advice of my spiritual leaders and friends and work harder to be 10% Jew-ier this year.

Maybe I’ll write a few more Jewish-themed blogs than I usually do.

Maybe I’ll attend an extra Shabbat service per month

Maybe I’ll even try the chopped liver! (or maybe not 😝)

If not now, when?

XO,

Elisa

It’s Rosh Hashanah!

apples and honeyToday is the first day of Rosh Hashanah, which literally translates as “Head of the Year.” For those who have lost track or didn’t know, it is the year 5785 on the Hebrew calendar.

Why 5785? Our calendar is based on the story of Genesis’ creation and attempts to calculate the number of years since the creation of the world. Of course, we follow the secular calendar on most days, like everyone else, but today, in celebration of the Jewish New Year, we celebrate another year gone by. Instead of champagne and fireworks, we blow the shofar (a ram’s horn) and dip apples into honey for a good and sweet New Year.

And we aren’t pressured to stay up until midnight to enjoy our festivities. Our family goes to synagogue for a morning service and listens to the rabbi give a meaningful sermon that sets the tone for the holiday. During this difficult year, when people still remain in captivity in Gaza, anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, and Israel is fighting for its survival; going to synagogue is an act of community and shows a commitment to our faith. While the security guards and police officers are stationed outside the synagogue for our safety, inside the sanctuary, we see friends, feel inspired by our community, and pray for a good year ahead.

Then, we spend time quality family time around the dinner table. For this meal, we love our brisket and share a round challah. This challah is special because, typically, our challahs are braided. It tastes the same, but the round challah represents the cycle of the year and a desire for a full year ahead.

And while Hanukkah still has a ways to go regarding songs to sing, Rosh Hashanah has beautiful music and fun ditties to enjoy in services, Sunday school, and on the car ride to dinner if you are so inclined. Here are a few of my all-time favorites.

Barbra Streisand

A cappella

Family friendly

To all of my friends celebrating this beautiful holiday today and tomorrow, I wish you a L’Shana Tovah u’metukah, a good and sweet new year! To everyone else, thank you for taking the time to learn about our holiday and traditions.

XO,
Elisa

 

1 2 3 … 95