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Wonderful. Thanks for that!

I love that.

Beautiful and perfect for tomorrow's big snow storm in New England! By the way, working on a Top 10 Snowstorm book list and will include May B. for sure!

Mia, thank you! Stay safe.

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Weird. I commented and it duplicated the comment, so I deleted one and now they're both gone! Anyhoo, Happy New Year!

It seems to be a Blogger quirk in with this template. I could see it in my inbox, though!

I understand what you mean about Goodreads... I have the same difficulty balancing my need to be interior. I actually started my Goodreads account when I started falling behind in my reading journal--it was easier to type while nursing a baby than to write in a little notebook! But since I don't want to make all my reflections public, keeping track of those reactions has suffered. I'm not sure how I'll resolve this, but I'm glad you've reminded me to think about it.
I HAVE found several books I loved through your goodreads reviews, though, so do keep recommending ones you liked here, please!
I hope you have a beautiful and very blessed new year, Caroline!

I'm glad others can relate to the Goodreads dilemma. It's wonderful to keep a record of what I'm reading and so good to get recommendations from others/see what they've picked up. It's the public nature of it all that has gotten to me. And truthfully, who goes and looks at my list of books? Probably very few people (though some do look at my currently reading list, according to my blog stats). I really think my decision to share some but not all of what I'm doing will help me to feel my reading is my own again.

I will continue to check in there. Promise. Happy New Year to you, too, friend.

I think that's interesting, Caroline, and I totally understand! At times I feel overwhelmed by social media, even though it keeps me current and connected. Good luck with your reading goals, and enjoy some private time!

I haven't been purposeful about learning as I read. I do make it a point to talk about the books when I finish them, especially if something really worked for me, or really didn't. But this journaling idea is a good one.

I love those quotes!

I've really loved collecting sentences and scenes this way. It's been a great learning experience and is a bit like a scrapbook, too.

For years I've thought about doing this, but am too lazy or distracted to actually DO it. I'm impressed, Caroline. And I love the quotes you chose, too. And your pretty notebook!

I don't do it as often as I could, but every time I have, I've benefitted.

I've been thinking about this too... I have tried to be more intentional with my use of the internet, finding content that inspires and encourages. I read and reread, listen and re-listen... instead of moving along to the the next thing. My new intention is to move from information consumption to wisdom integration.
Thanks for the great post.

It all starts with being aware, doesn't it?

I "signed off" Goodreads last year. I still have an account there that feeds my blog through, but I don't review books. I have no books on my shelves, etc. I do have a private profile on there to keep track of my books, but I don't have any friends connected to it, and it's under a fake name. I like my reading life to be private, so I completely understand what you mean.

I'd like to look further into that book. It sounds fantastic, and a great way to shake some sense into anyone addicted to being online. I seem to go through cycles ...

It really is a compelling read!

Great quotes, Caroline! Yes, we are all being driven to distraction. And unfortunately most online interaction is superficial; this is true. I'm definitely going to have to buy this book.

I never really signed on to Goodreads to begin with. Have an account, just never did anything with it. I keep a list of books I've read the old-fashioned way: in a notebook! And even though I'm on LinkedIn, I never go there. Or Google+ -- there are just too many things trying to grab our attention. I stick to facebook for friends and family and blogging for the children's book community. Even that is too much when I'm trying to get some real writing done.

Does anyone remember what life was like before the internet? I read more. Walked more. Went outside more. Talked to my family more. We actually used to play board games or create treasure hunts through the house when the boys were growing up. Seems so long ago and it was only about ten years.

I've kept a notebook of my reading since 2003. It's a real treasure, something I'm anxious to make my exclusive form of reading record keeping soon (I do want to see out this year, though).

You are so right about all the ways life was different and we behaved differently before the Internet was around. It's both sad and fascinating.

I think about this all the time. I always feel more scattered and disconnected when I've spent a lot of time online. Not that I think it's bad. Technology is so amazing and I believe it improves quality of life in many ways, but sometimes I need to just shut it down and spend some time in the real world. I feel different when I do that, in a good way.

I agree with everything you've said here.