On a Reading Roll + Thinking About Q5

After a weird midyear lull, I am on a reading tear!

Thus far in October, I have finished 4 novels (Fellowship Point, The Shampoo Effect, I Who Have Never Known Men, and Strange Houses). I also read 2 nonfiction books and am more than halfway through David Sedaris’ The Land and Its People (amusing)!

The funny part is that I am not exactly sure WHY reading is going so well lately, or why it felt a bit less appealing over summer and into September. BUT, I’ll take it. I do think that lining up all of my library books and physical TBRs helped — gave me a goal of sorts? I do want to get through this entire pile by the end of the year if possible (with permission to abandon anything not working for me, of course)!

I don’t generally set out to read a certain number of books per year, but the total often ends up around 50. A couple of months ago I had noted that 2026 was going to have a lower total, but now I’m not so sure . . .

(complete list here!)

((anyone have “must adds” for my Q1 TBR already!?))

(((speaking of books, this one ended up in the donation pile and I was a little sad . . . I can remember how much A loved it as a toddler . . . )))

Q5!!!

MY FAVORITE QUINTILE is coming up. Actually Q5 and Q1 are both possibly my favorite but I think Q5 wins. ALL the reflection, planner setup (love), anticipation, plus tons of family togetherness and (usually) a good amount of relaxation time. This Q5 does not feature Montana (G informed me she is displeased that she has to wait 4 months as she is ready to go NOW) but there are plenty of other little treats and I am just generally feeling excited about it.

I also have a significant amount of “LET’S WRAP THIS UP!” energy when it comes to some of my 2026 goals. Some of them had to be crossed off the list/tabled (“Celebrate our 20th anniversary in Hawaii!!”, lol) but some of them are low-hanging fruit and I’m feeling ready to grab it.

All the same time, I want this to be a more restful and fun quintile after a pretty intense fall. I mean, I did enjoy a really fun trip with friends, but I feel like I also did a TON of work in Q4, both clinically and creatively! I know I’ll be raring to go in Q1, but I want Q5 to serve as a recovery period of sorts. The good news is that a lot of my course setup work is now wrapping up (I typically spend the summer/fall revamping all of my workbooks!) and BLPA 2.0 has just one session in November, so I think I’ll be able to have a few creative days that are less packed than they have been.

I have decided I want my Q5 mantra to be SAVOR AND ENJOY THE RIDE, which I think best sums up my intentions to notice and really lean into the fun aspects and relax. Will share Q5 goals later this week!