Hello Dear Reader,

Welcome back and hello to our first newsletter of the year! We’ve got some fun things planned for this coming year; I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store!

The core of this newsletter is our shared love for reading. But sometimes even with love, challenges can arise. I know that sometimes, I myself, fall into a little reading slump — even with my big love of the written word! Starting off this new year, I knew that I needed somethings that could help me whenever I feel like I’m in that slump again. Thus, I present the rest of this newsletter!

KNEE SLAPPER THURSDAY 

VERSE OF THE MONTH

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wonderous works He has done, His miracles and the judgements He uttered…”

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 ESV

SERVINA

Just like most of the USA, we got hit with the cold front a couple weeks back. But after the bitter temperatures passed, we got some soft, angelic snow. Snow that Servina thoroughly enjoyed! Between twists and frolics, I managed to snag a picture!

2025 BOOK CHALLENGE

Last year, I challenged myself and all of you to a New Years Resolution of sorts — read one book a month. To make it even easier, I formatted a plan, choosing each book for each month. The feedback I got from it was so overwhelming positive, as was my own experience, I decided to challenge myself, and you, to the same thing once again. 

Wanting to mix it up a little bit and get a new theme, I put up a poll on my Instagram page (@saraxgherasim) to see what genre people would be most interested in for this year. Last year, our theme was “The Classics.” We tackled books like “Pride & Prejudice,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” and more.

For this year, the votes that piled in were astronomical! Between the four categories I had selected, which all were interests of mine, two seemed to take the cake — both tying for first! Luckily, they were semi-similar, so I decided… why don’t I just combine them?

Thus, I present to you, our 2025 Reading Challenge!

As all the books are Historical Fictions, I organized them in a way that we are reading up through history, beginning with a time thousands of years before Jesus to close to the modern age. 

I will admit, some of the books do dip into some other genres (i.e. “Kindred” with time travel), but the core theme is the same. 

I’m so excited to start of this new year challenge with you! 

Happy Reading 🙂

TIPS FOR BEING AN EFFICIENT READER

Something to go alongside with our Reading Challenge are some tips for the people who sometimes struggle to get into, what I like to call, “the reading zone.” 

Trust me, I’ve been there too. Even if you’re not necessarily in a reading slump, it feels like you’re struggling to get through the pages. Or once you pick up the book, you’re fine, but the actual part of getting the book is the problem. Or better yet, you have none of these problems, you just don’t have en0ugh time to get through everything you want to read! 

I’ve been in every single one of these situations and here’s what I did to fix it…

1. Picking a Genre that Interest You

• Sometimes you want to read, but you feel like the book you’re reading isn’t particularly interesting. Maybe it’s a book that you feel like you have to go through, for whatever reason. Take a break from that book, or pitch it all together, and grab a book that you actually want to read. It’s as simple as that!

2. Setting a Timer

• Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of picking a different book or there aren’t enough hours in a day to actually get time to sit and read. Grab a timer, whether it’s your phone or a physical one, and make time for it. Even if it’s just 5 or 10 minutes. The simple act of putting aside dedicated time can make all the difference. Plus, five minutes of reading your favorite book is better than not reading it at all.

3. Family Reading Time

• This is something that my family used to do. Maybe you have kids or are busy with your husband or parents. Making reading something that you do with your entire family is a great way to squeeze in time for your own solace you find in your book. Growing up, my parents would set aside thirty minutes every night where we would all go into the living room with our own books and just read in silence. For a book lover like me, it was heavenly.

4. A Habit Takes 28 Days 

In general, whether you struggle to find time or have plenty of time to read, but just want to get quicker at it, it’s important to remember that no matter what you do, a habit takes twenty-eight days to form. Now, twenty-eight days are going to pass by whether you do good or bad habits. Might as well take the bull by the horns and use it wisely.

BOOK REVIEW

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

This month’s book is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

My Overall Opinion:

Dickens is a classic for a reason. His use of attention-grabbing words and phrases was done eloquently. Prior to reading this, like I thought for many of the classic books, I thought I might have trouble following the story along or imagining what was happening in the correct way. Instead, I was pleasantly corrected and enjoyed the story thoroughly. Being set during the Victorian era was also something that boosted brownie points for me. Something that caught my interest was how Dickens called the chapters “staves,” instead of its more commonly known name. Additionally, reading it during the Christmas season felt homey and comfortable, really ringing in the season!

My Favorite Character:

Maybe I’m a bit basic or unoriginal, but who doesn’t love Tiny Tim. 

Things I Didn’t Like / Would Change:

Going into this book, I thought that there would be many things that I didn’t like or wanted to change. That perception comes from the fact I have seen so many versions and adaptions; I was afraid that the classic book wouldn’t stand up to par. Instead, this Christmas staple was just that — a staple. 

Ranking:

4.7/5 — A timeless story set during one of my favorite periods of time is not something that I would score lowly.

Other Comments:

I don’t think there’s a list big enough on this earth to cover all the books, movies, television shows, and other ideas that used “A Christmas Carol” as their base. Instead, I’ll just list some of my personal favorites: “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Barbie in a Christmas Carol,” and “A Christmas Carol 1948.”

COMING NEXT MONTH

Love is in the air — love and sickness. 

See You Next Month!