It’s New Year’s Eve, and I always choose to look back and reflect on the year, rather than make New Year’s resolutions which don’t mean anything. I can think about the past year, and move on tomorrow, beginning with a Treasures in My Closet post.
I know a lot of people had health problems in 2023, and it wasn’t always COVID. The year wasn’t easy for so many people. I’m sorry, and I hope 2024 is a healthier year for all of us.
2023 was a year of major change for me. I wrapped up my library career. I had worked in public libraries since I started as a page when I was sixteen. But, it was time. There’s too much change and unrest dealing with public libraries. While I’ll always love the people I worked with, and all the books, it really was time for me to step away from my job. I’m glad I was able to do that.
I moved away from Ohio originally for grad school in Washington, D.C., but returned to work in libraries, first in Upper Arlington, and then in Huron where I was Library Director. My mother and I always joked about that. My career goal was to be Director of my hometown library, and I achieved that at 22. I never had a career goal again. But, I worked with wonderful people for the rest of my career – in Port Charlotte, Florida; Lee County, Florida; Glendale, Arizona, and then Evansville, Indiana.
It was time to come home. My sister, Linda, was the one who suggested I move back to Ohio when I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I’m now fifteen minutes from her in the Columbus, Ohio, area. That means a lot of dinners at her house where her husband is the cook! It also means it’s not even two and a half hours to my mother’s. When the weather’s good, it’s easy to get there. And, I wrapped up the year by spending ten days just relaxing at Mom’s. (Thank you, Mom, for hosting me!)
Last year, when I wrote this post and thanked all of you for joining me at Lesa’s Book Critiques, I mentioned the occasional posts from Sandie Herron and Kevin Tipple. When I wrote that, I didn’t realize Sandie had died. I only learned that from her husband, Bill, shortly after the new year. I still miss Sandie. But, I’m grateful that Kevin continues to send reviews to help me!
As always, I want to thank everyone who comes here to find books, friendship, and, sometimes, a little support and encouragement. I write reviews most days. But, Thursdays are special. That’s the day we all gather to chat, to talk about weather or home, and to mention the books we’ve read in the last week. We’ve built a community on Thursdays, and everyone is welcome. Feel free to join the discussion. Most of all, feel free to drop in. And, thank you to everyone who does. I hope we continue to share books in 2024. (And, for those people such as Sandra and Caryn who had trouble commenting, I’m going to see what I can do.)
So, I’m grateful for all the changes in my life in 2023. Most were for the better. I hope 2023 was kind to you, and I hope 2024 is even kinder.
Happy New Year!
Been a tough year.
Glad to still be a small part of things here.
Happy New Year, Lesa, and everyone.
Happy New Year, Kevin. I hope 2024 is better for you and Scott healthwise. I have a lot of good wishes for you two in 2024, but good health is the best wish.
Thank you for everything you do for my blog!
Lesa, it is so good to have this place to come and talk about books (and weather) on Thursdays. This has been a big year of change for you and I hope 2024 will be a really good year for all of us.
I hope it’s a good year for all of us, too, Tracy. I hope we all have good health, and good books to read and share! Thank you for being a part of it!
Yes, it has been a very difficult year in many ways, and we’ve lost some people along the way. Personally, however, we’re good (knock on wood) for the most part. We’ve been to the theater 10 times this year, both on (7) and off-(3) Broadway, and to 7 concerts. We spent 73 days in Florida and are very much looking forward to an even longer (by a week!) trip this year. I refuse to dwell on the negative about the upcoming year, so let me just say Happy New Year to all, and hope everyone stays safe and healthy.
That’s the best wish there is, Jeff, that we all stay safe and healthy. Safe travels to you and Jackie as you head to Florida. I hope you have good weather, good friends, and good books to enjoy while you’re there!
Happy New Year, Lesa, and thanks for telling us about your year and about all (or at least some of!) the places you’ve lived and worked. Thanks, too, for sharing your love of books–I find your reviews fun to read and very helpful, and I look forward to reading more of them in 2024. Sending warm wishes!
Thank you, Kim. When I lived in Arizona, I’d stay up until `10 PM, see the new year in on TV in New York, and go to bed, saying I’d seen it. Yours will be even earlier.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have good health and good books in 2024!
Happy New Year back atcha! Wishing everyone a healthy and hearty 2024!
That’s the best we can wish, Ana, a healthy new year. Take care of yourself.
Thank you Lesa for giving us this wonderful community of online friends. So many great book and tv recommendations and of course I love hearing how everyone is faring and the weather reports. You are a gem.
Wishing all of us a healthy new year.
Thank you, Susan! I’m glad so many of you feel as if this is a community of book lovers. Thank you for spending time here!
I agree. I wish all of us a healthy new year!
Happy new year Lesa. So happy you are enjoying retirement. Thanks for the wonderful reviews and adding to everyone’s TBR pile.
And Kevin I think you are jyst A bit more than a small part of Les’a’s Book Critiques. Your reviews also add to TBR piles.
Everyone have a good 2024.
Wasn’t Kevin’s blog the reason you originally came to mine, Jeannette? You’re right. He’s more than just a small part.
Happy New Year!
Yes, it was Kevin’s blog. He put all of these wonderful links in his blog.
Thanks for all you do. Librarians are my favorite people.
See you in 2024.
Thank you, Joan! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Lesa! I don’t comment much, but I get so many wonderful book suggestions from you, and I enjoy your positive outlook on life. May 2024 bring health, happiness and peace for you!
Thank you, Ingrid! It’s the same. I seldom comment on your Facebook page, but I follow you.
I hope we all have good health, happiness, and good books in 2024.
As a long time reader and but never having left a comment, I feel now is the time!
I, too, am a librarian looking towards retirement in a few years and you have inspired me to start thinking about my plans. Library work has changed so much over the last 3o years – some change is for the better, some change is definitely challenging.
Looking forward to engaging more with this community in the next few years.
All the best for 2024 to all.
Welcome, Laura! I did approve this, so I hope it goes through soon.
Yes, there’s a lot to think about with retirement. I’m glad I retired when I did. I wasn’t enjoying the challenges.
I hope you do find time to engage and talk books. Thank you! Happy New Year, and I hope 2024 is a better year for libraries, and a good reading year for you.