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Friday, January 1, 2021

First Book of the Year 2021!


The lovely Sheila at Book Journey is once again hosting First Book of the Year and this is the 7th year I participate. It's a meme where we share the first book we will be reading in 2021. And it gets me all excited for another year of great reading.

So what is the First Book of the Year? It should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book of the year.

If you head on over to Sheila's blog she has a cool montage of all those participating. Here is the pic of me with the book I chose to read:



I've decided my first book of the year would be a nonfiction book that I've been wanting to read ever since it was first sent to me: Blue Sky Kingdom by Bruce Kirby, a book that explores the themes of modern distraction and the loss of ancient wisdom. This book fits in with my goals this year of staying focused on my priorities.


A warm and unforgettable portrait of a family letting go of the known world to encounter an unfamiliar one filled with rich possibilities and new understandings. 

Bruce Kirkby had fallen into a pattern of looking mindlessly at his phone for hours, flipping between emails and social media, ignoring his children and wife and everything alive in his world, when a thought struck him. This wasn't living; this wasn't him. This moment of clarity started a chain reaction which ended with a grand plan: he was going to take his wife and two young sons, jump on a freighter and head for the Himalaya. 

In Blue Sky Kingdom, we follow Bruce and his family's remarkable three months journey, where they would end up living amongst the Lamas of Zanskar Valley, a forgotten appendage of the ancient Tibetan empire, and one of the last places on earth where Himalayan Buddhism is still practiced freely in its original setting.

Richly evocative, Blue Sky Kingdom explores the themes of modern distraction and the loss of ancient wisdom coupled with Bruce coming to terms with his elder son's diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum. Despite the natural wonders all around them at times, Bruce's experience will strike a chord with any parent—from rushing to catch a train with the whole family to the wonderment and beauty that comes with experience the world anew with your children.

My review will be up later this month.

So what is your first book of the year?

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18 comments :

  1. Blue Sky Kingdom sounds like a really great read. I am going to have a look at it. I only saw The First Book of the year meme this morning, so I didn't send in a photo or anything. I just listed my first book on my Weekend Book Friends post.

    Happy New Year and may the new year be filled with awesome books.

    Lots of Love,

    Elza Reads

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    1. So far the book has me hooked. I think it will be a great read. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  2. I love the sound of this one! How great to choose a book you have been wanting to read. Enjoy!

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    1. I've been reserving it for this event. Feels like the perfect book to read that matches my goals this year.

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  3. This sounds like a great choice, Happy New Year and Happy Reading Laura.

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  4. Sounds a book so many need to look up and away from devices! Happy reading.
    My First Book

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  5. This sounds like a good one! Enjoy and Happy New Year!

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  6. It's so much fun to see everyone's First Book! I hope it's a good one.

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  7. This does sound good. Technology has definitely contributed to distractions. I hope you really enjoy it!

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  8. That sounds like it will be really interesting Laura and don't we all need to stay more focussed on our lives and living and leaving our technology to rest! Happy New year.

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  9. This sounds interesting- what a wonderful first book of year! I've always been fascinated by Tibet, and the theme of lost wisdom appeals to me- I'll be watching for your thoughts on this one!

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  10. This sounds fascinating! I'll be looking for your review.

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  11. Nice pic! I hope you enjoy your first book (and all that follow).

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Thank you for commenting! I appreciate your feedback.

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