Kartik is over. The glories of Kartik are unlimited. This year we got in the mood for special activities with a chart to check off daily. Keeping track is motivating. For example, you can see how many parikrams around the temple got done each day, how many lamps were offered or how many special offerings or festivals were observed... or how many times you caught two charming boys sneaking around in the kitchen.
The best suggestion this year for observance was to hear a daily reading of Srimad Bhagavatam on Facebook done by HH Keshava Bharati Maharaja and HG Vaisesika prabhu. It was hours of nectar every day that month of Kartik which led to a desire to hear more. And the Internet has many sources of audio books, so in case one cannot read much, they can listen.
Every reader has good points and also not so good...such as poor pronunciation of Sanskrit, or reading too fast that you cannot really grasp what is being read or reading too slow with too many interruptions. But until one has time to read aloud on their own or in good company, they can be good enough and greatly appreciated.
The benefits cannot just be described. They have to be experienced. It is the medicine for this age.