October: A Month In Review

I love autumn. I love the cool days, the colored leaves, and to a small degree, I love the rain. Although I love to read all year I really feel as though Autumn is the start of book reading season. When the weather turns bad there's nothing quite like a quiet evening or a rainy afternoon on the weekend curled up with a good book.

Looking back over the last few weeks I can't believe how quickly October passed, it was a busy month. Still I was able to get in a decent amount of reading. At the beginning of the month I had high hopes to read several books for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge as well as a half-dozen other books, but in the end I only managed to finish 7 books, 5 of which were for the Lovelace challenge and only 1 non-Lovelace book that was on my projected reading list for October.

Still, I count it a very successful month. I was able to obtain some rare books through Inter Library Loan, which made my reading that much more fun. Here's a recap of my October reads with links to their reviews:

1. Rochester's Wife by D. E. Stevenson
2. Betsy and The Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace
3. Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
4. One Stayed At Welcome by Maud and Delos Lovelace
5. Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson
6. Murder In Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
7. The Betsy-Tacy Companion by Sharla Scannell Whalen

So that's what I read this month, but what is on my list for November?

Check out my recent What's On My Nightstand post for a preview. And those of you who've been reading for the Maud Hart Lovelace Challenge, be sure to come back tomorrow to link up your posts.

September: A Month In Review

It is the last day of September and it is starting to fell like Autumn, even though it doesn't quite look the part. The leaves have only a hint of color, but the humidity has dropped and the air is becoming brisker in the early evenings.

This evening I took a long walk with my husband and daughter and enjoyed the quiet beauty of nature. It was the perfect evening to return and settle down with a good book, which is exactly what I'm planning to do once I finish this post.

I am pleased with my reading progress during the month of September. I finished off 10 books, bringing my yearly total to 79. Two of the ten books were on my projected reading list for September. One book didn't make it... I'm ashamed to admit I never got around to reading L. M. Montgomery's Rainbow Valley, which I've been planning to read for two months now. (sigh)

Here's my recap:

1. Highland Fling by Katie Fforde
2. Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge
3. The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo
4. The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie
5. Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson
6. A Dog Called Scholar by Anne H. White
7. Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
8. The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
9. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
10. The Trees Kneel At Christmas

As you can tell by my list I am a little behind in posting reviews, but no worry, I shall have the missing reviews posted before the end of next week, if not sooner.

So that's what I read this month, but what is on my list for October?

I have a few definite reads: 1. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (chosen by the ladies of my book club to read before our next meeting). 2. Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (for my personal AC reading challenge). 3. Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery (which I stated in my recent What's On My Nightstand post will be finished before November. Don't believe me? Just wait and see!) And then of course I'm planning on reading several books by Maud Hart Lovelace for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. Mrs. Lovelace penned 24 novels during her lifetime I am planning to read and review not only the rest of the Betsy-Tacy series, but some of her lesser known works, so be sure to check back throughout the month.

And speaking of Maud Hart Lovelace... there's still time to join the challenge. Whether you are a veteran Betsy-Tacy fan or have never heard of Deep Valley and Maud Hart Lovelace, I encourage you to join the fun.

Well, I'm off to enjoy a quiet evening and a good book. Happy reading!

August: A Month in Review

Today is the last day of August and it might as well be the last day of Summer by the way it feels outside. It is so much cooler and between the warm sunshine and soft breezes it's the perfect day for reading out of doors. I love it!

I'm actually a little excited that the hot Summer weather is drawing to an end. I love Summer, but I think I love Autumn more. There's something so cozy about reading on a soft warm afternoon or a cool crisp evening.

But to recap the month... Most of my August reads were on my projected reading list, which is a change from the last two months, where most were not. Of the seven books I hoped to read I finished five and added seven more that weren't on the list.

Those 12 books included:
1. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer.
3. Heavens to Betsy by Maud Hard Lovelace.
4. Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie.
5. Betsy In Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace.
6. Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace.
7. The African Queen by C. S. Forester
8. Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace
9. The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton
10. Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
11. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
12. Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

As you can tell by my list I am a little behind in posting reviews. But never fear, I shall have the rest of the reviews up within the first two weeks of September. Plus I have some very exciting news in the form of an announcement that will appear tomorrow -- Tuesday, September 1st -- so be sure to check back to find out more!

By the way, for those who are curious about the two books I didn't read from my August projected reading list they were The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel (a series of short stories by Baroness Orczy) and Rainbow Valley from the Anne of Green Gables series. I still plan to read Rainbow Valley, but have given up on The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. The League is a series of short stories that comes later in the series and I really want to read the books in order of the story's progression. Unfortunately I don't have access to the next in the series, so I have put that reading ambition on hold.

So what will I be reading next month? I am currently reading Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge, which was the selected book for my book club's September meeting. I am determined to have this 502 page book finished before the meeting. I expect this will happen as I've already made quite a bit of progress and it's not yet September.

I'd like to finish Rainbow Valley and perhaps get started on Rilla of Ingleside, we'll see.

Of course, I must read the next Agatha Christie mystery, which is The A.B.C. Murders.

And I've got a few other ideas of books I plan to read, but we'll see if I get to them or if something else lands in my lap to distract me. Curious? I hope you'll come back to see what I post.

July Wrap-up and August Reading Forecast

Well, July wasn't nearly as productive a month as I had planned it to be. I only read six (6) books, none of which were on my projected reading list for the month, and none of which were part of my current reading challenges. However, I did dedicate a great deal of my reading time to Little Dorrit. Unfortunately while I did read over half of the 848 page novel in July, I didn't finish it before the month's end.

I justify my reading laziness with the thought that reading during the Summer months should be relaxing, fun, and as time permits. There is plenty of time for heavy reading when the weather is nasty and one is snuggled up with a hot beverage and a blanket.

And so to recap what I did read...
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald (audio book) -- I've been curious about this story for some time. I enjoyed the story, even though it was sad. I think I'll skip the movie.

2. Bidding For Love by Katie Fforde -- I got suckered into reading another chic-lit romance. They make for great Summer reading. This particular story was a lighthearted, fun, and a fast read.

3. Tarquin of Cheapside by F. Scott Fitzgerald (audio book) -- The title of this short story intrigued me. It was an interesting and unsuaul story with an ending I didn't quite grasp.

4. The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry -- A cute coming-of-age fairytale romance for juvenile readers. Along the lines of Ella Enchanted. Fast, entertaining, and an easy read.

5. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella -- Hot off the press. This July 2009 release was a fast read and fun romantic comedy. I enjoy Kinsella's writing for the light reads that they are, great for the Summer.

6. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer -- I admit it. I gave in and finally read this pop-culture icon of a book. I didn't think I'd like it, I didn't think I'd even finish it. But ended up surprising myself not only by finishing it in 24 hours, but by liking the book. While I haven't converted into an obsessed fan, I think I may read the next novel in the series before the Summer is over, we'll see. Fast and entertaining read.

Projected August Reads:
I'm not going to make any more lofty goals for this Summer. I will say this:

I will finish Little Dorrit.

I plan to read Three Act Tragedy and Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie to catch up on my personal Christie reading challenge (read all of her books in order of publication).

And I also plan to read The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel since it's sitting on my nightstand.

If I have time I will also read: Rainbow Valley and Heavens to Betsy as part of my personal challenge to re-read the entire Anne series and Betsy-Tacy series. And if New Moon comes into the library before the end of the month I will probably read it too.

But seriously, no lofty goals... we'll see where I get to after I finish Little Dorrit.

A Month In Review: June

And here we are again, at the end of the month and half way through the year. So in a way it seems fitting in a way that I've read half way to 100 books in six months.

Over the last six months I have noticed a couple patterns forming in my reading. First, I seem to average reading between six and eight books a month, which astounds me considering my reading time is mostly between the hours of 9 and 11pm.

Second, for the first time in probably 14 years I have been reading a lot of fluff -- a lot of "potato chip" novels. I'm not sure if it's the fact it is summer time and I'm in the mood for some warm-fuzzy romances, or if I'm just needing something light to read since my life is so hectic. At any rate, I have spent a fair amount of my reading time reading chic-lit and I'm not sure when this mood will pass.

Here is a recap of what I read, click on the links to read my reviews:

1. A House to Let by Charles Dickens & Others
2. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
3. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
4. Winona's Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace
5. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
6. Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
7. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
8. Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde
9. Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery

As for projections for the month of July... I am determined to finish Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, even if not before the July 18th book club meeting. Then I am moving on to the next Christie novel, Three Act Tragedy. If I have time I would also like to read Rainbow Valley and perhaps Betsy Was a Freshman, as both are next in line of the Anne and the Betsy-Tacy series I am re-reading. Of course because it is Summer I am tempted to just read a lot of fluff, so we'll see. Check back and find out!

To see what I've been reading check out my other A Month In Review posts or my Master Reading List.

A Month In Review And Looking Ahead: May to June

May was a busy month, but I was happy to finish the following eight books:

* The Methods of Lady Walderhurst by Frances Hodgson Burnett
* Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
* Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace
* Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
* On The Incarnation by Saint Athanasius
* Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery*
* The Penny Whistle by B. J. Hoff
* Smoky The Cow Horse by Will James
(Note: Click on the links to view my reviews)

These eight books bring my year-to-date reads up to forty-two. I'm already ahead of where I was last year at this time... not that I was competing with my total from last year... Ok. Well, maybe I was... just a little.

Of the books I projected to read in my April Month in Review post I finished five out of six. Not bad.

I'm looking forward to June, as summer always seems the best time to read since the days are long and books can be enjoyed out of doors as well as in. My June predictions are limited to: A House to Let, another Agatha Christie and another Betsy-Tacy book, all of which I expect to be definite reads. As for any other reads, including Little Dorrit, I am open to see what I finish and what else I find to begin. I hope you'll come back to find out!

Happy Summer everyone!

April: A Month in Review and Looking Ahead

Another month has come and gone and here we are into May! I can hardly believe that spring is nearly passed.

April was a very busy month for me between work and traveling and the general things in life that take up time, but I was able to meet several of my goals.

In April I read 7 books. At the start of the month I finished a book that has caused me great curiosity over the years: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. I also read several books from various series including: Anne of Windy Poplars by L. M. Montgomery, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace, and Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Parliament by Paul Gallico. And as part of a personal reading challenge I started last year, I also completed another Agatha Christie mystery, Lord Edgware Dies (a.k.a. Thirteen for Dinner), which makes 13 read with 69 to go. To give myself a break from all the drama of Brideshead and Lord Edgware I enjoyed a fairytale romance and swash-buckling adventure in The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. And just before the close of the month I reminisced while re-reading the children's classic and 1939 Newbery Honor Award book, Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. (Note: Click on the links to view my reviews)

I think seven books is pretty good considering almost all of them were in my list of predicted reads in my March: A Month in Review post. Looking ahead to May I am planning to read the sequel to The Making of a Marchioness, which I read earlier this year. I also plan to get into the book club selections before our May 20th meeting, and plan to finish off the 14th Christie mystery. Aside from that I may pick up another Anne book, or maybe a Betsy-Tacy, we'll see. I am hoping for some fun surprises in May, so stay tuned.

March: A Month in Review and Looking Ahead

After a great start to the year (having read 22 books in two months) my reading greatly lagged in March as I only five books:

1. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
2. Peril At End House by Agatha Christie
3. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi
4. Betsy-Tacy-Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace
5. The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Even with so little time to read I was still able to meet my goal of one Christie novel per month. I didn't get on with my personal Anne of Green Gables challenge, but I did start re-reading a childhood favorite, the Betsy-Tacy series. My biggest accomplishment was working my way through the book selected for my April 1st book club meeting, Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Speaking of which -- our meeting was last night and I have to say it was not only one of our largest gatherings, but probably one of the best discussions in recent months, which says a lot. In addition to the discussion of the three books selected, we also talked about other related books about women living in the Middle East and we had a special guest attending who has spent several years living in the Middle East. She shared first-hand accounts of the culture there, particularly for women, which was both fascinating and a little depressing. Nevertheless, I am glad we took the time to read these books. For our next meeting we are moving away from modern literature and reading Confessions by Saint Augustine and On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius. So stay tuned for my thoughts on those in the coming weeks.

I do not have high hopes for April as I will be out of town for a week with little to no time to read, so I am setting small goals. In April I plan to: re-read the next Anne of Green Gables book, finish Brideshead Revisited, read another Christie novel, possibly another Betsy-Tacy novel, and work my way through the two book club selections. Any books beyond those... well I suppose there will be a few, but depending on my moods we're all in for a surprise as to what they will be. Stay tuned and happy reading!

February, A Month In Review

Well, I didn't meet all my expectations for February, but I was close. I completed The Spiderwick Chronicles, read an Agatha Christie novel for my challenge, and read an Edwardian romance for Valentine's Day.

Here's my February recap:

1. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall (2/3/09)
2. The Spiderwick Chronicles: Lucinda's Secret (#3) by Holly Black (2/4/09)
3. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Ironwood Tree (#4) by Holly Black (2/4/09)
4. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Wrath of Mulgarath (#5) by Holly Black (2/5/09)
5. Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis (2/7/09)
6. A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (2/9/09)
7. The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley (2/12/09)
8. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (2/17/09)
9. The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett (2/20/09)
10. The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie (2/23/09)

If you are really curious how my reading progress is going throughout the year feel free to visit my A Library is a Hospital for the Mind Reading List. You can also view past reading lists for 2006, 2007, and 2008, though only 2008 includes links to the online book reviews I posted.

Thinking ahead into March I hope to finish my book club selection, make some progress in the TR autobiography, read some more Agatha Christie, another Hodgson Burnett novel, and maybe an Anne book... After that, we'll see.

January, A Month In Review

Normally I try not to set too many reading goals. I'm a mood reader. That is to say, when and what I read is generally decided by my mood. If I'm in the mood for a mystery, I pick up a mystery... If I'm in the mood for a classic, I pick up a classic, etc.

However, this said I did set a few goals for 2009.

First, I am working my way through all of the mystery novels by Dame Agatha Christie, starting with her first published and ending with her last. In 2008 I read the first eight books. My goal for 2009 is to read at minimum 12 more (one for each month in 2009). I am pleased that I was able to make my way through 2 books in January alone!

Second, I began re-reading the Anne series by L. M. Montgomery in 2008 and planned to finish it before the end of 2009. I continued towards meeting this goal by reading the third in the series (Anne of the Island) during the month of January.

Third, I signed up to participate in the L. M. Montgomery Reading Challenge and met it by reading two books, the above Anne book and one other.

Fourth and last, at the end of last year I selected 10 books that I planned to definitely read before the end of 2009. These ten books were listed in my 2009 Reading Projection post. I read four of the ten in January alone!

Here's my January recap:
1. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie (1/1/09)
2. One Hundred And One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (1/7/09)
3. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (1/10/09)
4. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (1/13/09)
5. Nothing But the Truth by Avi (1/14/09)
6. Don't Make Me Count to Three! by Ginger Plowman (1/15/09)
7. The Murder At The Vicarage by Agatha Christie (1/17/09)
8. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery (1/24/09)
9. Behind A Mask by A. M. Barnard (a.k.a Louisa May Alcott) (1/25/09)
10. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide (#1) by Holly Black (1/27/09)
11. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde (1/31/09
12. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Seeing Stone (#2) by Holly Black (1/31/09)

Overall I think I'm off to a pretty good start for the year. Incidentally, if you are really curious how my reading progress is going throughout the year feel free to visit my A Library is a Hospital for the Mind Reading List. You can also view past reading lists for 2006, 2007, and 2008, though only 2008 includes links to the online book reviews I posted.

Looking ahead to February I plan to complete The Spiderwick Chronicles and post one review for all five books. I also plan to have at least one romance genre book finished in time for Valentine's Day... So stay tuned!