Saturday, January 31, 2015

Monthly Roundup - January 2015

Gorgeous prose and ghastly people were the keynotes of my first books for 2015 with a lighter ,brighter tone emerging as the month progressed and overall a most pleasurable and satisfying start to the new year.
A very hot and humid January which is fine if a shady place can be found to read in but limits the blogging because who wants to sit in front of a computer on a summer's day. I've also spent more than a few hours watching the Australian Open tennis - an annual event I always enjoy.
I'm pleased I stuck to my resolution not to take on anything with posting deadlines that might put me under pressure even if it meant foregoing two challenges that really appealed and I also have to ask how much did Lory's challenge contribute...


...and if I'm honest it was quite a lot. No pile of books with due dates screaming to be read made for a far more relaxed approach. I began just before Christmas so it's almost six weeks since I visited the library and it hasn't been as painful as I thought it might be although I was very happy to return to my weekly visit yesterday. The only books I buy are classics and Virago type - no contemporary fiction so a lack of the variety I like in my reading and really looking forward to a good crime thriller for a change and being able to participate again in the Library Loot meme.

Books read in January = 9
A Century of Books

The Fortune of the Rougons by Emile Zola
The Man of Property by John Galsworthy
Shirley by Charlotte Bronte 
The Vet's Daughter by Barbara Comyns*
Danger Point by Patricia Wentworth*
The Sun In Scorpio by Margery Sharp*
One Pair of Hands by Monica Dickens * (NF)
A Breath of French Air by H.E.Bates
High Rising by Angela Thirkell

DNF - Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. I'm always telling myself I must read more American classics so Care's readalong  seemed a good opportunity but I didn't like it at all and with so much else I really want to read I decided it just wasn't for me. 

Also posted

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Reading England 2015 - Stepping Ashore
A Beautiful Interlude

Moving on into February and looking forward to another month of summer weather, a new title for Reading England, more of A Forsyte Saga........and whatever else takes my fancy. 


Have a great February!



11 comments:

  1. I'm glad the challenge made things more relaxed for you! After reading all the books i had put on my initial list I had some time left so I took Shirley off my shelf for a reread. I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

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    1. I really enjoyed Shirley although I can see why it's not as popular as some of her others.

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  2. You had a good month in books! Happy February reading!

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  3. It does sound like your reading year is off to a good start! I'm thinking of limiting myself to just one library book at a time - because I do hate having them piled up, with due dates looming.

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    1. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep some limits on my borrowing - definitely makes life easier.

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  4. Great month's reading! :)

    I've seen a few people have read The Man of Property - has there been a read-along I've missed? Or was it just a coincidence?

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    1. Checkout Heavenali @ wordpress - nothing official but readalong if you want to.

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    2. Cheers, I'll have a think about it :)

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  5. That looks like a great start to your reading year, but I understand why crime is now calling. I've given up the library for the TBR and I'm surprised I'm not missing it more, and I'm loving the books on my shelves that have been waiting behind the library books with deadlines.

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    1. Has been a wonderful start but my shelves are small so can become a bit limiting.

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