I completed way fewer books than usual this month — my attention has been scattered and divided with lots of things going on at work and home, so it’s been difficult to concentrate. I actually have several ongoing reads I’m working on simultaneously, so I’m still reading, just not very fast. I do hope things will settle down soon so I have more mental energy.
I decided to do the Classics Club Spin and am somewhat relieved that I didn’t get Don Quixote again, even though I would like to finish part II. Instead, I’ll be aiming to read Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man by the end of April.
How is your spring developing?
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Reviews
- The Ghost of Thomas Kempe was much more successful than my last attempt at reading Penelope Lively.
- The Maze at Windermere is a new novel that gives a kaleidoscopic historical view of the city of Newport, RI.
Other Books Read
City of Gold by Peter Dickinson
- A London Child of the 1870s and A London Girl of the 1880s by Molly Hughes
Other Features and Events
- What books should I buy? was my discussion question for the month (meaning in general, not specific books).
- I shared some thoughts on Diana Wynne Jones’s enigmatic story “The True State of Affairs,” for March Magics.
- I posted about my first three months of reading Les Miserables at the rate of a chapter a day.
- I also reviewed the results of my three-month book acquisition ban.
Shared in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Month in Review linkup at The Book Date, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Some months do go like that, don’t they, but hopefully we don’t beat ourselves up about it — as I am sometimes inclined to do! Still, your achievement rate seems pretty good, something I’m a little bit in envy of. Enjoyed all your posts as usual, even of books I’m unlikely to read, as there’s always something to learn in discussions about literary stuff. Thanks!
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Thank you, Chris. I always read as much as I possibly can, just because I need to for my mental health! At the moment other things have taken up a lot of my time, but I have hope that I’ll get back to a more normal routine soon.
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As long as you are reading, it doesn’t matter how fast it goes. đŸ™‚
Happy Easter and happy April!
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Thanks Freda, and to you as well.
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It’s been a long winter with low light levels – and I always find that saps mental energy and creativity. I hope you have a good April…
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The light returning definitely helps. (Even though it snowed again yesterday). Happy Spring to you!
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Sometimes other things impinge on our reading lives and that I guess is totally okay. Looks like you have had some interesting posts during the month. All the best for April.
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Thanks Kathryn, have a good month.
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I also have been reading at a lower pane then I had hoped. Long work days have made reading difficult. I also have read some long books which reduces the number of books finished. Hopefully April will be a better reading month.
I have been wanting to read Ellison’s Invisible Man for awhile. I look foward to your commentary on it.
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Me too – for some reason I never got to read it in school, but now seems to be the right time.
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Invisible Man sounds great, I haven’t read that yet either đŸ™‚ hope you get to read more books this month. Have a great April!
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Thanks Evelina, things are looking up already.
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Lory, I read less books in March too because I ended up reading two quite long and intense novels for most of the month. Looking forward to some lighter reads in April. Happy reading!
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Yes, the time seems right for some lighter fare.
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My reading dips like that too when my stress levels rise.
I will be very interested to read your thoughts on Invisible Man. I read it for High School English and I remember it being difficult but rewarding in the discussions. But that was 30 years ago. I think I might appreciate its “difficult” aspects better now.
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I think I”m probably better off encountering it at a more mature age. In high school important issues were way over my head.
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Classics Spin seems like an interesting way to expand your classics reading horizons. Hope you enjoy the new pick! I unfortunately gave up on Les Mis because I fell too far behind. For some reason a chapter a day didn’t work out for me the way I thought it would. But I’m still hoping to read it eventually!
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You remind me I need to read my daily selection. Sometimes I fall a day or two behind, but I’ve always caught up. But I need to download Invisible Man and get going on that.
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