As I did last year, I’m trying not to acquire any new books during the first three months of 2019. With the exception of my first read of the year (a library book I already had in the house), I’ve managed to meet that goal and get through a few books that have been lingering on my shelves for a while.
As often happens, one book leads to another — I’d picked up a copy of Jane Gardam’s God on the Rocks at a used bookstore some time ago, and when I reread it I couldn’t resist going on to two more of her wonderful novels. And I could then write about one of them as part of my “First Reads” series. And now I’m going to have to resist going to the library for the ones I don’t own, and keep plugging away at my TBR shelf.
How was the first month of this year for you?
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Reviews
Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff was a magnificent rendering of the Arthurian mythos.- As mentioned above, I went back in time to revisit my first book by Jane Gardam, Bilgewater.
Other Books Read
- Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs
- The Apocalypse of St. John by Rudolf Steiner
- God on the Rocks and The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam
Other Features and Events
- I asked, How do you organize your TBR?
- I pointed to a couple of posts on my other blog, How tidying up changed my life and A new life.
- I summed up my 2018 reading and selected my favorites to receive the Emerald City Gem.
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
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
I was given a book token for a massive amount at the end of last year so, sad to relate,* I have been picking up new books that have appealed to me, almost guilt-free.
On the plus side, I have a box full of titles no longer required on the voyage to pass on to friends, relatives, fellow writers on a creative writing course and to charity shops. However, I admire your determination and self-control, Lory, in maintaining an embargo on acquisitions new to you! Would that I could replicate that…
* Not!
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My restraint during the first three months does not carry over to the rest of the year, I find — rather the contrary. However, at least I’ve gotten through some of that lingering pile before adding more to it.
Enjoy your book token, a lovely gift!
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Definitely a lovely gift — in recognition of me accompanying (and occasionally conducting) rehearsals for the choral society — for which I’m truly grateful! Good luck to for the remainder of February and March. 🙂
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You had a great month for reading. Happy February!
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Thanks Freda!
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Waiting 3 months before buying any more books seems like a good idea for whittling down the TBR pile. I think I may try this at some point this year.
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I do recommend it as an experiment, at least.
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Oooo. I’m intrigued by the Sutcliff title!
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It is a classic, for good reason.
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Lory, I am pleased to hear you enjoyed your reading in January. I only managed to finish two books, but they were both great! Happy February reading! 🙂
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Quality over quantity! That works for me.
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You did a mini Gardam marathon! 😀 I would like to read he Queen of the Tambourine next from her, when ever I get ’round to it.
My January was pretty normal. I managed to get in quite a few titles, most of them for the Tournament of Books coming up in March.
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I found The Queen of the Tambourine fantastic. I’ll be curious to see if you like it too.
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I am so impressed you’re able to maintain a book embargo for any length of time, let alone three months! I’m not sure I could do it. Especially when lovely, tempting titles or old favorites go on sale in Kindle format. At least those don’t take up any physical space, though.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to read your review of Sword at Sunset, a book I have had on my want-to-read list for almost a decade now. Someday I will read it!
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It took me so long to read Sutcliff at all! Now I think she’s one of my favorite authors.
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Oooh Jane Gardam! And those are three that I’ve read too! Love Bilgewater, that was my first JG. Now I want to read some more of hers…
I am impressed by your restraint. I had Noble Intentions as January dawned, fell disastrously from the wagon after reading a few reviews and am now trying to climb back on and be virtuous again. If only I could buy the time to read when I buy the book…
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I think it helps that I don’t have much time at the moment to read at all. Or go to bookstores or the library. I am thrown back on my own shelves if the need to read does arise!
Boy, buying time to read would be very attractive. (See above.) Good thing for my pocketbook that I can’t do that. 🙂
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Well I could not choose to not buy anything the first 3 months. My method is more to work on a backlist challenge to make sure I get to more of my TBR and to not buy anything I can get at the library. I think if I had to do a more severe cutback I would say only x books per month rather than none for the first 3 months.
Now with groceries I put off going to the store a few days whenever I can and try to plan menus around things already in the fridge and freezer.
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I find that an all-or-nothing approach works best for me in digging into my shelves. (Temporarily.) For some, aiming at a monthly number is good. Whatever your goals, I hope you find striving for them satisfying and worthwhile!
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Sword at Sunset sounds good. here is my Jan recap: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/02/01/2019-january-wrap-up/
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Rosemary Sutcliff is brilliant. I will be reading more of her, for sure.
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Congrats for resisting getting new books in January! 🙂
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And February is almost over — one more month to go!!
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I admire your goal of not picking up new books, but I will admit I’m just the opposite. Although, I did go through my book shelves and found a huge stack that I’ve either read or know I won’t and will be donating those to Little Free Libraries throughout the year.
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Making room on my shelves eventually leads to acquiring more books to fill them…but at least the balance is maintained somewhat.
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