This year, I’d like to start posting monthly reading wrap-ups.
I’m off to a good start, as January was a fantastic reading month. I finished 8 books and started 2 others. I also participated in two readathons, including Bout of Books and 24 in 48.
Here’s what I read:
- Autumn by Ali Smith (4-stars)
- Challenges: Mount TBR
- A Winter Away by Elizabeth Fair (4-stars)- Reviewed here, ebook
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (4-stars), ebook
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (4-stars)- Reviewed here, Netgalley ARC
- 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (5-stars)
- Challenges: Nonfiction, Mount TBR
- Winter, by Ali Smith (4-stars)
- Challenges: When Are You Reading?, Mount TBR
- Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton (5-stars), ebook
- Challenges: Historical Fiction, When Are You Reading?
- Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson (5-stars)
- Challenges: TBR Pile, Mount TBR
I’ve also started:
- Excellent Women by Barbara Pym,
- Challenges: TBR Pile, Classics Club, Back to the Classics, Mount TBR
- The Persephone Book of Short Stories
- Challenges: Mount TBR
If this month is any indication, I have a wonderful reading year ahead!
Tentative February Reading Plans
The first part of the month will be full of Persephone Books since the #PersephoneReadathon kicks off tomorrow (!!!)
After that, I’ll most likely pick up:
- The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (finally!)
- Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (if I’m going to read it this year, I want to read it while it’s still actually winter)
- Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
How was your reading month? What was your favorite read?
I liked Winter Solstice. It’s my second favorite book by that author. Enjoy!
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Thanks-that’s good to hear!
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I loved 84 Charing Cross Road – wonderful book. I also read Autumn awhile back and really enjoyed that but Smith’s new one (part of the Seasons series) is called Winter and it’s even better. My own best book in January was either Robicheaux by James Lee Burke or Winter by Ali Smith.
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84, Charing Cross was pretty much perfect; I wish I had read it sooner. I actually read Winter this month as well. I can’t decide if I prefer it or Autumn though!
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Great list of books. I’ve wanted to read 84 Charing Cross Road, but haven’t for some reason.
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It was a wonderful reading month! I’d highly recommend 84, Charing Cross Road. I wish I had read it sooner myself!
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A very successful month then! Funny you should have just started Persephone short stories as it has just arrived through my letterbox courtesy of their book a month package! I’m hoping to pick up The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock very soon too! 🙂
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It might be a tough month to beat! That is a funny coincidence! Are you planning on reading it for the readathon? I’m quite jealous of your Persephone Book of the month subscription!
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My reading month was just average. I’d say that of the 8 books I read 4 were enjoyable/enlightening/educational/entertaining. Very curious about what you’ll chose for the Persephone Readathon!
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I’ve definitely had my share of those kinds of months. Hopefully you’ll have a better reading month in February! I’m excited to finally share my readathon TBR tomorrow.
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I’m looking forward to seeing all your choices!
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The film version of 84, Charing Cross Road is also wonderful — Anne Bancroft read it and loved it so much, her husband Mel Brooks bought her the film rights. Nice gift! She was wonderful as Helene Hanff.
I also loved the Persephone short stories, but I’ve loved nearly all their short story collections so far. I especially liked Dimanche and Other Stories and The Casino.
I’ve never read anything by Rosamund Pilcher but I was just thinking that I wanted to read The Shell Seekers, I know a lot of people really love that one.
And Fingersmith is WONDERFUL. It’s long but absolutely gripping. I think it’s Sarah Water’s best novel so far.
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Oh that’s good to hear about the film version of 84, Charing Cross Road! I’ll have to track it down.
The Shell Seekers does seem to be her most popular novel, although the one I’m most excited to read is Coming Home. A coming-of-age story set during WWII is right up my alley!
I’ve been saving Fingersmith because I know I’m going to love it, but I need to hurry up and read it before I accidentally learn any spoilers!
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