Apparently deciding to read less means I read more. I read 28 books this month. I know, I was surprised too, but I’m not complaining as I still got everything done that I needed to do this month. I read a lot of shorter and lighter books to balance out my heavier reading, so I think that’s what happened. Please ignore my efforts to fit in the books that fit more than one category!
Historical Fiction
- The Dark Rose, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
- The Betrayal of the Blood Lily, Lauren Willig
- The Island of the Swans, Ciji Ware
Fantasy
- The Fox, Sherwood Smith
- Crimson & Steam, Liz Maverick (also steampunk & romance)
Women’s Fiction
- Saffron Dreams, Shaila Abdullah
- Roses, Leila Meacham
- Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (with lots of romance)
Literary Fiction
- The House of the Mosque, Kader Abdolah
- A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
- The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery
- The Lieutenant, Kate Grenville
- The Gourmet, Muriel Barbery
- Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones
- The Children’s Book, A.S. Byatt
- The Glass Room, Simon Mawer
YA
- Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
Paranormal Romance
- Legend of the White Wolf, Terry Spear
Historical Romance
- Scoundrel’s Kiss, Carrie Lofty
- Compromised, Kate Noble
- Lily and the Leopard, Susan Wiggs
- Miss Wonderful, Loretta Chase
- Lessons in French, Laura Kinsale
Classics
- The Custom of the Country, Edith Wharton
Non-fiction
- Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (graphic memoir)
- 84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff
- The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, Helene Hanff
- The Decisive Moment, Jonah Lehrer
I also reviewed The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England. That contest is still open if you want to head over and enter!
I have trouble choosing a favorite this month, but I think it will have to be The Children’s Book. It was just such a thorough, absorbing read. Honorable mentions, of course, go to Persepolis, The House of the Mosque, and A Suitable Boy. I also loved The Decisive Moment and I think everyone should read it; that review is coming up later this week!
As far as I’m concerned, I’m doing a fair job diversifying my reading. I didn’t stick too much in any one genre, barring what I call “literary” fiction. I don’t like that label, but not sure what to replace it with. I didn’t do very well adding in more classics, but in March I’m going to fix that. Tasha from Heidenkind’s Hideaway and I are going to have a classics-themed month and I aim to read at least four classics.
This month, though, I’m making a goal to read more authors of color. I’ve taken a look at my TBR pile and the authors are there, it’s just a matter of prioritizing those. I haven’t actually decided on which big book I want to tackle this month. I think it’s East of Eden to join in on the group read, but it mostly depends on how many review books I can read before I head home on the 11th!
How was your reading month?
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