March has been an eventful month over here. Hubby’s birthday and exciting computer build, family concerns, and various other issues have dominated the month. I’ve now been in my job for an entire year, and with that have lived in the same flat in the same town for a year as well – the first full year anywhere since high school. We’ve finally made progress towards selling our old flat and I passed my Life in the UK test, so I’m all set to submit paperwork in November when I renew my visa. Just hoping everything is okay in my family and I’ll be set for another month.
Unsurprisingly, with everything else going on, it was a fairly slow reading month for me. I read 14 books, which I know is still quite a few, but isn’t much compared to previous months, even working. I did read two immense books in there, but I balanced them out nicely with shorter YA and romance reads. Overall I think I did pretty well given the circumstances!
Fiction
- The Eye of the World, Robert Jordan
- Captive Bride, Bonnie Dee
- Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson
- Queen Hereafter, Susan Fraser King
- River Marked, Patricia Briggs
- Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver
- Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, Sarah MacLean
- The Glassblower of Murano, Marina Fiorato
- Monsieur Montespan, Jean Teule
- The Hundred-Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin
Non-fiction
- Plastic: A Toxic Love Story, Susan Freinkel (review coming in April)
- The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
- To a Mountain in Tibet, Colin Thubron
- A World on Fire, Amanda Foreman
By far the best thing about a slower reading month is the lack of reviews waiting to be written. I only have four to do and I’ve finished two books in April, which is far off my usual lackluster performance.
Favorites of the Month
This month’s fiction favorite is a toss-up between Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin. Both were spectacular in different ways, but both surprised me with their excellence and had me thinking about them even after I’d finished reading.
Non-fiction favorite goes to A World on Fire. Yes, it took me two weeks to read, but I felt like I learned so much and was given a totally new perspective on a topic I’d been learning about since elementary school. Very much worth it for anyone who enjoys history.
Looking Ahead
April promises to be an exciting reading month. The Read-a-Thon is next weekend and I’m really looking forward to participating – it looks to be my only free weekend all month and I’m so glad it fell on that one. I think this is my fifth one; it’s hard to believe it’s been so long since the first. I’ve already read two outstanding books and I’m hoping for many more. Possibilities include:
- Dreams Underfoot, Charles de Lint
- Shades of Milk and Honey, Mary Robinette Kowal
- The Native Star, M.K. Hobson
- 13 Rue Therese, Elena Mauli Shapiro
- The Paris Wife, Paula McLain
- The Four Ms. Bradwells, Meg Waite Clayton
- The Color Purple, Alice Walker
If you’ve read any of these books, tell me where to start! I wish you all a fantastic April.
I am an Amazon Associate. Some of the books mentioned in this post were sent to me for review.
You’ve had a lot going on, so I can see why you’re reading would be down, but I think 14 books is a lot for someone who works full time. You will love The Color Purple!
I agree with Kathy — The Color Purple is excellent. Wishing you and family everything positive.
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I am looking forward to Dreams Underfoot! Well, I am like halfway finished, but I sort of stalled… I feel like I say that a lot! I am trying to finish books I have on the go, so it will be one of my priorities.
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I think both SHADES OF MILK AND HONEY and DREAMS UNDERFOOT will be excellent readathon books. The first reads very quickly, while the second is easy to sneak in in and around other books.
I’m glad to hear you’ll be doing the read a thon! Well be reading together
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Given the circumstances I think you did fantastic! I didn’t realize you weren’t native to the UK?
The only one on your read list that I’ve also read is Wintergirls (actually listened) and found it to be a powerful little book. In terms of your other list, the only one I’ve read is The Color Purple but it’s fantastic. I have Dreams Underfoot on the shelf but haven’t gotten to it yet.
Hope you have a great week Meghan!