March 2015 Reading Round-Up
Posted 1st April 2015
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
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This month I made reading a major priority rather than a priority, which explains the number of reviews I’ve posted versus other posts. Ever more apparant is the fact that when reading you can’t be blogging and when blogging you can’t be reading; I’ve just about worked out how to balance them but seeing how much I hadn’t read so far, deliberately focused on reading. It worked – I read and completed 6 books this month and for once I can quote such a number without having to acknowledge that most were short. Only one of my books this month was short and it feels good. It’s not particularly likely I’ll achieve similar in future months so I’m basking in it.
All books are works of fiction.
The Books
Barbara Comyns: Our Spoons Came From Woolworths – Sophia recounts a period of her life wherein she lived with her selfish, manipulative husband. An oft sorry tale full of domestic issues that is nevertheless fantastic.
Emma Healey: Elizabeth Is Missing – Maud aims to find her friend even whilst constantly forgetting what’s going on moment by moment. An excellent commentary on old age memory loss.
Jessie Burton: The Miniaturist – Nella discovers her new family has many secrets and the figurines she commissions change to reflect present circumstances. Not sure where the plot and characterisation went.
Laura Barnett: The Versions Of Us – Three versions of what could have happened to Jim and Eva following the day Eva rides to/misses her tutorial. Very, very good.
Mikhail Elizarov: The Librarian – A man is drawn into the strange goings on of various groups of people who fight each other for copies of a modest author’s output. Violent and confusing but not bad at all.
Paula Lichtarowicz: The First Book Of Calamity Leek – A girl/animal/fairy tells us about the problems between her sisters, mother, and auntie when the question of the world outside their garden comes into play. Odd, and not at all what you might think, but quite a journey, I’ll say that much.
At a push I think I’d say Elizabeth Is Missing was my favourite this month but I really enjoyed all of them except the Burton. The First Book Of Calamity Leek was a long time coming and I must thank Judith for her recommendation.
Quotation Report
None this time.
My written list of what I plan to read soon is helping immensely. I’m definitely sticking to the concept; I’m liking being able to keep track of how many of my own books I’m reading and I’m actually getting through the books. In not unrelated news, I have been featured in a Triple Choice Tuesday on Kim’s (Reading Matters) blog. Now I better get back to writing non-review posts…
What did you read in March?
April 1, 2015, 8:40 am
I’m not sure how many books I read in March -but it turns out I reviewed 15! Two of them really stood out – newly published A place Called Winter by Patrick Gale and an ‘old’ book If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor. I haven’t read any of your reads but have some of them on my TBR pile….maybe next month…
April 1, 2015, 5:58 pm
I’m pleased to hear that your reading was up in March and that you enjoyed it so much. I finished 5 books in March so good but not as good as previous months. Happy reading in April.
April 1, 2015, 8:10 pm
It can be hard to find the right balance between blogging and reading. Six books is a great achievement, especially as only one of them was short. I hope you enjoy your reading in April!
April 3, 2015, 7:33 pm
Looks like you had rather a marvellous reading March.
Everyone I talk to about Elizabeth Is Missing has loved it, but the subject matter is just too sensitive to me to bring me to pick it up. I am my own worst enemy.
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April 1, 2015, 1:35 am
A couple of those I really want to read. You did good for March!
Happy April reading!