May 2019 Reading Round Up
Posted 3rd June 2019
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
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Other than May being the month when I finished books – discussed last week – this month also marked my first non-fiction book of the year; I read two, in fact. (The scary thing to discover was that I haven’t read non-fiction since last February.) May was a very long month, cold and wet – it’s been pretty wintry here – but full of goings on. There have been book awards and interesting new releases, concerts, days out, and time with family.
The Books
Non-Fiction
Dolly Alderton: Everything I Know About Love – Alderton looks back on her twenties, her previous decade that was full of parties, drinking, and spending time with friends. An okay read.
Guy Stagg: The Crossway – Hoping to heal from depression, Stagg embarks on a pilgrimage from Canterbury to Jerusalem, following ancient roads, staying in religious guesthouses along the way, and learning more about himself and the famous religious people of the various regions he passes through. A good book, but it could have done with more information about the journey itself and more positive descriptions of those Stagg meets on the road and stays with.
Fiction
Maria Edgeworth: Belinda – A young woman, the last of several nieces to be taken under the wing of a notorious match-making aunt, enters society and surprises everyone with her differing personality. Worth reading – I believe – if you find a copy of the first or second edition, those that talk about interracial marriage.
It’s hard to choose a favourite here because I don’t really have one; the reading experience of the books above was good, but in terms of enjoyment the one in my mind is Michelle Obama’s memoir which I haven’t finished yet.
For June I’ve a rough plan to spend half my reading time on two books – Obama’s included – that I started in May, and half on ‘new’ books, which includes a reprint of an early 2000s novel and the Nicola Cornick I haven’t yet got to.
How many books have you read so far this year? (I’m on 19.)
June 7, 2019, 2:04 am
I haven’t read nearly as much nonfiction as I wanted to this year! It’s been an okay amount, but I have still somehow felt dissatisfied with it. I just wish I had way more time for reading all the nonfiction, so that I could read everything I’m potentially interested in, and never feel any FOMO about it.
June 7, 2019, 4:19 pm
Surprisingly enough both The Crossway and Belinda really appeal to me. Having watched a documentary in which celebs partook in a similar pilgrimage I think I’d find the former book particularly interesting.
June 12, 2019, 5:14 pm
Lisbeth: I am envious – there were a few years where my reading was more mixed, but that was a while ago in relative terms. 43 is fab!
Freda: Well done on 25 :)
Jenny: Same here. And then non-fiction often requires more time (stats, details, whatever)…
Tracy Terry: Given your documentary watching, it may well be more interesting. Probably quite different, but that could be good – more perspectives and so forth.
Jessica: Awesome stuff; well done :D
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June 4, 2019, 8:33 am
I live non fiction books. I find it nice to mix the two. Belinda is on my list to read. I have read 43 books so far.