Is anyone else shocked at how fast this year has flown by? I can't believe we are already in May! Here's a look at what I've been reading during the month of April - some hits, some misses, but generally a good month.
Good Book by David Plotz - this was an interesting idea - a man reads the Hebrew Bible from cover to cover for the first time - that just stalled out for me by the end. Finished 4/9/09, rated 6/10. (My review of Good Book)
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway - so far, the best book of the year for me. This was a beautiful and moving story of the ways people learn to cope with war. Highly recommended. Finished 4/16/09, rated 10/10. (My thoughts on The Cellist of Sarajevo)
The Believers by Zoe Heller - a book which was probably done a disservice by being the first I read after Cellist of Sarajevo, this was a novel that was beautifully written, but with characters so awful I couldn't enjoy it. Finished 4/17/09, rated 5/10. (My review of The Believers)
Deep Night by Caroline Petit - an interesting espionage novel set in WWII Hong Kong, but I never felt connected to the heroine. Finished 4/18/09, rated 6/10. (My review of Deep Night)
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie - award winning novel about the birth of a young man, and the birth of modern India, this would have been better for me with more knowledge of Indian history. Finished 4/23/09, rated 6/10. (My review of Midnight's Children)
The Noticer by Andy Andrews - a pleasant but not especially life-changing inspirational novel about a man who notices things others miss. Finished 4/20/09, rated 7/10. (My review of The Noticer)
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - Quite excellent YA novel about what pushes a young woman to commit suicide. Highly recommended. Finished 4/21/09, rated 9/10. (My review of Thirteen Reasons Why)
Incantation by Alice Hoffman - interesting YA historical novel about a Jewish community in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. Finished 4/21/09, rated 7/10. (review forthcoming)
The Silent Note by Patrick Davis - somewhat bland novel about a man who finds a secret box hidden in his dead wife's piano. Finished 4/23/09, rated 6/10. (review forthcoming)
Family Plots by Mary Patrick Kavanaugh - autobiographical novel about a woman and her shady new husband, this perfectly illustrates the idea that love is blind. Finished 4/30/09, rated 6/10. (review forthcoming)
Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott - journal entries and memories of one of the victims of the Columbine school shooting. Finished 4/30/09, rated 7/10. (My review of Rachel's Tears)
It seems like I read quite a few books this month that were just okay, but The Cellist of Sarajevo and Thirteen Reasons Why made up for any lack of excitement. Time to focus on the month ahead - lots of great books to be reading!
11 comments:
I'm with you! I can't believe the year is a third over.
Nice list, even if they weren't all 5 stars. How can it be May?
You had a very productive reading month!! And I totally agree -- how did it get to be May already? It will be Christmas before we know it :)
Ugh, April drug on and on and I thought it'd never end! If it hadn't been for great escapes into books, I'd have lost my mind. I am surprised, though, that so much year has already passed... and more specifically, that so many books have been read already :-)
It feels like life has been passing me by :(. You did have a great month in April. Happy May!
Wow you read a lot of books! I don't like to think about time passing just makes me think of death.... :(
I was just saying to a coworker the other day -- It's all going by so fast! It's almost winter again and the summer hasn't even started!
I'm liking your blog so much. Two of the books on your list: Cellist and Midnight's Children--I've been toying with reading for a while, and after reading your reviews I think I'll give them both a shot. Thanks!
Connie @ constance-reader.blogspot.com
So funny how different people react to certain novels. Everyone I know that has read The Believers praises the writing, the readability but are equally divided as to whether they could enjoy the experience through unlikable characters. I personally found it pretty funny despite the venomous Audrey.
Today I am reading the new Laurie King novel. The Language of Bees, and hosting a giveaway from my TSS post. Happy reading!
Looks like a great month to me. You have read some good books, I am especially excited about 'Thirteen reasons why'. I hope I get to read it soon.
bermuda - I am excited for deck weather to start, though!
Beth - I think the lower rated books make me appreciate the great ones even more.
Molly - Holy crap, it's almost time to start Christmas shopping, isn't it!
koolaidmom - wow, April flew for me. It was busy, so I think that helped.
Diane - I'm sorry you feel that way. Hopefully May will be better.
jessica - I do read a lot, but that's because I'd rather do that than other things - like watch tv, or clean my house. =)
gwendolyn b - I can't wait for summer!!
Connie - thanks! That's the greatness, and danger, of book blogs - your TBR pile will grow exponentially!
Frances - well, Heller usually writes difficult characters, but this particular family just turned my stomach.
violet - Oh, I hope you get to read "13 reasons why" soon, also - I think you will like it!
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