Random Thoughts
I am doing what I did all last year again this year, folks... I can't settle down with one book and then I don't finish anything. I need to work on just focusing and finishing, but I seem to have acquired this terrible habit. Audiobooks are the only thing I listen to without pause, so at least I am finishing those. I have to try and break this habit, though. I will have a whole bunch of started books piled around my house and then I will want to read even less.
Lucy Maud Montgomery Year
I finished and reviewed Anne of Green Gables on audio. That means I finished a short story collection and a novel in January. She wrote 23 novels. I need to pick up the pace a bit. I will be reading after Anne of Avonlea so hopefully that will make things go a bit faster. I might read Kilmeny of the Orchard while listening to Avonlea. We will see.
Graphic Novel Year
In February I am participating in an informal Graphic Novel Month with a group of bloggers. I need to get organized for that this evening. I am sure I am forgetting stuff, but my plans for the month are to continue with my Fables reread, read Volume 2 of Saga, read Volume 2 of Fairest, catch-up in The Unwritten, and finish Y: The Last Man. If I manage to have no unread graphic novels in my house, then I am planning to start a new series. I am considering House of Mystery, which is a Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables) creation or Locke & Key, which I have heard lots of good things about.
Other Reading Projects
Yeah, with all the books I am in the middle of, none of them are by Terry Pratchett, Lois McMaster Bujold, or J.D. Robb.
Challenge News
I only finished Anne of Green Gables this week. It works for my own personal Lucy Maud Montgomery Year and for the Audiobooks Challenge.
Audiobooks
I am finishing up The Black Flower by Howard Bahr. I had never heard of this book before. I am only reading it for the Literature and War Readalong. There is a good chance I never would have read it otherwise. And, it's actually really good. I imagine in the U.S. it is really easy to acquire, but I could only find an audio copy on Audible. My library didn't have it and none of the bookstore websites I searched carried it. I am glad I took a chance on it. Then, I have no idea what I am listening to after I finish. Anne of Avonlea would be the best plan, but we will see where I stand when I finish.
Currently Reading
So. Many. Books! I need to prioritize and finish a few this week.
Weekly Reading
You can read my review of this book here.
Weekly Posts
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Things on my Reading Wishlist
Book Review: Pantomime by Laura Lam
Audiobook Review: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
New Additions
What Makes This Book so Great by Jo Walton
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
Don't put too much pressure on yourself :) Sometimes I just need a break from reading (the horror) or I need a comfort read. For me Robb's series is a definite comfort read (that sounds weird I know) and usually one of her books can always snap me out of a reading funk. I'm hoping to read more graphic novels as well and I just got the 1st Walking Dead graphic novel from the library since I'm obsessed with the show. I'm hoping to get back to the Fables series as well. I hope you have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteI was sort of feeling the same way so this week rather than start a new book I've been focusing on the ones I have going on. Luckily I've finished one! Enjoy your challenges! I can't wait to hear of some good graphic novel discoveries you make!
ReplyDeleteAfter I started reading the beginning of your post, I didn't understand why you can't stick with one book, but then as I read further into it, I think I might see why it is a problem: you're focused on too many challenges. Maybe focus instead on one book at a time, whatever you want to read...if you "do" challenges, don't announce them here, just use them as general guidelines, not a rule book. Just a thought from someone who's been around the block with reading challenges -- and failed time and time again. Now I read what I want and I'm not failing and don't feel like I'm failing.
ReplyDeleteHey Brian! I follow the same plan you do. I don't actually announce challenge reading anymore but sometimes I do the challenge and then talk about it. Or not. Don't need to pressure myself. There are plenty of pressures in life that I can't avoid.
DeleteMan, I have the opposite problem as you. I can't concentrate on only one book at a time so ever since sometime early last year I've been reading about ... oh ... maybe ... 8 books at a time. You know, there's the novel, the graphic novel, the short story collection, the non-fiction, the ebook and on it goes ......... I have the new Alan Bradley lined up for next month too! Not sure whether to read it first or the new Miss Peregine's though.
ReplyDeleteLocke & Key. Locke & Key. Locke & Key. Okay, I'll shut up now. But really Kell, you should read them--soooo good! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on having a hard time focusing. There are so many books I want to read it can be hard to settle into one and just finish it. I need to stop carrying multiple books with me so I have fewer choices!
ReplyDeleteJo Walton has a new book? I have to find out more! I just discovered that Sarah Addison Allen has a new one coming out, which also looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI was having trouble last week settling down to anything, but that's because I was sick and so were my kids, and I was still mulling over The Abominable. I read three big books in a row (all over 600 pages each), so I decided it was time for something lighter :-)
I hope you end up having a better reading year. It's a little bit guilty to see all the piles of started books lying around, isn't it? I have so many too....then I just say, ok, let's finish something! my weakness is nonfiction, I love the sound of them, but then I get bogged down and think I have to remember every fact and then put the book down because it's not school and I'm not taking notes, and then it never gets finished. I can wish for both of us that we make some headway with some of our piles this year, but mostly that we each find books we love :-)
I am having the same problem this month -- a disappointing start to the new year for my reading.
ReplyDeleteAt least re-reading Montgomery's books is always fun and worthwhile. You'll get your reading groove back. I'm sure of it!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are enjoying Montgomery's books. Sometimes forcing it is the worst thing you can do. I am sure your reading groove will come back in time. Don't put pressure on yourself to read and read what strikes your fancy at the moment. Even if it's a magazine. :-)
ReplyDeleteI found my attention wandering with the last book I read a little too much, but it had more to do with the book than me. At least that's an easy fix. I did keep reading though--it was one of those books I really liked at times, but then at others . . . I need to write the review this week.
I reread the Anne books a couple years ago - they're comfort reads for me.
ReplyDeleteArgh. I had that problem yesterday. Started an audio, abandoned that audio, started another, and wanted to abandon it but was too lazy to stick another book on my phone. So I've been listening to something that just isn't grabbing me. May abandon that one today and go for book #3 in less than 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteWhen you finish Y, we have to talk! That ending is one I want to discuss with as many people as possible!
ReplyDeleteI am also a big fan of Locke & Key! If you haven't read those, I definitely recommend them!!
Good luck with your reading!!
I just brought home Lost Lake today.
ReplyDeleteI'm a strictly monagmous reader, I hope you find something you can stick with this week
ReplyDeleteShelleyrae @ Book'd OUt
I have seen Jo Walton several times today as I've tried to catch up with blog posts! Love Anne books, all of them. I've had a some good reading lately and am so glad. Have had Lost Lake in my que for a while now, but have not yet started it.
ReplyDelete