May - what an overall successful and pleasant month. So much happened. Spring finally arrived, my Finnish classes ended for this half-a-year, we were reading lots during Bout of Books 7.0, I made some important health-related decisions that should promise for better future. I am happy with you, May!
What I read in May 2013:
* M. Atwood "The Blind Assassin" (Classics Club big list)
* D.L. Bogdan "The Forgotten Queen"
* B. Kingsolver "Flight Behavior" (Women's Prize shortlist)
* R. Bradbury "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (Classics Club big list)
* J. Fforde "The Eyre Affair"
* H. Wecker "The Golem and the Djinni"
* G.G. Marquez "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (Classics Club big list)
Page count: 521 + 315 + 436 + 290 + 373 + 484 + 337 = 2756 pages
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| This is my boyfriend reading one of Martin's books. With Robert. What lovely emotion on this photo. |
I think 7 books is the most I've done during blogging since the beginning of the year, so thanks a lot, Bout of Books!
In Classics Club May Meme post I set down the three classics I wanted to read in May. Well, I only read the Atwood book - I didn't really get into Conan Doyle and Dickens at all, so I didn't force them - the better time will come. However, I did read three CC books in May, which I am very happy with. And also enjoyed all of them, so that is a good thing too (I really have to catch up with the reviews, though...)
Okay, plans for June (and what a busy month this will be).
* Classics Spin #2 Summer Edition - I get to read "Villette" by Charlotte Brontë. I am excited! "Jane Eyre" is such a famous book, but it's also a story a bit overly chewn by the world by now, so I am so so curious to discover the later works of Charlotte. I started the book last night after I finished "One Hundred Years..." (very suitably on the last day of May) and read a few pages; I don't have opinions yet but it's definitely Charlotte's style there.
* O from Délaissé is hosting 18th Century English Literature Event for June - even though it will be a super busy month for me, I wanted to take part because I am scared of the 18th century English lit and I am especially scared of Defoe and "Moll Flanders", which I picked to read. So hoping that reading with the rest of the classics-loving folk will make it easier!
* We are going to Prague this month for four days (this is like my dream destination for a city holiday ever). I am slightly obsessed with Prague and I want to read two books around the time of the trip - Magnus Flyte's "City of Dark Magic", which is set in Prague, and re-read Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", one of my favourite books from high-school reading programme (oh yes, we got to read some interesting books there :) ).
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| Robert got tired :) |
It will be also the Midsummer's holidays this month, coinciding with my week-long vacation from work. We will likely be heading to boyfriend's parents' summer cottage in the middle of nowhere - which is actually the most perfect place for reading, ever (the forest, the lake, the nightless nights of Finland - this one day of the year when sun doesn't set).
Also, Women's Prize winner for this year will be announced on 5th of June, which is already next week - I really want to know which book wins.
Glad you had a good month.
ReplyDeleteI'm still jealous you read The Golem & The Djinni, I can't wait to get my hands on that book!
Have fun in Prague!
And Robert is a cutie :)
Ah. I will be interested to know what you think of the book! I haven't quite sorted out my own thoughts yet.
DeleteThanks, and Robert is a cutie - in that second photo he's having his cutie-sleep :)) I'm sure your cat is just adorable too, I think most all cats have this special charm upon us humans :)
Awwwwww, cute pics of the BF and the kitty! Adorable :)
ReplyDeleteYou had a great month! Lots of good books :) And your trip to Prague sounds like a lot of fun! Enjoy!
Thanks! More pet pictures, I say :) I love seeing Gabby on your blog (and in Twitter).
DeleteShall it be good month to come for both of us!
I cannot get over the cuteness that is those pictures! You're boyfriend is a good sport :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait to hear what you thought of The Golem & the Ginni and One Hundrend Years of Solitude since they are both on my TBR list. Too many review books this month & participating in the ARC sweep challenge, I didn't read any of my recent purchases :/
Thanks, Christine :) I'm doing a mini-review on The Golem and The Djinni tomorrow (along with two other books), but will write more about One Hundred Years..., since it's in my CC list and it was also a re-read, and I have a lot to say about this book in general.
DeleteI've seen people doing the ARC sweep challenge and even though I don't read ARCs myself, I think these challenges are really good for you guys because I totally understand how you can get buried under those kind of books (free books, hello! :D) I hope you will get time to visit some of the classics and some you want to read just for yourself soon!
Free books are my downfall! I do want to diversify a bit this summer, but I am so lucky to have gotten some really great ARCs, so they don't really feel like an "obligation" -- they just keep sneaking to the top of the pile! Looking forward to those reviews of yours :)
DeleteThat's awesome that you read The Golem and the Djinni, I hope to read it at some point (soon? *fingers crossed*). Sounds like you had a great month in reading! Have fun in Prague!
ReplyDeleteBtw your cat Robert is so cute =D
- Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net
Thanks Lianne! I'm sure Prague will be a-mazing. And yeah, Robert is cute. A bit on the silly side, but cuteness compensates all :)
DeleteWell I'm happy that you're happy with May. It's such a good feeling when you have a good month, reading or otherwise!
ReplyDeletePrague is such an amazing place, I hope you have a brilliant trip :) I went with my college years ago and I would love to go again without all the sixth-formers (yes, I was one at the time but I've always been a bit anti-social ;) )
Those pictures are gorgeous! I wonder if my dog will pose with books...not likely, she'd try to eat them first.
And YAY Women's Prize winner. I will be in America but I will be finding WiFi SOMEWHERE on the 5th.
I hope June is just as good for you :)
You and anti-social? *thinks back to all the tweets this month* :D But I get it. I don't think I'm anti-social, but oftentimes I tend to prefer books over people (and I don't mean it in a bad arrogant way - it's just how it is).
DeleteI am very excited about the trip. There is a thing called "Kafka's Walk" in my Prague Pocket Guide, which takes to significant places related to Kafka in Prague Old Town. I already hunted down a very lovely cafe-diner-bookshop allinone, as well, so it will be awesome and bookish at the same time.
Milly is so cute! Pets are absolutely the best.
Glad you had a great May and June looks like it might be even better. I'm also reading DeFoe for the CC 18th Century Event (Crusoe rather than Flanders though) and it will be my first experience with this author. I hope it goes well for us both!
ReplyDeleteOh, may it be good month for us to read Defoe :) I'm curious to see what you think of Robinson Crusoe. My reluctance to read Robinson may also come from the fact that when I was a kid, we had a Robinson book at home (for children, in Estonian and probably heavily abridged). I read like all the children's books we had at home, but couldn't get interested in Robinson, so that is why I might be apprehensive. But I do hope it will be a good experience for you, and who knows, I might also try it one day! :)
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