This spring, I decided to read six nonfiction books and five fiction books. How’d I do? Well…
I finished all the fiction, plus read another book or two. Not surprising. And I finished all but one of the nonfiction, while also fitting in a few nonfiction books for blog tours. I was pretty happy with that result, since nonfiction is always more of a struggle for me.
Once again, I did not write a single review for the books on my list. I think I have to face it: I’m a reviewing failure. I have no excuses.
A few random facts from my spring reading:
- I thoroughly enjoyed Ender’s Game. I don’t read a lot of Science Fiction, but this book appealed to me both as a fiction-lover and, interestingly, as a mom. Since it was about a young boy, I immediately felt protective of the protagonist and was pulled into the plot right along with him. I’m definitely planning on reading more books in the Ender series at some point.
- Nineteen Minutes was absorbing and well-written, but left me utterly depressed.
- I had been curious about The Princess Bride for years. I’m so glad I finally read the book. I enjoyed it. But I think I like the movie better. (Please don’t hate me.)
- Take Joy was a delightful book for writers of all kinds. Inspiring, encouraging, it has a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
- Humility was a great little read. Short and sweet, but full of good stuff. Mahaney offers lots of practical advice on how to deal with pride, and why it’s so important to do so.
- The book that I haven’t finished is The Beautiful Fight by Gary Thomas. I’m about 5 chapters in, and it is a good book. But it’s one of those books that requires much thought and processing on my part, so I’m taking it in bits and pieces.
- 11 books seemed just right for the challenge. I probably read closer to 15, including the various blog tours I did, plus the extra fiction, but it’s good to have that flexibility and a little wiggle room.
Check out how everyone else did with their Spring Reading Thing goals Here.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You might be a reviewing failure, but you’re a great reading encourager, and a great reader, so that’s okay.
I like your little summaries here.
How do you think Enders Game would be for Amanda? There’s a new audiobook I’ve been offered, so I’m thinking of getting it.
I agree with you on Nineteen Minutes! Very well-written, but it made me want to lock my kids in the house for the next 30 years or so…
I’m trying to work up to reading The Pact right now by Picoult…have only read Sister’s Keeper by her last fall and it took me weeks to get over that book! Well written like you said but just didn’t see everything coming in it.
Thanks for the *heads up* about reading The Princess Bride. It does sound like a good idea, but I don’t want to spoil one of the BEST movies of all time!!:)
Great job getting through almost all of your list. I only read 2 non-fiction books.. they certainly take me much longer to finish than a good fiction book
. Thanks for hosting the Spring Reading Thing!
I wouldn’t worry about reviewing: some people like it, some don’t. I agree with what Jennifer said, you’re a great reading encourager! I hope to encourage reading by my reviews, but you do it in other ways, and that’s fine.
I agree about The Princess Bride. I loved finally reading it, but nothing can replace the movie!
The Princess Bride is a rarity in that I enjoyed the movie much more than the book.
Jodi Picoult is definitely one of my favorite new authors!
I enjoyed reading your summaries. I bought a Jodi Picoult book (My sister’s Keeper) last year, largely due to seeing her name appear constantly on these reading challenges lists…..I still have to get around to reading it, though by the sounds of things, her books are exactly “light summer reading!” Maybe that’s one for the fall challenge.
I felt the same way about the Pact that you felt about 19 Minutes. I felt like I couldn’t really say I liked it…it was too disturbing. Yet, it got under my skin and I couldn’t put it down.