I knew when I made my list for Spring Reading Thing 2009 that I was being a bit ambitious. Eight nonfiction books and six fiction books would be a stretch for me, but I thought I could do it.
Alas, it turns out I couldn’t.
Well, I still read fourteen books, but just not all the books on my original list.
But wait, rather than rambling, let me answer some questions.
Did you finish reading all the books on your spring reading list? If not, why not?
Nope. I did complete six of the nonfiction books, and 3.5 of the fiction books. I’m currently almost-done with Pride & Prejudice and will probably finish it this weekend, so if I give myself credit for that one, it means I left 2 fiction and 2 nonfiction from my original list undone. However, I read an additional four books (for blog tours and giveaways) and listened to two audiobooks, so I certainly got in plenty of reading.
I blame my inability to finish my list on a combination of: a spring cold that knocked out three of us for three weeks; potty-training; and reading extra books for blog tours.
Since I read so much, I don’t consider myself to have “failed,” though. And I’m glad I pushed myself a little. Having big goals certainly helped me read more than I otherwise would have.
What was your favorite book you read this spring? Why?
I think my favorite was All I Need Is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans. The author, Susanna Foth Aughtmon, is so real, funny, and encouraging in this book — I could relate to each and every chapter and found myself both laughing out loud and nodding in solemn agreement. Basically, it’s a book about the struggles we face as we try to live as Christian women — dealing with our insecurities, our weaknesses, and our (no-bones-about-it) sins. It’s so rare for someone to let themselves be so vulnerable about shortcomings and sins, that I found the book utterly refreshing and very encouraging.
Did you discover a new author or genre this spring? Did you love them? Not love them?
I read (or actually, am still reading) Pride & Prejudice for the first time this spring, and it’s also my first Jane Austen book. I know so many people who absolutely love, love, love this book, that I was a little nervous. What if I didn’t like it? Would I be labeled a literary reject forever?
The verdict is… I really like it. I can’t say that I absolutely love, love, love it, simply because I like a book to move a little bit faster. That’s just one of my issues. But I’ve enjoyed getting to know the characters, I love interplay between some of them, and Austen has written lots of little quips and quotes throughout the book that have made me smile or laugh. I want to go back and re-read it sometime, just to make sure I pulled out all those good quotations. I’m glad I had it on my list, and that I’ve finally been initiated into the Pride & Prejudice club.
Now to watch the A&E movie version that’s waiting by the TV…
What was your favorite thing about the challenge?
Two Things:
First, hearing from other participants during the challenge. I enjoyed hearing how everyone was coming along, how much they were reading, and what they thought of their books. The community involved in Spring Reading Thing 2009 was great!
Second, the accountability. Even though the challenges I host are “low pressure,” just knowing that I would have to write this wrap-up post and put it up for all the world to see kept me on track (as much as I could be) and kept me from just totally giving up when sickness and potty-training had me feeling like a reading failure. 
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Be sure to check out the main wrap-up post for Spring Reading Thing 2009 to see how other participants did!
Yeah!
It’s done – now I can’t wait for the fall one! 
I have a ton of Jane Austen movies…should you ever want to watch them all…different versions of each too!
Fun! You’ll enjoy the movie. That genre is certainly not my favorite (in movies), but I watched that version after reading it last summer and enjoyed it a lot.
I think my reading increases each month. I’m beginning to think that there’s something wrong with me. HA!
.-= Jennifer, Snapshot´s last blog ..What I Read This Spring =-.
I am with you on austen.. I usually enjoy the book but have a hard time getting into them because of the pace! Looks like you did wonderfully getting a lot of reading in this Spring!
I really want to read “All I Need Is Jesus and a Good Pair of Blue Jeans“… I have it on my TBR List. I love the title! And, it sounds like a good book! I’m glad you enjoyed it, and look forward to comparing notes when I get a chance to get myself a copy!
Also — I still haven’t read any Jane Austen books, P&P included, but I have “Persuasion” on my list for this year. I, too, like my books to move faster, so that’s –I think– why I’ve put off reading Austen (just ’cause she’s classified as “Classic”, not ’cause there’s anything wrong with her, specifically).
~MizB
PS… Thanks so much for hosting the SRT’09 Challenge! I didn’t quite finish, but I still had fun trying!
I felt the same way about P&P. I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would, and when I went on a quest to read all of Austen’s books, I liked a couple of her others a lot better. I think you’ll love the A&E version!!
Thanks so much for hosting the Spring Reading Thing again!
Thanks for the inspiration to read more this spring! Can’t wait until the fall challenge.
So glad you like P&P! It’s my favorite Austen, although all her books are a little bit different. And even though you didn’t finish your list, I think you accomplished a LOT, especially since that cold/flu had you down for quite some time.
Potty training is an EXCELLENT thing to blame this on! Oh yes. I buy it. Totally! =D
And now I feel free to confess that although I like P&P, I don’t love, love, love it either. =D
What a fun time I had, and I get to keep the cute button! Thanks.
“All I Need is Jesus” is a great book.
P&P–I am one who loves, loves, loves it, as you well know, and it’s one that I love all the more which each additional reading. So if you don’t love it yet, there’s hope still. I’m just sayin’…
And the movie? Can I come over for a movie night? The guys can go ride bikes or something… I did get my husband to the theater to see the Keira version but getting him to watch six hours with me? Not gonna happen!
.-= Lisa writes…´s last blog ..Spring Reading Thing, all wrapped up =-.
You did great. Your goals were much more ambitious than mine!
I enjoyed doing this challenge. If I join in again, I might dare to set higher goals…
I’ll tell you a secret: I never did finish P&P! Either the book or the movie. I found them both funny, as far as the character studies went. I enjoyed both while I was reading them. It’s just that, after I put them down, nothing really compelled me to finish either. I’m sure I will eventually – it’s just not a must-read (or watch) for me!
Great job on the challenge – and I guess I am still one of the dwindling few who hasn’t read a Jane Austen novel. *sigh*