Okay, so my original plan was to put up a post on May 20th with the catchy title of “Spring Reading Thing 2010: 1 Month to Go!” But…um…that didn’t happen. So I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with the whole “25 days to go” thing.

Anyway, how are you doing with your Spring Reading Thing list? At this point in the game, does it look like you’ll finish your books? I know some participants have finished their lists already, and have moved on to even more books. Are you one of those people? Or is the concept of list-completion starting to seem a bit if-y as we approach crunch time? Or are you right on schedule, poised to finish your list just as the calendar flips to summer?

Let me know how things are going!

…….

Oh, what’s that?

Me?

You’re wondering how my list is going?

Well…if I tell you, do you promise not to fire me as challenge host? Because the truth is, the past month has not been very productive, reading-list-wise. Honestly, I’ve been in a pretty significant funk, between life circumstances and my own melancholic personality…and, well, several things fell by the wayside. One of them was reading in a purposeful and structured manner.

Oh, I’ve still been reading. But it’s been random and unfocused. Starting a bunch of books, finishing few. Reading that is not at all in line with the idea of a reading challenge.

Sigh.

Here are just a few of the books I’ve begun (and not yet finished) that were not on my original SRT list:

The Elements of Story by Francis Flaherty — I’m only a few chapters into this one, but it’s an engaging book, full of practical advice and helpful examples for nonfiction writers.

The Mailbox by Mary Beth Whalen — Sweet and charming, The Mailbox reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks book. Characters work through personal tragedies and struggles, remember lost loves, and seek wholeness and purpose. I’m a little more than half-way through, and while I’m not usually drawn to sentimental, quiet books (preferring, I suppose, lots of action and mystery), this book has been an enjoyable respite for me.

When the Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper — Written for those who struggle with depression or who simply find themselves “fighting for joy”, this book is filled with typical (and welcome) Piper exhortation. Scripturally grounded, honest and straightforward, it seems to be a good mix of comforting words and a (gentle but sometimes needed) kick in the pants.

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon — This book has been on my Kindle for months, and I finally started it last weekend. Intriguing, mysterious…it appears that one of the fairy godmothers from Cinderella is now an old woman in our world, working in a used bookstore. Hiding her wings beneath Ace bandages. I’m definitely curious to see what happens next.

SO…what does this mean for my original SRT list? I’m not giving up on it yet. In fact, I’m still working my way through Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, Thin Places, and Wolf Brother. And with any luck focus, I hope to finish all three of them before June 20th…and maybe even start a few other books from my list.