At the end of last month I was complaining that I have been reading slowly this year, having so far read fewer books than at a similar point in previous years, and this despite my to be read bookcase being fuller than ever. Well it looks like I will just have to accept the fact that I am reading slower in my old age, it irritates me though as I have so much waiting to read, and don’t know why it has happened.
This month I have read just 9 books – although they were all excellent and after all that is more important. I started and finished the month with a book from my classic club list, and in-between read a couple of fantastic new books, a book for the Edith Wharton reading month hosted by Brona’s books and another book for the Great War theme read. If the quality of what I’m reading remains as high as it has been this month then I will be happy. I have still to review A Changed Man – my final read for the Thomas Hardy reading project which I and some friends embarked upon almost three years ago. Look out for a post about that project on Monday – if you are a Hardy hater feel free to ignore.
My may list then as follows:
43 Uncle Silas (1864) Sheridan Le Fanu (F)
44 Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant (1960) Anthony Powell (F)
45 Patricia Brent, Spinster (1918) Herbert Jenkins (F)
46 Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932 (2014) Francine Prose (F)
47 The Reef (1912) Edith Wharton (F)
48 Wake (2014) Anna Wake (F)
49 Police at the Funeral (1931) Margery Allingham (F)
50 Testament of Youth (1933) Vera Brittain (NF)
51 A Changed Man & other stories (1913) Thomas Hardy (F)
My stand out reads from May:
1 Patricia Brent, Spinster by Herbert Jenkins; oh such a sweet little book, not too serious perhaps but I loved it.
2 Wake by Anna Hope; such a wonderful novel, it deserves to do really well, which I’m pretty sure it already has.
3 Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain; a tome of over 600 pages, but a seriously remarkable autobiography.
So on to June – a busy time coming up at work, and tired doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling, despite a short half term and a week off. Actually my stress levels at work have been a little raised this last few months – and I’m not even a teacher!
You have probably seen me banging on fairly remorselessly about Mary Hocking just lately – and I have declared June to be Mary Hocking reading month – you can find out why here. I have already started my first Mary Hocking book, so technically at least half of Letters from Constance could probably be tagged on to the end of the above list – but no matter. I would love lots of people to join in with this reading month – and try to raise the profile of a lovely writer whose books have so undeservedly fallen out of print. It is difficult raising the profile however of someone so few people have heard of. Someone on Twitter contacted me to say they had been let down by an online book seller and couldn’t find her books in the library so might now not be able to join in – how sad! By the way if you are on Twitter please use the hashtag #rememberMary if you are reading or talking about her books. I have three Mary Hocking books waiting to be read, but given my rubbish reading rates – I can’t promise I’ll get to them all – but I am going to try – I do have a couple of lovely looking review copies to read and my next Anthony Powell is already calling me.
What are you all planning to read? Whatever it is I hope you have a great reading month in June.
heavenali 
A wonderful month of books, and many that need time and attention so maybe you did better reading in depth rather than quantity. I have a good number of possibilities for next month – including Good Daughters – but I’m trying to plan too much.
I do the same I think. I hope you get round to reading Good Daughters, I became really fond of that family.
June for me will be Spanish and last month was a mix of iffp reading and catching up on a few review copies
I will look out for your reviews. Happy reading.
I think you’ve read some wonderful books there Ali, and as long as you’ve enjoyed them that’s all that matters – think quality not quantity! My reading varies from month to month, depending on length and complexity of what I’m reading. This month I hope to read another book of Proust and a Mary Hocking – apart from that, it’ll be wherever my mood takes me!!
I hope you enjoy the Hocking, it always seems such a responsibility when one has recommended things to others.
I have to smile when I see comments that someone has read ‘only’ nine books in a month. I don’t think i have ever read anywhere near that much. Glad to see you enjoyed Testament of Youth – fantastic book
I know what you mean I use the word only in relation to what I have managed in the past. I did enjoy Testament of youth it really is a great book.
I enjoyed reading books on Iceland in May and enjoyed reading books IN Iceland in June, especially some longish reading sessions for both of us sitting on a park bench by the city lake! I’m getting through my TBR although that has involved some weeding as I’ve come to books and just not fancied them, I’ve done it again this morning! Reviews will be posted soon; I’m ever so behind with my reviewing, but not so much with my reading.
Sounds like you are doing really well. Glad you had a lovely holiday.
Thank you – I’m now back on track with my reviewing as well as my reading – although more reading = more reviewing, of course!