July was a difficult reading month for me – not least because I was very busy and over-tired for most of it. I seem to have bemoaned my slow reading progress quite a bit the last couple of weeks – but now at least I can report that things have picked up. On the 22nd of July I finished work for the long summer break – and although I was absolutely shattered (or maybe because I was absolutely shattered) I have read a lot since then. I am now in the position of still being a little down on my usual monthly total but now with two July books still to review, and I have started my first August book too. So the month has ended on a high – and I have lots more reading time to look forward to before I go back to work at the beginning of September.
July began with a lovely review copy – Sandlands by Rosy Thornton was a superb collection of short stories – a book which saw me briefly move away from my #20booksofsummer list. Everything else I read during July including my one DNF came from that list though, and I finished July having completed 16 (and 80 pages of that DNF) off my summer pile. Next came Flush, read as part of my #Woolfalong and for me an absolute joy of a read. Another joy came in the form of the unusual Miss Hargreaves by Frank Baker – a book I have had at least three years, it was worth the wait. Next up – a book group read – which only made it into the above photograph for illustrative purposes because it was a rare DNF – Zofloya; or the Moor by Charlotte Dacre (1806) – I’m afraid I couldn’t get past page 80. Golden Age crime I find are great when I am tired and busy – and I had The Hog’s Back Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts on my summer pile which suited my mood perfectly, my first mystery by that prolific mystery writer, it won’t be my last. My next read took me outside my comfort zone (which is a good thing to do sometimes) with Different Class; Joanne Harris’s most recent novel. I like Joanne Harris’s writing, and I love school set novels, and although I generally dislike psychological thrillers, I really enjoyed this one. I was reading Different Class as I finished work for the summer on that Friday – and it seems since then I have nearly read my eyes out (slight exaggeration two books were very short). So Long. See you Tomorrow by William Maxwell, a short novel which packs a real punch – I was sorry when I had finished it. It will almost certainly make my books of the year list. Virginia Woolf a slim biography by Nigel Nicolson – younger son of Vita Sackville West another #Woolfalong read – was a re-read. I had read it so long ago I no longer had a copy so had bought another second hand copy, (review to come of course) I was reminded what a lovely, honest and intimate portrait it is of a woman whom the author had known when he was a child. Thinking ahead to All Virago/All August which I posted about recently I picked up Love by Elizabeth von Arnim a book I have been itching to read. At a little over 400 pages I hadn’t expected to finish by the end of the month but I could hardly put it down, von Arnim is such an engaging writer I flew through it.
So looking ahead to August – I will be mainly reading books for AV/AA – and #WITmonth. Although I do have a review copy on my kindle which I also hope to get to (I have neglected my poor old kindle in favour of real books just lately). My current read, The Murder of Halland will be my first for #WITmonth a little Peirene Press book (only 166 pages I’m more than half way through) – for which I am taking another short break from #20booksofsummer. I had hoped to be on about 18 by the end of July – but I still have only four books to go and a whole month left in which to complete the challenge, so I think I can afford a little break. I’m impressed I have stuck to the list quite as well as I have – sticking to the list was always the challenge for me.
One book I shall definitely be reading – as it has been chosen by my very small book group is Challenge by Vita Sackville West. It has an interesting history, written by Vita following her elopement to France with Violet Trefusis, it tells a thinly disguised story inspired by that relationship (although the couple in the novel are a man and woman not two women and the setting is a Greek Island). The book was all set to be published in 1920, but VSW changed her mind (worried about scandal) and it remained out of print for over fifty years.
As always I would love to know what you all will be reading, are you all juggling reading challenges too?
(oh and I have added links to past review this time – is this a good thing or pointless? – let me know I appreciate feedback)
I love links Ali! Always useful if you want to go back and check something out. Keep up the good link work.
Thank you.
Some lovely reading Ali – and yes, the links are a good idea so we can nip back and check out one of the reviews!
Thanks Karen, maybe carry on with links then.
The links are a great idea so people can pop back and have a look! Some good reads for July and I bet you have a great reading month in August. Enjoy!
I’m looking forward to lots of reading time.
Agree… the links help navbigate quickly if I want to relook or catch up on something I’ve missed. x
Seems the links are a hit – thank you.
So frustrating yesterday that Waterstones in Cardiff – which unbelievably is the only book shop in the capital city – didnt have The Hog’s Back Mystery. Not too long ago they had a whole table of these british library crime classics. Now they were down to about 4 titles. Not fair since I had got myself geared up for an afternoon of nostalgia
I have finished with my copy and I won’t read it again. Email me your address (email address on about page) and I will send you mine. 😊
That is so generous of you Ali, thank you
An eclectic mix, Ali! I loved the Joanne Harris. Gentlemen & Players has always been my favourite of hers. This is a perfect sequel. As ever, great choices & I too enjoy the links. xXx
Glad you enjoyed Different Class too.
The links work well, Ali, very handy for checking out your reviews. I hope you convert a few more people to William Maxwell’s wonderful book.
Ooh yes, so do I 😊.
I also broke up for the long summer holiday on the 22nd and I have seen a marked increase in my reading 😀 I am also really excited as I have been offered a review copy of Sandlands, so hopefully that will arrive soon. I hope you have a lovely holiday and enjoy lots of lovely books 🙂
Ooh great, really hope you enjoy Sandlands. Will look out for your thoughts.
please do keep the links 🙂 My summer reading has been mostly contemporary literature which is odd for me as I usually read books from the World War II period. I did read Spam Tomorrow which I liked, but not as much as other wartime chronicles.
I could not put down Shelter by Jung Yun, quite an auspicious literary fiction debut IMO . I’ve also been doing a mother daughter reading project with my eleven year old we’ve read Al Capone Does My Shirts (which we both enjoyed but maybe me more so because I’ve visited Alcatraz) and we are now reading Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, so far it is quite funny & the descriptions of characters are spectacular, it’s not at all what I expected and definitely not a book I would have chosen, but I’m glad my daughter pushed for it. I’m not sure what age children you work with but I’d recommend both books. Hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday. Love your blog posts, thank you for writing them.
PS: I am looking forward to the new Christopher Nolan directed Dunkirk film which will be out next summer, seen some stills of the location filming and it looks brilliant.
You’ve been reading some really interesting things by the sound of it. That Dunkirk film sounds great, my maternal grandfather was at Dunkirk only just made it off the beach.
I really like the idea of parent & child reading ‘projects’ – when my brood were young I got so used to reading their books with them that I continued to read their books when they moved on to the read-alone types. We were able to compare notes & ideas about the stories/characters (many were great reads for any age) and they learned that any book can be read & enjoyed (or not!) by any person and moved seamlessly into the books on my bookshelf (!!).
I like links too – handy for reminding oneself of a review. You’ve had a great reading month even if you have been juggling! I think July became a difficult month for a lot of us what with everything happening in the world. Glad to hear you’re getting back on track.
Oh definitely, I think a lot of us have been badly affected by wonky politics and awful world events.
Yes, the links are useful, keep them in! I’m looking forward to reading your review of the von Arnim. Even though I’ve yet to get started with her, I feel sure I will take to her books. The Enchanted April is in the heap, but there’s always space for one more. 🙂
The Enchanted April is a pretty perfect one to start with. I’m sure it’s the first of hers I read.
Thats a great reading month. I can’t wait for the Viragos you will be reading. Your post reminds me of another von Armin, The Enchanted April, that I hope to pick up soon
The Enchanted April is fantastic. Hope you enjoy it .
Just saw your twitter on the Vita book.
I returned it unread to the library months ago.
Ah didn’t know you were on Twitter Tina, well yes disappointing is an understatement. A lukewarm review toward the end of next week- though I don’t suppose many people will be interested – but I review everything I read.