November has sped by somehow, and in terms of the number of books read it hasn’t been particularly good. It seems I have been saying that each month this year, and I am quite concerned with how the amount I read has plummeted over the past two or three years. Thankfully though, the quality of books I read this month was high – which I know is far more important than mere numbers. I have determined however that next year I won’t allow myself to get bogged down with review copies and reading challenges and instead read the books I really want to. I have found increasingly, that I let myself get a bit overwhelmed with books/blogging/reviewing, I need to take the pressure off – which only comes from myself. I do have a couple of review copies which I am overdue reading, and I do really want to read them, and I will get to them soon. There are three others which I don’t think I will be reading, and I have some guilt about those – but I’m afraid I just need to move on.
I started the month reading The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter for my very small book group, I loved it – we all did – and I am keen now to read more Angela Carter.
For phase 6 of #Woolfalong I read Jacob’s Room, a novel which wowed me less than some of the others, though I did like it overall, especially the beginning and the end which are quite perfect. The prose is beautiful, and it was interesting to read Woolf’s first really experimental novel. I can see how I would get even more out of it with a second reading one day.
I had intended to join #GermanLit month with Danger from Deer by Vicki Baum, though when I found out that the novel – which is a brilliant read, was in fact written in English I wasn’t sure that it counted. Reminiscent of those old 1950s films, Danger from Deer while very different to Baum’s famous Grand Hotel, would fit in the ‘thumping good read’ category.
Bella Mia is recently published English translation of an Italian novel which was shortlisted for Italy’s most prestigious literary prize. Published in English by independent publisher Calisi Press, who kindly provided me with a review copy.
I have loved Willa Cather’s writing for years, though I have been trying not to read the books too quickly. Death Comes for the Archbishop is quite simply outstanding, definitely one of Cather’s best novels, and in my personal top three.
In need of some comfort reading I turned to Agatha Christie and Murder at the Vicarage, the first Miss Marple novel, which I first read about thirty years ago, when as a teenager, I would devour the Agatha Christie shelf at my local library.
I always love picking up a Persephone book, it always seems like a treat – even having read so many. The Victorian Chaise-Longue was a novel I hadn’t thought I wanted to read, but had taken a chance on it because of liking other Marghanita Laski novels so much. While it is very different to those other novels, I did like it very much. It’s clever, subtle and restrained – all good things in my book.
The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen my final book of November – is the third book in the series which starts with Elizabeth von Arnim’s Elizabeth and her German Garden. Now I usually prefer to read trilogies in the correct order, but I haven’t read A Solitary Summer, the second book, but I decided it probably didn’t matter. I adore Elizabeth von Arnim’s voice, her humour and observations. This book takes the reader on a wonderfully picturesque journey, in the company of some extraordinary characters. I hope to review it fully, in a few days.
December is here – and yes, I still have lots of Christmas shopping to do, and my first Christmas meal out is tomorrow! I always love to read a Christmas book or two leading up to the big day to get me in the mood – this year I only have one – so far at least. The Christmassy book I treated myself to is Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson, a collection of twelve stories and twelve feasts for the season. I must say it looks brilliant.
Speaking of re-reading my first book of the month will be for my very small book group – I persuaded them to read A Game of Hide and Seek by the divine Elizabeth Taylor – I am a bit nervous, because I want them all to love it as much as I do. Fingers crossed.
Whatever you’re reading in this final month of 2016 I hope you love it. If you have any special plans I would love to hear them.
That is a good month indeed. I used to devour Agatha Christie too. Hope you will enjoy Winterson and your re read of Taylor. 🙂
Thank you. Re-reading favourite authors is always such a treat.
Ai, I do agree with you. (We have so many points of agreement that I don’t know if our disagreement will not one day end up in the dust bin!)
Next year, read for pleasure and not for number, chalenges, clubs, blogging, reviewing, etc. I cannot imagine how you do. My reading is freer and more introspective; You must put so much pressure upon you.
I have discovered the pleasure of re-reading, party because I have no money to buy new books, party because I found it pleasurable and instructive: it is like re-reading brilliant bits of myself. I thought so. I did so; I was there. Tis reading led me there. Oh, I coud have taken that path, etc.
But I like poetry and love essays – the crème de la crème being essays about reading and writing!
And I guess The Girls do not live time to read my content and my books are more Virginia Woolf than Agatha Christie.
I have even less pans as usual as I don’t know if I shall be hospitalized or not. The Girls are already hospitalized to let me rest. But I still have to cater for myself and this is too much. I cannot even read for long. I wish for short funny Miss Marple or GAD and a long fat door-stopper at the same time!
I am sorry to have been so long. I guess I needed to talk reader to reader (not easily found in English in the depth of Dordogne!).
Oh, and by the way, if you want me to review the books you don’t or unclutter your shelves elsewhere than in Oxfam, I am the poor at your threshold! 🙂
I don’t mind long comments. 😊
We all lead such busy lives that don’t always leave us as much time as we would like to for reading and blogging. I really hope you get the rest you so need.
All the best to you and The Girls. Look out for an FB private message re sending you some books. 😊
Thank you, Ali. The Doctor came and went and still wants me to stay very quiet at home with a lady at least coming everyday to see if everything is fine. He said, sleep, try to eat and rest; you may visit The Girls now. And I shall see them tomorrow! 🙂 It is quaint to be taken care of and I am very grateful for that.
This is when all stops and your body does not want to go further that you know what a burnout is and that you truly need rest. So, please, do go to that point, and take time for yourself! 🙂
Very wise decision to leave a bit more time for whim and pleasure next year. Isn’t it funny how we initially get all excited about challenges and reviewing, but then it becomes a burden (if we let it)?
Yes that’s exactly what happens. I don’t want it to become a burden I have so many wonderful books and I love sharing my adventures with them with everyone. I just need it be non panicky and more relaxed.
Interesting to see your comment that you will hold back on review copies – Ive been coming to the same conclusion myself. Its rather too easy to click the request button on netgalley then I find I’m reading stuff i don’t particularly enjoy and in the meantime all the books I bought are getting neglected.
Yes, absolutely. I have so many fab books which I have neglected even though I make sure I get relatively few review copies really. I am being more selective about what I take and don’t read anything unsolicited. For instance I do have two coming soon I do really want to read. I just need to be more sensible- and I am staying well away from Netgalley.
I so agree about the challenges – I’m thinking about not setting myself *any* next year at all! But you’ve still read some quality books last month and that’s the main thing! 🙂
Yes thst is the main thing.
I think I just want a bit more freedom in my reading.
The last time I cried at the end of a book was when I read Laski’s Little Boy Lost. I thought that was an incredibly touching book. I’d be very interested to know what The Victorian Chaise-Longue is like.
I posted my review a few days ago. I enjoyed it more than I had expected. It’s clever and quite subtle.
The whole review copy thing can end up feeling a bit restricting. I’m trying to get rid of the ones I have outstanding so I can pick books on a whim a bit more next year. But it sounds like you had a great reading month anyway, even if you read fewer than anticipated…
Yes overall I was pleased with what I read.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy all the books you read in the final month too, especially Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson which looks gorgeous!
Yes Christmas Days looks wonderful, looking forward to it.
I learned a long time ago to read whatever I want to read, carefully approaching review copies and events. I wish you success in your goal.
I think it looks like you had a decent reading month, but I know how it is to be staring at a teetering TBR and wish there were more time.
Yes, that I think is my constant frustration. Too many marvellous books and never enough time.
I’m also leaving alone challenges next year, although I plan to reinstate my Months of Re-Reading, or at least one of them, as that’s something I’ve enjoyed doing previously. I’m looking forward to a last Woolf or two. What did your book group think of the Taylor?
We meet tomorrow to discuss it. I only finished it yesterday.