A quick Tales from the tbr post this time, and my last of 2018. Pictured above my tbr as it is today – pretty chaotic and untidy – I went mad a few days ago looking for something and that was the result. There are almost as many books behind the ones in front – which makes finding things difficult.
I am currently juggling like mad – well that’s how it feels. The last couple of weeks have been busy as work, and what with several nights out, busy weekends and Christmas shopping to be done I have found reading and blogging harder to fit in.
I still have three books left in my A Century of Books – well I will have later this evening when I finish my current read The Old Man and Me by Elaine Dundy for 1964 – such a good book.
While I really should be writing up reviews – my thoughts have turned to reading challenges for 2019 – and, well I am not really doing them – much.
Having spent 2018 juggling two big reading challenges; #ReadingMuriel2018 and A Century of Books – 2019 will give me chance to get my tbr in order (feint hope) and read what I want to. I think I shall end the year almost where I started in terms of the number of books tbr – which is pretty dreadful – not all books have been bought – I do get given books, ( a friend passed one on to me just a few hours ago) I’m sent books and pick some up through bookcrossing, but many, too many have been bought and I need to rein it in somehow. Financially, I need to get a grip on my book spending – and though I am not setting a target or anything – because I will immediately fail – I will be buying fewer books. I have so many wonderful books already – and will no doubt score a few more over Christmas. They are enough to keep me busy.
However, although I am not hosting any big challenges in 2019 – I am sort of responsible for a little read-a-long in January of Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym. Back in 2013, leading up to Barbara Pym’s centenary I started a little FB group – The Barbara Pym virtual tea party – a place for like minded Pym fans to celebrate the day share pics etc. I assumed the group would fade out after her birthday in the June. It didn’t. People have continued to join. I realised I was the most useless FB group admin ever – never posting, taking weeks to approve new members, and so to make up for it, I suggested a little group read-a-long in January. It proved a popular idea, so we will be reading Some Tame Gazelle in the second half of the month (no strict timetable – I can never be bothered with those). Pym will be fairly sure to brighten up a gloomy month – and this early Pym is a classic. If you feel like it, join in.
I will happily join in other reading weeks/months/club events as I usually do, I’m just not organising anything myself or committing to anything big. Let me know of any that has passed me by – I know about the tbr busting ones but have decided not to sign up to any of those.
For several years the Librarything Virago group have had a monthly reading event. The last two years each month has been dedicated to a particular VMC author. In 2019 we will be reading the 1940s – I think there will be some themes within that for each month – details are being worked out by members as we speak. I think most of us will stick to VMC and Persephone books – but as it is a period I love – and I will have plenty of books already to fit – I am sure to be joining in quite a lot, I like the flexibility of being able to dip in and out.
So, I am a little behind in my reviews but hope to get one or two out this week, and maybe even Christmas week as well. Next up to be reviewed, The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay and Stet by Diana Athill – and my current read of course.
I never do my books of the year post till right at the end of the year – when everyone is probably heartily sick of those kinds of posts. There is still plenty of time to read something that simply has to make the list – and so I haven’t even started compiling it yet.
How will your New Year be for challenges?
I think you deserve a break after two such strenuous, if enjoyable, challenges. Looking forward to your review of Stet and hoping you loved it.
I did love it. Reading challenges can be exhausting and I have so enjoyed these this year but I do need a break.
Barbara Pym sounds just the ticket for January. I read Some Tame Gazelle last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I may well join you in spirit by reading another of her books. Luckily there are a couple waiting patiently in my TBR.
Almost any Pym would be fab in January (perhaps not Quartet in Autumn, though its a favourite). Enjoy.
I intended to read Some Tame Gazelle earlier this year but got distracted by things like moving house and being carted off to hospital. I’m hoping that there is no direct link between the book and major life upheavals and that I can safely say I shall read it in January without imperilling my health and safety.
Oh gosh, I hope nothing like that derails you this time. So glad you will reading along with us, it will be my third reading of Some Tame Gazelle.
I’m planning to do less challenges next year (famous last words). Some challenges I signed up for this year I didn’t make much progress with, which must mean I wasn’t that committed to them, whilst others were not challenging enough because they were goals I’d achieve anyway, such as reading x historical fiction books.
I’ve enjoyed more setting my own reading challenges, such as my Buchan of the Month reading project. (There are plenty more John Buchan books to take me through next year as well.) I think I’m going to concentrate on completing my Classics Club List and reading more from my existing TBR.
I do like taking part in the Classics Club spins, so I think periodic challenges or read-a-longs suit me better than year long challenges.
You know, I am not sure I ever read John Buchan, though I have read a few by his sister O Douglas.
Sometimes challenges can be a bit overwhelming. Year long challenges are exhausting as I know having done several in the last few years.
Never read a John Buchan? I find that hard to believe of such a well read person! 😀 Here’s my Buchan reading challenge post https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/buchan-of-the-month-2018-reading-challenge/ with links to the books I’ve read so far this year, in case any take your fancy. My personal favourites are Mr. Standfast and the book I’m reading for this month, Sick Heart River (which is also his last novel, published posthumously).
Lol well obviously not all that well read. I don’t know why I haven’t read any Buchan I should obviously remedy that one day.
Keep going – you can do it!! As for challenges, apart for dropping in to the Virago one when it suits, I shall once again try to avoid them. Except, I suppose, for self inflicted things like Utopia and the French Revolution… 😱
Good luck with your Utopia and French Revolution reading, they sound fascinating. I probably won’t manage every month of the Virago one either.
I have joined the FB group and ordered Some Tame Gazelle. I have wanted to read more Pym so this is a good opportunity. Thank you.ACOB will take me another year but I’m happy with that as it has been a good experience, making me read stuff that’s been on my tbr list for ages and introducing new to me authors.Good luck with your last reads for it. Happy Christmas.
I was delighted to see your name pop into the group’s member requests. So glad you will be reading with us. ACOB has also encouraged me to read things I have had tbr for ages. The book I am currently reading I have an absolute age. Turns out it is completely brilliant.
I agree with you about the ‘best of the year posts’, it feels like people were compiling them from the end of November. I’ve got the,#EU27Project to keep me busy till April, and won’t be signing up to anything major.
The EU27 project sounds interesting and will keep you occupied. After that no doubt you will enjoy the freedom to read what you want as well.
Well you know I will be joining you doing my best-of on January 1 as always. So often I’ve read a brilliant one in the last few days of the year.
I will be continuing with and finishing my Iris Murdoch Readalong in 2019, the centenary of her birth. I am loving doing it, with lots of new to me people joining in. Matthew and I have decided NOT to read Jerusalem as I had a look and I can’t face it, plus he needs to use up his Audible credits with shorter books! I’m not sure I’ll be doing other challenges though hope I can join in with your Pym one.
And I hope your secret santa and gift buyers won’t drown you in too many new books (oh).
Oh goodness yes that Jerusalem sounds quite overwhelming. I don’t blame you for deciding against it. It would be lovely if you could join in with the Pym too though.
Many congratulations on your Reading Muriel year, it has been really inspiring.
Thank you, I feel sure I shall continue with the ones I have yet to read over the next year or so.