Even though January has ten more days, I think I’m finished with my long-awaited reads month. I began with Electric Eden by Rob Young and read quite a bit before I realized it was just too dense, too filled with information. I thought I'd try something less scholarly so I picked up Toast by Nigel Slater, and I just didn't like it, and put it down after a few pages. I walked around the house and looked for books I've been meaning to get to for a while, and decided to read a Laurie Colwin book I've owned for years - A Big Storm Knocked It Over. I read many pages and then quit. There was a character I could not stand, and the main character had some kind of weird attraction to him. My last try was Pies and Prejudice by Stuart Maconie. I read about 50 pages. I did enjoy it, but finally gave it up because, though I am a fan of all things English, there were just too many references to names and places I didn't know, though I do think it would be a wonderful read for someone who lives there. So, I'm going to move on to some other reading I have planned for this year. This was fun for me, even though I didn't become immersed in a book or finish one.
I've been starting books and putting them down after a few or even more than a few pages too. Your comment about Pies and Prejudice interested me as it's a book my son gave to my husband - we're from the north-west, near Manchester which is where Maconie is from too, so I'm hoping I'll like the book, although from a quick glance I can see that I don't know quite a lot of the places he's included.
I hope you'll be able to get immersed in your next book ! :)
If I were you, I'd give it a try and see what you think. He is very engaging, a tiny bit like Nick Hornby. Happily, I've been 'immersed' in six Kindle books this month! More about them in a coming post.
Sorry your expectations were let down Nan - but as we say in book world..... there are so many more waiting!! By the way, I love your header picture this morning.
It's always disappointing when one starts a book and then just doesn't get into it. There are so many styles out there and finding one style that really pleases is difficult. I hope your next month's reads are more satisfying.
Good work! I read two books that have been on my shelf for a while and am on my third :-) And finally got a book from the library that I really, really wanted! It's been a good month :-)
Hey Nan! Have you read "Sailing Alone Around The World"? I am not a sailor by any means but I really love that book! I also love that header photo. Stay warm! :-)
It was worth trying! I remember how liberating it felt (not all that long ago) when I decided I didn't need to finish a book if I wasn't enjoying it. Of course it's best if the book is either from the library or picked up in a free book spot.
Oh I can empathize with you Nan. I picked up 3 "highly recommended" books from the library and didn't get through more than a chapter or two of each. I find it hard to find engaging fiction these days. Especially the newly published novels. Maybe I belong in a different era. I always go back to a Goudge book if I get desperate. Looking forward to hearing about your Kindle finds - my kids got me a Kindle for Christmas and I'm enjoying it.
Oh, I'd love to know what the 3 titles are. I am so like this with new books, too, but mostly it is the popular ones. I somehow come upon lesser known new books that I usually like. If you want to know some kindle books I've read and liked, you could go to the Booklists tab under the blog header photo, and click on the years. I note if the book was on the kindle.
Nan, I meant to join this challenge (I did it last year) and didn't even get that far! lol I know what you mean, I've been having problems settling down into books too. I think I have 5 on the go right now, in between the ones I am picking up and reading quickly. It all depends on my mood, and how healthy/sick we are in the house, right now.
Kindle books still count, I am finding! I have my first book downloaded on my kindle on my computer, so I am so excited to try this medium. How are you finding reading on the kindle?
I LOVE it. I began because of a shoulder over-use injury from holding books in bed, so I switched to ebooks for nighttime reading and haven't had a bit of trouble. It's a minor miracle to me.
There's something nice about clearing out some books that have been lingering on our shelves for years, whether we enjoy them or not, don't you think? I've picked up and discarded several over the past few months. I don't fret too much about the disappointments and eagerly move on toward the next selection. I'm glad you were able to find some winners on your Kindle!
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Even though January has ten more days, I think I’m finished with my long-awaited reads month. I began with Electric Eden by Rob Young and read quite a bit before I realized it was just too dense, too filled with information. I thought I'd try something less scholarly so I picked up Toast by Nigel Slater, and I just didn't like it, and put it down after a few pages. I walked around the house and looked for books I've been meaning to get to for a while, and decided to read a Laurie Colwin book I've owned for years - A Big Storm Knocked It Over. I read many pages and then quit. There was a character I could not stand, and the main character had some kind of weird attraction to him. My last try was Pies and Prejudice by Stuart Maconie. I read about 50 pages. I did enjoy it, but finally gave it up because, though I am a fan of all things English, there were just too many references to names and places I didn't know, though I do think it would be a wonderful read for someone who lives there. So, I'm going to move on to some other reading I have planned for this year. This was fun for me, even though I didn't become immersed in a book or finish one.
I've been starting books and putting them down after a few or even more than a few pages too. Your comment about Pies and Prejudice interested me as it's a book my son gave to my husband - we're from the north-west, near Manchester which is where Maconie is from too, so I'm hoping I'll like the book, although from a quick glance I can see that I don't know quite a lot of the places he's included.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be able to get immersed in your next book ! :)
If I were you, I'd give it a try and see what you think. He is very engaging, a tiny bit like Nick Hornby.
DeleteHappily, I've been 'immersed' in six Kindle books this month! More about them in a coming post.
Sorry your expectations were let down Nan - but as we say in book world..... there are so many more waiting!! By the way, I love your header picture this morning.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes! And as I told Margaret, I did read six other books on the Kindle. This project was for my print books. And I do have many of them left!
DeleteIt's always disappointing when one starts a book and then just doesn't get into it. There are so many styles out there and finding one style that really pleases is difficult. I hope your next month's reads are more satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI did read six great books on the Kindle so I'm happy!
DeleteI am sorry your reading has gotten off to a rocky start. At least you have found something good to read, even if not on your initial list!
ReplyDeleteJust the print reading - the Kindle books have been great!
DeleteWell, at least now you can take those books off your "TBR" read, Nan.
ReplyDeleteI love your current header photo and remember it from previous winters!
Yeah, I have to use it in the winter. Just so great. Thanks.
DeleteGood work! I read two books that have been on my shelf for a while and am on my third :-) And finally got a book from the library that I really, really wanted! It's been a good month :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you've found some good ones!
DeleteHey Nan!
ReplyDeleteHave you read "Sailing Alone Around The World"? I am not a sailor by any means but I really love that book!
I also love that header photo.
Stay warm! :-)
Do you know that my friend Les' husband did the annotated version??!!! More here:
Deletehttp://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2009/11/book-tour-and-reviews.html
Tough staying warm these days!
It was worth trying! I remember how liberating it felt (not all that long ago) when I decided I didn't need to finish a book if I wasn't enjoying it. Of course it's best if the book is either from the library or picked up in a free book spot.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I shake my head when I've bought a book that I just can't read. My lesson is to borrow more and buy less!
DeleteOh I can empathize with you Nan. I picked up 3 "highly recommended" books from the library and didn't get through more than a chapter or two of each. I find it hard to find engaging fiction these days. Especially the newly published novels. Maybe I belong in a different era. I always go back to a Goudge book if I get desperate. Looking forward to hearing about your Kindle finds - my kids got me a Kindle for Christmas and I'm enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love to know what the 3 titles are. I am so like this with new books, too, but mostly it is the popular ones. I somehow come upon lesser known new books that I usually like. If you want to know some kindle books I've read and liked, you could go to the Booklists tab under the blog header photo, and click on the years. I note if the book was on the kindle.
DeleteNan, I meant to join this challenge (I did it last year) and didn't even get that far! lol I know what you mean, I've been having problems settling down into books too. I think I have 5 on the go right now, in between the ones I am picking up and reading quickly. It all depends on my mood, and how healthy/sick we are in the house, right now.
ReplyDeleteKindle books still count, I am finding! I have my first book downloaded on my kindle on my computer, so I am so excited to try this medium. How are you finding reading on the kindle?
I LOVE it. I began because of a shoulder over-use injury from holding books in bed, so I switched to ebooks for nighttime reading and haven't had a bit of trouble. It's a minor miracle to me.
DeleteThere's something nice about clearing out some books that have been lingering on our shelves for years, whether we enjoy them or not, don't you think? I've picked up and discarded several over the past few months. I don't fret too much about the disappointments and eagerly move on toward the next selection. I'm glad you were able to find some winners on your Kindle!
ReplyDeleteSome of my best books ever this month on the Kindle!
Delete