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Sunday, May 3, 2015

Reading Recap - April

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal of reading 70 books.  Within that total, I wanted to expand my reading horizons a little by including one memoir/biography, one classic, and one blog reader recommendation each month.  I'm providing a round-up of these reads at the close of each month.

This month's selections ...


Memoir/Biography
by Nora Ephron

I knew Nora Ephron was witty, but I didn't expect to laugh this much.  I'm glad I listened to this book instead of reading it because I don't think it would have been the same if I didn't actually hear her voice.  I particularly loved the chapter about reading (what kinds of stories engage her and how she dives into them) and could relate to the ones about losing her friend.


Classic
by William Golding

When "The Hunger Games" came out, I heard a lot of comparisons to this novel.  I definitely see it now.  Does that mean this novel was before its time?  Either way, it was great to see how this book held up decades later.  I think that definitely means it's a classic.  The lessons in it still apply.  And probably always will.


Blog Reader Rec
by Sarah Addison Allen

Katie recommended this author to me, so I checked out the selections at my library.  This book kept standing out to me.  I kind of wish I'd read it right after the Neil Gaiman book I read last month.  The two had kind of the same feelings of magic, nostalgia, and dealing with the past.  The characters were interesting and I'm still thinking about them.  I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.


Bonus Reads

by Kate Angell

Kate is one of my favorite authors thanks to her baseball romances about the Richmond Rogues. I was sad when that series ended.  Fortunately, a few of those characters keep popping up in her more recent works.  I keep up with her on facebook, so when she announced a new book out this month, I realized I'd missed this one.  I read it very quickly.  Kate's stories always have fun characters, funny situations, and locations I want to visit.


by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves

This was the April selection for the Steins and Spines Book Club my friends and I formed. It was really enlightening as I learned about what my emotional strengths and weaknesses are.  The book also gave strategies for building those weaknesses and using those strengths in my personal and professional lives.  I'm looking forward to working on me.


by Katherine Heiny 

This was a collection of short stories I read for an online book club.  I enjoyed a few of the stories, though I'm not sure short stories are my thing.  I want more resolution.  And more development.  



My reading progress to date:

What are you reading?

6 comments:

  1. I have been an utter failure when it comes to reading this year. I have FOUR books started and am moving at a snails pace with each of them.

    I am definitely going to add Nora Ephron's book to the "to read" list though. I absolutely adore her.

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  2. I've been meaning to read a Nora Ephron book since she passed away. I may have to try this one and take your advice and listen to it on audiobook during my commute!

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  3. Glad you enjoyed Lost Lake! My favorite of hers is Garden Spells. Gosh, I just love her stories. And, I'm with you-- short stories just don't do much for me. I feel like I just barely get into them, and then they're over. Not my favorite.

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  4. I've had I Feel Bad About My Neck on my list forever. I need to get to it. I'm not that into short stories either. I feel like I'm just getting to know the characters and then the story is done with.

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  5. I've intended to go back and read Lord of the Flies. It's one of those books from school that I don't think I grasped because I was being assigned to read it. As an adult, I feel like I'd really appreciate it.

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  6. I didn't know Nora Ephron wrote a memoir. I loved her. I'm definitely going to have to read that!

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