For this month I already have a stack of books I want to read for either book groups or challenges but as is always the case other books usually cut in line so we’ll see how this goes. Some of the books I’d like to get to this month are:
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. Not only is this the selection for one of my book groups but I just found out about the Oxford University Press Book Blog. They have a World’s Classics Discussion and guess which book they are discussing now? Yep, The Secret Agent.
Another book I’d like to read this month is The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey. This is the upcoming selection for the Written Word book group. I’ve missed participating the last few times but I just received the book from BookMooch so maybe I will read it in time.
Finally, as far as book groups are concerned I really would like to read the Slaves of Golconda selection for July which is Sleepless Nights by Elizabeth Hardwick
I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to finish the Chunkster or the Once Upon a Time challenges, but hey there are always new challenges to try right? Here are some that I’ve just heard about and sort of want to join but am trying to resist:
The Summer Poetry Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge – Part 2
The Book Awards Reading Challenge
So there you have it. Those are some of my reading goals. If only all the other books in my stacks didn’t seem so appealing as well. Ha. Anyone have major book plans for this month?
I’m looking forward to the Book Awards Challenge and I love her button.
I’m always amazed at the reading you get done! (I’m so jealous!)
I’m pretty sure I won’t finish the Chunkster Challenge either. But like you said there are always new challenges to join. 😛
This month I’m hoping to read 2 more Banned books, and I’m working my way through the Harry Potter books (I’m only on Book #3) so I have lots of pages ahead of me still. Course then a mystery or 2 would be good but we’ll see.
Yay more challenges!!! I can’t wait.
I’m excited about the new Slaves of Golconda book — I think it’ll be fun!
No, no! Don’t resist the poetry challenge. Give in, give in. We want you!
Maggie – I like the button for that one too. My only thing about that challenge is that it is over a whole year. I don’t know if I can remain enthused about it for that long. Ha,ha.
Christine – Don’t worry girl, you’ll get your reading mojo back soon!
Tanabata – Good luck on your reading plans. Those sound good!
aka Nik – I know! 🙂
Dorothy W. – I had never heard of the book but it sounds just like my cup of tea. I need to find it this weekend and get with it.
Ted – Oh man, seriously that is a hard one to resist. I’ll do some serious thinking about it this weekend 🙂
I’ve never been a big Conrad fan. I’m interested to see what you think of it.
I’m taking a break from most of my challenges next week when I go to the beach. But, I’m hoping to finish my last Chunkster before then.
I have never read Conrad, but I know I should give him a try. I think my big goal is going to have to be resisting the lure of challenges as well as resisting picking up books other people are reading (those reviews are always so tempting) and trying to concentrate on my own rather out of control pile.
Thanks for the link to the Book Awards Challenge, I had heard about it but didn’t know where to find it. I’ll be making that my second ever challenge. I’ve also been hearing about this Slave of Golconda but I have no idea what it is, guess I’ll check it out.
Thanks for the OUP blog link! What fun! I don’t think I’m going to finish the Once Upon a Time Challenge either.
Those are all very good choices. I am not sure if I will read The Secret Agent or not. I am about to dive into The Book Thief and really looking forward to that! I also really like that Summer Poetry Challenge!!
I just finished reading The Secret Agent, and I have to say it was one of the best books I’ve read recently! There are definitely some strong parellels between the book and present-day society (particularly terrorism). I highly recommend it!
NyssaNeala – Oh which books are you taking on vacation? Hope you enjoy your reading at whim 🙂
Danielle – I haven’t read Conrad either so I’m curious. I love seeing all the challenges people come up with and of course I want to do them all but yes it gets overwhelming. Especially when I have yet to finish one!
Matt – Oh you should join us at the Slaves! I bet you’d like some of the books that have been discussed. Lots of great literature.
Stefanie – Glad you liked that! I still want to read the books on my challenge list and I know you’ve mentioned how you well you liked some of those. Must find time!
Christine – I didn’t realize Book Thief was our August selection. Woot! Have fun starting the book. Let me know if you’ll do the poetry challenge.
Matthew N. – That’s great to hear! I’ll admit I wasn’t too keen on the book at first but I just read some of the commentary over at the OUP blog and now I’m more interested in it too.
I think for the month of June I’ll adhere to the summer mystery challenge. I am almost thorough with The Mysterious Affair at Styles…isn’t Christie smart? I often find myself choosing evidence nailing a suspect one that actually cuts him loose from the suspicion. Wonderful read. Then I’ll be off to Murder of Roger Ackyord.
The Mermaids Singing sounds SO good! I’ll have to add that to my list.
I’m planning to join in on the Slaves discussion this time so I’m off to order the book! And I might need to read The Mermaids Singing, too. Thanks for the inspiration…
Matt Y. – I’ve only read a few Christie books and am so excited about all the novels I have to look forward to! Murder of Roger Ackroyd was excellent. Hope you enjoy that.
Tara – Mermaids is good so far!
Gentle Reader – Oh that’s great! I’ve been so bad and have missed a ton of the Slaves discussions but even though I sometimes don’t read the books I still love to hear what everyone says about them. What’s interesting is that some of my favorite books of the year have come from the Slaves selections 🙂 I will try to find the latest choice this week.
My major book plan for this month is just to finish what I’m reading now, “His Family”–the first Pulitzer prize winner. The best reading time I can find so far is if I hold the book in my left hand while feeding the baby her bottle with the right hand. If the two-year-old doesn’t run in and swipe the book, I’m good to go. 🙂
And thanks for the heads up on the next Slaves book. I keep meaning to read with them but haven’t yet. Maybe I’ll get to it for July.
Good luck with your reading plan this month. All of the titles you’ve listed sound like they will be good. I am trying not to think too much ahead of the book I am reading right now because my goal this month is rather daunting. I’m going on vacation in another week and hope to spend quite a bit of time lost in books. 🙂
You are a good women to have goals. But, I did finish one book for the Summer Mystery Challenge.