Two challenges down and several more to go. I forgot to mention how I did in the Chunkster Challenge. I signed up to read three books but only finished one. Oh but what a good book, The Hummingbird’s Daughter was. It is right up there as one of my favorite reads of the year. I had a write up of the book but can’t find it (must organize soon) and I’m a bit too lazy to re-write it right now but take my word for it, it’s a must read book. In the meantime, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Nancy, aka Bookfool, for organizing this fun challenge.
So what did I finish this month? Take a look:
The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares (my review)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (my review)
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz (my review)
The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey (my review)
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Buter (my review)
Volk’s Game by Brent Ghelfi (my review)
As this is the half way point of a reading year I went back to my January post to see how I was doing on my reading resolutions. I was flexible but I did say that I wanted to read more Classics and non-fiction books. I actually said I wanted to read five non-fiction books.
I’ve only read one Classic, but I have read four non-fiction books already so that is a good thing. I’ve also read a couple of young adult and several sci-fi books so it’s been fun to branch out in other genres.
I’ve got lots of great books (keeps fingers crossed) waiting for me so can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings. Oh and let’s see if I do better on these other reading challenges.
Hard to believe we are half way through the reading year! You seem to be doing quite well with your reading resolutions. I need to re-examine mine, but I do know I’ve read more biographies and memoirs which was one goal.
jenclair – I know, isn’t that wild. I’m like, what happened to the year?! I still can’t believe I’ve read so many non-fiction books. What’s surprising is that I’ve really enjoyed all of them and one is on the top of my favorites for the year.
So you can say the first half of the year was dedicated to your nonfiction goal and now the second half of the year is dedicated to classics. If you get through The Secret Agent you’ll be able to count that toward your goal!
You’ve done incredibly well. Wish I could say the same. I’ve got Connie Willis’ book in my TBR pile. The mix of genre is intruiging.
Happy Reading !
That sounds like a good reading month! To have read 4 out of 5 nonfiction books sounds great to me.
I’ve read a lot more nonfiction this year, too. Not so much with the classics, though!
Still raining down there? 😉
A big “you’re welcome”, Iliana. 🙂 You’ve done fantastic and read some really interesting books, lately. I’ve been dying to read Parable of the Sower, since your review.
Hi, Iliana
WRT the Chunkster Challenge, I did the same…I signed up to read three books but only read one, “Shantaram”, it was a great read except I haven’t written a post on it yet.
Wow, you did a lot of good reading in June! I find myself reading less and less these days, but I think summer has a lot to do with it.
Here’s wishing you a Happy Fourth, Iliana!
Stefanie – I gave up on The Secret Agent. Bleh. I’ll have to look for another classic now!
Gavin – I hope you enjoy Connie Willis. I am looking forward to reading another of her books.
Dorothy W. – It was good and July has started off on the right foot too 🙂
Les in NE – It’s been raining a lot. We had some sun yesterday but I have never seen a summer like this in Texas.
Nancy, aka Bookfool – Oh good, I hope you read it and you’ll have to let me know what you think.
Lotus – Looking forward to your post on Shantram! Yes, sometimes there’s so much to do outdoors that you don’t get to books as much during the summer right.
I’m going to have to read The Hummingbird’s Daughter! And it looks like you’ve completed a lot so far this year 🙂
I’m hoping Armchair Traveling will be the first challenge I actually finish! At least you got one chunkster finished. I didn’t even attempt it. I’m scared of the big books. lol
Congrats on your book achievements so far — and here’s to a successful second half to reading in 07!
Boy, I’m glad I didn’t make any reading goals for myself this year – I would be failing them miserably!
Although I read several books that qualified as chunksters per Nancy’s 400+ page criteria, but neither of the two I’d specifically set aside for it (The Terror and Special Topics in Calamity Physics) – maybe before the year’s out!
Your post also reminded me that I need to make one about Mermaids Singing – I finished that up a few days ago …
Gentle Reader – I am doing pretty good so far but it’s interesting that I have quite a lot more variety of books this year – must be all those challenges 🙂
Andi – We’ll both have to celebrate big time then! I’ve yet to complete one as well.
LK – Thanks! I hope it’s good.
Lesley – You know, I’ve also read quite a few books that I’d classify as Chunksters. I should have swapped out titles 🙂 Ah, well, I’m looking forward to your post on the Mermaids Singing.
You’ve always been an accomplished and prolific reader. And yeah, I can’t believe it’s half way into 2007.
I completed the summer mystery reading challenge, but I’ve got a few more mysteries waiting. I need to visit the library and come up with a list of titles for the travel reading challenge.
Matt – So do you think you’ll continue reading mysteries? I can’t wait to see what you choose for your travel reading challenge.