Monthly Wrap Up: May 2009
Total Books and Current Status
Since January 1, I've read 43 books and left 2 books unfinished. I have posted 42 full reviews and 3 mini-reviews. I'm currently reading The Big House by George Howe Colt. I'm listening to the third in a Harlequin fantasy series: Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder. For summaries of these books, click the links.
What Did I Read?
Here's what I read in May. Click on the link to see my review; the letter in parentheses is my rating.
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (C+)
Great Dream of Heaven by Sam Shepard (A)
A Killing Frost by John Marsden (B+)
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (A-)
No Angel by Penny Vincenzi (B+)
Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl (B+)
Rumors by Anna Godbersen (A-)
This One Is Mine by Maria Semple (B)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (A)
It is difficult to pick a favorite this month. Wintergirls was certainly one of the more emotionally engaging books, and Great Dream of Heaven goes on my highly recommended list.
Mini Reviews
I started a new feature in May that involves a visit to books I read before I started blogging. I've kept notes on my reading for several years, and I thought I would share some of my past reads once or twice a month. My first entry was a review of the five books in the Tales of the Otori series.
Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn
I also write mini reviews for books I did not finish.
Secrets of Happiness by Sarah Dunn
Beth Fish Out and About
I was a guest at As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves. Every Friday, Elizabeth hosts 451 Fridays, and my answers were featured in one of the May posts.
I tied with Eva from A Striped Armchair for Most Enthusiastic Cheerleader for Dewey's Read-a-Thon this spring. Wow! I had so much fun, I don't really think I should get a prize for it. But I'll keep my Powell's gift card all the same !
Did I Complete Any Challenges? Join Any New Ones?
I did not complete any challenges or start any new ones. I did complete the YA category of my 999 Library Thing challenge. I can tell that I'm going to be a challenge failure this year.
What's New and What's Coming in June
My Review Policy is now posted. I turned off the comments on that page, but if you have any feedback, I'd love to hear it (you can leave a comment on this post).
June is a month full of blog tours, so watch for reviews of some newly released books in a variety of genres. I hope to catch up in the Godbersen Luxe series by reading Envy in June. The weather has turned, so I'll be out and about with my camera. Look for more local photos over the summer.
How did you do in May? Did you meet your reading goals? Did you complete a challenge? Are you caught up on your reviews? Are you making changes?
17 comments:
I just started reading The Luxe this weekend and am enjoying it so far. Congrats on a great month of reading!
I've recently purchased the three Luxe books and am glad to see you've rated them so high. This gives me added incentive to get started on the first.
You've had a fabulous month :)
Wow-you read an incredible amount of books! I wish I could read that much :)
I just got Wintergirls - i'm excited to start it.
I love your review policy - so detailed. I am really tempted to add to mine as you seem to have so much more information on yours.
I found it really interesting to read your review policy - I feel like I learnt so much more about you. I don't think you need to change a thing - it's perfect!
I like this wrap-up of your reading for the month. I also like your policy. It's very complete. I'm working on one as well.
your review policy is so thorough! what a great write-up. i've been thinking of updating mine and now i'm inpsired! as for reading in may...i've been pretty busy and actually joined a challenge--a personal one--and have finished 1/30 books. i've got until labor day weekend to polish the rest of them off! wish me luck.
Your review policy is incredible! I probably should re-visit mine!
Sounds like a great reading month, Beth!
I can't wait to read Wintergirls! I've read a lot of great reviews about this book.
I like your review policy; it's very thorough.
I don't understand HOW u read SO MANY :) :)
I am jealous :) BIG TIME!
Wow, your policies are very thorough. I feel mine are inadequate now!
You've had a great week. I can't believe I missed your Ruth Reichl review! I love her books, so I'm off to read your review next. And your review policy is so thorough. I just wrote mine today, and I see I will probably have to add more to it.
What a great month for you! I haven't posted a wrap up for the month yet, but I think I read 10. I'm just hoping to crack 100 books this year. :)
Btw, it was great to meet you at BEA, even if we didn't get a chance to really talk.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I like the format of your wrap-up. I might have to adopt it. Very thorough and concise but gets you lot of info.
And I checked out your review policy. Very thorough and wonderful. I can tell a lot of work went into it!
And I need to thank you for the link you posted not too long ago about making navigation buttons. I used it and (unlike some tutorials) it worked totally easily and as stated!! So thanks so much for that ... I love my new buttons! : )
You had a great month of reading-congrats. I hope June is just as good.
You had a great month! Congrats :)
From the ratings it looks like all and all you had a good month in quality. I wish I had such luck, mine was more 50/50.
Anyway, I am horribly disappointed that I didn't get to meet you at BEA. All my plans went kaput and even though I was there, it was just too short. I hope that next year I'll come better prepared and finally meet you and other girls.
Would you haunt me daily until I post my Review Policy?!? Remind me that it doesn't have to be perfect before I post it, it can evolve!
Congrats on your prize for cheering - you should get something for getting locked out of Twitter!
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