01 October 2009

Monthly Wrap Up: September 2009



Total Books and Current Status

Since January 1, I've read 75 books and left 4 books unfinished. I have posted 73 full reviews and 17 mini-reviews and I have 3 reviews left to write. I am currently reading 31 Hours by Masha Hamilton and listening to To Darkness and to Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming. I have 3 other books on the go: Burnt Shadows, Dust of 100 Dogs, and A Separate Country.


What Did I Read and Review?

Here's what I reviewed in September. Click on the link to see my review; the letter in parentheses is my rating.

Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation (B)
Testimony by Anita Shreve (A)
Willow by Julia Hoban (A+)
French Milk by Lucy Knisley (B+)
Between Me and the River by Carrie Host (B-)
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (B+)
Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble (B-)

Here's what I also read in September but haven't yet reviewed:

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden
Mind Scrambler by Chris Grabenstein

I didn't have a great reading month, and I'm slipping behind in reviews. My current excuse is Book Bloggers Appreciation Week (yeah, so it was over almost 2 weeks ago . . .).

Willow was my top read for the month; don't miss it. I also highly recommend French Milk, Testimony, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Mini Reviews

I posted four mini reviews of books I read before I started blogging:

Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn
Fallen by David Maine
Genghis: Birth of an Empire by Conn Iggulden
Hit Man by Lawrence Block

Literary Road Trip, Author Interviews, Guest Posts

Did I Complete Any Challenges? Join Any New Ones?

I completed the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

I joined one new challenge: Clear Off Your Shelves.

There is still time to join the first challenge I've ever hosted: The Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge.

What's New and What's Coming in October

The big change in September was my new template. Several people asked about how to create tabs and how to make a drop-down label box. The codes for everything on my blog can be found by clicking the links in the "Thanks!" box at the bottom of this page.

Thanks to all of you, I have lots to think about concerning the usefulness of a blogroll. I have decided to leave things as is for the rest of the 2009 Read and Review Challenge. In January, I plan to change my blogroll. I think I am going to keep it but will tie it to my Goggle Reader using one of the widgets suggested by my readers.

I have at least three Literary Road Trip posts planned for October and two blog tours.

I'm very excited about the Fall Read-a-thon, scheduled for October 24. I loved cheerleading in the spring, but I think I'll be a reader this time. I am working on a lace bookmark to give away. I just have to come up with a mini-challenge to go with it.

How was your September? Did you meet your reading goals? Are you caught up on your reviews? Are you making changes?

19 comments:

Nise' 10/1/09, 8:43 AM  

September was a good reading month for me. I have to review the YA books I read yet.

Tam @ Bailey's and Books 10/1/09, 9:00 AM  

First, I really like the new look!

What a great month you had. Very jealous of the amount of books you read this year. I will be lucky to hit 50, but that's OK.

And yay to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - I love this series!

Here’s how my September looked.

Stacy 10/1/09, 9:12 AM  

I have been reading posts in google reader and hadn't had the chance to see your new look...I love it! My September reading was off too but, like you, I had a very good reason (family visiting). I am hoping to catch up in October and know the read-a-thon will help...can't wait:)

Sandy Nawrot 10/1/09, 9:23 AM  

I just went back through my September posts, and found I only reviewed 8 books. Hmmm. I certainly felt more productive, however I did go on a trip, there was BBAW, and there was the book fair. I guess I should be happy I did what I did. You sound like you have a great October lined up. BTW, I haven't said so, but I do love your new look. I was relieved that you left the picture intact. I love it!

Unknown 10/1/09, 9:32 AM  

You read some great books in September. I'm looking forward to reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and French Milk.

I love the new blog design too!

Julie P. 10/1/09, 11:22 AM  

You still had quite a month, I'd say!

Nely 10/1/09, 11:25 AM  

Wow! You read some really good books this month. Way to go.

♥Nely

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) 10/1/09, 12:01 PM  

I just got Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and I am looking forward to reading it thanks to your review and a few others. I had seen it around for ages but wasn't fully convinced.

Heather 10/1/09, 12:51 PM  

You had a great month! I'm so glad you recommended French Milk and Willow. FM was lovely and Willow took my breath away.

I've been meaning to tell you I love your new blog design. It's so lovely and clean looking. Great job!

Cathy 10/1/09, 2:32 PM  

Great new look-- it looks fabulous on this huge monitor of mine!

Anonymous,  10/1/09, 5:36 PM  

Nice post! I'd consider September a good reading month!

The Tome Traveller 10/1/09, 5:45 PM  

I'm loving your new look, great job!

Melody 10/1/09, 8:01 PM  

You've read a lot of books, Beth! And oh, I love the new look of yoru blog!

Beth Kephart 10/1/09, 8:11 PM  

methinks you can still use BBAW as your excuse for four more days.

:)

Jenners 10/1/09, 8:13 PM  

I like the new look and the boxes and well, everything. Nice and clean feel to it. Well done!

And I just love reading wrap-up posts for some reason. They just please me. And reminds me I think I have to do a quarterly one as well. Woo hoo!

Alice 10/1/09, 10:58 PM  

Great job, Beth!

I would need to get started on Larsson's book soon.

Alix 10/2/09, 9:51 AM  

You had a busy month!

Just stopped by to say thank you for your review of Willow. I don't think I'd have read past the first chapter if I hadn't read what you thought. I just finished it though and it's one of the best books I've read.

Elizabeth 10/2/09, 8:38 PM  

*grin* I've used BBAW as my excuse for August AND September - not sure I can finagle a way to use it for October or not, but we'll see.

Jen - devourer of books 10/5/09, 10:52 AM  

Yay for finishing a challenge! I think I should join that library challenge next year.

Thanks for stopping by. I read all comments and may respond here, via e-mail, or on your blog. I visit everyone who comments, but not necessarily right away.

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