I can't believe the first month of 2012 is over already.
Instead of worrying about the number of books I read or meeting some self-imposed monthly goal, in January I just went with the flow --reading what I felt like reading and not worrying (too much) about review books. I have to admit I loved it and I ended up really enjoying what I read a lot, except for one audio review book which was just so so. Here is what my month looked like (I decided to include the movies I saw as well) ---
January
- A Sense of an Ending; Julian Barnes (5/5) - literary fiction
- Lethal; Sandra Brown - 4/5 (suspense - audio book)
- The Girl Who Played With Fire; Stieg Larsson - 4/5 (books to movies)
- Heft; Liz Moore - 4.5/5 (contemporary fiction)
- The Odds: A Love Story; Stewart O'Nan - 4/5 (contemporary fiction)
- Home Front; Kristin Hannah - 3/5 (contemporary fiction - audio book)
- East of Eden; John Steinbeck - 5/5 (classic challenge - audio)
- The Invisible Ones; Stef Penney - 4/5 (arc/mystery)
- Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother; Amy Chua (NF-audio) - OMG - what a mother!!
- In This Way I Was Saved; DeLeewua
- Catch Me; Lisa Gardner (eGalley)
- Fairy Tale Interrupted; Terenzio (eBook - NF)
- War Horse - 10/10
- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - 7/10
- Water for Elephants - 6/10
- Finish ALL Books in Progress
- A Moveable Feast; Hemingway - Read-a-Long
- A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty; Josilyn Jackson
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking; Susan Cain (NF)
- (3) Random Picks
East of Eden... my fave book ever.
ReplyDeleteHappy February reading.
Looks like a great reading month.
ReplyDeleteAs for your movies, I've heard great things from several people on Warhorse (and The Artist too by the way). I really need to see it soon.
Good for you for just going with the flow! Sounds like it added up to you having a great reading month!
ReplyDeletePenguins are so cute!
ReplyDeleteJanuary looks like it was a great month and February seems promising too!
ReplyDeleteI really must read East of Eden as I keep seeing it mentioned and everyone is full of praise. Glad you had a good month - I felt the same about sitting back and reading what I wanted to.
ReplyDeleteHope February will be as good.
you've been a busy lady! How I look forward to hearing your thoughts on "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking; Susan Cain (NF)" As a mostly introvert myself I do find the incessant need for talk all the time to be overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI also read the Sandra Brown book and The Sense of an Ending in January. We agreed on Lethal, but were at opposite ends on The Sense of and Ending. I have it 1 star. That's the glory of books - they appeal to each person in different ways.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud? I have it on my Nook and hopefully I'll get to it in Feb. Then want to check out the movie.
Have a good February!
Tami, I actually read the book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close way back when it first came out. I actually did not remember much about about it other than it was about a young boy that lost his dad in 9/11.
DeleteThe acting by the boy (T, Horn) was amazing in the movie.
Tiger Mother is a piece of work.
ReplyDeleteEsme,
DeleteNot because I'm an American, but I just couldn't believe how unreasonable and down right mean she was to her girls. To me she was doing what she did more for her than for them.
Looks like a great list! Best wishes for a happy February!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really wonderful reading and viewing month, Diane! I got a bit read, but almost nothing blogged with the start of the semester. I'm hoping to get back on track in February! Sorry you didn't like Water for Elephants -- my daughter has been trying to get me to see it!
ReplyDeleteCol, I actually enjoy the movie Water for Elephants, but just liked the book so much better when I read it. I do recommend that you see it.
DeleteI've been going with the flow a lot more too. Great isn't it? I hope February is just as rewarding.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to the year. I can't believe January is done... spring will be here before we know it (something I'm anxiuos for since winter has decided to stay away). Missing the snow!
ReplyDeleteHave a great February!
You sound like you had a really stress-free reading month, and like you enjoyed yourself most of the time! A lot of the books you read are awesome too! I hope that February is a great month for you as well!
ReplyDeleteNice reading month -- nice range of books! I've never read any Julian Barnes but I want to -- I also want to read that Hemingway (someday, someday). I hope February is as fun as Jan was for you!
ReplyDeleteBravo on a month well done and to your liking!!! I was very pleased with my reading month of January also and the relief from review books has had a tremendous affect on me and my outlook on reading!! Here's to another winning month in February!!
ReplyDeleteI blinked and January was over! Great reading month for you!
ReplyDeleteIt should all be about the fun!
ReplyDeleteI really need to read all of my reads in progress, too. They are piling up!
ReplyDeletegreat month! mine was also terrific, see here my recap: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/02/02/january-wrap-up/
ReplyDelete