Spring Reading Thing Wrap-up



Summertime and the weather is fine.   Do you like my summer header?  I took that picture while we were on vacation in Pajaro Dunes on the California coast.  With the start of summer, comes the end, of course, of Spring Reading Thing 2010 hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Day's.

My Spring Reading theme was to continue to read new to me authors and read 14 books. Out of the 14 books, I only read four, started but did not finish three and for some reason just didn't get to the rest.  There are some books you just have to be in the mood for and my mood changed constantly.  However, I did read eleven other books that weren't on the list. 

Finished from the list:

The Scarlet and the Black by J.P. Gallagher:  I really don't read a lot of non fiction but this particular book about a monsignor in the Vatican running an underground to protect Jewish and other citizens during the German occupation of Italy in the 1940's was absolutely amazing. 

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks:  The story is quite interesting following Hannah, a rare book expert working on an ancient Hebrew manuscript. Each time she comes across a clue of the origins of the book, you are taken back to that point in time to find out that part of the book's history and story of the people surrounding it.

Shapeshifters: the Demo tapes year 1 and 2 by Susan Helen Gottfried:   These e-books are about the Shapeshifters, a fictional band and their world.  Susan provides snippets of the character's story along with her thoughts while writing the story.  Great introduction to the characters and a precursor to her book "Trevor's Story" which is going to be available soon.

Liar's Anonymous by Louise Ure:  By one of the many mystery authors who blogs at Murderati. I'm slowly making my way through and reading books by every author.  Excellent story and will be reviewing soon.  Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:  "When Roadside Assistance Operator Jessie Dancing receives a call from real estate tycoon Darren Markson, she hears him being killed while she's on the phone with him: she's now the only witness to a murder, but it's not going to be that simple."  

Didn't finish from the list:

His Excellency George Washington by Joseph Ellis.   I read a couple chapters and never got back to it. Kind of dry, but will try it again later. 

Across the Endless River by Thad Carhart:  Historical fiction novel about Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea, his travels in 1820’s Europe.   You know how they tell writers to show a story and not tell it.  Lots of narration with little action and dialogue.  I started skimming after a while, trying to get into the story and then gave up.

How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall:  About four artists - two in 1960's Italy and two in present time Britain - a dying painter, a blind girl, a landscape artist, and an art curator.  Sounded intriguing, but all in first person point of view and I had a hard time following or getting into the characters.  Gave it a decent try but didn't finish it.

Finished but weren't even on the list: 

I've been reading more books that get me out of my reading box and expose me to different authors, writing styles and genres.  I took a Nobel Literature class for exactly that reason and these books definitely took me out of my reading box:  Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre, Old man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Endgame by Samuel Becket, The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann and The Silent Cry by Kenzaburo Oe.   Each difficult to read and interesting in their own way.  

I read several review books that introduced me to new authors and I really enjoyed most of them and plan to read more of their books. (links are to my reviews)

Young Bess by Margaret Irwin
Mr. Darcy Broke my Heart by Beth Patillo
The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
Certain Prey by John Sandford 
Heart of Lies by M.L.Malcom
Black Water Rising by Attica Locke

Thank you to Katrina for being the hostest with the mostest as always.  Check out what everyone else how everybody else did here.

Happy Reading and Happy Summer!!!!

8 comments:

  1. I've been taking notice of new to me authors as well. You had a great reading Spring.

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  2. You rocked this challenge..me, not so much!!

    Love that header photo. Do you live close to the ocean?

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  3. Sounds like you still got plenty of reading in this spring! And I definitely hear you about changing moods. Thanks for being part of SRT '10! Enjoy your summer!

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  4. You sound like me. I got through half of my list and then added a few more that were not on the list to read. I love your new photo header. I'm going to have to check out Mr. Darcy broke my heart. I've seen that a couple of other list.

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  5. Your George Washington book sounds interesting, it's always a bummer when those expectations don't align with what's on the page.

    I've never read Endgame but I've seen it in production and it was amazing. Next time I should put plays on my list.

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  6. I liked that Joseph Ellis book -- but I might have listened to it instead of read it in print. There are a lot of good Washington books, so maybe pick another?

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  7. Nise: thanks, will drop by soon.

    Staci: Thanks. No I wish we did. Reason why we spend most vacations on the coast.

    Katrina: Thanks for hosting.

    Rana: Thanks. Yep, I'm fickle or rather a mood reader Mr. Darcy - great chick lit book and I usually don't like chick lit.

    Beth: I'm going to give it another try. However, also picked up The Real George Washington which looks really good. Getting saturated learning about G.W. this year.

    Lori: Reading a play is definitely different. Would be interesting to actually see the play.

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  8. Your summer header is gorgeous! I love the birds! What was your favorite book out of all the ones that you listed? People of the Book has been sitting on my shelf for a long time. Glad to hear it's a good read.

    I've tried to read How to Paint a Dead Man and the point of view got to me too. I put it down and I'm not missing it at all.

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