January was a tough month for a lot of us! I want to keep this blog somewhat politics-free, but I will say this month was scary and emotionally exhausting. The Women’s March in DC was amazing and I want to stay somewhat positive, although I keep feeling like we’re living in a Stephen King novel (The Dead Zone comes to mind). Here are two resources for those of you out there who agree. This is an article on how to keep your sanity, maintain balance in your life, and still make a difference (thanks to the husband for sharing this and for trying to keep me sane). And this is a list of five email lists you can join if you need some specific ideas about what to do.
January was a good reading and blogging month, and I feel good about choosing to focus on my blog for a while (that’s me keeping my sanity). Thanks to Roof Beam Reader for a fun group read of Little Women! I’ll say this pending my review: I read an abridged version as a child and it really skewed my perspective on this book. I’ve decided abridged versions are horrible and should be done away with – you grow up thinking you read something, when instead you read a gross oversimplification and missed all the good stuff.
I also followed through on some resolutions, going to a local bookstore event, signing up for a book club (which may or may not pan out), and starting a reduced-sugar diet.
Here’s what I read:
- What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
- Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
- The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
- Abaddon’s Gate by James S. A. Corey
- Today Will be Different by Maria Semple
- Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
- The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner
My favorite read? Always tough, but I’d say Commonwealth was my favorite, and then The Wonder and Today Will Be Different. Commonwealth just felt so layered and complex, it’s exactly the sort of long family saga I enjoy, and I really liked the characters.
Most disappointing read? I had heard amazing things about Helen Oyeyemi, but her book just didn’t work for me. The stories had odd, abrupt endings, and when characters crossed stories it wasn’t clear to me why.
Books for challenges:
- Reading All Around the World: The Wonder (Ireland) (not so diverse this month)
- Back to the Classics/The Classics Club/Classic Book a Month Club: Little Women
ARCs/Review Requests:
- All Our Wrong Todays
Right now I’m starting The Wangs Vs. the World by Jade Chang (library book) and I have two ARCs I need to start.
I’m trying to be more thoughtful about what I read each month, given the number of challenges and other activities I’ve signed up for. I still want to leave room for reading just for fun. Here’s what I’m committing to in February:
- The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley (for a bookstore event)
- Strangers in Their Own Land (read-along)
- 1984 (Back to the Classics, Classics Club)
- Illuminae (science fiction book club)
How was your January, and what are you reading?