Sunday 6 April 2014

Sam Sunday #48: Looking Back on March


Friday was my last day at work before the two week Easter holidays, and I could not be more relieved.  It's starting to become difficult to get through the days at work now, so two weeks of rest is just what I need before going back for my final half-term. I'm currently seven months pregnant, so very much on the home run and starting to feel both excited that it's almost over and also scared that I'm actually going to have to give birth soon!

March was a great reading month.  Most evenings after work I was so tired that relaxing in bed with a book seemed like the perfect option. This has led to me getting through a lot of books, including some hefty chunksters.  I'm well ahead of pace for my goodreads goal of 80 books, and I'm sure that I'll get through a lot more books during my break from work, long may my reading mojo continue!

March reads:
  
  
  

I don't think I've ever read 9 books in one month before! (Links to my reviews)
  1. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides - Much more literary than Eugenides' previous books, a satire of the study of English literature and an examination of whether straightforward love stories have any place in the modern world.  4/5
  2. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - Powerful story of a black woman finding herself through three marriages and the hardships of life. 5/5
  3. Magic Study by Maria V Snyder - Disappointing sequel to Poison Study, best avoided. 2/5
  4. Almost English by Charlotte Mendelson - Promising plot line about a young Czech girl seeking to become as British as possible by attending boarding school, but unfortunately the immigration theme was never fully explored and the execution was a bit of a let down. 3/5
  5. The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare - Not my favourite Shakespeare, but a fun read, and I liked the portrayal of women.  4/5
  6. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - Every bit as impressive as it has been made out to be, a truly epic mystery set in gold rush New Zealand.  Don't let the length put you off. 4.5/5
  7. Kindred by Octavia Butler - A young black woman is transported back in time to the slavery era.  A really gritty read with no moral simplicities.  5/5
  8. Pregnancy for Modern Girls by Hollie Smith - I appreciated how straight-forward and plain-talking this pregnancy guide was. 3.5/5
  9. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert - Panoramic of the nineteenth century, told through the eyes of botanist Alma Whittaker.  Lots of big themes. 4/5

Looking ahead to April, I'm going to continue to read according to my mood, and just pick up whatever I feel like reading.  I've got a few Baileys long-list books checked out from the library, and hopefully I'll make it through at least some of the those, but I'm not going to make myself pick up anything.  

How was your reading in March?  Any plans for April?

21 comments:

  1. So glad to see that you enjoyed so many books I enjoy, and books that I have on my own wishlist or TBR!

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  2. I like Eugenides' style, but I also like the sound of a new and more literary take. I also can't wait to read The Luminaries as I've heard nothing but positive things about them. My March reading wasn't that great, but I'm slowly getting back into the reading kick after having a bad reading slump. Excited for what April will bring!

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    1. Hopefully your reading slump is on the way out and you have a great reading month in April :)

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  3. Wow, nice one, Sam. That's some great books there you read in March. I'm having a dilemma with Poison Study now, since I was planning to read it, but if the rest of the series is not worth reading, I'm not sure if I should even read just one book.

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    1. I did enjoy Poison Study and it has a fairly resolved ending, but the rest of the series isn't worth it. I won't be continuing on after Magic Study.

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  4. Damn, that's an insane reading month! Well done you -- here's hoping April is an equally satisfying reading month for you. :)

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  5. Wow, not only did you read nine books, you reviewed most of them, too. Great job! March was a great reading month for me, too, which means my next few months won't look quite as good.

    Hope you keep us posted about the baby!

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    1. I don't think my next few months will be as productive either, but hopefully we'll still pick some great books to read!

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  6. Wow, you read some pretty long, complex books in March. I loved Kindred, felt much the same as you did. I also really liked The Marriage Plot. Your review of Luminaries definitely makes me want to read it. Enjoy your time off!

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  7. You must just love looking at all those book covers. I need to read Their Eyes Were Watching God and Luminaries. They look great.

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    1. They are both wonderful books, hope you enjoy them!

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  8. You had a great reading month! I'm so impressed that you finished The Luminaries. I feel like that might be a book I have to buy or borrow from a friend. Otherwise, the library is going to come looking for me!

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    1. I actually finished it in a week and a half, I think the pressure of having to return it to the library was a good thing, it made me pick it up and get on with it!

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  9. Bumper month! I gave up on The Marriage Point about a third of the way through. Not sure why I didn't like it considering how literary it is. Enjoy your rest over Easter and I hope your relaxed reading continues to be successful :)

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    1. Thank you, I'm having a relaxing break so far, and still reading a lot :)

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  10. Nine books is great! I managed 5 which is pretty good for me. Happy Easter holiday and reading in April.

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  11. 2 more months! I'm so excited for you!

    You had a great reading month. I like some of the books in your list - a couple I loved and the rest in my wishlist.

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  12. Almost English seems really interesting! :) Might as well browse through one of these books soon. Thanks for sharing!

    by the way, I just started a new book blog around last week and I was wondering if you want to check it out? We can follow each other too, just let me know so I could do the same :) Thanks again!

    xx Jillian (http://jilliansbooks.blogspot.com)

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