Well, I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the What's On Your Nightstand party this month but I hate to miss it.What HAS been on my nightstand? Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot. That pretty much took up the entirety of the month of August. Not that I'm complaining. It was a very intriguing and entertaining story. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. Don't let the length scare you. Just know that you probably won't be able to read anything else at the same time. (heh)
As for the month of September, it has been a blur. I finishing Daniel Deronda and have been trying to get to some review copies. I read the following books which, not only do I HIGHLY recommend to you, but I also would encourage you to check out the reviews because I have three copies of each of these titles to give away:
* Extravagant Grace, by Barbara Duguid (giveaway closes TODAY!)
* Housewife Theologian, by Aimee Byrd
Currently I am reading:
The Jungle Books
, by Rudyard Kipling in conjunction with the Reading to Know Classics Book Club.
And the bookworms and I are making our way through A Nest for Celeste
which was recommended by Stephanie some time ago and which we are very much enjoying.
As for what I plan on reading during the month of October? Well, I'm starting to submit to the idea that there is far less time available for me to read than there was before. Between home schooling, church activities, travels and fun, and everyday family living, I'm short on time. You'll have noticed that there is not virtually NO posting schedule here at Reading to Know of late. I post where there's time to write. I love to write and keep track of the books I read, so I won't plan to stop. However, I also am not going to keep up with the pressure of review copies, in particular. Yes, I'll still accept books for review but I've become even choosier. Anyway, searching for the balance and not wanting blogging to take over my family, I'll move along and do what I can!
I'm looking forward to reading The Picture of Dorian Gray
(also in conjunction with the Reading to Know Classics Book Club). Rebekah is hosting this next month's discussion so look for a post from her soon.
The ladies at my church have formed a book club and this month we're going to be reading The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story
. I was suspicious of the title at first, however several of the ladies have already read it and said it was awesome. It's based on a true story set in WWII so I'm curious. I have hopes for this one and am looking forward to diving in.
And I accepted a copy of Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem
, by Kevin DeYoung from Crossway Books and I'll plan on reading that.
Lastly, I'm re-reading The Fruitful Wife (linked to my previous thoughts). I don't know that I'll necessary review my thoughts on it again but I am re-reading it.
Those are all my immediate reading plans.
And while I read I intend to enjoy many fall beverages, such as this one (over and over again).
Happy FALL to you!
Nest for Celeste sounds sweet!
ReplyDeleteBoy, you are right that Daniel Deronda was a (very worthwhile) time-suck. I probably will not finish anything else this month. (I also blame The Stuarts...)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, here is what is on my nightstand:
The Stuarts by G. M. Trevelyan
Faust Part 2 by Goethe
Tennyson's second poetry collection
The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
The Jungle Books by Kipling (Reading with the kids)
I'll be interested in what you think of The Zookeeper's Wife. I read about half of it but finally gave it up.
ReplyDeleteSee, I get discouraged when a book takes me all month to read. However, I did have Bleak House in my hand today...and then I put it down. I'm wondering if I should begin The Tale of Two Cities now...
ReplyDeleteDid you read Unglued?? I think I may need to own it after a few pages instead of reading the library's copy. Oh boy!
I had not heard if The Zookeeper's Wife. Sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI looked at the first few pages of The Jungle Book and just couldn't feel inspired to keep going. I will probably regret it when I read the reviews at the end of the month, though.
I listened to The Zookeeper's Wife last year and really liked it. Was sad story at times but I liked it none the less. I will be reading The Picture of Dorian Gray too. Not really sure what to expect. I am almost done with The Jungle Books, not what I expected either! :) Great month!
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to read aloud The Jungle Book but we've just never gotten around to it. And THANK YOU for mentioning The Zookeeper's Wife - I need a book that starts with 'Z' for my alphabetical reading list and that one sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteLove your list!! I'm wrapping up Extravagant Grace and about to start Housewife Theologian. I'm planning to read Crazy Busy too.
ReplyDeleteYour Nightstand posts always make me wish for more reading time. :)
ReplyDeleteHa -- sounds like "Crazy Busy" is just what you need to read! I loved Dorian Gray; enjoy that one. I don't think I've ever read anything by George Eliot but I'd like to; I'll check out DD. I love the Zookeeper's Wife, just from the cover.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to these nightstand posts. I get lots of great ideas from them. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't particularly love this season of busyness due to the effect it has on my reading and blogging. I have been sneaking minutes here and there to read books about adoption and autism and also literature with my big kids including A Tale of Two Cities and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass--but I haven't scrounged time to blog about them.
ReplyDeleteExcept for The Child Catchers which I noticed you didn't comment on. I would still love to read/discuss that one with you! grin
I also read 7 Men Who Rule the World from the Grave with my local book club (fascinating! but haven't blogged about this one either) and I'm currently reading Wild Grows the Heather in Devon by Michael Phillips for my next book club. I'm also still plodding through Silas Marner b/c I didn't have the other Elliot book your book club was reading. It's also both good and long.
I don't know what else I'll manage time to read in the next month. I'm floundering around in the deep end over here! wry grin
@Shonya - I DID comment on that post! I wrote a lengthy response. I dont know why it didn't "take" but I was using a laptop when I was commenting and I've had issues realizing when a comment is accepted and I can close the tab. Anyway, I just left another comment. ;D
ReplyDelete@Everyone else (esp. Beth Starr) - nw I don't know WHAT to expect from The Zookeeper's Wife. I usually feel the same way about books as you do. So this will be interesting!
@DiaryofanA - I sort of wish I HAD read The Jungle Books with my kids (as I mentioned to you in an e-mail). I guess I will be saving it as a read aloud for later. I'm enjoying it.
Glad you are enjoying Celeste! The illustrations were so wonderful in that book. : )
ReplyDeleteI really should read Dorian Gray already, I don't know what's taken me so long! Also intrigued by the Zookeepers Wife.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good list! I completely forgot about the Nightstand post this month. Oops. I'm looking forward to reading another Wilde book! I think he's a hilarious author.
ReplyDelete