While everyone else was watching the eclipse, suffering through Harvey, fighting floods and looking forward to cooler temps in September, we were just hot! Trying to stay cool, hydrated, and keep our gardens alive. We are still hot and thinking about November when it will finally cool down and the leaves will fall. That is life in southern California.
I predicted I would read fewer books in August because of some long ones on the list, but I didn't even get that right. I read 11 which is only two less than my fabulous July accomplishment. Sometimes it is good to be wrong!
Stats: 11 books read. 6 written by women. 2 mysteries. 1 dystopia. 1 non-fiction. 1 biography. 1 translated. 5 from My Big Fat Reading Project.
Favorites: News of the World, Leaving Cheyenne, The Trespasser, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
Least favorite: Ill Will
What books were your favorite reads in August? Any duds?
As always, a very impressive list. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness has been on my list for a while, but I've been in a rut of reading mysteries this summer. Also, I've wanted to reread The God of Small Things first - I read it so long ago. I hope to get to them both soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy. Ministry was quite a challenging book. Very different from God of Small Things. I will say more when I review it, but most of the major newspaper reviewers gave it tepid praise or were downright dismayed. I think she went where it was inevitable for her to go because of all her political work and writing. For me, it was brilliant and very much like reading a translated work of fiction. It feels foreign. It is also Nobel Prize worthy writing about a major player on the world scene: India.
DeleteThat sounds like a good month of reading! The only one of those I've read is 1984, but I would be interested in reading some of the others. I'll look forward to your review of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness - I've seen a mixture of opinions so far.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good month Helen. Reviews will come as soon as possible. Right now we are on the edge of a huge brush fire, set to evacuate our home if needed, and I can hardly think a thought. So when you see the next review, it means we are ok.
DeleteYou had another good reading month in August! but I kind of floundered; I had too many things going on -- or at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. Glad you stuck the Bell Jar in there; I probably need to revisit it -- been a long while. Oh Sylvia where did your hope go? We need you Sylvia.
ReplyDeleteAugust is a busy month! I am just dipping into the whole Sylvia Plath thing. Thanks to My Big Fat Reading Project, I read her novel because it was published in 1963. She left us that and her poetry at least.
DeleteI hope the fire doesn't do too much damage and your home is spared.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you read an impressive amount. I wish...!
Thank you Carmen. We just came home this morning after being ordered to evacuate on Saturday afternoon. But our house is fine, all our neighbors are fine and the fire is nearly out. Firefighters are the best. Only 4 homes lost in the worst brush fire LA has seen since 1961. No deaths. Only 6 injuries. Pretty amazing.
DeleteI have read The Bell Jar... It seems people either love this book or don't.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Bell Jar and am not sure I will despite being mildy curious about it.
Watch for my review; coming soon. That may help you decide.
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