July Reading Wrap -Up and A List of August Possibilities

It's August and still very much summer around here. We've had way too much heat and humidity (along with much of the country) punctuated by frequent thunderstorms. This past week our NYC daughter, son-in-law, and Winnie the Whippet have been here - their last visit before the baby arrives at the end of the month. Meanwhile our CT daughter and son-in-law are looking at an early October due date. It's going to be an exciting fall!

July highlights included spending the 4th with family, celebrating my birthday, a long weekend in  NYC, and a baby shower. July also turned out to be a very good reading month with a mix of new releases, a book club selection, and a classic. I enjoyed three new-to-me authors, plus a novel/memoir by an old favorite.

BOOKS READ IN JULY

Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy

New release, literary fiction, MMD book club selection,

my thoughts here, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes

Literary fiction that reads more like a memoir, purported final novel by a favorite author

My thoughts are here, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Kin by Tayari Jones

new release literary fiction, new-to-me author

My thoughts are here,  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Classic, YA epistolary novel, from my shelves

My thoughts are here,  ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

ONGOING GROUP READ

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

The chapter-a-day slow read with Footnotes and Tangents continues. I'm loving this experience!

AUGUST READING POSSIBILITIES

I'm going all in for Austen in August this year!

The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, David Shapard

(in progress)

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley (nonfiction)

Troika: Three Generations, Three Days, and a Very American Road Trip

by Irena Smith (memoir)

How was your July? What was your favorite book?

 

March Reading Wrap-Up and a List of April Possibilities

Hello, friends. Spring is certainly here, but the for the past week we've been experiencing summer-like late afternoon and early evening storms. They're fairly brief  and we desperately need the rain, but they've foiled plans to meet friends for cocktail hour on the beach the past couple of days! I still managed to get in my sunset walks though. 

Tomorrow we celebrate both Easter and our daughter's birthday. It should be a fairly low-key day since it'll just be the three of us, but we have a trip to Orlando planned for the following week.

On the reading front, March was another slow month. I finished three books, but continue to keep pace with the War and Peace  slow read.

BOOKS READ IN MARCH

The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman

literary fiction, my thoughts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 7 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

literary fiction, book club selection. my thoughts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

ONGOING SLOW READ

 

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

This is a chapter-a day slow read with Footnotes & Tangents. As of April 1 I have read 403 of 1350 pages (30%) and am enjoying it more than I'd expected.

APRIL READING POSSIBILITIES

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (in progress, 33% )

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 8 by Beth Brower

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

And I hope to fit in a nonfiction selection, too...

How was your March reading? What was your favorite book?

 

January Wrap-up and February Reading Possibilities

 January was such a busy month and yet it already seems like a distant memory. Time can be funny that way. We headed to central New York after the holidays to spend a long weekend with my parents. Leaving was especially tough this time, knowing we wouldn't return until spring. It took a few more days to pack and close up the house in Connecticut before we began the trek to Florida. We got here just in time for the coldest weather in decades. There were actually snow flurries as close as Cape Coral - unbelievable! It's still unusually cold, but they're promising good weather for the upcoming week. Fingers crossed!

On the reading front, January was a a slow month, as usual.  

I started my project for the year - a chapter-a-day slow read of War and Peace along with a group at Footnotes and Tangents. All went well for a week, but I didn't keep up during our travels and ended up starting over. I caught up later in the month and am actually enjoying it now. The daily chapter summaries and notes are helpful, plus I even occasionally check in on the chat thread. I will note that I enjoyed the initial 'peace' section more than the current 'war' section!

BOOKS READ IN JANUARY 

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood 

             literary fiction - ⭐⭐⭐💫

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

                               MMD February selection, cozy mystery, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

                            

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6 by Beth Brower

                                                         historical fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FEBRUARY READING POSSIBILITIES

Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-Reum (finished)

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (in progress)

  

Grown Women by Sarai Johnson

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 7 by Beth Brower

Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes by Leah Litman

How did January go for you? What was your favorite book?

A December Wrap-Up and January Reading Possibilities

Happy New Year's Eve! As we wind down the final few hours of December, I can't help but think about what an unusual month this has been. I spent much of the first half at home with an awful cold and sinus infection. We missed two holiday parties in one weekend, did most of the Christmas shopping online, and I never baked a single cookie! 

The holidays began early when our NYC daughter, son-in-law, and Winnie the Whippet arrived on the 20th for an extended stay. Our CT daughter and SIL joined us on Christmas Day, and for several other meals and activities, too. Everyone left yesterday afternoon... and I took a nap! Today we clean, regroup, and prepare for a quick visit to my parents (weather permitting) before our trek south.

Despite the sickness (or maybe because of it?) December turned out to be a pretty good reading month.

BOOKS READ IN DECEMBER 

The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler

nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

nonfiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Merry by Susan Breen

holiday, ⭐⭐💫

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

holiday, ⭐⭐⭐💫

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

JANUARY READING POSSIBIILITIES

Sipsworth by Simin Van Booy (reread, in progress) 

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks

This is an ambitious list for January, typically a slow reading month for me, but we'll see how it goes. I hope to be back in the next few days with my 2025 wrap-up and list of favorites. But if I run out of time, look for it in mid-January instead.

How was your month? What was your favorite December read?

 

A November Wrap-Up and December Reading Possibilities

Hello, friends, and happy December! November turned out to be a busy month for us. It was packed with family events, celebrations, and milestones. It started on November first with our nephew's wedding in central New York. From there we moved on to my husband's birthday dinner here in CT, and then back to central New York for a combined 90th birthday celebration for both of my parents. The long Thanksgiving weekend was a blur of activity. Our daughter and son-in-law hosted for the first time (a delicious dinner for 12!) in their new home. It all ended on the 30th as we marked our 40th wedding anniversary. Whew!

As you might have guessed, there wasn't much reading. I did finish four books -  all were on the shorter side, two were rereads, and one was a slow group read that actually began last summer.

 

BOOKS READ/FINISHED IN NOVEMBER

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

This was a long term, real-time reading project that began back in May and concluded in early November. I hadn't realize Dracula consisted of a series of journal entires. The novel itself was not at all what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Promise by Damon Galgut

I  reread this 2021 Booker Prize winner for my World Lit book club. It was a 2022 favorite and, since I was already familiar with the plot, I was able to focus more on the structure and writing this time. Still a solid 4-star read.⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 3 by Beth Brower

I continue to enjoy this delightful series, reading one volume per month with a small group of friends from the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. These books are the perfect light read after a more serious literary fiction or nonfiction title. I may end up reading both volumes 4 and 5 in December! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

This novella is the December/holiday selection at MMD book club. It was also a reread of an old favorite. It may not have been quite as magical or funny this time around, but still a very enjoyable reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DECEMBER READING POSSIBILITIES

• The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler (in progress)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 4 by Beth Brower (in progress)
• Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 5 by Beth Brower
• Sipsworth by Simon Von Booy (reread - MMD January selection)

My basic plan for December is to abandon the tbr list and read whatever strikes my fancy. The books listed above are either in progress, borrowed from the library, or currently on my nightstand. But we'll see where my mood takes me!

Also in December, we have plenty of holiday activities, concerts, and parties. At the end of the month we'll be closing up here and preparing for our annual trek to Florida. There will be one more visit with my parents around New Years, and we'll head south from there.

How was your November? What was your favorite book?

 

October Reading Wrap-Up and November Possibilities

I love fall and October is my favorite month of the year! The weather and foliage were glorious, so we visited quite a few parks, trails, and historic sites. This photo, taken early in the month at Gillette Castle, looks south down the Connecticut River.

Our NYC daughter and son-in-law and my sister-in-law all visited in October. We took a couple of short trips, too. First was five days in NYC. Highlights included an afternoon at the newly renovated Frick Collection  and dinner at the Gramercy Tavern. My husband has been wanting to try their tasting menu for years! We ended the month with a trip to central NY for my nephew's wedding.

As for reading, I finished four book - all four or five stars - early in the month. I barely had time to read for the last week or two.

BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén

literary fiction in translation, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heart the Lover by Lily King

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*my Quick Lit reviews are here*

NOVEMBER READING POSSIBILITIES

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

a long term group read, wraps up this week

The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler  

nonfiction, in progress

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower

group reading project, in progress

The Promise by Damon Galgut

reread, World Lit book club selection

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

reread, MMD December selection

How was your October? What was your favorite book?

 

September Reading Wrap-Up and a List of October Possibilities

It seems like I'm writing these monthly wrap-up posts every couple of weeks lately, but here we are easing into the fourth quarter of 2025! September was a good month for us. We spent almost two weeks with family in central NY, enjoyed time with friends both old and new, replaced our gas fireplace (just in time, as it turns out!) and I read plenty of good books.

Books Read in September 

Good Morning Comrades by Ondjaki

World Lit Book Club, literary fiction in translation ⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 1 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, reading project ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

MMD September selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

literary fiction, reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris

nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff 

nonfiction, audio reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐

October Reading Possibilities

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (completed)

Heart the Lover by Lily King (completed)

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

(in progress)

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

(MMD November Selection)

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

(ongoing real time readalong)

My October reading is already off to a good start. I've finished two books - one started last month and one short, highly-anticipated new release. What was your favorite September book? What are you looking forward to this month?