This quarter I must have slowed down my reading, because the total of books read is appallingly low. I did feel I was slowing down, both in reading and in blogging, but I didn’t think it was so slow. On the other hand, the page count is higher than usual, so maybe the only fact here is that I worked my way through some chunky books. All in all, I’m not dissatisfied — I prefer quality to quantity, and I did get some good reads this quarter. (I’m less satisfied with diversity, in language and in nationality. Too bad.)
Total books read: 16
(Year total: 56)
Total pages read: 6657
(Year total: 19019)
(See my last update for the method I am using to count e-book pages.)
By language:
- in English: 11 books, 4898 pages
- in Italian: 2 books, 1096 pages
- in Portuguese: 1 book, 154 pages
- in French: 1 book, 222 pages
- in German: 1 book, 287 pages
By author’s nationality:
- 8 books from USA
- 3 books from UK
- 1 book each from Australia, Germany, Iceland, Italy and Ivory Coast
Highlights (or, books I would recommend): Jellicoe Road (if you haven’t read it yet, go grab a copy right now!) and Scruffy (one of the funniest books I’ve read in ages)
Down low (or, don’t bother to read that): Neuromancer (complete nonsense, if you ask me) and Outlander (definitely the most boring book I’ve ever read, and at over 800 pages it was a torture)
From you to me (or, additions to my wishlist — *’ed books have already reached my TBR pile as well):
- This one picked my interest mainly because it is set in Medieval Iceland: On the Cold Coasts by Vilborg Davidsdottir was reviewed by Gaskella
- And this is again an historical novel, but this time set in Iran: Equal of the Sun by Anita Amierrezvani was brought to my attention by Swapna
- More historical, and two stories that are connected in mysterious ways: what’s there not to love in A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson? Check out Joanne’s review
- Joanne also reviewed The Coral Thief by Rebecca Stott
- *Periodic Tales: a Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams is one of those non-fiction books that pick my interest. I read about it in Jean’s blog Howling Frog Books
- More interesting non-fiction is Lives of the Trees by Diana Wells, which I read about on Beth Fish Reads
- Word Lily reminded me of *Ibid* by Mark Dunn — a novel made only of footnotes
- Jen @ The Introverted Reader mentioned The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger, and I’m willing to give it a chance!
Challenges update:
- Medieval Challenge: 1/4
I tried to read a second one and was stalled into my first DNF in ages. Too bad. I have a feeling I won’t end this one. - Reading Round Rome: 3/7
Slowly working my way. Who knows, maybe I can make it? - Greek Classics: 1/2
No advance here. - Antonym Challenge: 5/6+1
I had the last two books for this one listed for September but never got around to them. - Middle East Challenge: 0/3
Uh-oh. - Aussie Author Challenge: 1/3
There’s hope here. - Back to the Classics: 7/9
I am currently readalonging Wuthering Heights, which could fit both the missing categories. - Dewey Decimal Challenge: 3/6
Just bought several non-fiction, so I’m positive I can make it. - Africa Reading Challenge: 3/5
I must admit I am not getting much from these ones - Chunkster Challenge: 4/6, and then some more
I may not be counting right, but chunksters are good always. - South Asian Challenge: 1/3
Not too committed here… - Classic Double Challenge: 1/2
Another one I was hoping to finish before the end of September and failed
- R.I.P: 0/1
There’ still time… - Summer 2012 Book Challenge: 15/15
DONE! YAY!
Finished this quarter: Semi Charmed Summer 2012
Failed this quarter: none, but I must abandon some.
