March has been a strange month. I’ve been feeling rather discombobulated for the last few weeks, which has made it difficult to read or, to be honest, focus on getting blog posts up and written. I’m not sure how that is all going to play out for April, but I’m optimistic.
Overall, March was a decent month of reading. I finished seven books, including one audio book:
- Hicklin, Nathaniel: The Adventures of Israel St. James (YA fiction)
- Offill, Jenny: Dept. of Speculation (fiction)
- Ghattas, Kim: The Secretary (nonfiction)
- Oyeyemi, Helen: Boy, Snow, Bird (fiction)
- Offerman, Nick: Paddle Your Own Canoe (memoir/audio book)
- Clarke, Caroline: Postcards from Cookie (memoir)
- Thompson, Anne: The $11 Billion Year (nonfiction)
That puts me at 23 books for the year — just slightly off my goal to read 100 books, if the Goodreads challenge numbers can be trusted. The one thing I am a little concerned about as I look ahead to April is that I finished my last book more than a week ago and haven’t really been able to find my reading groove since. I’m not sure what is up, but I’m hoping things turn a bit going into this month.
This month I also brought back the Nonfiction Recommendation Engine (Part III and Part IV), shared 12 excellent memoirs by authors of color, and mused about the paradox of choice.
A Look to April
Because I’ve been so scattered for the last week or so, I haven’t really thought ahead to April much at all. But there are a few books on my radar:
- A book for One Little Word: A reread of Getting Things Done by David Allen (a repeat from both February and March, if you can believe that)
- A May 2014 release for Bloggers Recommend: I don’t have nearly as many May releases sitting on my shelves as I thought I did. The two I’m most excited about are The Tale of Dueling Neurosurgeons by Sam Kean (May 6 from Little Brown) and An Untamed State by Roxane Gay (May 6 from Black Cat).
- An April 2014 release: There are three April releases I’m really looking forward to reading, The Remedy by Thomas Goetz (April 3 from Gotham), Essentialism by Greg McKeown (April 15 from Crown Business) and The Humor Code by Pete McGraw and Joel Warner (April 1 from Simon & Schuster).
- A book I’ve been saving: At the beginning of March, I got excited to read Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates. When the book arrived in the mail, I decided that I would save it as my plane read when I travel this month. I’ll the lugging that chunkster with me to Los Angeles!
As usual, I have no idea how realistic this little reading list is, but I’m excited to see what I can get to and what other books start shouting for my attention. Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon on April 26 will surely help me make a dent in my book piles. April is going to be a great month — spring is almost here!
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It seems like March has been kind of a strange reading month for many people, I had a hard time finding a groove, too, even though I read several books that I enjoyed. I’m hoping April will be a better month, too. Really looking forward to the readathon!
Spring at last! (Though if I’m honest, spring is hundred percent already here in Baton Rouge. It is very pleasant. The weather will shortly be unbearably hot so I am trying to make the most of this pleasantness while it lasts and the azaleas are in bloom.) I hope April brings all the spring weather to you.
Our pleasant weather hasn’t quite arrived yet. Soon, I hope — snow is making everyone around here a little crazy!
How was Boy, Snow Bird? As amazing as many Rioters have said?
I liked it a lot! It’s an interesting read, and the pages just fly by. The plot goes in ways I wouldn’t have expected too.
March wasn’t a great reading month for anyone it seems. I read a fair bit, but wasn’t really blown away by much. Already April is getting off to a better start. Must be because spring is in the air. Good luck.
I had a really hard time with March, too. I think, for me, it was the weather! I am so sick of storms and being cooped up inside. 🙁 I am hoping both the weather and the reading gets better in April!
I squandered a few nice March days because I was tired and lazy. As soon as spring arrives for real, I am going to make the most of it!
It seems that March was kinda weird for a bunch of readers this time around. Hmm..what’s up??
Let’s hope that April is a lot better!
Like Jennifer said, March sucked. Well, not really, but so many of us are off our game. Spring fever? Here’s hoping April rocks!