February - This Month in Reading

Another underachieving reading month has gone by! Not sure why there is such a sluggish start to my reading year.

Last month I wanted to read at least 10 books, and at least one for each challenge except for my personal challenge, for which I wanted to read two books. I did not meet these goals.

What I did manage to do:

• Read 7 books (not 10, but better than 0)
• Read a book for the TBR Pile Challenge
• Read a book for the Mixing It Up Challenge

What I need to do next month to get caught up:

• Read at least 10 books - for real this time!
• Read at least 1 book for the TBR Pile Challenge and the Mixing It Up Challenge
• Read at least 2 books for the Color Coded Reading Challenge and my personal challenge, the Around the World Challenge

I did read some books this month, but I have to pick up the pace or I will not manage to make my reading goals. I think I have to shake things up or something - I definitely have plenty of books and some challenges I am enjoying, so I just need to get more reading done somehow. I think I will try scheduling the reading time into each day in March. Maybe a change will yield some results!

The Sisters Brothers - Patrick deWitt

I was drawn to this book because of its amazing cover, and was able to snag a half-price copy at Borders' closing sales. I really enjoyed this book; I very much liked the narrator, and the author has the knack of making what would otherwise be entirely repugnant characters sympathetic - or at least more sympathetic than they maybe deserve. Highly recommended.

Short Girls - Bich Minh Nguyen

This was another book I picked up at Borders' Last Days sales, and I really enjoyed it. I liked the way the third-person narrative alternated between the sisters, and I liked both of their characters very much, even when they did things I didn't necessary like. I'd like to read more about them. Highly recommended.

Stolen Innocence - Elissa Wall with Lisa Pulitzer

The subtitle of this book is My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs, and as with the previous book, that sums it up well. This book appalled me, as I simply cannot understand how someone can stand by and allow someone to abuse their children. I just can't. I applaud the author for being strong enough to break free from the cult she was born into, and I'm glad that so many of her siblings have also managed to do so. I hope she can have a wonderful life now, and I'm sure she will, as she is a strong person.

Heroes of the Holocaust - Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun

The subtitle of this book is True Stories of Rescues by Teens and that sums it up well - it's a collection of stories about ordinary European teenagers who risked their lives helping Jewish people during World War II. It's a nice testament to the idea that one person can make a difference. Aimed at young readers, this book would be great for a student who had just read Anne Frank's diary, or learned about the Holocaust, and wanted to know more. Recommended.

Taroko Gorge - Jacob Ritari

Stumbled on this book at one of the crazy Borders Last Days sales, and it was definitely worth reading. I enjoyed the different voices of the narrators, and the story kept me going, even though something that happened still has me wondering why it happened. All in all an enjoyable, fast read.

Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder

This was an interesting book and a relatively painless way to get a good overview of the history of philosophy, yet another subject I know nothing much about. I confess I do wish to read something a bit lighter on the mind for my next book, however!

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson

Why isn't Shirley Jackson talked about more often? It must be because she died relatively young and many years ago; it certainly isn't because she isn't a great writer. I am not sure anyone does creepy as well as she does. I remember reading "The Lottery" in school and loving it, and I have no idea why I didn't go on to read more of her writing, but at least I can make up for lost time now. I found this book at a local high school's summer book sale a couple years ago, and never managed to read it until now, and as often happens with my TBR books I'm sorry I waited so long. I think this book will be buzzing around my mind for the next several days. Highly recommended.