I was looking at Sam Sattler's excellent book blog Book Chase (please see the link under blogs I follow) and I noticed that Sam lays out at the end of each month the list of books he plans to read for the following month. I thought I'd like to try that too, make it a regular feature here at Reading Matters. Now I may not finish all of the books I set out to read but it will give me a goal to shoot for and so here is the list of books I plan to read in December (some of which I have already started):
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
7 Best Short Stories by George Gissing
Becoming by Michelle Obama
House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday
The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin
City Folk and Country Folk by Sofia Khvoshchinskya
Three of the above (George Gissing's short stories, House Made of Dawn and City Folk and Country Folk) fulfill three categories for the 2021 Back to the Classics Challenge. Becoming is Michelle Obama's bestselling memoir which I am really enjoying. The Children's Blizzard is a novel recommended by my friend Iris who also introduced me to Louise Penny's wonderful mystery series and so I definitely plan to read the Cruelest Month in December.
So, that's my reading schedule for December and I am looking forward to it!
What a good list of books. You'll have to let me know how you like The Children's Blizzard. I started that one, but didn't get a chance to finish it, and now I'm not sure I care any more. ;D
ReplyDeleteHi Lark, I know what you mean. Sometimes we plan to read a book but months go by and the desire isn't what it used to be. Will definitely let you know about The Children's Blizzard. One thing this novel tells us is how dangerous it could be living on the prairie even in the later part of the 19th century.
ReplyDeleteI did read a really good nonfiction book about that event, which is what made me want to read this fiction book in the first place.
DeleteCurious about what book you read because historical novels are important but nonfiction history of an event provides you with so much more detail. Thanks
DeleteThe book I read is also called The Children's Blizzard but it's by David Laskin. And I found it fascinating.
DeleteThanks Lark
DeleteKathy, first off, thanks for the kind words about the blog. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI hope this listing process works as well for you as it does for me. I can't imagine doing it any other way anymore. Somehow, having a "firm" list in mind always makes the little surprises that are certain to pop up seem to be even more fun than they otherwise would have been. I've already had two come along since I made my own December list...and its just Dec 1. :-)
Hi Sam, your book blog is really first rate and I get so many ideas from it about books and mapping out what I want to read. I see myself completing the 6 books on my list for December and what you say about suprises is so true because if you read only one book a month that's okay but if you commit to 5 books each month the suprises do start appearing and I am seeing them as well.
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