School is in full swing and life has slowed down. Reading has slowed down even more. However, it doesn’t show much in the list below which I’m really happy with considering my workload in school. You can look at my progress at any time on my challenge page.
Books finished in May:
An Abundance of Katherines // John Green (3/5)
What I Know Now // Ellyn Spragins (3/5)
Mister Monkey // Francine Prose (3/5)
The World’s Strongest Librarian // Josh Hanagarne (4/5)
Another Brooklyn // Jacqueline Woodson (4/5)
The Sellout // Paul Beatty (2/5)
I guess I followed my own advice and started reading shorter books! I’m also only two reviews behind and I plan on catching up on those this week. I’m really pleased with this!
7/12
Nothing new this month. I’m doing OK on this one but I’ll have to start purposefully picking some books to get me into the time periods I’m missing. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem if I start now and am proactive about it.
23/55
Ahead of schedule! That’s not something I expected of myself when I went into this month. I’m pleased as punch to have gotten so much reading done. I think driving to school has helped me get ahead on audiobooks but honestly, only three of these are audiobooks.
Book of the Month
It’s pretty easy for me this month to pick The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne. I adored this memoir and how open Josh was about his life and his struggles to remain in control of his life. The audiobook was great as well and a joy to listen to.
Added to my TBR
I’m failing at this again. I thought I could keep it down but after a book fair and a book sale, I added to this list on two separate occasions. However, I’m still going down and I’m at 96 currently.
- Books for Living by Will Schwalbe. Schwalbe was the only writer I was familiar with at this year’s Midwest Literary Walk and I decided to buy his latest book. I had read his first book, The End of Your Life Book Club for my own book club a few years ago and enjoyed it.
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Schwalbe recommended this as part of his speech at the book fair and my sister-in-law positively reviewed it so I decided it was time to add it here.
- Wonder by R. J. Palacio. This is another Schwalbe recommendation and one I feel has been too pervasive to ignore any longer.
- Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. A man in my book club was recommending this one so it might show up on our list in the near future. If not, I’ll probably read it anyway because I always seem to enjoy some solid non-fiction.
- The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory. This one should be finished before the end of the year as it would be a good fit for my When Are You Reading? Challenge. Gregory is always a good one for that.
Personal Challenge
I used these monthly posts to keep myself accountable to my personal goals for 2017 and I’m excited to do that again this year. You all were so supportive before.
- Graduate and keep my 4.0- I was able to keep an A in my winter class despite a poor final paper so I’ll take it! I’m over half-way through my current class and I’m hoping I can keep it up!
- Travel to Europe with my husband- I booked the puffin and whale tour and a bike tour in Amsterdam. I’ve still got to reserve the Anne Frank House tour, Park Guell, and La Sagrada Familia. Everything else is good to go!
- Complete a race per month- I did a 5K early this month. I was running with a friend to support her so no PR for me but she got one! It was a terribly rainy day so I’m sure she’ll do even better in nice weather later this summer.
- Complete a 2018 Weather Blanket- I’ve made some good progress but I’m still a month behind. I finished a baby blanket so this is now my main knitting project and I’m sure I’ll catch up.
How are your challenges going so far? I hope you’re off to a good start If you love historical fiction, give some thought to my challenge for 2018, it’s fun!
Until next time, write on.
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Taking On a World of Words 