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TSS: July 2009 Wrap-Up

tssbadge1I don’t know how we got to the end of July already! I’m not complaining too much though. The next month and a half may be crunch time for my dissertation, but then it will be over and I will get married and enter the glorious world of (un)employment. I can’t get (or even apply for) a full-time job over here until we get married and I get a new visa, fingers crossed, so I’m going to have at least a month of scoping out what’s around and doing not much else. Maybe temping, because I can do part-time, but I’ve heard that the employment offices are overrun with applicants, so I’m not going to have any expectations.

In retrospect, I have had one great reading month.  In the beginning of the month, I read a lot from my own collection and the library.  In the second half of the month, I went home and got my ARCs, which resulted in a burst of unexpectedly fabulous reads.  I think I’ve read a good variety of books, too.  Because many others have been writing where they got their recent books (starting with Marie), I thought I’d do that too.  Here’s how it breaks down (I hope no one minds that I just mixed the YA in with the adult reads):

Literary Fiction

  • Possession, A.S. Byatt – I bought this in a used bookstore, don’t remember why.
  • In the Wake of the Boatman, Jonathan Scott Fuqua – Received for review from Bancroft Press.
  • Nothing but Ghosts, Beth Kephart – Bought new for online book club and for My Friend Amy‘s book drive.
  • The Cellist of Sarajevo, Steven Galloway – Borrowed from library on a variety of recommendations.

Women’s Fiction

  • Last Light Over Carolina, Mary Alice Monroe – Received for review for a blog tour.
  • Every Last Cuckoo, Kate Maloy – Received for review and for an online book club.
  • Secrets to Happiness, Sarah Dunn – Received for review.

Historical Fiction

Fantasy/Sci-fi

  • The Last Colony, John Scalzi – Bought new to continue a series.
  • Zoe’s Tale, John Scalzi – see above.
  • Doomsday Book, Connie Willis – Bought used because it sounded good.
  • The Blade Itself, Joe Abercrombie – Borrowed from the library because of buzz on twitter.
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling – I have two copies of this, both bought new, one paperback and one hardcover.  I basically killed the paperback by reading too much and now I read the hardcover.
  • Naamah’s Kiss, Jacqueline Carey – Received for review from Hachette after the wonderful Miriam Parker discovered I was interested.
  • Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs – Bought new to continue a series.

Historical Romance

  • To Catch an Heiress, Julia Quinn – Borrowed from the library in a mission to read Julia Quinn’s backlist.
  • To Beguile a Beast, Elizabeth Hoyt – Received for review from Hachette.
  • The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, Jennifer Ashley – Received for review from Dorchester.
  • This Duchess of Mine, Eloisa James – Bought new to continue a series.
  • A Hint of Wicked, Jennifer Haymore – Passed on from the wonderful Keira at Love Romance Passion.
  • Highland Rebel, Judith James – Received for review from Sourcebooks.

Nonfiction/Memoir

So, that’s

  • 15 books for review
  • 6 books from the library
  • 5 books bought new
  • 4 books bought used
  • 1 book from another blogger

I said I was going to slow down my reading this month and I completely lied.  What I really wanted was more fantasy and sci-fi, which I was able to fulfill without slowing down my reading pace.  I read 31 books, the most ever.  Slightly less than half of those books were sent to me for review.  I don’t think that’s typical; I normally read more of my own books.  I read more this month simply because they gathered at home and I owe a lot of reviews, so I’m doing my best to dispense my obligations.  My blog would undoubtedly exist just fine without review copies; I’d have posted the 19 reviews of my own and library books which are sitting in the queue!  I probably would have written the 7 I have left as well.  Have I mentioned that I read too much yet?

Today, I’m looking forward to continuing The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall. It hasn’t totally clicked for me yet, but I hope it will soon since I have one of its sequels for review.  And I’m really looking forward to my online book club tonight, when we’ll be discussing Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart, a seriously wonderful read.

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15 comments to TSS: July 2009 Wrap-Up

  • Megan, you really reassure me. I’m about to start an MA myself and was worried that I might not have time to do any non-related reading, but clearly as long as I’m well organized that’s going to be a possibility. What’s your dissertation about? That’s not an empty question. I’m really interested.

  • Good luck with the final work on your dissertation. I am sure you’ll be glad when it’s all done. It does sound like you had a great reading month. I’m always amazed at how much you read in such a short amount of time. I hope you have a great week!

  • Wow!!!! Fabulous reading month. And after the dissertation and before the work papers, I bet you surpass yourself. I too would do just fine without review copies, but I’m happy to get them.

  • You had a wonderful reading month. You read some real good books too!

    I wish you luck with your dissertation.

    July 2009 Wrap up

  • What a great list of books! I am sitting here wondering what each is about. :) How cool that your book club is reviewing Nothing But Ghosts! That would make a great Book Club read!

  • Good luck with your dissertation!

  • Wow, incredible reading month! That’s the kind of July I was hoping to have, but I ended up reading 16 books instead.

    Good luck on your dissertation and best wishes for a wonderful wedding and marriage!

    I stumbled across your blog thanks to Sunday Salon and will definitely be back :-D

  • I love the idea of listing where each of your books came from. I find it fascinating to hear where people acquired the stuff they read and what made them pick it up in the first place.

  • I wish I could read as much as you! No matter how much I read, someone will always be reading more it seems. ;)

  • What a great month you had! Yes, you’re a “total liar” :) :)

    I know the next month or so will be a whirlwind for you … such fun, though!

    I must read THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS!

  • Good luck with the dissertation! I think I’m going to start being clearer about the source of my books in my reviews.

  • Kay

    First, good luck with your dissertation!
    I see you had an amazing month in July! I wish I read that fast! I read 19 books this month, but many were small ones so I won’t brag too loud about this :P

  • Amazing month of reading. I had another post-grad course in Civil War and I know how hard it is to do other reading. My World War II class is around the corner.

    Great job truly. Possession and Pope Joan are two coming attractions for me.
    Good luck with your dissertation…but I’m sure you will do well. :) Wisteria

  • O my goodness!! That is a ton of books read!! I am so jealous :) Looking forward to what you read in August.

  • I wish I could read as much as you, too. How do you do it? Tell us! ;)
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