Well, July is at an end, so we've also come to the end of the July Book Blowout Challenge, hosted by Blue Archipelago (see my original post about the challenge). Time to wrap up and say thank you to Mrs S for hosting.This was a really fun and easy challenge – no rules, just read as many books as possible during July and then do a post about your reading. I set a fairly modest goal for myself, compared to some. My target was six books, and I actually read seven (with two counting as "half books"). Here's the list:
The Aviary Gate, by Katie Hickman. This was a review copy from Bloomsbury publishing company – I think I requested this one through Shelf Awareness.
The Fires, by Alan Cheuse. Free review copy from The Santa Fe Writers Project.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows [see my review]. I received this through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. Lovely book.
So Long at the Fair, by Christina Schwarz. Another ARC.
Stealing Athena, by Karen Essex. Yet another ARC, and a gorgeous book. Got about midway through this one in July but then abandoned it, so it only counts as half a book. I'll probably try to get back to it later this month.
Summer Reading, by Hilma Wolitzer. Very appropriate book to be reading in July, right?
2010: Odyssey Two, by Arthur C. Clarke. I read this one for the 42 Science Fiction Challenge, hosted by Becky's Book Reviews. I actually started it in June, so it counts as half a book.
Wish You Were Here, by Rita Mae Brown. The first book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series.
That's six whole books, plus two half books, which makes up seven altogether. So far, I've only managed to get one of the books reviewed, so now I need to work on that. And the challenge blog had a few suggestions for wrap-up questions:
1. Did you discover a new author? Yes I did. All of them except Arthur C. Clarke and Rita Mae Brown were new to me.
2. Where was the most unusual place you found yourself reading? Hmmmm. I guess it would have to be our cabin in Shenandoah National Park earlier in the month – I read Wish You Were Here during the thunderstorms that kept us indoors much of the time. Not all that unusual, but different from the sofa in our living room, where I usually do my reading.
3. Did you read more than usual? Yes, seven books in one month is quite a lot for me – I'm a really slow reader.
4. Did you give up anything in order to read more? Probably a little computer time. And maybe some sleep.
5. If you won the Amazon voucher what would you spend it on? Well, definitely books! I don't really have anything in particular in mind, but I have a very long wish list.
6. Would you like to see a 2009 Book Blowout? Absolutely. I'll be there.
Congratulations on surpassing your goal! I missed mine by a book and a half, but I would have gone over by a half book had I not switched from 8 to 10. Oh well. You read some outstanding books, too.
ReplyDeleteHooray for beating your target! I'm glad you enjoyed the challenge - it was good to have you on board.
ReplyDeleteI love reading the "wrap ups" that all of you participating in this challenge do; it's a great summary of the month.
ReplyDeleteI have several of the books you've read this month. The one most prominently on my wish list (not yet on my bookshelf) is *The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society* (one day I'll remember the full and correct title of this book!)