May was the month I got back to some serious reading and blogging.
It was cold and rainy here, and by cold I mean I was still wearing tights, sweaters, and a coat until last week. Now it’s full summer mode and I couldn’t be happier, even if it means humidity and mosquitoes. Summer means reading in the park, grilling, and drinking wine on the patio. I planted my garden finally – I’ve got cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes, herbs, strawberries, and I’m trying Japanese eggplant. My space is small and my thumb not-so-green, so we’ll see what works.
What I read this month:
- Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (reread)
- Hero by Belinda Crawford
- Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews
- Half of a Yellow Sun by Ngozi Chimamanda Idichie
- Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett
- Company Town by Madeline Ashby
- Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
My favorite read this month? If I don’t include Dragonfly in Amber, which was a re-read (and a book I can almost quote in my sleep), I’d have to say my reading this month was all a bit mixed. I wanted to be blown away by Rush Oh! and Half of a Yellow Sun, but I wasn’t. Hero and Company Town, on the other hand, were pleasant surprises and really fun science fiction reads.
What I reviewed this month:
- Road Ends by Mary Lawson
- Company Town by Madeline Ashby
- The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenzie
- Pleasantville by Attica Locke
I also participated in Bout of Books for the first time (still have mixed feelings about blogathons) and wrote about putting more time into my blog. I got some really great suggestions from bloggers and even writers and publishers. I did not have a chance to go to BEA or participate in Armchair BEA, but maybe next May.
June brings family visits, a trip to see my niece graduate high school, getting ready for our trip to Hawaii in July, AND my 45th birthday. So it should be an eventful month. I was happy this Memorial Day to have some serious down-time.
What I’m reading now: Everybody’s Fool by Richard Russo, a sequel to Nobody’s Fool, one of my favorite books AND movies. This book ties really closely to the first book so you should definitely read that one first. Next up, I have an advance copy of Naomi Novik’s League of Dragons, the latest in the Temeraire series, which is out June 14.
That was May — happy summer everyone!
The Book Stop 
I grow Japanese eggplant every year–I like it much better than the bigger varieties and one plant is enough for us as it is quite prolific.
I am just finishing up a reread (3rd time) of Dragonfly in Amber too. I’m not sure if I will continue on with rereading the series, or wait to read Voyager just before season 3 of Outlander airs. It’s nice to have it fresh in mind while watching the series, but Voyager is my favorite of the series so maybe I’ll do both, reread now and then.
I’ve been reading good things about Everybody’s Fool, may have to check into it.
Happy reading!
Thanks for the comment! One of the problems I’ve found with reading right before the show is then I’m too focused on the differences between the book and show. Still, I loved reading Dragonfly again. I had mixed feelings about Voyager so I should definitely give it another read before season 3. Everybody’s Fool is wonderful but definitely read Nobody’s Fool first.
Glad to hear about your garden! I hope it goes well! Rush Oh! was a book I was pretty excited about so sorry to hear it didn’t work as well as you’d hoped.
I’m posting my review tomorrow, but it might just be me, most people loved it. And I liked it well enough, it just wasn’t a favorite.
Glad I’m not the only one with a black thumb. I am REALLY good at killing plants – not so good at keeping them alive. 🙂