What should I do? Change my goal or plug on? I am now ignoring longer books in an effort to catch up thereby denying myself some very good reading experiences. I've also read a couple of titles that aren't in the Goodreads database. I submit their bibliographic details to the volunteer librarians but they are overwhelmed with requests. As a former librarian I could perhaps apply to become one of these volunteers and add those missing titles to the catalogue.
We've still five months of the year remaining so I'll try to read more (and pull back on my French lessons?) and assess the situation again in September.
We've still five months of the year remaining so I'll try to read more (and pull back on my French lessons?) and assess the situation again in September.
My Books Read in July
Of the eight books I attempted in July my standout was A Mudlarking Year by Lara Maiklin. I have been following Lara on Facebook for several years and have been captivated by her adventures on the Thames. From the book I not only learnt about Laura's personal life and history, I gained an insight into London lives in earlier times.
I love detective/murder/thriller novels so was pleased to read my first book, Nowhere to be Found by Louisa Scarr, it won't be my last. I'll also seek out more titles by Sarah Clutton, it was interesting to see the use of DNA in the story.
While I was looking forward to Noni Hazlehurst's biography I found it tedious. I read 47% of this book and now have an understanding of Noni's views on politics and the environment. While the people and places in this work are familiar I just didn't have the commitment to read all the fine details of Noni's professional engagements. I kept on thinking if the book was another performance by an accomplished actor,. It was a Did not Finish.
Dear Jill - all I can say is you are just amazing - as always. My annual goal is a paltry 30. Thanks for the recommendations re Louisa Scarr and Sarah Clutton and Lara Maiklin. I hear you re GoodReads not having particular books on their list and the librarians being overwhelmed. I have read a few books for the QFHS Family History book award which unfortunately are not on the GoodReads database. Whilst I trained as a librarian, cataloguing was not my forte. I don't know what to suggest. It seems awful to reduce your goal. I'd be looking for those recommendations re shorter books or brilliant reads. Did you read Australian Gospel ? Sooooo good. A real page turner. I loved Elizabeth Strout's Things We never Say btw. I'm enjoying the Michael Duffy's Blue Mountains murder mystery series - not too demanding and nice to read about something set in a place dear to my heart. I enjoyed reading The Stone Diaries and Mrs Mike while doing some Canadian research. I hope you find some great books to increase your Read pile dear Jill. All the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex for your comments and recommendations which I'll take on board. The cataloguing shouldn't be difficult as most of the stuff I would like to add can be found in bibliographic records on Trove. I'll give it a go one day!
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