Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Sunday Salon: January in Review

Historically, January is a good reading month for me. My favorite book of the year often comes from my January reading list. I liked every single book this month and I'm not even sure I can pick my favorite…

Books Read

(click for reviews)
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (Ernest Gaines)****
Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian****
Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (Dave Eggers)****
Last Night at Twisted River (John Irving)****
Long Way Gone (by Ishmael Beah)****
Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center (haven't reviewed yet)

Favorite Book of the Month
I guess I'd have to pick Late Night at Twisted River. Somehow it just seems wrong not to pick John Irving's latest as one's favorite.

Worst Book of the Month
This month, there are no "worsts." But the first four were all very intense. The Bright Side of Disaster was well-written but in the light beach-read category —exactly what I needed after a month of heavy reading.

Now Reading
Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. (I read one chapter last night before I fell asleep, and I can't remember anything about it this morning.)

On Reserve at the Library
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Teaching
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (World Lit)
Sounder by William Armstrong (Literature Circle)

Reading with the Kids
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen

An the Agenda for Re-Reading
Romeo and Juliet
Jane Eyre

2 comments:

Harvee said...

I read and enjoyed Ishmael Beah's book. Hope you liked it. My Sunday Salon

Literary Feline said...

It's such a great feeling when you can look back on your month of reading and discover all the books you read were good ones. Buffalo Soldier and Long Way Gone are two books that are sitting in my TBR collection waiting their turn. I'm so glad you enjoyed them.

I still have yet to read a John Irving book, but I do hope to one day. Maybe this year should be that year!

I hope you have a great week!