A month really can feel like a year. They both go by slowly and fly so quickly all at the same time, and of course I have lists for you. What I tried to read and what I managed to read last month, among other things.
December Reading List (Proposed)
This is what I planned on reading last month.
- In A Perfect World, by Laura Kasischke
- When She Flew, by Jennie Shortridge
- What the Witch Left, by Ruth Chew
- Dragon House, by John Shors
- Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See
- Battle Royale, Koshun Takami
- Liar, by Justine Larbalestier
- The Last Days of the Lacuna Cabal, by Sean Dixon
- Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova
- The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel
- Sense and Sensibility Sea Monsters, by Ben Winters & Jane Austen
December Reading List (Actual)
I read 17 books in December of 2009 bringing my total for 2009 to 160 books. A lot of these books have reviews scheduled for January, but take a look at what I read. I was doing pretty well with reading what I proposed but somewhere along the line I veered off course. I did manage to read six out of the eleven books on my list. A little more than half is something to build on.
- When She Flew, by Jennie Shortridge
- In A Perfect World, by Laura Kassischke
- What the Witch Left, by Ruth Chew
- Isis, by Douglas Clegg
- Dragon House, by Jon Shors
- The Help, by Katherine Stockett
- Life After Yes, by Aidan Donnelley Rowley
- The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova
- The Cradle, by Patrick Sommerville
- The Girl on Legare Street, by Karen White
- Among the Thugs, by Bill Buford
- Liar, Justine Larbalestier
- Living Oprah, Robyn Okrant
- Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’Dell
- Bubble Gum and Hula Hoops, by Harry Oliver
- A Wish After Midnight, by Zetta Elliott
- More of This World and Maybe Another, by Barb Johnson
Favorite Books This Month
This was a strong month for books and I enjoyed most of what I read, but The Help, by Katherine Stockett (of course); Liar, by Justine Larbalestier; More of This World or Maybe Another, by Barb Johnson; and A Wish After Midnight, by Zetta Elliott really stood out for me.
Also in December
Author Interview
Additional December Reviews
- The Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos, by Margaret Mascarenhas
- The House of Moreys, by Phyliss Bentley
- The Hidden, by Tobias Hill
Book Club Pick
- The Last Days of The Lacuna Cabal, by Sean Dixon
That’s How I Blog!
This week on Tuesday, January 5, at 10:ooPM EST, I will be talking with Lenore from Presenting Lenore about her blogging experiences and about Liar, by Justine Larbalestier. You can go to the show page to set a reminder for the show, and please send me your questions (nicole at linussblanket dot com) for Lemore or better yet join us on Tuesday and call in!
This is the complete list of the That’s How I Blog! Show Schedule. Past chats I have done may be accessed through the links below.
- Julie from Booking Mama – Julie’s Show
- Deborah From Books, Movies, and Chinese Food – Deborah’s Show
- Meg from Write Meg! – Meg’s Show
- Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books – Dawn’s Show
- Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelves – Jenn’s Show
- Amy from My Friend Amy – Amy’s Show
- Michelle from GalleySmith – Michelle’s Show
- Candace from Beth Fish Reads – Candace’s Show
- Kathy from Bermudaonion – Kathy’s Show
- Trish from Hey Lady Whatcha Readin’? – Trish’s Show
There is also a That’s How I Blog! Twenty Minute Book Club Challenge & Reading List.
Challenges
I’m still signing up for these, lol. I feel like most of my posts in December were challenge posts. So far in 2010 I am doing the following challenges. I have just 3 more to do sign up posts for and I am finished. I think…
- 451 Fridays Challenge
- Audio Book Challenge
- Chunkster Challenge
- Debutante Ball Challenge
- Historical Reading Challenge
- Read the Book, See The Movie Challenge
- Shelf Discovery Challenge
- South Asian Author Challenge
- TBR Challenge
- What’s In A Name 3 Challenge
- Winter Reading Challenge
Community Activities
- Progressive Dinner Party
- Holiday Advent Tour
- Blog Awards – Over The Top & Uplifting Blogger
- The Classics Circuit – Elizabeth Gaskell & Wilkie Collins
Recipes
Product Recommendation
Other reviews and posts:
You are so stinking organized!!!
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: The Lonely Hearts Club & Giveaway =-.
You should write us a post to tell us how you do it! I need lessons!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..I’m On! =-.
I can’t believe you were able to read so much in December! We had so much going on, my reading really took a hit.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
That is an awesome list – you accomplished so much. This will be my first full year of blogging and I am excited to see what kind of numbers and recap I will have. Super excited about what the year will bring.
What a great list of books! I can’t wait to read The Help myself.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – The Truth is in the Numbers! =-.
Wow! I don’t know how you managed to read all of those books during the holiday season…kudos to you!
.-= Jo-Jo´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday-Jan. 4 =-.
You’re so busy — I love it! And you had a fantastic December for reading and all sorts of fun stuff… awesome! I have Jennie Shortridge’s When She Flew in my TBR stack — definitely hoping to read it soon!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Book review: ‘The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate’ by Jacqueline Kelly =-.
Wow you sure read a lot for even a non-holiday month, let alone a holiday month! Congrats!
I have no idea how that happened. I’m not a particularly fast reader, but every time I had a little break from the fan, or had travel time, I was reading.
You had a great December. And looks like you have a lot on the horizon with the challenges you signed up for. I am also doing: Chunkster, South Asian Authors and TBR reading challenges. Good luck to you and happy reading!
I’m glad I’m not the only one whose reading plans don’t quite work out the way I plan! I’m never disappointed, but I don’t know why I keep planning!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..New Year Read-a-thon and More Challenges =-.
What a month! I am so impressed with that! I just heard about the Living Oprah book and I’d be interested to know if it’s worth reading. Happy January!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Dessert Anyone? =-.
Thanks so much for having me on That’s How I Blog. It was truly a highlight of my year!
Fabulous December, hoping your January is everything you want and more
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Tish Cohen – Little Black Lies =-.
Looks like you had a productive December. I hope January is great as well.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..2009 Challenge Wrap-Up =-.
You were a reading machine last month! It’s hard to stick to lists when there are so many other good books taunting you.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..MANSFIELD PARK REVISITED by Joan Aiken =-.
Holy Cow!! what a month you had. I’m totally impressed.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Bloggiesta: Labels/Tag Mini Challenge =-.
Thanks for reminding me about Ruth Chew; I never read her books when I was a kid, but I know a lot of people loved them and they might be a good fit for my six-year-old, who likes books with magical elements. We just started reading aloud The Serial Garden by Joan Aiken, which I’ve also never read before; it’s filled with havoc wreaked by magic and witchcraft.
I liked Shanghai Girls very much; perhaps you’ll read it in 2010.
.-= LaurieA-B´s last blog ..HalfPintIngalls for a Shorty! =-.