I intended to write with more regularity. I really did! But when life and performances began to take off, something had to give…..and blogging was the obvious choice. When things began to slow down, the thought of trying to catch you up on my activity, dear Reader, was overwhelming. Even though life was busy, I managed to continue reading a bit. But every time I thought about sitting down to write an update, I froze.
So I have decided to simply update you in this way. Since my last post in March, I have read 5 additional novels (both audio and print books). The books ranged from contemporary literature to beach reads. That’s the total update you’re getting for March, April, and May. Now I can just pick up and report on my reading for the last couple of weeks.
What Have I Finished Reading?
For the official kick-off of summer reading, I started The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah the day after Memorial Day. I have really enjoyed reading Hannah’s works recently and decided to explore another of her earlier works. Published in 2004, the novel is the story of two women. Angie is a divorcee who has also experienced fertility issues and has no children. Lindsey is a teenager from a dysfunctional family who finds herself pregnant. The Things We Do for Love is a beautiful exploration of family, motherhood, love, and loss.
What Am I Currently Reading?
- Adam Bede by George Eliot. I’m only about 220 pages into the book and enjoying it at a leisurely pace. With a goal of reading roughly 25 pages each day, Adam Bede will certainly be a long term project for the summer.
- The Radcliffe Ladies’ Reading Club by Julia Bryan Thomas. I’ve only read a paragraph….but I’ve started! With more travels coming up this week, I needed to get something loaded and started into my Libby app that would keep me moving while sitting at the recruiting booth for WBU at the Texas Music Teachers’ Convention in Waco this week.
What’s Ahead?
While watching YouTube earlier this week, I stumbled on Sue Jackson’s Big Book Summer Challenge and was intrigued. The premise is pretty simple: read big books between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For the purposes of this challenge, a big book is defined as anything with 400 pages or more. I am certain that I can read at least one big book this summer…and here’s hoping that I can read a few more. Here’s my list of possibilities for summer 2024.
- Adam Bede (George Eliot)
- Black Out (Connie Willis)
- Outlander (Diane Galbadon)
- Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
There you have it! Now back to the reading. (And the blogging hopefully…..look for update posts each Monday throughout the summer!)
~Kennith
Reading for Me 
Welcome to Big Book Summer! I’m so glad you decided to join the fun! Sorry it took me a while to visit, but we’ve been traveling a lot the past month. Your list of possibilities includes some of my favorites! I read Outlander during a past summer and now usually include one book in the series (they’re BIG books!) each summer – this year it’s Drums of Autumn #4. It’s really an outstanding series – my husband enjoys them, too.
We both also LOVE Connie Willis, and Blackout is one of her all-time best! Fair warning, though – it’s part 1 of a 2-part series, and when you finish, you will immediately want to read All Clear. Both are absolutely outstanding. I also enjoyed Anna Karenina a few summers back.
Hope you enjoy all of your big books, and feel free to join the Goodreads group for the challenge if you want to chat with others about what you’re reading.
Sue
<a href= https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/p/big-book-summer-2024.html>2024 Big Book Summer Challenge</a>
Thanks, Sue! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Outlander and just finished it yesterday. Such a great read….and I am thoroughly addicted to the series now.
I’ve also enjoyed your BookTube videos. The recent camping trip looked like so much fun. Hearing your thoughts about Lonesome Dove has also been wonderful. I read it when I was probably far too young while recovering from the flu. (My mom was sick of going back to the library for me, so she grabbed a REALLY big book to keep me busy!)
Continue to enjoy your travels with your family and much happy reading.
Kennith