All I can say is “Woo Hoo!”
My challenge to read 150 books in 2014 took a huge leap forward in July after several months of disappointing progress.
I read 13 books in July.
This is the second largest number of books I’ve read in a month. I read 14 books in January.
I know why I read so much in July. I did my international teaching assignment in Singapore, opening up a lot of time during travel and commuting to read. I also read a ton while I’m on the island in general because I spend the majority of the time I’m not in class alone.
After down months in May and June, it’s good to see my reading goal back on track.
I read two books in July that I really enjoyed.
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner is the story of Allison Weiss, a seemingly successful blogger with a fabulous husband, a too-smart-for-her-own-good toddler, and a big, beautiful house she finds little joy in. In fact, Allison finds little joy in any of it and spends the majority of her days popping prescription pills just to cope with her life. I love Jennifer Weiner’s writing and found Allison to be a believable character. I wanted her to succeed, whether she was popping pills or not.
One Plus One by JoJo Moyes is the story of Jess, a woman trying to hold it all together with a MIA husband, a teenage stepson who’s being bullied and an academically gifted daughter who isn’t getting the opportunities she deserves. Jess’s world collides with Ed’s, a selfish tech millionaire who is one step away from prison. You get the love story you expect from this book. I didn’t find it to be Moyes’s best or most believable work. It certainly didn’t leave me sobbing on a plane like Me Before You, but it was worth reading.
July was a successful month toward my reading goal! Hopefully the beginning of the academic year in August doesn’t slow me down again.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
How is your reading goal progressing? What’s the best book you’ve read so far this year?
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TammyL says
I’ve almost met my goals for the year! I’m only 4 books away, which will put me at the number I read last year.
The best book I have read this year was The Circle by David Eggers. Holy cow that was good. A close runner up was True Grit. I now must commend the Coen brothers for staying so true to the book!
Kenna Griffin says
That’s wonderful, Tammy! It sounds like you’ve done some great reading. Thanks so much for the recommendations!