Despite the fact that March brings warmer days and lovely welcome signs of spring, it’s not always my favourite month; as I work in finance, the financial year end and planning for the year ahead always dominate, with lots of horrible pressure and deadlines. So I have to say that April, and the impending Easter break, are very welcome at the moment!!
So how did my reading go last month? Well, possibly a little slower than usual – I must admit to feeling more tired than usual and so my concentration wasn’t brilliant. However, these are the books I read and loved – and loved them I mostly did! Even “Marching Spain”, which was a book with a few issues, still had its plus points!
I always hate to pick favourites, but with this month I feel it’s pretty much impossible! So many great books and great authors – some old favourites and some new discoveries. Much bookish enjoyment has been had.
So – what does April have in store, book-wise? There are a few reading events which I’m continuing to take part in. First up is the LibraryThing Virago group monthly themed read, and this month is books with a name in the title. A quick scour of the shelves reveals these as just a few of the possibles! Although I’m still playing catch up with March (my review of the book I read will turn up here soon), these are all very appealing!
I’ve managed to stick to the #Narniathon so far, and April’s book is the fifth in the series, “The Horse and His Boy”. This is definitely the Narnia book I’ve read least, for reasons which will no doubt become clear! However, I shall definitely revisit it this month!
And by a wonderful coincidence, “Horse…” was published in 1954 and therefore is perfect for the main event this month – the #1954Club reading week which I’ve very much looking forward to co-hosting with Simon from Stuck in a Book! I find it hard to believe this will be the 14th club week we’ve hosted – how time flies!
If you haven’t joined in with one of these events before, basically just read whatever you fancy from 1954 and share your thoughts on it on whatever platform you use – a blog, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads etc. There will be a dedicated page on my site for you to leave links and so we will very much look forward to hearing about the books you’re reading and loving!!
Apart from this (which *will* take up a good bit of my time in April) I shall continue to plough my own furrow and go where the mood takes me. These are a few current books clamouring for my attention and any of them would be wonderfully distracting right now – does anything take your fancy on the pile??
So I’m hoping for a good reading month in April; certainly having a break from work may well help me to relax and read a little more, and maybe even get out into any spring sunshine! What are your plans for April – will you be joining us for 1954??? ;D
Lisa Hill
Apr 01, 2022 @ 07:31:58
Hmm, 1954… not much to choose from in Mount TBR, but even with just three, it’s hard to choose: The Untidy Pilgrim by Eugene Walter; Contempt by Alberto Moravia, and an audio book of Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas.
#WagsFinger And *chuckle* before you say it, I have such a pile of books to get through ATM, I am going to be struggling to read just one of these!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:44:49
I love Under Milkwood…. Hope you can fit one of them in! 😀
Lisa Hill
Apr 01, 2022 @ 10:56:04
Will do my best. I love the play anyway!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 11:04:31
Yay! 😀
Swirl and Thread
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:14:07
Can I ask…why 1954? I’m sure this has been explained before but if you wouldn’t mind 😊
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:40:50
The year choices are pretty random really! There’s a broad range between 1920ish and 1980ish because Simon and I both like to read from that era. We choose a year that takes our fancy, moving backwards and forwards through those decades, trying to choose from a different decade each time. Occasionally we ask for votes, but mostly they’re chosen by instinct, for contrast and what we feel like reading when we choose!!! 😀
Simon T
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:17:29
Gosh, is it the 14th club?? Wow! And what a great coincidence about Horse – it’s like we planned it 😀 I have piles and piles from the year, and have been reading, but still plenty more to get to.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:35:49
If my adding up of my pages is correct, yes! Doesn’t seem possible, does it? I have heaps to choose from too, and that will be the hardest bit frankly…
Jim W.
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:17:44
interesting…social kind of reading is alien to me
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:35:14
This event is quite fun and low pressure because you can choose any book you fancy from the year. But of course, it isn’t compulsory…
Jim W.
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:43:25
cool 😎😎
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 09:45:06
😀
ellenandjim
Apr 01, 2022 @ 11:21:43
I’m amazed you have a regular job beyond all the reading and blogging you do.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 14:20:11
I think there’s a part of me which will be very pleased to reach retirement… 😉
Margot Kinberg
Apr 01, 2022 @ 12:07:50
I think March was that sort of month for a lot of people; I know it was for me. Still, I’m glad you did read some things that you enjoyed, and you kept up with things, too! You’ve got some lovely reads up and coming for April. I find myself interested in Beautiful Star, and I’ll be interested in what you think of that one.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 14:18:51
Yes, it was a difficult one; hopefully April will be much nicer, and the books in store will help! I’m very keen to get to Beautiful Star too – love Mishima!!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Apr 01, 2022 @ 13:59:43
I’m sure March was stressful (actually, working in financing sounds like it would almost always be stressful), but it still looked like a very productive reading month to me! I’m curious as to your take on Ditlevsen’s Trouble With Happiness, as I loved her Copenhagen Trilogy. That, along with Ditlevsen’s The Faces, are due for U.S. publication in mid-April. Both are on my list.
I haven’t read any of your April possibilities, although several look most intriguing. I’ve grown increasing interested in bell hooks, whose name seems to be cropping up pretty frequently these days; she’s someone I’d definitely like to check out.
Your pile for the Virago reading group looks super! Aren’t you tempted to just go through them all this month and forget about everything else?
Although I’ve looked with longing at your previous club years, I’ve never managed to read anything in time to participate. This year, however, I actually have, so the challenge is writing it up! What are the dates for posting reviews? A particular week in April, or just any time this month?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 14:17:43
I must admit to being happy with the books I read – all good in different ways. The Ditlevsen was excellent – really good takes on the horrors of domestic life! My review will be on Shiny at some point. As for the pile of possibles, there are so many books I’d love to be reading at the very same time – it’s just impossible to get to all of them.
And yes, that Virago pile is lovely. To be honest I could have a year of just reading from that one publisher!
1954 looks to be a good year and I’m keen to get started. The dates are on the badge (admittedly a little bit small!) and we’re posting between 18th-24th April – look forward to hearing your thoughts! 😀
Cathy746books
Apr 01, 2022 @ 16:50:36
Have just started my first 1954 choice – Messiah by Gore Vidal!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 19:09:00
Excellent! Great choice!!
Jane
Apr 01, 2022 @ 18:45:21
I have a copy of the Alice B Toklas cookbook, so I might actually be able to join in, which I always want to do!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 01, 2022 @ 19:08:42
Oh excellent! I’m tempted by that one too! 😀
heavenali
Apr 01, 2022 @ 21:25:20
I think you had a great month all things considered, I can imagine how work has been. So looking forward to Easter holidays too. Very much looking forward to the 1954 club.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 02, 2022 @ 14:12:25
I’m pleased with what I did read, and hopefully the holidays will bring more options for reading. 1954 looks to be such a great year, too – still trying to decide what I’ll actually read!!
Julé Cunningham
Apr 02, 2022 @ 00:18:45
Always love seeing the stacks of your possible reads that might be coming up or will you go wandering off elsewhere? The suspense! Enjoy your well-deserved break hopefully far away from numbers and deadlines.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 02, 2022 @ 14:11:38
I know! Which book to choose next? Almost impossible to decide!!!
JacquiWine
Apr 02, 2022 @ 09:04:38
Very much looking forward to hearing more about The Trouble with Happiness, which I don’t think you’ve reviewed yet? And I’ve just started something for the 1954 club in readiness for mid April. As ever, it’ll be interesting to see what everyone chooses to read.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 02, 2022 @ 14:11:17
No, my review of the Ditlevsen is for Shiny but it’s not up yet! As for 1954, I’m really going to have trouble narrowing down the choices – so many options!!!
madamebibilophile
Apr 02, 2022 @ 09:19:53
I can see two that I’m planning on for 1954 in your pile – the Toklas and Comyns. I’m also hoping to squeeze in Margery Sharp and Antonia White but doubt I’ll get there! I’m really looking forward to the event and seeing what everyone reads 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 02, 2022 @ 14:10:35
Excellent! I’ve got my eye on the Toklas too, but I’m not sure what I’ll pick up yet (apart from the Lewis!!) 😀
Winding Up the Week #216 – Book Jotter
Apr 02, 2022 @ 09:57:37
WordsAndPeace
Apr 02, 2022 @ 20:30:01
An impressive haul for April!
Mishima’s The Sound of Waves is so good!
For the #1954 club, I’ll only read books from that year on my TBR. And there’s only one, which I started and am really enjoying: Death Coming Down, by María Angélica Bosco (Argentinean mystery)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 03, 2022 @ 14:55:19
Excellent! I always think it’s great if the Clubs can get use reading from the TBR – I’m hoping to do some of that myself!!
piningforthewest
Apr 02, 2022 @ 20:35:52
I’m definitely joining in with the 1954 Club. I’m reading Mary Anne by D du Maurier and Sweet Thursday. I’ve read loads of books published in 1954 in the past.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 03, 2022 @ 14:54:28
Wonderful! So glad you can join in. I’m tempted by Sweet Thursday myself but I don’t know if I can squeeze it in!!
Calmgrove
Apr 03, 2022 @ 15:16:17
I will be joining you in 1954, Karen, and thanks for the shout out to Narniathon. 🙂 A lovely excuse to — well, read more!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 03, 2022 @ 16:00:38
Excellent! So glad you can join in! Looks to be a great year to read from! 😊
Brona's Books
Apr 07, 2022 @ 09:01:01
I’ve just started The Tortoise and the Hare….hope I can finish in time as I’m also reading a Zola at the same time!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 07, 2022 @ 09:40:34
Excellent! That’s a book I’ve often meant to read, but never got to! Look forward to your thoughts.
Sonia Johnson
Apr 08, 2022 @ 12:38:24
Found one unread on my shelves for 1954. Will be joining in with The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 09, 2022 @ 07:54:13
Excellent! Will loo forward to your thoughts!
The #1954Club – some reading recommendations for next week | JacquiWine's Journal
Apr 10, 2022 @ 07:45:26
BookerTalk
Apr 13, 2022 @ 21:43:12
I can sympathise with your feeling of exhaustion at this time of the year. My sister is also in finance so we well know the long days and weekends trying to get the accounts ready for submission.
I’m surprised you had energy to read anything!
For once I am organised with a club read and am part way through She Who Was No More by the French crime writing duo of Boileau-Narcejac
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 14, 2022 @ 11:49:19
Yes, it’s a stressful time of year – fortunately, I’ve found books to be a bit of an escape from it all. And glad to hear you’ve found a club read – a new one to me, so that’s great!!
BookerTalk
Apr 17, 2022 @ 18:03:04
A first for me – I’ve read my club read book ahead of the starting date!!!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2022 @ 18:59:13
Hurrah! Look forward to your thoughts!!!
1954 Club – Hopewell's Public Library of Life
Apr 16, 2022 @ 01:49:39
1954 Club Review: Mary Ann by Daphne Du Maurier – Hopewell's Public Library of Life
Apr 18, 2022 @ 14:41:21
David Golder by Irène Némirovsky | book word
Oct 27, 2022 @ 07:45:22