Well, I always seem to get to the end every month and wonder quite where it’s gone… And although March was a wee bit longer than February, it really did seem to whizz by! Part of that is because in Real Life I am in one of my busiest times of the year, and so the days are never long enough. However, despite that, I continued with my very focused reading and have loved and enjoyed some wonderful titles during March – here they are:
I am most definitely on a roll with my reading as there wasn’t a dud amongst them, and there was a wonderful mixture of familiar authors and books, plus ones which were completely new to me. A particular treat was rediscovering the brilliance of Calvino’s “Marcovaldo“; reconnecting with Penelope Lively was a joy; and Kafka’s fragments were fascinating. The slim Tom Pickard volume housed a wonderful treat (review to follow) and really it was a marvellously varied and enjoyable month of books!
As you might have picked up from some of the titles in the images, I have been starting to get my head around the #1940Club and what to read for that… I *might* be reading a little in advance – ahem – but that does mean I’ll be sure to fit in the titles I want to share for the week as I am still very much playing catch up with reviews. Look forward to seeing what everyone reads!
Apart from covering books from 1940, my plans for April are quite loose. I have a number of review books pending, but also plenty of piles of tempting titles to browse through. With the advent of spring, I am feeling drawn to nature books; and am also keen to explore some of my Carcanet Press poetry collections – the photo above features a delicious pile of possibilities of both. Not sure what I will alight upon next, but watch this space. Will you be joining in with 1940? And do you have plans for April reading??
Mar 31, 2023 @ 07:46:43
Despite of it being you busiest time of the year, you still managed to read a lot this month, bravo!
I’m joining The 1940 Club for the first time, and plan to read 2 books. I’ve been reading the 1st since last week :P, and about to start the 2nd. Here’s my post
May your April be full of fun!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:32:28
Thank you! My reading mojo is definitely on form at the moment! So glad you’re joining in with 1940 – it looks to be a wonderful year to read from! 😀
Mar 31, 2023 @ 08:03:31
A great month Kaggsy! I’m really looking forward to the 1940 Club. Hoping to join in with two reads 🙂
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:31:27
It was a very good month, and I hope April is just as good! Glad you hear you plan to join us for 1940! 😀
Mar 31, 2023 @ 08:12:28
Yes, a very successful month. Sadly, mine isn’t quite as organised as I’m still chasing up IBP longlisters…
Mar 31, 2023 @ 09:04:49
I’m making good progress with Testament of Friendship for the 1940s Club: it’s so easy and pleasurable to read, I am really enjoying it.
No other plans except to keep going with the books I’ve got for review.
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:31:03
Excellent! I do have a copy so I’ll look forward to your thoughts!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:01:34
That’s good to hear. I have that on my TBR and it’s about time I read it, methinks,
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:46:02
👍
Apr 01, 2023 @ 00:29:29
The more I read of it, the more I’m enjoying it. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Mar 31, 2023 @ 09:14:47
I’m looking forward to the 1940 club. I’ve read one of mine already because I couldn’t remember what the dates were for the club 😳
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:30:35
Excellent! No harm in reading ahead – ahem – as long as you enjoy the books!!! 🤣
Mar 31, 2023 @ 09:27:00
The Barry Lopez looks very intriguing. I look forward to your review of that one.
Congrats on another excellent reading month 😊
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:29:28
Thank you! 😊 Lopez is an author I’m very keen to read so I’m looking forward to that one!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 09:35:57
Your review of Marcovaldo prompted me to read it—I finished it yesterday and it was a joy! I’ll definitely be joining in with 1940 (one of my selections will double up as part of my American Classics Reading Project). In other April reading plans, I’m hoping to keep reading from my TBR of recent purchases (down to a manageable eight now!! We’re getting there!) and using libraries to indulge my whims 😀
Mar 31, 2023 @ 09:55:40
That’s an impressive pile of reading for March, Karen, and quality all the way judging by your comments. Thanks for the reminder about the 1940 Club. I’m not sure if I have anything that will fit this time, but I’ll certainly take a look…
Mar 31, 2023 @ 10:20:03
Thanks Jacqui – there were indeed some wonderful titles, and I’m happy to have been avoiding duds!! Hope you can find something suitable for 1940, but if not you may still be able to get some ideas for future reading!!
March 2023 Reading Wrap Up – Literary Potpourri
Mar 31, 2023 @ 11:39:14
Mar 31, 2023 @ 11:41:46
That IS a good reading month. I didn’t reach even half that many. I see One, Two, Buckle My Shoe in your pile–my mother also read that as one of her 1940 picks. I’m hoping to be on time with mine too, and looking forward to seeing what everyone picks 🙂
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:49:05
It was such a good month, and One, Two was a particular pleasure. Will look forward to hearing your mum’s thoughts and also seeing what you read!! 😀
Mar 31, 2023 @ 12:15:10
I’m pleased that you had such a good month of reading, and yes, it did go by so fast! There were so many good books published in 1940 that I’m sure you’ll have a great time with that reading club. I look forward to seeing what everyone chooses!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:47:15
It flew by, but March was definitely an exemplary reading month. And 1940 will be marvellous!!!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:00:11
How absolutely marvellous that you had such a brilliant reading month. I have only lately started reading Calvino and I am blown away. I will find something for the 1940 club. It’s an era I enjoy!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 13:46:43
It was a really wonderful month of books, and I’m *so* glad you’re loving Calvino! Look forward to seeing what you read for 1940.
Mar 31, 2023 @ 16:12:32
At the moment I’ve only got Borges’ short story Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius slated in for the #1940Club as I’m already overcommitted with other titles I’m currently reading. I did have a quick search among my TBR books to see what I already had but this was the best I could come up with without heading off to the library in desperation!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 20:17:08
Yeah, but Borges is always good!!! And a short story to slip in between other commitments is a good idea…
Mar 31, 2023 @ 18:45:07
In Pursuit of Sping is excellent
Mar 31, 2023 @ 20:16:20
I’ve read the intro and the first couple of pages, and it *is* very appealing!!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 21:14:37
My review is here, Kaggsy:
http://halfmanhalfbook.co.uk/review/in-pursuit-of-spring-by-edward-thomas/
Apr 01, 2023 @ 15:12:15
Thanks Paul!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 19:42:46
Oh, I see some old favorites in those piles! I’m especially interested to see what you thought of the C.P. Snow, it’s been a long time since I read that. I do have a 1940 book lined up, the question is, will it get written about in a timely manner!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 20:15:57
*Spoiler alert* – loved it! And very keen to keep on reading the sequence, too. Look forward to seeing what you read from 1940!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 19:51:47
Gosh you are having a good reading time, what a pile! Everything I’m reading at the moment seems to be skirting 1940 – ’38, ’39. . . but I would love to join!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 20:14:55
I’m certainly on a roll with reading, yes! And I do hope you can find something suitable for 1940 – there are some great books!!
Mar 31, 2023 @ 22:29:20
You’re amazing. All you have to do and yet you manage to read so many books. Imlove a good nature book too and bird books in particular. Happy spring as we watch the colour change in our trees here🤠🌻🐧
Apr 01, 2023 @ 15:11:59
I think the reading helps me cope, tbh – switches me off from the thoughts of all the things that have to be done! I’m ready for spring now, so I definitely think a good nature book is what I need. Autumn is my other favourite season too so I hope yours is lovely!
Apr 02, 2023 @ 07:29:57
Thank you. So far it has been really nice. Thank you.
Apr 02, 2023 @ 11:33:56
👍😊
Apr 01, 2023 @ 05:53:01
That’s a good reading month that you have had, Kaggsy. I am also planning to read C.P. Snow for the 1940 club. Like you even I have started reading a little early for the club. What to do, there are just so many wonderful books published that year🤓
Apr 01, 2023 @ 15:10:17
It was a really enjoyable month of reading, for sure! And 1940 is such a great year – look forward to your thoughts on the Snow!!
Apr 01, 2023 @ 10:12:50
I am looking forward to the 1940 club, and now I have two books ready to read. I have bought The Fly on the Wheel after your review of it, and rather envy you the Beverly Nichols mystery, someone should reissue them! Hope you enjoy a good break over Easter.
Apr 01, 2023 @ 15:09:35
Excellent! will look forward to your 1940 books! As for the Easter break – frankly, I so need it!!!
Apr 01, 2023 @ 18:09:21
I’m really looking forward to 1940 Club and have three books for it, having manipulated my “I only do challenges with books that are on my TBR” policy by asking Ali and Emma for specific books for my birthday!
Apr 01, 2023 @ 19:38:12
Hurrah! Will look forward to seeing what you read!!
Apr 02, 2023 @ 00:48:19
In April I’m planning on catch up on some classic. I recently brough a box set of Charles Dickens well know books.
Have a great April reading month.
Apr 02, 2023 @ 11:34:18
Excellent! – you can’t go wrong with Dickens, he’s wonderful. Happy reading!!
Apr 03, 2023 @ 18:14:47
Barry Lopez Arctic Dreams was a good read, if long.
Apr 03, 2023 @ 18:58:36
Thanks – I’ve heard good things about it!
Apr 04, 2023 @ 23:58:30
Thanks to Liz, I realised that one of my new Dean Street Press purchases is a 1940 book – Stevenson’s, The English Air. I may have already started it too 🙂
Apr 05, 2023 @ 12:07:06
Wonderful! Look forward to hearing your thoughts!!!
Apr 07, 2023 @ 22:11:49
I’m looking at all the books you managed to get through in a month and sighing in frustration that I am such a slow reader!
Apr 08, 2023 @ 16:07:28
Well, we all read differently. I’ve always been quite a fast reader, though I have gone through slumps, but this year my reading mojo is definitely on a roll!!
Apr 19, 2023 @ 07:00:57
April 2023 Reading Wrap Up – Literary Potpourri
May 02, 2023 @ 06:13:10