As predicted, my reading has slowed dramatically since mid-last week as I had a massive (but fun and exciting) work project to do. I’m also working my way through that giant hardback you can see near the bottom of the pile (David Kynaston’s “Modernity Britain”) which is brilliant, but is taking me a while.
I started reading Salman Rushdie’s “Two Years, etc.” and I think I got a fair way through it, but you know what? I just don’t like it. Mr Liz has been listening to the audio book, which doesn’t have the best narrator, apparently, and is also not hugely keen. I know one of my fellow book bloggers has loved it and one has returned the audio book, so it’s obviously one that divides people.
So, I am putting that one to one side, and that means I have space to add another one at the end! I have had a look at the TBR and I’m going to include Robertson Davies’ “A Mixture of Frailties”, which is the final book in his Salterton Trilogy which has been sitting on my bedside table since I read the second volume, about a year ago.
I’ve also decided to swap 150 pages of Icelandic Bible stories for 50 pages of Icelandic text about volcanoes, as what I hope is a more achievable objective there.
So, some swapsies, Book 5 read but not yet reviewed, and Book 6 being read at present – not too bad, really. How are you all doing? I have to admit I have fallen behind with my blog reading, too …
datz
Jun 23, 2016 @ 17:43:09
The Kynaston also slowed me down, but what fascinating books they are.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 23, 2016 @ 18:02:49
They’re wonderful, aren’t they – I’ve been getting the double hardbacks since the last one and need to upgrade my first volume, which I only have in paperback. Such an epic work, so exciting when the new one comes out!
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kaggsysbookishramblings
Jun 23, 2016 @ 18:01:25
I think it’s quite acceptable to swap – I’m in the “if you’re not enjoying it, don’t read it” camp! 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Jun 23, 2016 @ 18:03:28
Yes, no trouble doing that. I will do a DNF review for the Rushdie but it was just awful, in my opinion, cold and show-offish!
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FictionFan
Jun 23, 2016 @ 19:06:46
Too bad about the Rushdie, but I’ve regularly abandoned his other books in the past, so it was odd that I loved this one so much. Guess it was all those philosophers at a point when I’d been reading lots of factual stuff about philosophy too. I’m just starting Book 5, but have still only reviewed one. June/July is bad for me because of incessant tennis-watching, but I’ll pick up speed later in the summer… 🙂
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Liz Dexter
Jun 24, 2016 @ 05:22:55
Oh, that is strange. I just found it cold. I’ll do a proper DNF review soon where I explain my reasoning! Have fun with the tennis, it is very tennisy at this time of year, isn’t it!
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anewlookthrougholdeyes
Jun 23, 2016 @ 19:32:09
I like your honesty about the Rushdie. I had better own up to being the person who,sent back the audio version. No the best narrator but I’m not sure what it would have taken to persuade me to finish it. Am listening to Anthony Moer’s All the Light You Cannot See for my book group and enjoying it even better the second time around.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 24, 2016 @ 05:23:38
Apparently you only have a certain window in which to return them, which is a shame! Glad you’re enjoying the Moer, that’s one I’ve not read.
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heavenali
Jun 23, 2016 @ 21:29:08
Just finished my review for tomorrow of #20booksofsummer number 7. Have read about 10 pages of book 8. Very busy at the moment.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 24, 2016 @ 05:24:26
Wow – good going! I’m into book 7 now and it’s quite an easy one, and have some rail journeys in July which should be good for another chunk. Happy reading!
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Grab the Lapels
Jun 26, 2016 @ 12:44:07
I think that’s the big challenge with this challenge: keeping up with blog reading AND book reading. I was talking with FictionFan about how Cathy could change the challenge to 10 books that are also movies, and we review both. I’m a bit behind on my reading, one review behind, I’ve basically stopped watching movies, I’ve traded out a few books, and I’m already thinking ahead to the planning/reading I’ll need to do for the fall semester. Perhaps Cathy is trying to be King of the Reading Mountain? She can totally do it; she’s a powerhouse.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 27, 2016 @ 11:59:12
Ah, in my case I wasn’t keeping up with anything at all because work got in the way! I’d find it harder to make time to watch films than to read books, myself, and I don’t like reading films of books. But I think the challenge is flexible enough to absorb all types of reading!
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Ste J
Jun 29, 2016 @ 20:08:44
It’s a shame to get DNF’s but time is short and brilliant books abound…
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Liz Dexter
Jun 30, 2016 @ 05:20:42
I’d rather leave a book than struggle on with it grimly – it was a shame it was so disappointing, though!
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#20 Books of Summer book reviews – The Draining Lake and The Honey Queen, a DNF | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
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BookerTalk
Jul 12, 2016 @ 17:18:16
I’m part way through book 6 but falling way behind on the reviews. I forgot you could swap some of the list since now I look at mine again i’m thinking its not that appealing
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Liz Dexter
Jul 13, 2016 @ 07:19:27
It’s funny how choosing a pile of books makes you instantly want to read other stuff! I’m not sure what number I’m on at the moment as just back from holiday with reviews to write up …
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20 Books of Summer Round-up: did it! #20BooksOfSummer #books #reviews | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
Sep 07, 2016 @ 09:02:34