In August I sent the first issue of my new newsletter, which includes extra content for readers who’d like to go a bit beyond the blog. It includes news about my forthcoming book publication, as well as links, photos, poetry, and more. You can check out the first issue here, and if you’d like to sign up, use the form at the bottom of this post.
Literature
This month the 20 Books of Summer challenge came to a close, and I was very pleased with how it went this year (I only aimed at 10 books but achieved 14). I knocked a few longstanding books off my TBR, made progress in several challenges, discovered some new favorite authors, explored many different parts of the world, and even read books in two foreign languages. I also fit in a number of other spontaneous or mood reads, that were also quite outstanding.
It has really been a summer to remember, in terms of reading. How was it for you?
- The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn
- The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak – Around the World, Cyprus, 10 Books of Summer
- Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
- Spare by Prince Harry – Spiritual Memoir Challenge
- The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
- Krabat by Oftried Preußler – Summer in Other Languages, 10 Books of Summer
- Kindergeschichten by Peter Bichsel – Summer in Other Languages
- Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley
- The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin – #LoveHain, 10 Books of Summer
- Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf – 10 Books of Summer
- Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa – Around the World, Japan, 10 Books of Summer
- The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré – Around the World, Nigeria, 10 Books of Summer
Language
As noted above, I finished two books in German this month. I feel as though I’m becoming slightly more fluent; there’s an occasional page where I don’t even have to look up a word, and overall things are falling more easily into place. I hope I can keep going and build on this progress, whether with short stories or a longer novel.
Now, should I try watching the movie of Krabat? Might not be a bad idea…
Life
Life has been extremely busy and active. My son had an art exhibition and started in a new school, we moved to a new apartment, I began working more hours at my regular job, I had a book title discussion with my publisher and learned more about upcoming steps. I don’t even know what else happened, as my life is now in boxes and I have to unpack it. I still may not have much time for blogging in the near future, but I’ll try to manage a post or two!
Linked at The Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Nice that you ended up reading even more books than you aimed for in the challenge. That’s always a good feeling!
Yes, the last time I tried this challenge I failed miserably. I helped myself by setting the bar low this time.
Congrad on your challenge.
Have a great September reading month.
Thanks, I hope you did too! A bit late responding here.
Well done on your challenge and your German reading! I have two chapter books in Spanish to attempt but keep finding something else to do … Hope the unpacking goes OK and we’ll see you here when we see you.
It’s not easy to fit in the foreign language reading, I know. I’m taking a break but hope to get back to it before too long.
Congrats on reading all these despite your super busy summer.
My recap of 20 Books of Summer will be live tomorrow
It was really a terrific reading summer. Looks like you had a good one too in that regard.
Lory, it does sound like things have been busy for you lately. All the good things that are happening—I’m excited for you! I do hope you will find time to keep us updated.
I always wonder if I waited too long to try to learn other languages. It’s encouraging to hear that you are turning a corner with reading in German.
I can’t wait to hear more about your book.
Yes, all good things, though sometimes it’s a bit too much at once. 😀
I think it is extremely difficult to learn a foreign language if you are not living in a country where it is spoken. I tried to learn German for years in the US and I could not make much progress. Actually having to use it in real life situations over an extended period of time makes all the difference. However, I think it’s always worth making the effort, no matter how far you get.