The Non-reviews: Jan (and Dec) Round-up

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Image from popartmachine
I don't exactly review every book I read. I realized that that policy isn't feasible given my schedule and practices. So, I review only the books I feel like reviewing, whether I liked them or not.

However, I feel that I should at least mention the books I don't plan to review as a sign of respect for them, whether I liked them or not.

And so, I shall be starting a monthly round-up post, where I shall list the books I've read but do not intend to review. I'll be including a short comment about each book, at the very least. Since it's a month in review, I might also take the opportunity to mention bookish events that I mentioned or otherwise, as well as reading updates. Hence, welcome to the first of such posts. I'll be cheating here a bit because this post includes books which I read in December.

Without further ado, here are the non-reviews:

  • The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier - I understand now why some people wanted to ban this book. I don't agree with them, but I see what they saw. The book isn't for the faint of heart. It is powerful because it does not sacrifice a real story for a feel-good ending. It bothered me in so many ways, which means it earned by respect and love.
  • Sh*t my Dad Says by Justin Halpern- The whole time I was reading this, I was imagining William Shatner as the father dropping those lines. But I heard that the sitcom got bad reviews, so now I think I'll stick to my imagination. Also, I think Sh*t my Dad Says was better as a Twitter account.
  • Light Boxes by Shane Jones - An experimental novel which seemed a little too self-indulgent for me. Hence, I did not like it. That's the best thing I can say.

Books I've read and still plan to review
  1. Stoner by John Williams - I am so in love with Stoner, both the character and the book.
  2. Tun-huang by Yasushi Inoue
  3. The Reader by Bernard Schlink
  4. Electra and other plays by Sophocles
  5. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
And books I reviewed this month:
  1. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
  2. The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David
  3. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
  4. Amazing Grace by Tara FT Sering
  5. Soledad's Sister by Jose Dalisay, Jr.
I'm a bad book blogger, aren't I? Or let's say I read faster than I blog. Yes, that sounds more comfortable.

On bookish events, I was able to attend the Flippers' Best and Worst Book discussion-cum-Filipino Book Bloggers' meet-up. Proof positive that readers are numerous and thriving in the Philippines. In connection with that, I also asked local bloggers for their thoughts and suggestions about a possible Readers' Convention. I like to dream. And it seems other people dream the same things, too. Oh, and Coffeespoons celebrated its second birthday this month. So, the terrible twos...

A little update on my reading goals: I've read 8 of my TBR books so far, which leaves at least 81 to go. I'm going to say that that's not bad to start with. I read 2 local books this month, which leaves at least 18 to go. Sophocles' Electra and other plays counts as my classic read this month, so I'm ok there, too. But, I bought two books already. Which leaves me with 10 books left before I enforce a complete moratorium on book buying. Unless, that is, I hit my TBR target. Oh, and I'm rocking on my TBR Dare.:)

For now, the best book I read this month is The Reader. I say "for now" because time curiously changes my perspective. Finally, since I included my December books (and because I love him so much), my best December read was Stoner. I don't think I shall be changing my mind about that.

So what was your best read this month?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hullo Honey!

You've got one nice monthly feature there. Whereas for me, I'm a slow reader AND a slow blogger.

Anyways, I read "The Chocolate War" early last year and here are thoughts about it: http://wp.me/p14wAA-4f

Is that "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink you're talking about there? It's one of the best book regarding the Holocaust that I had read and it's on my top books!

Happy reading! ^_^
January 30, 2011 at 9:50 PM
GatheringBooks said…
I loove the entire idea of this monthly post. Must be the teacher in us, huh (has to be systematic, arranged, organized - makes life simpler). I am happy that you liked/enjoyed The Reader (I'm assuming it's the one by Bernhard Schlink) - I hope that the review I asked you to read previously didn't spoil the book for you.

While I was going through this monthly post of yours, I am reminded by our 2011 reading calendar where we also post books that we read - I am thinking that we should need to organize that better since I can imagine a loooooooong page by April (how much more as we get to December) - calling Mary, our IT expert. Hehehe. =)
January 30, 2011 at 10:50 PM
dementedchris said…
I also think that having a monthly round-up of all the books you've read is a great idea. :) Like you, I don't review all the books that I read and in hindsight, it seems fitting to give them some credit.

My best reads for this month are Benjamin Tammuz' Minotaur, for sheer loveliness of language, and Terry Pratchett's I Shall Wear Midnight, for the twinge of sadness I always feel when reading the fabulous last book of a well-enjoyed series.
January 31, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Heather O said…
I just finished reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith - which has been lingering on my TBR list for about a decade now - and really enjoyed it - definitely my favorite read of January.
February 1, 2011 at 5:27 AM
Tina said…
I meant to do this yesterday but I forgot. Oh well. :)

Best book I read this month: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, followed by Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee. :)
February 1, 2011 at 9:41 PM
Laurie-J said…
My favorite book recently is Cattitude by Edie Ramer. It was just a really fun, unusual story. I am so glad I read it. My review is posted on my blog.
Laurie
http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
February 7, 2011 at 10:42 AM
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