January didn’t turn out like I thought
I always start off the year with an ambitious reading plan. 2023 is no different. And equally true, I don’t get everything read that I planned. Sometimes, I run across other things that I want to read. That’s what happened in January.
The plan for January was to read a Maeve Binchy book and reread Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library. Turns out I got through about half of Tara Road by Binchy, did not pick up Haig’s book and started a Rich Amooi rom com. I finished Bloodless by Preston & Child. Oh, and I reread The Old Man in the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
I’m coming to the realization that I like to read widely across genres and my mood influences what I want to consume. Any of you who have followed me for a while know that I read a bit of this and a bit of that. It helps me to jump around a bit.
I think that’s what happened this month. Maeve Binchy was a spectacular writer and her prose was beautiful. She addressed social issues faced by women in a way you don’t realize what you are reading. Her characters are deep and interesting, even when they are not likable. I’m enjoying Tara Road, but I had a hard time concentrating.
That’s about the time I picked up Coffee, Tea or Me by Rich Amooi. Amooi’s books are light and airy, easy to read and fast paced! I started reading this on an airplane and thought I would zoom through it, but for some reason, it didn’t grab me like some of his other books.
It might have to do with the fact that the people sitting in front of me on the plane were arguing so I ended up listening to why they hated each other (and no, I don’t consider that eavesdropping – if you are going to argue in a public place, the conversation is open to all of us!)
It wasn’t until I was standing in the airport on the way home that I happened upon Bloodless by Preston & Child. My friend Tracey, who recommended Reese’s Book Club in January 2022, mentioned Preston & Child’s work several times so I decided to give it a try.
The save goes to Tracey once again as this was a fantastic read. Easy to read, interesting, surprising and generally entertaining. I’ve added Preston & Child to my go-to list and plan to start with the first book in the Pendergast series, The Relic, which was made into a movie in 1997. I’ve added that to my watch list as well.
The Old Man in the Sea was a reread because I am taking a class and we are studying this as a masterwork. I still don’t enjoy the book, but I cannot deny that it isn’t a well written piece. I guess I just don’t care for fishing or baseball.
Until next time…