In an effort to be more organized on Rebecca Reads, I’ve decided I’m going to touch base once a month with a review of my reading progress and plans.
In November, I read some very heavy things, like The Iliad and Nabokov’s stories. I plan on reading lighter fiction in December, as well as some light nonfiction and some poetry. Here’s a rundown of my November reading and posts on Rebecca Reads, in case you missed it the first time around.
You’ll notice that a good number of the November reads haven’t been reviewed on this site yet because I was out of town. They should be up in the coming days!
Fiction and Nonfiction Reviews
In November, I reviewed a few things I finished reading in October:
- Why Women Should Rule the World by Dee Dee Myers (nonfiction/memoir)
- Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman (nonfiction/biography)
I also read a number of things, with links where I’ve reviewed it.
- How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster (300 pages; nonfiction/casual literary criticism)
- Lullabies and Poems for Children (240 pages; poetry)
- A Modest Proposal by Jonathon Swift (8 pages; nonfiction/satirical essay)
- The Iliad by Homer, trans. Robert Fagles (650 pages; fiction/epic poetry; three-part series)
- Short Stories by Vladimir Nabokov (62 stories, 580 pages; fiction/short stories)
- The Planets by Dava Sobel (250 pages; nonfiction/popular science)
- Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn (200 pages; fiction)
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (125 pages; fiction/novella)
- Anthem by Ayn Rand (105 pages; fiction/novella)
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (110 pages; fiction/novella)
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (500 pages; fiction)
Children’s Projects
I’m working on some children’s literature projects. First, I’m reading Children’s Literature by Seth Lerer and writing a post per chapter that either integrates what I’m learning or reviews one of the books he discusses. Some more information about this project is here. This month, I considered lullabies.
Also, I’ve decided to read the Newbery Medal winners and the Caldecott Medal winners. I reviewed one Caldecott Honor winner this month (Mo Willems).
Here are the children’s books I’ve reviewed this month (in alphabetical order):
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- Edwina, The Dinosaur That Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems
- George and Martha by James Marshall
- Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
- Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
- Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
- Let’s Dance, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton
- Lullabies: An Illustrated Songbook by the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Monster at the End of the Book (starring Grover) by Jon Stone
- What’s Wrong, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Challenge Updates
In November:
- I finished one HTR&W short story author (Nabokov).
- I read one Pulitzer Prize novel also written by a Nobel Prize winner (The Old Man and the Sea).
- I read one Really Old Classic (The Iliad).
- I read two works from the Martel-Harper challenge list (A Modest Proposal and Anthem).
- I reviewed one aspect found in Seth Lerer’s chapter 3 (lullabies).
- My post about abecedaria for children was featured in the Carnival of Children’s Literature.
- My post on Palestine by Joe Sacco was featured in the Graphic Novels Bookworms Carnival.
- My post on Why Women Should Rule the World by Dee Dee Myers was featured in the Memoirs Bookworms Carnival.
December Reading Journal
The last time I wrote about my monthly reading plans, I read something else completely. I guess I couldn’t stand staying “inside the box.” My generic plans are these:
- I plan on reading fiction, including Charles Dicken’s Christmas novellas and Possession by A.S. Byatt (currently in progress) and Borges’ Ficciones in Spanish (a HTR&W short story author).
- I plan on adding at least one poetry book to my reading every month, in anticipation of the poetry portion of my HTR&W project.
- I have a number of Christmas Children’s picture books to help get you and your children in the Christmas mood.
I’ve come to peace with my librarians. I mentioned that I was frustrated with the interference in my privacy when librarians talk to me, but now I don’t mind so much when they start a conversation. I check out 10-20 children’s picture books a week, as well as request three or four books be held for me every two weeks or so, so I see them often.
I’m not very good at staying “inside the box” either! Sounds like some great picks.
Yay, Christmas is coming soon! I have also been meaning to read Christmas-themed Dickens, but I never knew there were several novellas; the only one I know of is A Christmas Carol. *Must browse the library*
Hope you’re enjoying Possession – I absolutely love that book =]
That is a lot of heavy reading! I tried to convince my IRL book club to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but it was a no go. Did you like Ella Minnow Pea? I read it last year and remember how creative it was.
Chain Reader, I see my plans changing already….
Tuesday, yes there are several… I have them in their own category under Dickens on my favorite authors page. Most are pretty obscure. After I finished A Christmas Carol (review to come soon!), I started The Cricket on the Hearth, which according to Wikipedia was a better seller in Dickens’ day than the popular Carol!
Natasha, I did like Ella Minnow Pea… and I just finished my review to go up, I think, on Thursday. I have mixed feelings about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn….haven’t written the review yet.
What?! You aren’t allowed to have mixed feelings about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! 🙂 I thought it was amazing.
Natasha, Now you’ll be in suspense as to why! stay tuned….I guess I need to go write my review…
Looks like you had a pretty productive month! Good luck with your December reading.
Thanks Shauna! I’m enjoying it so far!