Second quarter round up

Like the last quarter, I thought it would be fun to do a recap of what I’ve read from April 1 through June 30. In that time, a lot of my life changed, so my number is a little lower than I wished. My grand total this quarter? 30. That’s down from 50 first quarter, but makes for 80 so far in 2009. That means my “lofty” goal of 120 will be no problem!

My entire list of second quarter reads can be found here. Some highlights include:

• Genesis by Bernard Beckett, reviewed here. This dystopian novel kept me asking what was going on, but it was totally worth it in the end. It was a very quick and engaging read.
• Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas, reviewed here. A novel in verse that looks at life in an abusive household from a girl who is seen as furniture in the family. Powerful read and the verse was well crafted and utilized.
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This is a very emotional tale that concentrates on the life of the main character, told from the past and the present. It was a very short and quick read, but it was definitely one of the best written I’ve read in a while. The writing and style is spot on.
• Honolulu by Alan Brennart. I loved Brennart’s Moloka’i and the same can be said for his newest. It’s a life story of a girl who leaves Korea during the world war in order to become a picture bride. Of course, her life doesn’t go as she dreamed, and Brennart elucidates what happens to her dreams as they’re derailed or changed completely. This was like a flower opening bit by bit and in the end, the full bloom is well worth the wait.
• The Oxford Project by Stephen G Bloom and Peter Feldstein, with my full review available here. I loved this oversized book, complete with pictures and life stories of ordinary folks in Oxford, IA. Some are heart warming and some are downright depressing, which is why this is such a great read. It’s real and raw.

Certainly, my range of reading this quarter wasn’t what I hoped, but now that my routine is settling in, I’m excited to have a strong third quarter. I’ve really taken an interest in audio books because of my daily commutes, so I have made it my goal to try to listen to some more classics. That’s not to say I haven’t read them — and in fact, as I was looking up what to read, I was shocked how many of these “classics” I HAVE read — but I would love to bone up some more.

Moreover, I am making it a goal to read more genre fiction, particularly in teen fiction. With the responsibility for teen stuff at work, I want to make sure I’m reading more widely so I can be a better reader advisor.

And of course, there has been a deluge of GREAT non-fiction published lately.I’ve got my hands full.

Keep your eyes peeled. I’ve got some fodder for blogging here again, and as I’m settling into my new life, I’m finding the desire to bring this blog back to snuff.