Beth Fish Reads: Monthly Wrap Up: July 2010

01 August 2010

Monthly Wrap Up: July 2010

Total Books and Current Status

Since January 1, I've finished 69 books, and abandoned 3. In July, I posted 10 full reviews. I also posted 3 recipes and 1 film review. I am behind on 3 reviews. I am currently reading Manifest by Artist Arthur, listening to In the Shadow of the Cypress by Thomas Steinbeck, and reading How Dolly Parton Saved My Life by Charlotte Connors (eBook).

Read and Reviewed in July

Here's what I reviewed in July. Click on the link to see my review; the letter in parentheses is my rating.

Reviews

The Kosher Baker by Paula Shoyer (B+)
Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan (B+)
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker (A)
Asian Barbecue Book by Alex Skaria (A)
The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pakkenan (B-)
The Maytrees by Annie Dillard (B+)
Private Life by Jane Smiley (B-)
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (A-)
Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin (B)
Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata (A)

Read / Not Reviewed Yet

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

I seem to be reading like a maniac lately and that's a really good thing! My top reads for the month were probably the delightful Major Pettigrew and the beautifully written The Maytrees. But I also highly recommend Bad Things Happen and Weedflower.

18 comments:

Lenore Appelhans, 8/1/10, 7:18 AM: Great reading month, quality-wise, if your lowest rated book was a B-.
Julie P., 8/1/10, 7:59 AM: I am most looking forward to MAJOR PETTIGREW from your list. Great month!
(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea, 8/1/10, 8:46 AM: Looks like you had a productive July! My favorite book for July was My Name is Mary Sutter.

I am behind on (1) review The Good Daughters, so that will be in my August numbers.

Enjoy your August.
bermudaonion, 8/1/10, 9:07 AM: You did have a great month of reading. I guess hot weather and books go together.
Sandy Nawrot, 8/1/10, 9:49 AM: NO I am not caught up on my reviews! I'm patiently waiting for both the inspiration and the peace and quiet so I can sit down and bang a few out. I think my favorite book that I read in July (which will be reviewed in a couple of weeks) was One Day. But overall, I read some really great books this month.
Anonymous, 8/1/10, 10:30 AM: I'm more caught up than I was last week, but I still have 4 books that I haven't written about.

To Kill a Mockingbird was my favorite fiction read for July...Lit tops the list for non-fiction.
Elisabeth, 8/1/10, 12:23 PM: My favorite read in July was School of Essential Ingredients by I can't remember her first name Bauermeister.

I am just a blog reader, not a blog writer.
Nise' , 8/1/10, 2:40 PM: A couple of your books are on my TBR list! I am caught up with writing my reviews but behind on posting them. My favorite of last month was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
Judith H, 8/1/10, 2:54 PM: Nice list of books read!

I've read 20 books of different genres. I read a few very good books, but the best probably was Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.

Yes, I'm up-to-date with reviews. I'm never more than one or two behind, but try to write a review the day after I finish a book (bad memory!).
Louise, 8/1/10, 5:30 PM: Mockingjay tour...? Is that book out already over there??? Here it's not out in another month or so and I can barely wait :)

I have 2 or 3 reviews I need to write, but at least one is for a book not translated into English, so that I will probably only write once for my Danish blog.

All your projects sounds great!
Alexia561, 8/1/10, 5:32 PM: Congrats on a very productive month! Sorry to say that I'm behind on my reviews, but hoping to catch up this week.

Hope August is just as productive for you! Have fun!
Beth Kephart, 8/2/10, 9:17 AM: I LOVED Maytrees and Pettigrew arrives today! Can't wait for that one. YOu are a diligent and beloved presence here on the net.
nat @book, line, and sinker, 8/2/10, 10:15 AM: geez, i pop over to say hi and then i read all of your accomplishments and feel like a blog SLACKER! :) i haven't had too much time for reading but have 3 reviews coming up in the next 10 days. yikes! my summer is coming to an end and the new school year is a mere 29 days away (not that i'm counting or anything...)

i'll be checking out your mockingjay button and info!
Unknown, 8/2/10, 8:35 PM: You always read the best books!

I have had a big READING month, but I haven't had much time to sit down and write this month, which is a shame, because I had originally set a goal for myself to get 4 weeks out with reviews/posts so I could focus on my non-blog writing. Hahahaa! Maybe when the kids go back to school.
Jenners, 8/3/10, 8:18 PM: I just counted and I'm behind on 13 reviews!! ARGH! I need to slow down until I get caught up!
Mandy, 8/4/10, 11:49 AM: Wow! You read so many books! I would love to settle down one day to read so much. I do read so much more than I used to and for that I am thankful.

I read once on your "review policy" page that you don't review self-published books. I didn't understand this at the time but I do now. I read a self-published book the other day and the grammar was so bad and it wasn't properly edited or structured. It is a real pity as I think she has a story to tell. Anyway, I have to tell her now that I can't fairly review the book and just thought I'd share that with you!
Jen - devourer of books, 8/4/10, 12:26 PM: I need to find some time to link up my reviews to your HP review database. Maybe while we're watching LOST.
Alice, 8/21/10, 10:42 AM: What a great reading month in July! You're an inspiration. I need to dig out more time to read. I miss reading regularly.