Deckchairs

Deckchairs

Quote

The true university these days is a collection of books.
-Thomas Carlyle

Monday 30 April 2012

April Roundup


The 23rd April is traditionally thought to be Shakespeare's birthday and the BBC is marking it with quite a few TV programs which I am looking forward to watching. This lovely picture has come from The British Shakespeare Society who have an excellent website if you follow the link.
On with the books for April...
Read - Almost 3 books
Completed -
Dubliners by James Joyce
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
Currently Reading -
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
Notes from Walnut Tree Farm by Roger Deakin
The Organic Year by Patricia Gallimore
TBR Pile - currently at 118 (according to GoodReads) with one being read but another added...
Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill
Challenges -
I have kept to #1 of my own challenges to not buy any new books. The new Susan Hill book was second hand.
I have completed the TBR Double Dare hosted by Ready When You Are, C. B. to only read books from your TBR pile from 1st Jan to 1st April.
I have also read Dubliners by James Joyce and August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, both of which were titles I was challenged to read by my colleague AR.
I am currently reading The Summer Book by Tove Jansson as part of #3 of my own challenges to read books that came up in discussion on our literary holidays.
Wishlist Additions -
Lottery by Patricia Wood
Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops by Jen Campbell
The Testimony by James Smythe
Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore
Cloudland by Joseph Olshan
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Discoveries -
Love Your Indie is a website that celebrates independent bookshops and offers not only a comprehensive listing of independent bookshops in the UK but also a rewards card to earn loyalty points at the bookshops listed. Take a look to find out more.
Events -
World Book Night was on the 23rd April and this year was an international event this time with our friends in USA giving books on the same day. I had fun giving away The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and you can read about my day by using the link.
As I mentioned earlier it was Shakespeares birthday on the 23rd as well and there have been some excellent TV programs on the BBC as part of the Shakespeare Unlocked season.
I have just come back from a weekend in Haworth in Yorkshire which is famous for where the Bronte sisters lived and were inspired by the surrounding countryside which features prominently in their novels. Look out for my next post where I will cover our trip in more detail.
The Liverpool Playhouse and The Globe Theatre have co produced an excellent version of Henry V which is currently touring the country. Try and catch it if you can.

April has been a full month, can't wait for May...

2 comments:

JP Smythe said...

I saw that THE TESTIMONY was on your wishlist - would you like us to send you a review copy?

Leah said...

JP Smythe - thanks for getting in touch, I have avoided ARCs in the past simply because I am quite a slow reader, but your book sounds really exciting and has had some good comments on GoodReads so if you don't mind waiting for the review I would be happy to receive a copy. My e-mail is
theoctogenarian@ymail.com

Hay on Wye

Hay on Wye