A Year In Books – March 2015

April 21, 2015

You can read more about the start of my A Year In Books here and my January and February reads.

March Books

 

I’ve slowed down a little after my initial burst of reading in January but getting through a couple of books a month is realistic for me so I’m happy with how it’s going so far. Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be able to let the kids loose in the garden while I have a few minutes to sit in the sun and read, that might just be wishful thinking.

The first book I read this month was The Rosie Project; I was sent a free copy to review by Mumsnet Book club and they also did a fantastic webchat with the author Graeme Simsion. It was a great chance to hear a little more about how he came to write the book and his own ideas on the character of Don. It challenged my own perceptions of adults with ASD and this idea that we have to somehow make them fit into our idea of normal rather than accepting what normal is for them. This was such a great read, really charming and funny, it made me laugh out loud. It would be a great book to buy for a gift as it’s one of those I think most people would enjoy whatever their usual preferred genre is. I’ve already lent mine to a friend so I hope she enjoys it.

Last time I was in Waterstones I picked up several of the Penguin Little Black Classics. If you haven’t seen these they are small editions or snippets of Penguin classics; each one is 80p to celebrate Penguins 80th anniversary. You can see the full list here but we chose a selection of poetry by Emily Bronte, Edgar Allen Poe short stories, a Henry James one and this collection of Grimm tales called The Robber Bridegroom. I loved Grimm Fairytales as a child! I like how they are no nonsense, good vs bad but with quite dark elements. This collection is definitely for adults but I enjoyed reading them, they are quite basic as they are translated but still good.

The last one is Gone Girl which I wrote a little about in my last A Little Bit Lately. I know this is one of those must read books and I’ve seen people who loved it and people who found it disappointing. I have to say that I read it really, really quickly! I think I’d finished it in under two days and I was stealing five minutes in the day to read a few more pages. That being said I don’t think I’d read it again as it wouldn’t be the same once you knew the ending, I did enjoy it but I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed when I’d finished. Although I understand why it had to end as it did I’d have just liked something different.

I’ve got a couple of other book related things to share this month. My friend Caro who blogs over at The Twinkle Diaries is such a super talented lady and she has recently started her own online shop, amongst some gorgeous papercuts are some really cute personlised book cover prints. They’d made a lovely gift for a new baby! I am also in love with these bags I spotted over on Etsy, ‘I like big books and I cannot lie’ I need one in my life!

As always check out the hashtag over on Instagram #ayearinbooks2015 to see what everyone is reading and get inspired. I’d love to hear what books you are enjoying this year.

 

”BOOKS”
Previous Post Next Post

16 Comments

  • Beth @plasticrosaries

    The Rosie Project has been sitting on my shelf for a little bit too long – I need to find time for it! I also read Gone Girl extremely quickly but had a few misgivings about it – can’t fault it for readability though as it’s one of those almost everyone seems to find hard to put down! I’ve not looked closely at the Little Black Classics because I know I’d want to buy them all!

    April 21, 2015 at 9:11 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      That is exactly it with Gone Girl, I couldn’t put it down but I’m just not sure about it. Can’t remember the last time I read a book so quickly though. The Little Black Classics are just too easy to pick up, we were quite restrained only buying four and I haven’t been back since!

      April 21, 2015 at 9:19 am Reply
      • Beth @plasticrosaries

        If they sold the whole lot in one go I’d probably be tempted – if I started collecting they’d probably discontinue them before I got to the end – there are a couple I really want!

        April 21, 2015 at 9:20 am Reply
  • Carie

    I’ve not tried gone girl – everyone seems to say it’s must read but I have a horrible habit of getting into books and not being able to put them down which isn’t very doable with the little ones around so I’m careful what I choose. I like the sound of the mini classics – they’d be very addictive to collect!

    April 21, 2015 at 10:23 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      This is one that you can’t put down, I was even reading pages in the kitchen when I was cooking! Not good at all! I do miss having the time to spend a few hours reading.

      April 22, 2015 at 11:29 am Reply
  • Charlotte @ Educating Elsa

    I really enjoyed Gone Girl even though I hated the two characters! I haven’t really read anything recently. I just haven’t been in the mood.

    April 21, 2015 at 5:32 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Ha, yes! That’s exactly how I felt, no one in the book was very likable but I just couldn’t stop reading!

      April 22, 2015 at 11:36 am Reply
  • Abzi

    I really enjoy seeing what everyone is reading. I’ve heard good things about The Rosie Project but haven’t yet got round to reading it. I’ve just finished listening to To Kill a Mockingbird and part way through rereading pride and prejudice.

    April 21, 2015 at 7:49 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I love To Kill A Mockingbird, I only read that recently and wondered why I had waited so long. Pride and Prejudice is a favourite too!

      April 22, 2015 at 11:38 am Reply
  • mummyofboygirltwins

    You’re doing so well considering how much of a busy Mamma you are! Go girl xx

    April 21, 2015 at 8:41 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I’m trying to make time for it more at night, it helps me sleep better! xx

      April 22, 2015 at 11:40 am Reply
  • SArah Christie

    I have so slowed down on my reading since starting blogging, will check these out Hayley I do love reading and need to find more time x

    April 21, 2015 at 10:05 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      It’s hard to find the time isn’t it but I always enjoy it when I do. The Rosie Project is a a great one to get you back into it, a great read! xx

      April 22, 2015 at 11:41 am Reply
  • SArah Christie

    Ah Hayley so beautiful isn’t it a lovely thought that they will never be alone that is such a lovely thought x

    April 22, 2015 at 9:04 pm Reply
  • Everything Mummy

    you put me to shame iv only read one book this year despite one of my resolutions being to read more! I felt the same about gone girl so gripping but it is just a one time read x

    April 23, 2015 at 10:38 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      It’s so hard to find time though isn’t it! I feel like sometimes you just need to get back in the habit and it’s a nice way to carve out some me time xx

      April 28, 2015 at 9:48 pm Reply

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.