Books read in April

I only just recently started keeping track of the books I read. I've kept track for years, but not month by month, just in a big spreadsheet. Once I did, though, I started seeing patterns. We go to the library once a week, and I noticed that the few books I read after each library trip were the "lighter" ones, the books that I most wanted to read, not necessarily the ones that I needed to read. I say "need", but none of these were required reading. It's just that I'd rather read a book recommended by a friend than a classic that I "should" read. I also read fiction almost exclusively. Since keeping track, though, and even more since I started blogging, I started feeling guilty about my choices. Sure, I was reading some non-fiction, and more classics than were on my schoolbook list, but was I really having variety? The answer was a decided no. I really needed to get in better shape, readingwise. So far this month I've read one third non-fiction, and I'm really enjoying it. Now the only problem is that I request lots of books from our library, and then have to read them before they go back. This month I've read four times as many library books as books we own. Perhaps I should stop requesting so many books... Well, to the list now!


Conviction by Skylar Burris (Apr 1)
The best Pride and Prejudice sequel I've read...by far! Pamela Aidan's Darcy trilogy is very good, but it's not a sequel. Skylar Burris manages to keep Austen's characters the same, and also make me know and like her knew characters. This book made me think, made me cry, and was altogether enjoyable. Very deep for a "fanfic", and it was nice to see some familiar faces again.

The Warden (reread) by Anthony Trollope (Apr 2)

The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston (Apr 2)

The Grand Sophy (reread) by Georgette Heyer (Apr 3)
I wasn't intending to read this again, but Adaon said he wanted to listen to it as a book on tape. Imagine my manly camoflage-wearing sword-wielding brother wanting to hear a Regency comedy of manners! He enjoyed it, though, and has requested that I get more books for him on tape. Amazing!

The Unfinished Symphony and Other Stories of Men and Music by Freda Berkowitz (Apr 4)

Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler (Apr 6)

The Age of Revolution by Sir Winston Churchill (Apr 6)

Honey For a Woman’s Heart by Gladys Hunt (Apr 7)

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer (Apr 8)

Wit and Wisdom of the Founding Fathers (Apr 8)

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Apr 9)
Excellent book, especially for Jane Eyre fans, but has lots of profanity. Thursday Next is the heroine detective, and has to read herself into Jane Eyre to find out who has murdered Jane.

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Apr 10)

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (Apr 11)

Miss Elizabeth Bennet by A. A. Milne (Apr 12)
A stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that is, for the most part, accurate. I do not like the changes he makes though, especially as regards dialogue and the liberties with Darcy's character.

84 Charing Cross Road (reread) by Helene Hanff (Apr 13)

Robert Boyle: Founder of Modern Chemistry by Harry Sootin (Apr 13)

Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (Apr 14)
The second in the series; not as much language.

Victoire by Clare Darcy (Apr 15)

The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas Woods (Apr 17)
Excellent book! One of my favorite history books, now.

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer (Apr 18)

Book Lust by Nancy Pearl (Apr 20)

The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde (Apr 20)
Third book in the series and very enjoyable. I especially liked the anger management scene when they are in Wuthering Heights.

Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (Apr 21)
Last book in the series and very good.

The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen (Apr 22)

Timeline by Michael Crichton (Apr 25)
For once, the movie was better.

Barchester Towers (reread) by Anthony Trollope (Apr 30)
Ahhhh. So much better the second time, and much better than the movie. I think I would like Francis Arabin for a brother.