Week In Review: October 13-19

Venetia. Georgette Heyer. 1958/2009. Harlequin. 368 pages. [Source: Gift] 
Insurgent. Veronica Roth. 2012. HarperCollins. 525 pages. [Source: Library]
Sophie's Squash. Pat Zietlow Miller. Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. 2013. Random House. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Great Tales from English History, volume 3. Robert Lacey. 2008. Little, Brown. 320 pages. [Source: Library]
The Fantastic Family Whipple. Matthew Ward. 2013. Penguin. 400 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenson. 1886. 144 pages. [Source: Bought]
Noah Barleywater Runs Away. John Boyne. 2010/2012. Random House. 240 pages. [Source: Review Copy]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl. 1964. 155 pages. [Source: Library]
To Live Is Christ To Die Is Gain. Matt Chandler. 2013. David C. Cook. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
A Call To Spiritual Reformation. Priorities from Paul and His Prayers. D.A. Carson. 1992. Baker. 232 pages. [Source: Bought]
When Comes The Spring. Janette Oke. 1985. Bethany House. 252 pages. [Source: Library]
A Wreath of Snow. Liz Curtis Higgs. 2012. Waterbrook. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

Last month, I believe, I mentioned my eagerness to answer questions that you leave on my blog. Well, Sherry asked a great question today on my Venetia post. She asks, "How do you choose what to read next? Is is totally by whim and what captures your interest on any given day?"

I've discovered that--for better or worse--I have a bit of Toad (The Wind in the Willows) in me.

I know him her from old. He She is now possessed. He She has got a new craze, and it always takes him her that way, in its first stage. He'll She'll continue like that for days now, like an animal walking in a happy dream, quite useless for all practical purposes. Never mind him her.

I read whimsically for the most part, following my 'crazes' and 'passions.' I have three or four genres that I'm just crazy about (historical romances (clean not smutty), historical fiction (for all ages), especially if its set in Britain OR during one of the world wars. (I have a new passion for the Italian Renaissance if anyone has further recommendations! I've got a review of Prince of Foxes coming this week. I am super excited about that one!!!) I really LOVE vintage mysteries. I tend to reach for dystopias, apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic fiction. I have a weakness for classics--particularly those from the Victorian period. Middle Grade Fiction is one of my favorite genres. I definitely try to keep up with it!

But I also follow certain authors. There are authors I keep up with faithfully; there are authors I read and reread and reread. There are books I read again and again and again. Rereading is part of who I am as a reader. If I love it and truly think it is "best book ever" I am GOING to read it again and again.

The library plays a big part too! I check the library site to see what's new and coming soon. I put things on hold sometimes weeks or even months in advance. So the library list definitely determines what I read and when I read it!

This year I had three BIG goals. 1) READ OR REREAD all of Georgette Heyer's historical romances IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. 2) READ OR REREAD all of L.M. Montgomery's novels in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.  3) Read and review a children's classic each Sunday. It has been lovely to have some structure!!!

© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews