Required Reading: AUGUST

I will admit that I did really poorly for the July Required Reading books, but I have a perfectly valid reason: July was also the month when I buddy-read* a classic, A Passage to India by E.M. Forster, with my Goodreads buddy Angus. I was expecting that it would not be an easy read, as most classics are difficult to read anyway, but I wasn't prepared for the kind of difficult that A Passage to India presented us with. It was, by far, the most complicated, frustrating, and headache-causing novel I have read in my life. It ate so much of my reading time, as I had to go back several pages at a time just to reread, and so, I had little time for any other book.

So, that's my excuse. Not much? Okay. I've been a really bad reader last month, and I promise to do better this month.*remorseful*

What books was I able to read for July, then? Two out of four:

(1) The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – I enjoyed this book very much, and I turned a blind eye to the rather overused "histories" of the characters.
(2) A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly – This was the book that I simultaneously read with A Passage To India, and I regret that I couldn't have focused more on it when I should have. But I was still able to finish it, and I appreciated it very much.

I am currently reading the third book for July, Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman, which I hope to be able to finish within the week. I didn't join any reading buddy books, for now, so I have more free time to spend on my book choices for the month.

For August, I'm planning to read the following:



(1) Angel Time by Anne Rice – The last book supposedly for July, which I now carry-over to August.
(2) Graceling by Kristin Cashore – When was the last time I read a fantasy-infused book? Hmm. Can't remember anymore. I'll take this for variety.
(3) Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson – Aldrin gave me an ARC during the TFG meetup last July 23, and I can't wait to read this!
(4) The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan – Tina, who hosts this book challenge, loaned me her copy. I browsed through the pages (the book's format allows you to do that, without giving away too much of the plot) and can't wait to read it as well!

So, there. I'm really, really looking forward to this month's reads. Wish me luck! ;)

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*buddy-read - A reading process whereby two or more members on Goodreads (or any other book-related site, I guess) simultaneously read a book, previously and mutually-agreed upon by them, and post their thoughts, comments, and questions on a thread specifically for that book only. The buddies also agree on the number of chapters (or pages) that they will be reading for a day, usually depending on the length of the book or how long they plan on reading it. Buddy-reads are formed so that the, well, buddies can help each other out. There are no hard and fast rules, however.

I have joined three buddy-reads so far: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (with Kuya Doni and Tintin), The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (with Angus), and A Passage To India by E.M. Forster (also with Angus). Please click on the titles to view the threads on Goodreads. :)