Reader Roundup: February
Achieving last year’s goal of 101 books I’m game enough to try again this year, which means I need to keep to my quota of reading around 8 books a month. I definitely read more in January while still on Christmas Break. Grading essays, unfortunately takes precedence over my own reading choices. Good news being I’m not behind schedule. I’m just managing so far two months into my new reading year. Maybe I can get to those books languishing on my TBR list when Spring Break pops up next month and even get ahead. Here’s February’s top picks:
Will’s Words by Jane Sutcliffe/illustrated by John Shelley
image:janesutcliffe.com
Absolutely delightful. A fine feast for Shakespeare aficionados, blending facts about the Bard with Where’s Waldo-like illustrations reflecting life in Renaissance London. Readers learn about the theatre, actors, acting, and a bit about the playwright. A great read for all ages.
Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope
image:Good Reads
So far, I haven’t been enthralled with any of the Shakespeare or Austen projects. The authors usually try too hard to parallel the plot with awkward adjustments or they try too hard to shake things up that it becomes teeth gritting to turn the pages there is such a disregard for the original story.
Not so with Trollope’s rendition of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. The first few pages were a bit teeth gritting as I found Marianne, Margaret, and Elinor transported into the 21st century complete with smartphones and potty mouths. So unlike Austen. But then Trollope puts her own spin on it all and it begins to stand on its own having echoes of Austen instead of mimicking her commentary on money/marriage society. Trollope even sticks in a meta-comment about women who hanker after meddling into people’s lives, suggesting things haven’t changed much. I suppose not. Except gossip in the culture circles is made faster with texting and Facebook updates.
Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty
image: Good Reads
Maybe I started out with greater expectations in reading my first Eudora Welty novel. I chose the slim Delta Wedding as a tryout and found it difficult to connect with in terms of following a plotline. The story blurb explains that a young girl travels to her relatives house during the week before her older cousin’s wedding. Set in the 1930’s in Mississippi ‘s delta country, I looked forward to the relationship tangles and intricacies of a Southern family. Instead, the story has no firm point of view and is a kaleidoscope of images, thoughts, flashbacks all jumbled together in fits and starts. No smooth reading, and it became a chore to get through it. Hearing much about Welty, I’m looking for another of her novels in hopes of a better experience.
The snows February are still lingering which means little chance of going outside. Spring is supposed to be just ahead. And I will be glad to leave winter behind and get outside once again.
Pam Webb 
I’ve always been curious about that updated Sense and Sensibility but like you, usually annoyed by them. Always glad to hear that one has worked out! Maybe I’ll look for it at the library…
I hung in there and began enjoying after I got past the first couple of chapters.
Sounds like a great collection of reads! Speaking of Austen adaptations, have you watched The Lizzie Bennett Diaries or Emma Approved? They’re YouTube-based adaptations that I quite enjoyed.
I got as far as Lost in Austen. Which its moments.
Books are my unwinding solution to stress and ennui. So with 101 I must be combatting both in large doses 😊
They used to be mine. I miss those days, but need to get my attention span back. Look at that: what exactly is an attention “span” anyway? (You see how distractible I am).
The length it takes to complete a task. This varies considerably. Some days I’m amazed I get anything done.
This is what I have been beating to the ground for two days: why does everything take so many steps to do now? I can’t believe how much effort for the least little piece of “paperwork.”