I seriously feel that life does not have enough time for me to read all the books that I want to and need to read.

I have a list of books that I must get through this month. And I hope to be able to get through this list in time. Then, I hope to go on to the books that I really want to read, but they will have to wait.

First up, I just finished reading a story in verse-

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This book is part of my son’s high school’s community book club later this month. I am not sure if we will make it (since my son would also have to read it in time!), but I wanted to make my commitment clear by having read it. And how glad am I to have read this amazing story told so very beautifully by the author. The book is categorized as Teen Fiction, but I do not see why any one (teens and older) would not enjoy this very emotional book told from the perspective of two girls related to each other in blood, but not having any idea of their ties, and finally brought together in tragedy. The writing is beautiful, and the story touches the heart. The emotions pack a punch. The short lines of the verse form flow from page to page making it difficult for the reader to let go, and the pages flip very fast. I read this 420 page book over the weekend, and could not wait to pick it up again every time I had to put it down. I would love for my son to read it, but I am not sure he will get around to it in time for the book club. I am SO GLAD I read it! And, I am inclined to read her other books now.

Next, for my own bookclub this month, it’s my pick we are reading. And it’s-

To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

I am so nervous about this book, because the last time I tried reading it, I was so lost…I didn’t know what was happening. The writing was very abstract for me. And this month, I actually have to lead a discussion about it! Well, why did you pick it then, you may ask. Oh because we picked our books last fall, and I was feeling pretty brave then. But now I actually have to read it and make sense of it- aaaghhh!

To supplement my reading of To The Lighthouse, and to show up with some extra information and insight into this complex human being that was Virginia Woolf, I also want to read-

Virginia Woolf’s biography by Quentin Bell

And of course, I have my Shakespeare play to read for the month. This time I will be reading the historical play

Henry V by William Shakespeare

Having read the 2 Henry IV plays to start out the year (with one of my favourite characters Falstaff!), I am eager to see how Henry V’s reign plays out. And then, I plan to watch the 2019 movie The King about the same Henry V with Timothée Charlamet.

So lots to read, and the month doesn’t seem long enough. Also, this list does not include my two audiobooks that I just recieved from my holds on Libby. Which means I will be listening to these as well as reading all the books mentioned above. They are: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorp, and Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone by Weinstein, Hansen and Nguyen. Very different books to keep me happy during my workouts at the gym.

And now to start the dreaded To The Lighthouse…wish me luck!