February, in contrast to January, always seems to fly by. This month was not a good one. For the first time in a long time I experienced the real limitations of the library. The fact that you have to be willing to share. And that, sometimes, people are annoying.
All the audios I wanted to listen to were on reserve already. I accepted this, but one of them was only two hours long and someone kept it for the entire loan period. I only kept it on reserve in the hope it would become available when I needed it, before the long ones became available, but it didn't. I also had the latest Sarah J Maas book on reserve. Although I kept checking around the time I knew it would be available for reservation, I was still sixth in line and the library system only had four copies which have all been kept for the full three weeks. In fact, despite the fact you're not supposed to be able to renew books with a waiting list, somehow one of the loan periods seemed to keep extending. Annoyingly, for the entire time I was waiting, I wasn't working. The e-book became available but for me, it's limiting as the only way I can read e-books is on my phone which is fine for short books but with great long ones like this, it's not as great. I keep my phone off on Sundays, which is good for me but did mean I lost a days reading. I then lost time again when needing to charge my phone. The print copy finally came through but I didn't have the time by then and was already through at least two thirds of the book. It was all just the worst timing.
In the meantime I did try to get some reading done, but it wasn't easy. The right books didn't seem to be presenting themselves. I didn't know what I felt like, what I was interested in, but there was a mix of experiences. Two Agatha Christie books were a disappointment, one audio book was a bit annoying and tame, whilst another was just so-so. However, I did enjoy one of the latest Rick Riordans, a novelisation of a Doctor Who story, as well as my first Neil Gaiman (not counting the one he co-authored with Terry Pratchett).
Books read so far in 2024: 19
Books finished in February: 10
Print: 4
Ebooks: 1
Audio books: 5
Current Reads: 2 A House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas; Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Favourite Read
Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods
Typical Riordan, it was easy and funny and I enjoyed it.
Least Favourite Read
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. I just found it boring and struggled to get through it. It was described as a moving account and although I can see why, it was just a complete dud for me.
Outlook for March
Obviously I will finish House of Flame and Shadow as well ad my current audio book. Yellowface is also still on reserve. There are a few short reads I'd like to get through and several audio reserves I'm waiting for, which could be interesting. My long walk to work and feeling more tired than usual means a lot of audio book time.
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