The Reading Life Review. January 2016 - A Look Ahead- Brief Comments on my "review policy"

In January I only did 14 posts, the smallest monthly number  since I began blogging nearly seven years ago.  Two factors contributed to this.  One was a case of just needing a break.  Secondly I spent a week in rural Philippines where my internet access was by a cell phone and I do not care for writing longish posts on them.  There are 2815 posts on the blog.

As of today The Reading Life has received 3,871,179 page views.  The most visited posts are, as normal, those on short stories by authors from the Philippines.  The top countries of visitor residency are the USA, the Philippines, Russia, India, and Germany.  The most common city of residence is the Greater Manila Metro area, the top US state is California.

This month I posted on four works of nonfiction, all of which were given to me for review purposes.

1.  New England Bound Slavery and Colonization in Early America by Wendy Warren.  

2.  Ravensbrook Hitler's Concentration Camp for Women by Sarah Helm.  A post in honor of International Holocaust Day

3.  Woman of Rome A Life of Elsa Morante by Lilly Tuck.  Very good literary biography

4.  Montaine by Stefan Zweig.  An elegant appreciation 

Some Novels Read in January 

1.  Barry Lyndon by William Thackeray only 19th century work read in January.

2.  All Our Worldly Goods by Irene Nemirovsky- I love this author.  A Holocaust Day read

3.  Journey By Moonlight by Artel Szerb.  Arguably Hungary's greatest writer.  Also a holocaust day work.

Short Stories.

I read ten short stories while in the rural Philippines.  All are listed in a post.  Yesterday I read a short story by Paul Bowles, ""The Delicate Prey" that is considered one of his very best.  I also posted on a soon forthcoming collection Miss Grief and other Short Stories by Constance Fenimore Woolson edited by Anne Boyd Rioux.  Woolson is a truly talented writer

Review Policy Notes

Unlike  most book blogs, I regularly review nonfiction, mainly history and literary biographies but I am quite open.  I look at every review book I receive.  If I have told you I will post on your book then I will. My interests are wide and I invite all to submit their works.  

Near Term Reading Plans

In February I hope to post on two novels by Rosamund Lehmann and on an excellant biography of her.  I am reading The Dogs and the Wolves by Iréne Nemirovsky.  I will post on a first rate biography of Constance Fenimore Woolson by Anne Boyd Rioux.  I will continue to read short stories, hopefully at least one every other day.

I offer my great thanks to Max u for the Amazon Gift Card.

Mel u, Editor, Founder, Curator

Ambrosia Boussweau, Euopean Director