September was a weird reading month for me. I read a lot, I read books from several genres, and I absolutely loved some of my reads. A great month for reading, maybe. But it was also a very restless reading month. I spend a week or two reading just YA books as some sort of hide away from reality. And after that, I couldn’t find anything that pleased me and read the first 30 pages of several books before putting the book aside and starting another read. Lately, I have turned to classics. I currently love reading them. I am not sure if this means that this is just another one of those obsessive periods in which I can read only one genre because nothing else fits, or if it is because I have missed reading more classics in the past year. I currently have great hopes for October, although nothing is set in stone when it comes to plans.
Here is what I read this month:
- Portrait of the Mother as a Young Woman – Friedrich Christian Delius
- Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
- Animal Farm – George Orwell
- The Princess Diaries 1 – Meg Cabot
- The Princess Diaries 2 – Meg Cabot
- The Princess Diaries 3 – Meg Cabot
- The Princess Diaries 4 – Meg Cabot
- The Princess Diaries 5 – Meg Cabot
- The Princess Diaries 6 – Meg Cabot
- Contemporary Postcolonial Theory – Padmini Mongia
- Postcolonial Studies & Beyond – Ania Loomba and others ed.
- A House To Let – Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell and Adelaide Anne Procter
- A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
- North and South – Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
- Blue Bloods – Melissa De La Cruz
- Missionaries – Julian Pettifer and Richard Bradley
- Lady Susan – Jane Austen
- Love and Freindship / Lesley Castle / The History of England / Collection of Letters / Scraps – Jane Austen
- Butterflies in May – Karen Hart
- Mary Barton – Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
I guess this also shows that not only did this month consist of restless reading, there was also a whole lot of restless blogging going on. It is quite confronting to notice that I have only reviewed 2 of the books I read so far. I also still have a back log from July and August. I am not yet sure if and how I will catch up with that. I know I will at least skip writing about some of these books, such as The Princess Diaries series. I might put up a post once I have read all 10 of the books.
I can tell you what my favourite reads of this month were:
Portrait of the Mother as a Young Woman – My review was not as enthousiastic as I later felt about the book. It is competing for first place with Beside the Sea as my favourite Peirene Press book. Since all Peirene Press books are currently high up on my list of favourite reads in 2010, that is high praise.
Howl’s Moving Castle - I never expected to love a book by Diana Wynne Jones this much, but it was incredibly entertaining and very intelligently written.
Animal Farm - A classic that I finally read. I once more had not expected to enjoy this, but I found myself taking noted every few pages because it was such a funny commentary on communism.
A Wrinkle in Time - Once more, a book that everyone always mentioned but that I had not read before. Very beautiful story that I cannot recommend enough.
And of course, I already mentioned my recent rediscovery of the works of Elizabeth Gaskell.
Wow, what a lot of books you read this month, Iris. Animal Farm is one of my all-time favourite books – just love it!
I go through phases of genre reading too so I know what you mean. Glad you’re into the classics at the moment; I had a craving for those too and I am currenlty reading a few.
Good luck for next months reading
You read quite a bit last month! My counter stopped at eleven which is a little disappointing for me.
I don’t see you as a Princess Diaries person, but sometimes you need a break from the more serious stuff, I guess.
Happy reading this month and don’t worry about the reviews! Don’t feel like you have to do things. Concentrate on having a good time.
That was a nice recap, especially since I am new over here! If it makes you feel better, I’ve been in a bit of a funk. I am reading at a snail’s pace, I dread writing reviews (although once I start I am fine), and I am even having a tough time getting to visit everyone’s blogs. I shouldn’t be surprised…September is always like this for me. Here is to a better October!
Wow, you had a great reading month!
It’s funny how these genre phases come and go. I’ve been thinking of reading more classics, again, but perhaps I should just wait until I’m really in the mood and then go with it. So you definitely recommend Gaskell? 
The postcolonial theory books sound great! And A House to Let, too, hadn’t heard of that one.
I’m bad with reviewing, too, perhaps I’ll try doing mini reviews.
Wow, look at you go! That’s quite a list of books – well done you!
You read a ton of books this month–over double what I read! I feel like I tend to follow up really dense, involved books with YA because it kind of gives me a break.
Wow, you read an awful lot this month
A lot of titles listed there, and quite the selection! I love it 
AND I am so happy that you enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time!! Loved those books when I was little!!!! Will you read more in the series now? I really liked Many Waters too.
thats an amazing lot of reading iris , hope you manage to catch up with the backlog and great on rediscovering Gaskell ,all the best stu
You did really great last month with your reading. I hope this month is just as great!
Oh my, so many books! Restless reading perhaps, but it paid off. I’m impressed by the number of classics you read in one month!
What did you think of the Jane Austen collection? I loved her History Of England.
(Off topic, but seeing you’ve got Jane Eyre on your sidebar, I’m looking forward to your review!)
What a great reading month – I am impressed by how much (and the variety) you read this month! Animal Farm is a classic that I missed as well – good to know it was so good!
I also read Animal Farm last month and I’m with you. I didn’t expect to like it, but then I couldn’t stop laughing or taking notes!
It is good to see that you enjoyed Portrait of the Mother as a Young Woman as much as Beside the Sea. I am really looking forward to reading it.
I haven’t read Animal Farm. I don’t expect to like it so your comments are comforting – I might have to actually read it now!
Wow. So many books!