Hello Fall!

Today is the first day of Fall (it begins at 4:44pm EDT to be precise). So, it seems like a good day to report on how I did on my summer reading. I don't usually commit myself to lists of specific books to read in a given timeframe, but the Top Ten Tuesday meme inspired me.
Here is what happened with my summer reading list:

1. A Farewell to Arms by E. Hemingway
   It was my Classics Club spin book and I finished it on time. I gave it one star. I think I was generous.
2. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
   I committed to reading this for the 18th Century English Literature event but I couldn't get through it. It was officially abandoned.
3. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
   Read this for Austen in August with Classics Club.
4. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
   Another Austen in August book -- I didn't get to this one. I did read some other Austen stuff though.
5. A Few Green Leaves by Barabara Pym
   I read it, I liked it (3 stars), but didn't have much to say about it so didn't write a review. Same deal with Excellent Women (4 stars).
6. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
   Excellent start to a new series from the creator of the Parasol Protectorate.
7. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
   This remains on my to-be-read (TBR) list.
8. Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World by Janet E. Cameron
   This remains on my TBR list and I'm looking forward to it based on Lisa's review. 
9. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorthy Sayers
   I finished this one and am still working on my Sayers re-read project.
10. Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore
    This one belongs to my husband, and is still in his to read pile so I am still waiting for my turn.

I did read a bunch of other books over the summer, but they weren't the ones that I thought I would read when I made the list. Planned reading lists are not my thing. My quilting friends tease me for being unable to follow a pattern without totally changing the design/technique/etc. This may be a related issue.

18th Century English Literature in June

I love 18th Century English novels and am going to read along with this Classics Club event in June. Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe is the only 18th century English title on my club list, so that is what I will be reading. Visit http://delaisse.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/18th-century-english-literature-event.html to sign up.

Challenge: BBR2013

Reading with Tequila is hosting the 2013 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge. Since I was one of the bloggers who contributed to the 2012 list I feel like I should play. The challenge is to read a certain number of books from the compiled recommendation list during 2013. All formats are fine, but re-reads don't count. Reviews of the titles read are appreciated, but not mandatory. I am signing on for Level I (5 books) and plan to read at least 5 of the following books:

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness  (it is already in my TBR pile)
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (also in my TBR pile)
• Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (would fit into the Foodies Read Challenge)
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (one of my Classics Club titles)
• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (also Classics Club)
• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (also Classics Club)
• Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (also Classics Club)