Three months ago tomorrow I posted a Top Ten Tuesday list about what books would be in my backpack. With the passing of Labor Day summer is over in everyone’s minds if not on the calendar, so I thought it would be a good time to revisit my summer reading goal and see how I did.

The Verdict: Better than I thought but not as good as I hoped. 

My summer reading slump didn’t help.

What I Read

The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maas – This continues to be a work in progress, but I did make progress on it so I’m counting it.

Ashenden, or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham – a Reading Hitchcock post about this is coming soon.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway – Hemingway’s genius is pretty well regarded as a certainty but I’m not so sure. This story was so similar to events in his own life that the publication of the novel ruined friendships. Not that Hemingway cared. Hemingway’s style may be brilliant, but his creativity and imagination aren’t.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – This was far and away my favorite book of the summer. I let someone borrow it but I can’t remember who and the thought I’ll never get it back gives me sweaty palms. I didn’t manage to get to Landline but I will, hopefully this fall.

What I Didn’t Read

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy – The YA New Release bookshelf faces the door I walk into at Barnes and Noble. Every time I walk in, I look for this book. When it’s not there, I move on inside and choose something else. I’ve searched for it a couple of times and haven’t found it. One day I will and I will buy it.

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler – I bought this in May but keep moving past it on my bookshelf. I guess I’m not in the right frame of mind for it yet.

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton – I’m definitely not in the right frame of mind for 800 page literary fiction novel.

Silas Marner by George Eliot – Ugh. Tried, hated. Might try again. Might not.

The Smoke at Dawn by Jeff Shaara – I totally forgot about this book.

Whack Job by Kendel Lynn – I’m embarrassed I haven’t read this one since my friend is the author! Another one I can’t find at Barnes and Noble. Will have to break down and order it from Amazon.