My 2024 Quarter One Reading Wrap-Up

It's All About British Classics

Photo by me

Hello my lovely readers!!!

Welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet where I talk all things books. I hope you’re doing well.

And just like that, March is also over. So, this week I decided to do a reading wrap-up for the first quarter of 2024. I saw everyone doing Q1 reading wrap-ups on bookstagram and I thought it’ll be fun to do mine as well. 

I have read four books in the first quarter, which isn’t a lot, but I’m happy to be just reading. Now, among the four books I read, three were new reads and one was a re-read, and all four of them were British classics. Which wasn't at all intentional, I only realised it after sitting down to write this letter. So that's another reason these wrap-ups are fun. 

Now, coming to the books I read.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

The first book I read in 2024 was A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It's so far my favourite read of the year. It was an absolute treat to read. the setup was perfect, the story was very intriguing from the very beginning to the end, there were plot twists and a lot of (melo)drama and just flat out good writing. It was perfectly lengthed and perfectly paced, everything was so well put together the reading experience was very rewarding. One of the best books I've ever read.

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

The second book I read was Bleak House by Charles Dickens once again. But this one unfortunately was not for me. While it had elements of suspense drama and plot twists, almost like a thriller novel, I found it excruciating slow. There were lots and lots of details which I totally could’ve lived without. There were moments where I was hit emotionally by some scenes, but throughout the story my predominant feeling was impatience. So far, my least favourite read of the year. 

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

My third read was a re-read of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. I re-read it because it was my least favourite Austen novel and after my re-read, it still remains so. However, I enjoyed the book a lot better than my first read. I’ve never disliked Fanny but this time around I liked her character even more. I like her moral integrity. But still, she simply is not that type of character I enjoy, she’s way too ‘boring’ for my taste. But I am glad I gave this book a second chance. 

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

My fourth and last book of the first quarter was North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. This was my first time reading Gaskell and I absolutely love it. It was a rare instance where I genuinely enjoyed a romance in classic literature. I loved There love-hate dynamic of Margaret and Mr. Thornton and the tension generated from the backdrop of the industrial revolution. I loved it so much I even watched BBC’s 2004 screen adaptation which I also absolutely absolutely loved.

What about you? Did you read any books in the first quarter of 2024? Don’t forget to let me know.

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That’s it for today, I'll be back in your inbox next week.

Until then,

Joyie 🌻