It’s summer now and time to take stock as to how I did with my personal reading goals in the Spring Reading Thing, hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days.

Katrina gave us some questions to help us sum up. Herewith, the answers, near as I can figure.

1) Did you finish reading all the books on your spring reading list? If not, why not?

I came up four books short of my eighteen book goal (missing Bertons’ Canadian Food Guide, Jane Eyre, Leacock: His Remarkable Life, and The History of the World in 100 Objects.) But I also read another 11 books that weren’t on the agenda. You can see my original list here.

2) Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?

See the answer to #1.

The library books I just had to read (but that weren’t on my list) included A Dog’s Journey, The Land of Decoration, Gillespie & I, and Notes to my Mother-in-Law.

3) What was your favorite book that you read this spring? Why?

I’ve read some good books so far this year but I’ve most enjoyed The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams, a fictional account of the life of Newfoundland’s first premier, Joseph Smallwood. I just loved Wayne Johnston’s style of writing. I’ve read a number of novels set in mid-century Newfoundland outports, but this was my first exposure to the attitude and experience of the “city people” from St. John’s – and of the politics that led to Newfoundland joining Canada in 1949.

4) Did you discover a new author or genre this spring? Did you love them? Not love them?

I read my first really hard-boiled detective novel: Mickey Spillane’s One Lonely Night. It’s a genre I won’t be exploring further. I found the protagonist’s attitude toward violence to women very disturbing.

I also explored some modern African writing via African Love Stories: An Anthology. I was intrigued and will definitely be trying to expand my reading horizon to include more by African authors.

5) Did you learn something new because of Spring Reading Thing 2012 – something about reading, about yourself, or about a topic you read about?

I confirmed that I continue to be distracted by all the glittery new books I see. I think it’s a sickness, but at least it’s books and not Gucci bags.

6) What was your favorite thing about the challenge?

The Spring Reading Challenge really helped me get a chunk of my 2012 Required Reading done, so I’m that much closer to meeting the other 63 challenges I’ve entered this year.

I particularly enjoyed cogitating on question #5. So I’m interested – what about you? Have you learned anything new from your reading this year – something about reading, about yourself, or about a topic you read about?

Thanks to Katrina for hosting this challenge!