Another month gone and suddenly the end of the year seems very close.
Despite the fact we've had family staying on and off for most of the month and three weeks looking after a three-year-old grandson I've managed to get through my usual number of books. I think it was more the blogging time that was affected but even that wasn't too bad.
Total Books read = 13
The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid
Affinity by Sarah Waters
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna
The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y K Lee
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
A Room Swept White by Sophie Hannah
Unholy Fire by Robert Mzarek
The Missing by Jane Casey
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern by Lilian Jackson Braun
The Pindar Diamond by Katie Hickman
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
King Arthur: Dragon's Child by M.K.Hume
DNF
The Ghost Light by Joseph O'Connor.........I do like his writing but I got halfway through this one and realised I was bored with the story so gave up.
Last month I noted how books with similar themes often follow each other. In October it was Renaissance Italy that I couldn't seem to get away from. In the end I was definitely in overload so I returned to the library unread..
Juliet by Anne Fortier........a few pages and the writing style wasn't appealing so it wasn't a hard decision.
The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato..........I read about 150 pages and knew I'd had enough of courtesans and conspiracies..........and the sewer mouth of the heroine.
Readalongs
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova............hosted by On the Ledge Readalongs with weekly comments and discussion held at that blog which is why I'm at the moment not planning to review it here. It's worth a visit to see the wonderful images that Nathalie has posted each week that added so much to the reading experience. The book was very different than I had imagined it would be ........I loved it!
The Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa readalong hosted by Jenners at Life...With Books continues until Nov 22.
Another book that is different from my pre- reading expectations and is proving to be fascinating reading. For this readalong we have to do a post every 9 days and so far I'm managing to keep up - just!
Challenges
Two challenges completed this month both of which I really enjoyed and will participate in again.
RIP V Challenge
What's in a Name 3 Challenge
The Four Month Challenge 4 ends today and with a total of 140/250 I've failed miserably this time round.
October Highlight
I sometimes feel quite envious reading other blogs and seeing the piles of books in mailboxes and brought home from library and bookstore sales. It doesn't happen often here so our local Rotary Club's Book Fair was definitely a highlight of the month. It was a huge event and at only $2-$3 a book, a readers paradise.
I did restrain myself from going overboard but still came home with a nice little pile of loot.......
Dracula - Bram Stoker...................................The House of Mirth - Edith Wharton
Still Life - Joe Donnelly.................................Courtesan - Diane Haeger
The Colour - Rose Tremain..........................The Winter Rose - Jennifer Donnelly
Handle With Care - Jodi Picoult...................The Firemaster's Daughter - Christie Dickason
Under the Dome - Stephen King...................The Templar Legacy - Steve Berry
Not Dead Enough - Peter James..................The Tricking of Freya - Christina Sunley
The Tsarina's Daughter - Carolly Erickson
Looking Ahead
This month I really want to focus on finishing challenges. It was this time last year I began book blogging and jumped with enormous enthusiasm into far too many challenges but I would like to finish as many as I can.
Already they're starting to come thick and fast for 2011 but I'm determined not to be tempted too soon.
I hope everyone has a great November with lots of wonderful reading.
Looks like you did well for reading this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to see what you'll think of The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly when you read it, it's one of my favourite books.
Looks like you had great reading month.
ReplyDeleteI use to be a reader who would finish every single book I started regardless. Now, time is too precious, and my reading has slowed down. I will put a book down if it is not in some way capturing me. I like your DNF list because you explain why you did not finish the read. I like your phrase of "sewer mouth", I am going to have to keep that one in mind.
I have been trying to figure out how I am going to review The Historian. I think you gave me an idea to include the fact some great discussion was held over at On The Ledge Readalongs. They did do a fantastic job with the readalong...loved all the tidbits in the weekly posts.
You snagged well at the book fair. I am curious about Jennifer Donnelly. I have been wanting to read her Winter Rose, and now she has another book out that looks great, Revolution.
Wish you a fantastic November!