October was all about finally getting back into a stable routine at home and I managed to avoid any serious tech issues with the blog. Yay! Unfortunately, this didn’t necessarily translate into a phenomenal reading month. Here’s to hoping Nonfiction November gives things a jolt!
I also teamed up for a third time with the lovely Anne Tollett of Hanover Avenue and San Francisco based artist and designer Shannon Kaye to stock three versions of a gorgeous “blank canvas” bathroom with awesome books (Mineral Bathroom, Captain’s Quarters, and Spring Clean).
October Reading
Ugh…I feel like my October reading was pretty unproductive in a wheel-spinning kind of way. I DNF’d a couple books I was excited about (Girl Waits With Gun and Speed Kings) and spent a ton of time on the famous $2 million City on Fire. Thankfully, there were a couple bright spots. The Royal We was the perfect cure for my hangover from Did You Ever Have A Family, Missoula was incredibly important and powerful, and Home is Burning brought some inappropriate humor (which I like!) to an otherwise tragic memoir.
Best Book of the Month
Missoula by Jon Krakauer (April 21, 2015)
Fiction, 367 Pages (review/discussion coming soon)
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
November Releases I’m Excited About
Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams (November 3)
Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving (November 3)
Top Non-Review Books on my “To Be Read” List
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
The Three-Year Swim Club by Julie Checkoway
The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg
Where All the Light Tends to Go by David Joy
Most Popular October Posts
A Local’s Reflections on The Shore by Sara Taylor
Alcohol & Advil: Did You Ever Have A Family and The Royal We
Favorite Posts by Fellow Bloggers
- Ann at Books on the Table took on bookstore patrons (or readers in general) who refuse to read “depressing books” and lamented the trouble she’s had creating a list of “feel good” books in a thoughtful post called The Bookstore Conversation I Dread.
- West Metro Mommy Reads echoed some (though, not all) of my thoughts in her review of Lauren Groff’s Fates and Furies.
- Rory at Fourth Street Review added to my TBR list with her list of Favorite Campus Novels (one of my favorite types of novels).
- Shannon at River City Reading shared her Recommendation Starter Pack after realizing she recommends the same books over and over. And, Shannon has opened voting for her 2015 edition of Book Blogger Top Picks. This was fun to participate in last year and I can’t wait to see this year’s winners!
I’ve added Missoula to my list (most likely on audio), but am still wavering about City on Fire. It’s always exciting when John Irving releases a new novel!
I’ve heard great things about Missoula on audio (from Tara @ Running N Reading and Rebecca Schinsky at Book Riot)…Tara said it was like listening to the Serial podcast! And – I LOVE John Irving, but this one’s premise doesn’t really grab me. But, it’s John Irving, so I will obviously read it anymore…or try it at least!
Well, some months are better than others, reading-wise.
Haha – yep! Cheers to a hopefully stellar November!
I really want to read Missoula. I have a feeling the next couple of months aren’t going to be too productive for me reading-wise.
It’s so, so good…and really made me think. And, holidays tend to do that, right?!
Thanks so much for the shout-out! I’m also looking forward to the new John Irving. Happy November!
You’re welcome!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed Missoula and I, too, am very much looking forward to both Avenue of Mysteries and Along the Infinite Sea. I’m currently reading Two Hours by Ed Caesar which, for someone training for a marathon, is highly fascinating. I can’t decide which one of these to start first, though – ha! Keep me posted!!
I’ll check out Two Hours! It might be a bit before I actually get to start my 2 November books b/c of Nonfiction November. Although I might need to throw a fiction in there to avoid burn out!
Oh yes, I have had months like that. I’ve had a good month. Still trying to finish two more by tomorrow night and that will put me at 11, a good total for me. I think my favs were Fate and Furies and Apocalypse Baby, which I will blog about today.
Oooh…Fates and Furies. I had mixed feelings about that one, but the second half was a resounding 5 stars for me! Glad you enjoyed it!
I loved Home is Burning, it’s a hard read, but rewarding (if only for the funnies).
I really enjoyed it! The funnies and all the other stuff. Was just inspiring!
I’m glad you got your tech issues ironed out, and you still managed to have a good reading month – three out four isn’t bad. I’m ready for Pepper’s story from Beatriz, too!
The Royal We looks like a fun book. I haven’t started Along The Infinite Sea yet. There seems to be a lot of excitement about it though.
I loved the first two Schyuler family novels and am looking forward to this one..Pepper was a firecracker in the last one!