What I read in October 2019

It’s been a funny old month. I only managed to read three of the five books I hoped to, because I forgot quite how many books were due out. As many of them were library books, I had to prioritise reading them because other people had reservations on them!

There were also a couple of books I read reeeeeally slooooowly because I kept falling asleep while I was reading them - not sure what the exact proportions were of me being very tired and comfortable and them being a bit boring! I love sleeping, but I wish I could keep it to the designated time so I could read more.

Once Upon a River, Girl, Woman, Other, River of Destiny, Nocturnes

Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield - 5*

Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernadine Evaristo. I wish it had been the sole winner of the Booker Prize, I’m quite angry that the first black woman winner had to share it - 5*

River of Destiny, by Barbara Erskine. A good read, but not on a level with the other three novels of hers I’ve read as the characters were all a bit too middle-class, middle-aged and smug, so I didn’t warm to them - 4*

Nocturnes, by John Connolly - 4.5*

Bone China, French Exit, Night Music, The Secret Commonwealth

Bone China, by Laura Purcell - 4*

French Exit, by Patrick deWitt - 3*

Night Music, by John Connolly - 4.5*

The Secret Commonwealth, by Philip Pullman. An engaging story and I like Lyra as an adult, but can Malcolm please not be romantically interested in her? There’s a huge gap between a 31-year-old professor and a 20-year-old student - 4*

Now You See Them, The Secret of Cold Hill, Ring the Hill, Mistletoe

Now You See Them, by Elly Griffiths - 4*

The Secret of Cold Hill, by Peter James - 4*

Ring the Hill, by Tom Cox - 4*

Mistletoe, by Alison Littlewood - 3*

Looking ahead…

Maybe if I say I’m hoping to read four particular books instead of five, I might actually manage it?

Ninth House, Nine Elms, Every Dead Thing, Confessions of a Bookseller

Halloween may be over, but scary books are forever! After reading two books of short stories from him, I’m finally launching into John Connolly’s huge Charlie Parker series. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, meanwhile looks very intriguing, and I’ve enjoyed some of her YA titles.

I ran out of crime novels by Robert Bryndza to read a few months ago so I’m glad Nine Elms is finally here, and I enjoyed Diary of a Bookseller so I’m really looking forward to the second instalment of Shaun Bythell’s memoirs.

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About Alice Violett

Writer of blogs and short stories, reader of books, player of board games, lover of cats, editor of web content, haver of PhD.

Colchester, UK https://www.draliceviolett.com