My Recent Reads – October 2019
So I took an unplanned, monthlong break from my blog in September, and I did A LOT of reading. I went through a bit of a health scare including an autoimmune fever that lasted 16 days (that is a loooong time to feel like your brain is cooking!) and concern that my cancer had returned. I’m very thankful that it looks like a false alarm and I am still cancer free! Praise God! I’m very glad to be back to blogging now that my body’s alarm bells have chilled out.
As the weather starts to get cooler (which is always a rough transition due to my fibromyalgia, asthma, etc.), it’s the perfect time to curl up with a book.
Here are some of the books I’ve read recently, and what I thought of them. I’ve decided that for now, I’ll just share books that I’ve enjoyed or would recommend to a friend. I hope you enjoy these suggestions!
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I finally made it to one of our literary society meetings, which was one of my reading goals for this year! This was our first pick for the fall, and everyone really enjoyed it. The character’s unique voices and wit really makes this book. My group also learned a lot about a part of history that we hadn’t know about before, namely, that part of England was occupied during World War II. I’d actually been hesitant to read this book, having sworn off WWII books after reading three particularly harrowing ones (unintentionally) almost in a row a couple years ago. If you’re hesitant too, I’d say this book is a lot easier to read than others set during this time period because the characters are remembering what happened, versus living out the war in real time.
PS I actually watched the movie last year before reading the book, which is usually a major no-no for me! But I’m really glad I saw it because it’s a great adaptation, and hey, now it’s about time to watch it again! Which did you prefer, the movie or the book? Read more>
By Jo Walton
I discovered this book through this article that I highly recommend: 22 of the Best Standalone Fantasy Books to Read. I had read three books on the list (Stardust, The Hero and the Crown, and The Princess Bride) and loved them, so I figured this would be a great list—and I promptly added all of them to my wish list at the library! All but one of the books on this list is available for checkout. Hey, I love fantasy, and sometimes it’s hard to commit to a series, especially if you’re going to have to wait for books to become available, so this is a great way for me to save energy tracking down books! Plus, if my brain is fried due to brain fog, a one-off book feel a lot easier to commit to than a series. Decision fatigue is real, my friends!
Anyway, back to this book…I love how unique this story is, and how strong in unconventional ways the heroine is. Morwenna is sent from Wales, her childhood home and the place where she can see fairies, to a school in England, a place that seems devoid of magic. The story picks up after she has helped stop something evil from happening, at great personal cost. She lost her twin sister and was injured and left with a limp and chronic pain. I was impressed to read a story from the viewpoint of a young person learning to cope with pain and disability. I also highly recommend this book for its bring a more organic fantasy atmosphere and for its loving homage to sci-fi and fantasy books. Read more>
(Note: some brief PG 13 content and language)
By Maggie O’Farrell
I was completely absorbed by this novel that focuses on a (fictional) famous actress who faked her own death to disappear and move to a remote part of Ireland, and a man who has pushed down something mysterious from his past. When it resurfaces, it threatens to unravel him and the life he has built. The writing is lyrical and witty, the characters engaging, each with unique voices. The way the story unfolds will appeal to fans of Where’d You Go Bernedette. Read more>
(Note: PG 13 content and language)
By Ray Bradbury
I can now add this to the list of reading goals I have completed this year! Ok, I know this is a classic and people say everyone should read it, but no one told me it was also beautiful and poetic and utterly haunting! I loved this book. I love when I start a book wondering if it will feel dated, and discover it feels fresh and a bit disturbingly predicative of the future. Read more>
Note to self: read more Ray Bradbury.
By Graeme Simsion
I’m adding this one to the list because I really loved the concept, in spite of a lot of strong language, which is not my preference for books. It’s a sweet, unconventional love story. The main character, Don, knows he has trouble understanding other people, and this is portrayed brilliantly through the writing style, which really brings his character to life. (One of the early examples in the book: he thinks of what other people wear as their “costumes.”) When he sets out to make a questionnaire to find a wife, he meets Rosie. She’s different from anything he expected and throws his strict routine into instant turmoil. This could be a disaster…or perfect. Read more>
(Note if this were a movie it would probably be rated R for over two dozen f words and adult conversation.)
When a friend of mine recommended this book, she warned me that the series might be addictive. I was intrigued. This book is a fun, lighthearted historical fiction meets murder mystery. I liked how the story revolved around the struggles of a minor royal, Georgiana, who is expected to live like a queen in 1920s England—without a penny to her name. It was fun to see what scrapes she got into while trying to figure out how to clandestinely earn money, while sleuthing out a murder plot. I think I read it in two days! Read more>
(Note: Some brief, suggestive dialogue)
There’s my list! Currently, I’m finally getting around to reading Frankenstein right in time for Halloween. I’ll let you know what I think!
PS I checked out all of these books from my library, so be sure to see if you can get your hands on these books for free!
What have you been reading lately? Share your picks in the comments! If you read any of these books, let me know what you think too!
Other posts you might enjoy:
My favorite fiction and nonfiction picks from 2017 and 2018
2 Comments
Hillary
I recently read Reforesting Faith. It’s about trees in the Bible and their importance to the narrative, God, and humanity in general. It was really interesting and brought scripture to life in a new way for me. Being passionate about gardening and the outdoors it was right up my alley. I read Fahrenheit 451 in high school. I think I was a bit young for it, and I generally dislike dystopian stories, but it was an easy read and it comes to mind often. I love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society. Both the book and movie were good, but I prefer the book. The movie was very modern Hollywood, especially in the portrayal of strong, independent women. I liked that the book characters felt more genuine for the time period.
Monica
That fantasy one looks interesting! I decided I can’t read Rebecca right now. I really liked the first few chapters, it’s just too long and wordy for me right now. I’m reading a book called The Call of the Wild and Free which is about homeschooling in an unconventional way and I absolutely love it.