After I posted my update for August in which I celebrated one month of “reading randomly”, I had a sudden qualm. What if the joy of that plan-free month was just a flash in the pan?. What if September would find me once more tempted down the rabbit holes of reading plans and challenges??
I’m delighted to report that those fears were unfounded. I’ve stuck to my plan of having no plans and am still loving the freedom that brings.
If I’d kept to my old ways where I chose what to read next based on various projects like Reading Africa, I wouldn’t have read one of the Booker Prize shortlisted titles or an odd novella about badminton.. Nor would I have ever contemplated re-reading a novel I first read about eight years ago. I’d have seen all three of these in the library and decided I couldn’t possibly justify borrowing these when a) I had so many unread books on my shelves and b) I was way behind with my various projects and challenges.
But the new me, threw caution to the wind and grabbed all three and put another four novels on reservation.
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Favourite Book of the Month
Tom Lake— our book club choice for September — has .rekindled my interest in Ann Patchett’s fiction, I loved the first novel I read by her — Bel Canto — but was disappointed by my next experience via The Dutch House. i loved the gentle yet perceptive style of the narrative in Tom Lake but the setting had an added resonance — it It brought back memories of work trips to Michigan and the particular delights of Upper Peninsula cherries and lakeside beaches.
Close contenders for book of the month were My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout which was a re-read and Stay With Me by the Nigherian author Ayòbami Adébáyò which deals with the pressures on Nigerian women to produce children.
The Ones That Got Away
Years ago when this blog was in its infancy another blogger (sadly no longer active) recommended a series of French noir crime novels by Jean Claude Izzo set in Marseille. I finally got around to them last month but gave up without finishing even the first one, Total Chaos.
It was highly atmospheric, giving a fascinating picture of a city where many cultures collide. But I just couldn’t follow the plot and every night when I opened the book I found I had to re-read sections of what I’d read the previous night just to remind me of what was happening. All three books have now found a home with another member of our book club who has more of an interest in noir fiction.
The Newcomers
Just two purchases last month.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey which is a slim tale about six astronauts on the International Space Station. The book covers one day in their mission, during which they conduct experiments, monitor their instruments and follow an exercise programme to counter the muscle-loss effects of space travel. Mainly however they meditate on the wonders of Earth as seen through their portholes. Orbital has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize but is up against tough competition from the bookies favourite, James by Percival Everett.
The Librarianist by Patrick de Witt is the book club choice for October. I’ve not heard of this book before so have had to rely on blurbs and reviews online. It’s been described as a “funny and poignant” story about an introverted bookworm who makes a bid late in his life to find connections and a sense of belonging. I hope it’s not going to be twee.
That’s it for this month. Let’s hope I’m still on a roll next month.