Farewell then September. Another month that ended with a trail of half finished and abandoned books. I’ve never subscribed to the idea that I have to finish every book I begin but recent years have seen me even more willing to declare enough is enough.
Sometimes the book itself is the issue — I have little patience with narratives that are overly stuffed with adjectives. But more commonly, it’s simply a case of wrong book at that particular moment. Either I’ve lost interest in the themes/issues or it just doesn’t suit my mood.
This last month I appear to have been particularly picky; giving up on 12 books (which is a record.)
Books read in September
Fortunately I did manage to read five very good books in September, four novels and one non fiction.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: I stayed up late to finish this just before I was due to see Maggie herself at a local event. Sadly she was struck down with Covid so the event was postponed until next month. Review to follow shortly.
Educated by Tara Westover: A harrowing memoir recounting Westover’s upbringing in a strict survivalist family and the trauma she experienced when she decided to seek an education. Review to follow shortly.
Midnight At Malabar House by Vaseem Khan: a very entertaining read that introduces an unusual detective in the form of India’s first female police inspector. This is the first in a crime series set in the newly independent country. You can read my review here.
A Trick Of The Light by Louise Penny . Always a pleasure to pick up on this murder mystery series set in Quebec province. You can read my review here.
The Vanishing Sky by L Annette Binder — there is no shortage of books about the impact of World War 2 on ordinary families but Binder’s novel is the first I’ve come across which takes a German perspective. Review to follow shortly.
Project Update
Sad to say there has been zero progress on my Classics Project, Wanderlust Bingo or World Of Literature. I did do better however with my #22in22 project. This is an attempt to clear some of my backlog of books by reading 22 books from my TBR that were bought before 2022. By the end of September I’d read two more, to take me to 18.
Bookshelves Ins and Outs
I’m claiming a slight improvement on the TBR front. It was at 280 by the end of September, nine down from the previous month.
Once again I succumbed to temptation on a visit to the National Trust property where I volunteer. It’s hard to resist when most of the books are on sale for £1 or £2. I bought:
Someone At A Distance by Dorothy Whipple
So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell
Chourmo by Jean Claude Izzo
Black Parade by Jack Jones
How was your September reading? Were there any stand out novels that you would recommend? I would love to know what you’ve been reading, and what you plan to read in October. I know some of you will be joining in with the #1929club – that looks a very rich year for fiction.