I am loving all the October sights on my walks. It’s mostly dark when I’m out now, but every once in a while they let me out during the day.
This week I’m listening to See Something by Carol J Perry for my book club. It’s a cozy mystery that takes place in Salem, MA. Yay for seasonal reads!
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September was another slowish reading month for me, but it included some really good books. I’m really trying to stay off my phone but with the election coming and all of the bad storms I’m finding it really hard.
Here are the good ones from September:
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane - This was the perfect read for the start of fall reading season. The less you know going into it the better, but if you want something atmospheric and chilling this is it!
Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford - This book about volunteer missing persons searchers and investigators on the PCT was fascinating. It was sobering, but so descriptive it made me want to head out west and hike.
Micronesian Blues by Bryan Vila - The memoirs of a man working on starting the Micronesian police force in the late 70’s to early 80’s is kind of random but not terrible to read about.
You Like it Darker by Stephen King - Like with any short story collection some were better than others, but overall a really good read. I appreciate that King’s characters seem to be aging right along with him. It‘s nice to read about people 40-60 being haunted.
Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew - A decent read about an immigrant family in Canada. In order to learn the truth about her mother the main character travels to Brunei and Malaysia.
The Daughters of Block Island by Christa Carmen - This started slowly, but picked up in part 2. It was a great ode to creepy gothic novels with the extra spooky setting of a mansion in Block Island, RI during the off season.
Thanks for reading!
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very faint northern lights
I am up late tonight waiting for my son to come back from his homecoming dance. Seems like just yesterday he was a freshman and now he’s a junior. Yikes. I also spent a long time today cleaning my pantry and making making soup and bread for the week. I will sleep good tonight!
Have a great week everyone!
“I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by far, than I learned anything useful from, except, of course, that some very tedious gentlemen have written books.”
Soup
Kindle- See Something by Carol J. Perry - This month’s work book club book. It’s a quick read.
Audio- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson - I started this today while I was doing my kitchen work, and it was perfect!
Paper- Best American Mystery Stories 2018 ed. by Louis Penny - Still working on this one!
how i feel waiting for this kid to get home
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sunset
I am behind in everything this week, but figured I was better late than never on this post.
My thoughts are with everyone who was in the path of Hurricane Helene. I worked at the Biltmore Estate the summer I turned 21, and have visited the area most years since then. My heart breaks for the residents of the impacted areas. I understand the immediate needs for shelter and supplies, but I think soon I will be donating to the Friends of Pack Library.
Have a great week everyone!
“We talk and talk and cancel out each other’s ideas until it all comes down to what it was before: that we do not agree.”
yard work is pretty this time of year
Kindle- The Witch Elm by Tana French - This one didn’t get the best reviews, but I’m loving it. It’s a family drama told from the point of view of an unreliable but privileged narrator. The characters are all sorts of messed up.
Audio- Lost Man’s Lane by Scott Carson - The premise of this book reminded me of Stranger Things When I heard about it. (Mysterious disappearances, supernatural, set in Indiana.) It’s one of my most anticipated books in October.It was a bonus that it was available on Everand!
Paper- Best American Mystery Stories 2018 ed. by Louis Penny - I love these anthologies this time of year when all I want to do is read, but my schedule is also so packed. They’re great to bring along on errands and to tournaments.
neglected gardens=volunteer pumpkins and mushrooms
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cozy cat time
It’s Saturday night and I am attempting to stay up for the premier of the 50th season of Saturday Night Live. The odds aren’t good, but we’ll see.
We’re all feeling better and it’s already time to start figuring out winter sports. But first it’s the best reading month of the year- October! I just love to curl up with spooky stories or atmospheric mysteries this time of year.
Have a great week everyone!
“You know she would make a splendid Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
cat after the sun came out today
Kindle- Vanished by Wil Hylton - I just started this book tonight and so far I’m fascinated. It’s about finding wreckage from WWII in Palau.
Audio- Pacific by Simon Winchester - This one’s interesting too. It’s all about the nations surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
Paper- Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent - Still working on this one! I should finish before the end of the weekend. I’m enjoying it and am glad there’s a couple more in the series.
reading by the fire
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There are definite signs of fall on my walks now. I love the change of seasons. It makes walks so much more interesting. There are a few Halloween decorations out now, but they should be out in full force starting next weekend.
I’ve been listening to You Like It Darker by Stephen King. Very atmospheric for my dark fall walks!
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reading with a cat
This week passed by in a haze of ginger ale and vicks vap-o-rub. Me and both kids were sick with various maladies. We’re all on the mend now, but this weekend has been busy catching up with what we missed when we slept last week. I knew when the kids went back to school this was bound to happen.
Have a great week everyone!
“With rifles twirling and hands slapping stocks in unison, it was a picture to warm and drill instructor’s heart, if drill instructors had hearts.”
My Nancy drew collection
Kindle- The Daughters of Block Island by Christa Carmen - This has been living on my kindle for a while. I decided to pick it up this week because I need a book set in Rhode Island for my challenges. It’s a great ode to gothic novels from the past, and perfect reading for this time of year.
Audio- You Like It Darker by Stephen King - I am loving these short stories so far.
Paper- Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent - Never got to this last week. I’ll start tomorrow.
full moon
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We’re down and out with back to school ick, but before that I was getting some walks in. I’m feeling a little better today and am hoping to get at least a half mile in. It’s always something!
I am looking forward to getting back to my audio book, Vanished by Joseph Finder. There are a lot of books named Vaisnhed. This is not the one I meant to download, but I am enjoying it just the same!
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a tuxedo cat peers over the top of a nancy drew book- this cat ignored me all day until this moment
I’m waiting for the Solstice on the 22nd to fully declare it full on Spooky Season, but I’m starting to let my Halloween stuff creep into my every day life. Yesterday my daughter and I went thrifting and we bought a few things for the upcoming weeks. Maybe also I am safe to start buying some candy to keep and give out to trick or treaters, but only the things we don’t really like. The good stuff will be bought as late as possible.
My September reading is going well. I’ve been enjoying all of my Reading Around The World books. I am also finally watching through The Gilmore Girls (official last woman on Earth to do so I think.)
Have a great week everyone!
“Why is everything banana colored?”
thrifted glass pumpkin
Kindle- Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane - Taking a break from my reading challenges for a bit because the change in weather made me in the mood for some Lehane.
Audio- You Again? by Nick Spalding - I picked this only because I knew it was set in the Maldives, but it’s actually been a lot of fun. It’s kind of romanceish, and full of shenanigans. I found it on Everand, but it’s also included on Kindle Unlimited at the moment.
Paper- Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent - I’m about to start this mystery set in the Solomon Islands tonight, and really looking forward to it.
Cat naps
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August was a slowish reading month for me. I’m not sure why other than getting used to a new school schedule with the kids and working more than normal. Actually now that I say that out loud it totally makes sense. Never mind.
Anyway, here is the best of what I did manage to read.
Walking to Samarkand and Winds of The Steppe by Bernard Ollivier - I really enjoyed the last two books in the trilogy of Olliver’s epic walk of the Silk Road. It made me sad though that this is probably a trip I could never take as a woman. (I read the first book, Out of Istanbul, back in July.) At the time of this writing these were all included in my audible membership although I listened to them on Everand.
Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky - I’ve been reading this series for about 30 years now and it’s still going strong. In this one VI is in Kansas trying to track down a missing soccer player. Chaos ensues.
Pirate Queens by Rebecca Alexandra Simon - The life of a woman pirate was something I never knew I was interested in until I read this book!This was a short book well worth the time.
My Specific Awe And Wonder by Reuben Jackson - I feel so lucky that I got this slim book of poetry from LibraryThing and the publisher. Reuben Jackson’s poems about Vermont were spectacular, and I loved that he gave a section of his book to his friend Kelly Donaldson.
Reuben passed away in February so the last part of the book is drafts and transcribed voicemails. As a non-poet it's fascinating to see his process for creating his art.
Thanks for reading!
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We can usually count on early September to be gorgeous here in the DC area. My fitbit is happy that I’ve been taking advantage and getting outside.
I’m about to start Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones on my next walk. I’ve heard good things!
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September skies
I didn’t join in last weekend because I decided to take a screen break. Three full days without looking at a laptop did my brain some good!
This weekend it’s back to normal with work and a big yard project. The weather is perfect and I’m hoping I’ll get some good audiobooks in.
Have a great week!
“Management everywhere!”
Kindle - Micronesian Blues by Brian Vila - Reading this for a challenge, but the memoir of a 1970’s police officer in Micronesia is pretty interesting.
Audiobook - Sunburn by Laura Lippman - A friend recommended Lippman this year, and I’m loving her books on audio.
Print - 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer - For a book club. This book is extremely well written, but I’m still not at a place where I want to read about Sep. 11. The memories are still too close. I’ll be glad when I’m done.
so many cat toys
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I am seeing signs of fall everywhere! I’m not usually one to celebrate the end of summer, but the heat this year has been so miserable I say bring on the pumpkin spice. I’ll be the one dressed like a Gilmore Girl taking walks in my neighborhood listening to audiobooks.
This week I’m listening to Sunburn by Laura Lippman. Her books are great on audio.
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The weather has been amazing lately, so getting my steps in has not been an issue. Also one night this week I was going to bed and saw I had exactly 11,111 steps. I don’t know why but that made me really happy. I am always amused by the little things.
I’m going to start listening to Jimmy Buffet’s A Salty Piece of Land this week. One last summer book I guess.
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August Beginning TBR: 416
August Ending TBR: 416
(This is two months in a row that my TBR count has stayed the same despite reading 10+ books.)
Books read in August as of 8/25: 10
Reading USA progress: 34/51
Reading Canada progress: 3/13
Reading The Americas progress: 24/46
Reading Africa progress: 31/53
Reading Asia progress: 35/45
Reading Oceania progress: 7/15
Reading Europe progress: 7/51
For several years now I have been working on reading a book set in each country on Earth. Also I set a yearly goal to read a book set in every US state (plus DC) and every Canadian province.
I spent the summer chasing the new releases and reading what I wanted. But now it’s back to school time and I’m getting serious about working towards my reading goals. I’m hoping that aside from finishing my Reading USA and Reading Canada challenges before the end of the year I can also finish Reading Asia and Reading Oceania. I’ve found some great titles for September so I’m really looking forward to my reading this month!
1) 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer (work book club)
2) Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater (Reading Oceania Fiji)
3) Micronesian Blues by Bryan Vila and Cynthia Morris (Reading Oceania Micronesia)
4) Pacific by Simon Winchester (Reading Oceania Tuvalu)
5) Vanished by Wil Hylton (Reading Oceania Palau)
6) Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (Reading Oceania Papua New Guinea)
7) Devil-Devil by Graeme Kent (Reading Oceania Solomon Islands)
8) A Tortise for the Queen of Tonga by Julia Whitty (Reading Oceania Tonga)
9) Mother, Nature by Jedidiah Jenkins (Reading USA state TBD)
10) The Daughters of Block Island by Crista Carmen (Reading USA Rhode Island)
11) Sunburn by Laura Lippman (Reading USA Delaware)
12) Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie (Reading USA Kentucky)
13) Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe (Reading USA South Carolina)
14) Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew (Reading Asia Brunei)
15) Central Asia by Adeeb Khalid (Reading Asia Tajikistan)
16) You Again? by Nick Spalding (Reading Asia Maldives)
17) The Meeting Point by Lucy Caldwell (Reading Asia Bahrain)
18) The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng (Food And Lit Litsy challenge Malaysia)
19) Author A Month challenge on Litsy- something by TJ Klune
20) The Hotel by Elizabeth Bowen (Chapter a day buddy read on Litsy)
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lets go freshmen!
We’re fully back to school now and sports are on every day. That means a lot of outside time for me, but also creating a schedule and sticking to it. Due to all that I’m exhausted, but in a good way. I’ve been mostly working from home this summer so we’ll see what heading back to the office does to all of this careful planning come September.
Reading wise I had been in a bit of a slump at the beginning of the month, but I can feel myself coming back now. I finished 3 books this week, and I’m hoping to do the same next week. I think I just had to give up on some of the books I wasn’t enjoying.
“Similarity of opinion is not always—I think not often—needed for fullness and perfection of love.”
Kindle - Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell - I’m reading this a chapter a day with a group on Litsy. It’s good so far! (And free on Kindle if you’re interested.)
Audiobook - Winds of the Steppe by Bernard Ollivier - This is the last of 3 books in Ollivier’s series about walking The Silk Road. They’re fascinating.
Print - An Unforgiving Place by Claire Kells - This is a fun series about law enforcement officers in the National Parks. This one takes place in Alaska.
It’s a standoff
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The good news about changing schedules is that I usually get to walk in different places. (Yes every time I have to go somewhere I am thinking is there a place for me to walk or read?)
This week I’m listening to A Requiem For A Mouse by Miranda James. I can’t believe I’ve read so much of this series. They’re good palate cleansers.
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almost full moon
I know it’s gotten boring and people say this every month, but where did this month go? I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through August. Of all the fast months this year this has been the fastest.
We’re volunteering this morning, and then we’re going to see a movie for my birthday in the afternoon. School starts tomorrow, and the first field hockey games are Tuesday and Thursday. In between all that I plan on finding as much time as I can to read on my porch in between watching the moon and listening to baseball.
“It pays to do your best work even when you think there’s no point.”
Kindle - Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky- This is the book I needed right now. I’ve been reading this series since I was in high school, and I love it. I was so excited when the e-book of the latest one came from the library, and I started it as soon as I could.
Audiobook - The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan - This was another very anticipated summer read for me, and so far it is not disappointing me.
Print - Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater - I should probably give up on this one soon, but for now it’s what I’m reading when I’m sitting in my car.
Reading in the yard
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After the heat of July feeling like one long day it’s nice to wake up to something different most days in August so far. That said I can probably stop taking pictures of the clouds now.
I’m about to start listening to The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters for a book club. This is a new to me author so it could go either way!
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July was a great reading month for me. We were away for a week, and then my kids went to Ohio for a week. All of that added up to some quality reading time.
Here are the best of the best:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - Whew, what a ride!
An excellent summer read about a brother and a sister who disappear from camp 12 years apart. I loved it- couldn’t stop reading.
My Own Country by Abraham Verghese - Verghese wrote two of my favorite works of fiction so I had to read his memoir about his time as an infectious disease specialist in Johnson City, TN during the early days of the AIDS crisis. His perspective as an immigrant was really unique, and I thought and the stories of his patients were very touching. This was another Verghese five star read for me.
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - This was a re-read for me, but it hit much differently in my 40’s than it did in my 30’s. I loved the three stories of women breaking the mold in Appalachia and how they came together at the end. I forgot how funny this book was too. Truly some laugh out loud moments.
The Suspect by Alexander Kent - I heard about this book a year or two ago and I bought it the same day, but it took to Paris Olympics to actually pull it from my TBR.
I really enjoyed this audiobook. It wasn’t just about Jewell although he certainly features, but also about the reporters and FBI who investigated.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali - I loved this book about two young women growing up in Tehran. A really good read about friendship and life under a totalitarian regime.
Thanks for reading!
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