Looking forward to Reagan. Trying to decide between that and Dutch(Morris)?
For my Best of October-
I’ve probably mentioned this too many times before, but during my “schooling” education, I was never much of a reader. Therefore, I’ve regularly tried to add the ‘Classics’ to my TBR. This months read was To Kill a Mockingbird and it was terrific! Probably going to finish the year in top five- as a bonus my wife and I enjoyed watching the movie with Gregory Peck after reading.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites! Do yourself a favor though and don't touch its sequel, Go Set a Watchman. I don't know anyone who was happy to have read that one, unfortunately...
Instead of Go Set a Watchman, read Furious Hours about the true crime story that Harper Lee was working on at the end of her life. It also sets the context for GSaW, which isn’t a sequel, but a first concept set aside. After reading Furious Hours, I was able to appreciate it — though it’s still not as good.
Two books topped my list for October. North Woods by Daniel Mason about a plot of land in New England and its inhabitants over the centuries. For non-fiction, Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating book about how our impressions about people are often wrong.
I read two banned/challenged books. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. I’m still thinking about both of them. I also read The Hero of This Book: A Novel by Elizabeth McCracken. It’s a memoir/novel of McCracken’s mother who was born into a Jewish family in Des Moines, Iowa. Really interesting
Table for Two by Amor Towles. I borrowed it from a friend and will be on a lookout for a used copy to buy. This book definitely goes on my reread list, it was delightful. For non-fiction it was The Message by Ta-nehisi Coates. He is a wonderful and honest writer. I find myself stopping to absorb his words and ponder them often.
My October reading was witch-themed and my favorite was 'Lolly Willowes' by Sylvia Townsend Warner. Written in 1926, it's considered an early addition to the pantheon of feminist literature.
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio was great - atmospheric, mysterious, quite unpredictable, and such a great tribute to Shakespeare! Considering I’m a mood reader, it says a lot that it only took me 4 days to finish it.
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel. As you'd expect from a crime novel, it's dark and not for everyone. (It involves a child's murder.) But I liked the gritty writing and how Engel captured the emotions of a mother hell-bent on avenging her only child's death.
I read Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot. I chose it because the title kept coming up in different places and the brief descriptions I had read fit my interests, but I will say, the book was not what I expected (I didn't realize it was a collection of essays, for example) but had some really great nuggets. I'd cautiously recommend it, to philosophy folk. (I also read The First Circle (Solzhenitshyn) and liked it enough to finish it, but wouldn't recommend it.)
Looking forward to Reagan. Trying to decide between that and Dutch(Morris)?
For my Best of October-
I’ve probably mentioned this too many times before, but during my “schooling” education, I was never much of a reader. Therefore, I’ve regularly tried to add the ‘Classics’ to my TBR. This months read was To Kill a Mockingbird and it was terrific! Probably going to finish the year in top five- as a bonus my wife and I enjoyed watching the movie with Gregory Peck after reading.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites! Do yourself a favor though and don't touch its sequel, Go Set a Watchman. I don't know anyone who was happy to have read that one, unfortunately...
I read it and didn't hate it, but I'd agree that the best route is sticking with the original.
Thanks for the feedback Lauren. I wondered about the more recent title given the gap in publishing years
Instead of Go Set a Watchman, read Furious Hours about the true crime story that Harper Lee was working on at the end of her life. It also sets the context for GSaW, which isn’t a sequel, but a first concept set aside. After reading Furious Hours, I was able to appreciate it — though it’s still not as good.
Yes! I also love Furious Hours — great great book and story.
I'd definitely go with Max Boot for your Reagan reading!
Glad you enjoyed TKAM. It's a classic for dang good reason.
Thanks! I knew you would have some good perspective. I am working my way through POTUS bios and have appreciated your hx on that topic.
Empire of Pain, specifically on audio. It was the best narrative nonfiction I've ever read.
Agreed! Easily one of my favorite reads of the last 5 years.
Mine was Kavalier and Clay!
Such. A. Good. Book.
Two books topped my list for October. North Woods by Daniel Mason about a plot of land in New England and its inhabitants over the centuries. For non-fiction, Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating book about how our impressions about people are often wrong.
Both of those are definitely on my radar. Thanks Paula!
North Woods is one of my favorite reads this past year
I read two banned/challenged books. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. I’m still thinking about both of them. I also read The Hero of This Book: A Novel by Elizabeth McCracken. It’s a memoir/novel of McCracken’s mother who was born into a Jewish family in Des Moines, Iowa. Really interesting
Those books are all on my list — glad to hear they're good.
Table for Two by Amor Towles. I borrowed it from a friend and will be on a lookout for a used copy to buy. This book definitely goes on my reread list, it was delightful. For non-fiction it was The Message by Ta-nehisi Coates. He is a wonderful and honest writer. I find myself stopping to absorb his words and ponder them often.
I've heard mixed reviews about the new Towles — glad you enjoyed it!
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett and The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz were tied for most entertaining books for October.
I just finished The Sequel a couple of days ago and really enjoyed it too!
Mine was Michael Connelly’s “The Late Show.”
I've never read Connelly.. I'll have to try him out sometime.
My October reading was witch-themed and my favorite was 'Lolly Willowes' by Sylvia Townsend Warner. Written in 1926, it's considered an early addition to the pantheon of feminist literature.
Never heard of it! I'll check it out :)
Anxious People. I told folks while reading that it felt like I was watching a painter go from a blank canvas to a complete portrait.
Backman's books are consistently wonderful.
Mine was "Human Acts" by the recent Nobel laureate Han Kang.
She's high on my list now. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the writing (better, I was in awe), bur the story she tells is devastating.
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio was great - atmospheric, mysterious, quite unpredictable, and such a great tribute to Shakespeare! Considering I’m a mood reader, it says a lot that it only took me 4 days to finish it.
Never heard of it! Thanks for the rec. :)
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel. As you'd expect from a crime novel, it's dark and not for everyone. (It involves a child's murder.) But I liked the gritty writing and how Engel captured the emotions of a mother hell-bent on avenging her only child's death.
I'm not familiar with the book or author, I'll have to check it out. Thanks Meredith!
The Spite House by Johnny Compton! A spooky haunted house story that includes family histories. Really well done.
Ooo sounds fun — I haven't heard of it.
Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
High on my list after reading "I Cheerfully Refuse" in September.
I read Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot. I chose it because the title kept coming up in different places and the brief descriptions I had read fit my interests, but I will say, the book was not what I expected (I didn't realize it was a collection of essays, for example) but had some really great nuggets. I'd cautiously recommend it, to philosophy folk. (I also read The First Circle (Solzhenitshyn) and liked it enough to finish it, but wouldn't recommend it.)
Interesting, I might check it out! I tend to enjoy philosophy, even when it's a little bit of a slog.