October Wrap-Up / November TBR

For the first time in quite a few months, I read a bit of non-fiction. I don’t know why I’ve been so slack on that front recently, I love some real-life reading, but I have fixed the situation with two very different – although both fascinating in their own way – memoirs. Carrie Fisher’s brilliantly named The Princess Diarist takes a look at her time making Star Wars: A New Hope in 1976 and Down and Out in Paris and London describes George Orwell’s experiences living rough while in-between jobs.

My overall October list goes a little like this:

• The Lemon Tree Cafe by Cathy Bramley – read here
• The Snowman by Jo Nesbo – read here
• The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan – read here
• Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell – read here
• The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher – read here
• The Bone Keeper by Luca Veste – read here

The Keeper of Lost Things definitely stands out as a highlight of my month, I fully recommend it if you like unique, charming stories. Alongside my reviews, triggered by a conversation with a friend, I also had a little think about why people read books again, and how their perception of a book can change, depending on what point in their life they read it. It was an interesting topic to think about, and not one I’d spent time pondering before, but has really made me

I have a few books lined up for November that I’m excited about. One I’ve heard good things about for ages – The Vegetarian by Han Kang – and some I’ve been kindly sent to review – Time in my Pocket by Gina Dewink and The House by Simon Lelic. Expect reviews for these in the coming weeks!

On a side note, this month I also hit my goodreads reading challenge target (of 50) for 2017. I’m really pleased about this, as one of the reasons I set up this blog last December was to give more focus and regularity to my reading, as well as to expand and challenge myself with the types of books I choose, so it’s encouraging to look back – less than a year later – and feel I’m doing this. Let’s see what the last few months of the year bring!