In purely numerical terms I don’t think I have done very well during November. Only eight books read. I really don’t know why that is and I really don’t know where November has gone either. So then here is what I read.
114 The Haunted Hotel (1879) Wilkie Collins (F)
115 At Break of Day (2013) Elizabeth Speller (F)
116 The Three Miss Kings (1891) Ada Cambridge (F)
117 An Academic Question (1986) Barbara Pym (F)
118 An Interrupted Life: diaries and letters (1981) Etty Hillesum (NF)
119 The First phone call from Heaven (2013) Mitch Albom (F)
120 My Brilliant Career (1901) Miles Franklin (F)
121 Life’s Little Ironies (1894) Thomas Hardy (F)
I have picked just three of November’s reads for special mention this time: Elizabeth Speller’s At Break of Day – her recently published third novel – a wonderful novel of WW1. For those of you who may be joining in with the Great War theme read, At Break of Day would make for a brilliant choice. An Interrupted Life: the diaries and letters of Etty Hillesum, an unforgettable Persephone book – which doesn’t always make for easy reading, but Etty’s wonderful spirit comes through so strongly it is somehow never really bleak. Finally, The Three Miss Kings – read for Ausreadingmonth – a novel of Victorian society in Melbourne, thoroughly enjoyable, I am now curious to learn more about the woman behind the novel.
So then it is now December – and I am looking ahead at what I might read. December starts with me wimping out of the Middlemarch read-a-long, which I had intended to do, but realised the other day I was in absolutely the wrong frame of mind. Not entirely sure what I will be reading, though of course I have the final Pym of the yearlong centenary celebration “Civil to Strangers” and as we finish our reading of Pym it seems fitting to read Barbara in the Bodleian – a non-fiction book written by Yvonne Cocking an archivist from the Barbara Pym Society. Other than that I will be indulging in some Christmassy books which I have already talked about. Currently I am reading a wonderful bit of gothic escapism, The Somnambulist by Essie Fox.
What will you all be reading as the year draws to a close?
November was pretty dire for me too, too much going on that had the effect of sabotaging my reading – dreadful! Am hoping for some redemption in December! Would like to tackle the Vera Britten memoir, although the size of it is a little daunting.
It is daunting, but have meant to read it for years.
Yes and now it the time to read it, nothing like a community of readers to inspire to take it up. 🙂
I actually did quite well in November, 9 books, but unfortunately, the excess reading was done between the hours of midnight and 6am! Oh well, at least I read some good books. I have three wonderful library books to read during December – A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra, Eyrie by Tim Winton and Coal Creek by Alex Miller. Then it is time to hit my tbr pile – I never know what that might bring! I do have My Brilliant Career so perhaps that might move a bit closer to the top of the pile after reading your review earlier in the month…
I really do hope you enjoy My Brilliant Career.
Coincidentally I found the next two Brittains yesterday along with the new translation of War and Peace at my indie bookstore. I read Testament of Youth so many years ago that I think I have to read it again before the other two. I need to finish The Magic Mountain and the new Wally Lamb. Right now I’m thinking of what to read in the new year. Definitely The Diary of a Provincial Lady, Goldfinch and The Luminaries.
Good finds! The Luminaries will be one of my top reads of the year.
I’ve set myself the challenge of reading 30 books I think I should’ve read before turning 30 next November, and have got quite a mixture of books on the list, but want some others in addition to these. The Somnambulist sounds interesting, so I may check that one out. Thanks!
Great challenge – good luck with it.
Ooh – thanks for reminding me about the Pym book, esp as I’ve already read the novel for this month in my Pym frenzy earlier in the year. I managed to read 12 in November, however two were short guidebooks and there was probably more fiction than usual. Off to rejig the TBR now …
🙂 I really want to squeeze that one – hope I manage it.
I’ve been struggling a bit too during November – don’t know why, I’m just a bit bogged down. I have small ambitions for December – to finish Powell’s Dance of the Music of Time, and read Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing. Anything else will be a bonus!!
November has just sped by, maybe that’s why we’ve all had a funny reading month
I’ve managed to find The Three Miss Kings at my library, so I’m hoping to read that soon, but mostly I find myself re-reading as the year draws in. I would like to sneak another Pym in too though in 2013.
Really hope you enjoy The Three Miss Kings 🙂
Gothic escapism sounds just right for this time of the year!
Yes, it seemed just right somehow.
I would love a bit of escapism, but have to read Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Moor’s Last Sigh’ for a book group discussion this time next week. I’m no great lover of magical realism and have already fallen asleep once over the first few pages so this does not bode well.
Oh no! I don’t think I could cope *whispers* I didn’t really like Midnight’s Children (the only Rushdie I’ve read.
You mean you finished it ?!!!
only through sheer stubborness
It’s funny how 8 is a bad month for you. 8 books finished in a month for me would be amazing 🙂
🙂 yes I know 8 isn’t too terrible really. Just have so many books and not enough time.