I seem to remember predicting that October would be a bad reading month for me – well I got that spot on. Much less read than usual – and I can’t see it improving much during November. It has been good getting back to work properly, but the pay off is utter exhaustion, and I tend to slump listlessly in front of the TV when I get home and never manage to read for as long as I want to in the evenings.
The little pile of books pictured, doesn’t quite tell the full story, as there was another book – a rare DNF that I read more than half of on my kindle – but just had to set aside, and I have now just started what will be my first book of November. Despite that DNF which was so frustrating – more of that later – the books I did manage to read were actually really good. A very on brand pile for me – a BL women writers book, a vintage, a Handheld press book and Dean Street Press and a darkly comic, quirky novel in translation.
Due to having a couple of my September reads to review during October – I have only managed to review three of my October books. I was away for a few days until Friday evening, and as I was also ill while I was away I just didn’t manage to get my blog done, despite having dutifully taken the laptop with me. What this space – reviews are coming.
I began the month reading Bear by Marian Engel (1976) for the 1976 club. A novel which has more going for it than just that one thing everyone talks about. It has a gorgeous sense of place, and I enjoyed the writing style.
Sally on the Rocks by Winifred Boggs (1915) is one of the gorgeous new publications from the British Library – their women writers series is producing an excellent list. In this novel Winifred Boggs highlights beautifully the inequalities between men and women in the early years of the twentieth century. Sally is a fabulous heroine too.
My third Margaret Kennedy novel of the year Red Sky at Morning (1927) was a good read, though a little baggy in places. Again Kennedy presents us with a complex family dynamic and excellent characterisation.
Next came my DNF – which I wasted four days on. The Healing by Gayl Jones (1998) on kindle and I really don’t know what went wrong. I began really enjoying the book, which I read slowly but happily for two days before getting really bogged down. It is written in a stream of consciousness – but I don’t think that was the problem. I just suddenly didn’t like it anymore and didn’t want to bother – but because I had begun by liking it – I battled with it half-heartedly for two more days before admitting defeat. Wasted days really. I won’t be writing about this one – although I read over half of it.
Then I picked up a review copy (which will remain nameless) which after 20 pages I decided was absolutely terrible and cast that aside too. Deep sigh!
A book I bought not too long ago and had been looking forward to There is no Story There by Inez Holden (1944) is re-issued by Handheld press was fascinating. Like the earlier Night Shift and It was Different at the Time – it presents a view of WW2 that is not often found in literature. This time a group of conscripted workers at a large rural munitions factory.
Somewhere in England by Carola Oman (1943) is the sequel to Nothing to Report that I read in September. We meet again several of the characters from that novel as well as getting to know a few new ones. The war is in full swing, and the main setting for this novel is the hospital that has been set up in the country home of Mary Morrison. A gentle, comfort read for half term was just what I needed.
Daughters by Lucy Fricke translated from German by Sinéad Crowe (2020) was passed on to me by a friend – was also a perfect half term read. The story of two women on a road trip across Europe who are both dealing with difficult fathers. Both funny and moving it’s a thoroughly compelling read. November is German lit month so I can review this one for that – look at me being all organised.
So, on to November and I am hoping to squeeze one or two more books into the month by reading some little books for Novellas in November – though I’m not sure what books I will be reading – very much going with my mood at the moment. Though I am hoping to get to my next Maya Angelou – as I am currently behind my reading buddies – due to my appalling reading month. I am also eyeing up Muriel Spark, some novellas in translation and a little Margaret Atwood for MARM. I had intended to (and still might) re-read Lady Oracle for MARM – but my reading is so fickle at the moment I am not making any promises. My book group are reading Hag-Seed – which I read a couple of years ago – so I will at least enjoy talking about that with them. What I actually manage – remains to be seen – my target is eight books – that might be more of a challenge than it sounds. I have gathered together some possible reads, but we’ll see.
So, what brilliant things did you read in October? What are your plans for November? reading challenges galore at least. German lit month, Novellas in November, Non-fiction November and Margaret Atwood Reading Month – are you joining in? I’m always delighted if I can hit two or three challenges with one book.
heavenali 
I spent last week visiting family in England (at last!) and had an hour on my own in Canterbury, do did a mad dash to Waterstones and scanned all the shelves in the British Heart Foundation shop where I bought Lady Oracle, amongst others. I probably won’t read it straight away, though. The Edible Woman has been lurking on my shelves for years. So I could take part in MARM. I’m also well-furnished with novellas, but I also have 9 books out of the library, some of which I ought to read. And I’m trying to finish year-long 1001 book and country-based challenges, so I’m hoping to double up with some of the novellas, especially the 1001 books. Really, panic sets in by November when I realise I’m going to have to focus to reach any of my targets. Eek!
Ooh that 1001 books sounds challenging. I don’t expect to finish my goodreads challenge again this year, but never mind. I do love Margaret Atwood so I hope to read something.
I was aiming to read 20 this year. Current total, seven. Something tells me I will not be hitting that target!
Never mind, it’s a great challenge, to read all 1001 no matter how long it takes.
I will have to be reincarnated to read them all. Or 47.4 for the next 17 years, if I reach the age of 75. Luckily I just see it as a recommendation list. If I were just to read the ones I already have and pass them on, I would free up two full shelves.
I am sorry to hear October was the disappointing reading month you predicted. I have also been suffering with fatigue and finding myself slumped in front of the television instead of reading. However I did manage to up my reading a little from September, with two cosy crime capers that I sped through.
Take care and I hope November will be a better reading month for you. 🙂
I think the change in the weather and darker evenings doesn’t help either. Glad you managed two cosy crime books, sound just right. Hope your November reading is good too.
Thank you, Ali 😊
I’m planning on Hag-Seed for MARM this year. I’m looking forward to it.
I hope you enjoy your November reading Ali, even if it’s not as much as you hoped. Fingers crossed for no more DNFs, although I definitely think it’s the way to go when a book just isn’t working for you.
Hag-Seed is fantastic, I really hope you enjoy it. I really should have set that book aside a day or two earlier than I did. Oh well, on wards and upwards.
I remember enjoying Daughters last year. Very funny but dark in places. I hope November will be a little easier for you.
Daughters was great. I hope November reading will be better, but we’ll see.
Oh dear, so sorry you had a couple of disappointments – it’s a shame when something you expect to like turns out to be rotten. I have had a couple of meh reads recently so I’m hoping things continue to approve. Sorry you were poorly and hope you’ll be feeling well enough to get back to work. But you *have* read some interesting books and I hope your November ones turn out to be satisfying!
The disappointments were frustrating. The lurgy is still hanging around unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be getting it. Happy November reading to you.
Oh dear, the DNF, I’m planning on reading Corregidora in November, but I have the print version, so hoping it’ll go ok, and it’s a readalong which will help.
6 books is great in my estimation, so go easy on yourself! 🙂 Especially given the circumstances.
I had some excellent reads in October, the modern classic My Place by Sally Morgan which I highly recommend, Brian Moore’s The Doctor’s Wife was much better than my previous outing with him, I read two of Deborah Levy’s Living Autobiography, which both frustrated and interested me in equal measure, I loved Peirene’s new Winter Flowers by Angelique Villeneuve and started the month with the excellent, talented 15 yr old Dara McAnulty’s Diary of a Young Naturalist. An eclectic reading month!
Happy Novemeber reading Ali!
I read Corregidora a couple of years ago, the style is also challenging in places but I enjoyed it,and have remembered it quite well. Hope you enjoy it. Glad you enjoyed The Doctor’s Wife too. It sounds like you had a great reading month.
I share your frustration about the fatigue factor; it’s really maddening to be so drained after work that the only thing you can manage is watching television. Despite all that, along with a time-wasting DNF, it looks like your October reading included some really good things (I have a copy of Sally On The Rocks, which I’m looking forward to reading).
Despite a great of purely escapist fare in October (which I thoroughly enjoyed BTW), I also read a few more substantial things. I went through Strout’s Oh, William very quickly; despite a few quibbles I thought it fully deserves its great reviews. On my third attempt, no less, I finally made it through Arnold Bennett’s The Old Wives Tale (for a Challenge read), to my surprise I loved it, perhaps because these days any century other than our own is looking better & better. Finally, my Halloween read was Jenni Fagan’s Luckenbooth, a brilliant and perplexing novel that I’m trying to work up the energy to review.
As for challenges, despite the intense temptation I’m going to resist. I’ve read scads of books this year and have reviewed nada; I hope to write at least a few things before 2021 flees away.
Ooh good hope you love Sally on the Rocks as much as I did. Escapist fare sounds perfect to me. I read something by Arnold Bennett many moons ago, but can’t remember the title.
Really interested to read your post on the Holden, once it’s up. I thought it was even better than Night Shift, which I liked a lot. She had such great observational skills, a product of her journalistic work I guess.
I do hope November is a better month for you. Ali – less exhausting / stressful on the work front.
Yes, the Holden was very good. I need to try and review it this week, but not sure I’ll manage it. What with being ill/back at work tomorrow.
The disappointments are truly frustrating when you’re struggling to find energy and time – hope you don’t run into any more in November and that you feel more yourself. I’ve got Gayl Jones’ new book, Palmares, on the TBR and am quite curious about it. And I look forward to hearing what you think about Daughters.
I can’t help but resent those days wasted on that DNF. Palmares does sound good but I may steer clear for now.
Understandable…
I sympathise with your feeling of frustration at the wasted time spent on books that don’t come up to scratch. I’m more inclined these days to give up after a few pages rather than battle on to the half way
Yes, I think I only battled on because I had been enjoying the book to start with,and thought I could get back on track with it. I should have moved on sooner.
I’m sorry about the difficult reading month, not helped by two DNFs (I tend to get them in batches and am never sure if it’s me or the books!). I am looking forward to reading Sally on the Rocks, having read “The Love Child” and got my review written and scheduled, and I am keen to get to the two Carole Omans, which are on the back shelf of the TBR at the moment.
I’m doing AusReading Month, Nonfiction November and Novellas in November – handily, both the Aus and the Novellas overlap largely with the Nonfiction!
I’m reading a lovely book at the moment, so off to a good start at least. I think you will enjoy the two Carola Omans.
October is a dud reading month for me normally but this year I am breaking the curse. The trick, not letting any time lapse between books. Finish one, start another, right away.
Well done for breaking the curse. I definitely start one book as soon as I have finished another (Well, there’s sometimes a night’s sleep in between).
I know what you mean about being too tired to recognize the more propitious stopping place with a book that’s not matching your reading mood (especially when you had been enjoying it, so you know its likely just timing/energy/focus). Another time then. Maybe you’ll remember enough to let it hover until you feel drawn back to it (if you do). October was a surprisingly busy reading month for me, not surprising that there were many options, but surprising that I mostly gave up watching things and chose to read instead, at almost every juncture. Of course, as you know, I’ve more tempting distractions lately…
Well I don’t know if I will get back to that book but you never know. I think tiredness is my biggest challenge at the moment. So easily distracted by TV too.