October 2012 Reading Round-Up
Posted 5th November 2012
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
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Well October may not have been sunny, but productivity has made up for it. I managed to write and send my university application form, even if I’m wondering whether I should have chosen one university over another, and once I worked out exactly why I was having that extended reading and writing block, I read a lot more that I thought I would be able to. I’ve had a pretty good time reading, getting through some good books, and I made a start on my Classics Club list. Though I doubt anyone has done as well this month as Alex, who had, at the time of writing, read 25 books so far in October. Here are the books I did read.
The Books
Non-Fiction
Jim Al-Khalili: Paradox – Physics for the layman. Informative and actually rather detailed, but the attitude towards the reader is rather bad.
Tom Reiss: The Black Count – A biography of Alex Dumas, father of the novelist. Very good, and with a lot of background context, though maybe a bit too much of that context.
Fiction
Debbie Dee: The Last Witch – When Emmeline is taken from her humble home to marry a prince, she never could have guessed it was because she was a witch who needed protecting. Great premise, though lacking in detail.
Laura Rae Amos: Exactly Where They’d Fall – Jodie needs a new room mate, both her friends are no longer single, but it isn’t quite straightforward. Brilliant self-published chick-lit with little to find that opposes that statement.
Richard Weihe: Sea Of Ink – A partially-illustrated semi-fictional biography of the painter Bada Shanren. Interesting; includes a unique method of description.
Quotation Report
If Jodie of Exactly Where They’d Fall tells you she hates absolutely everything, don’t believe her, because for one she likes Drew, and Berges isn’t bad either. But if Jodie’s friend Piper says she’ll make you a dress, look out, you may end up in a peculiar mix of lavender and yellow – it’s what her bridesmaids will be wearing.
Right November, I’ve a lot to do in your four weeks. Let’s get started.
November 5, 2012, 4:02 pm
Good luck on the application process :)
October was a great reading month for me…I haven’t done monthly round up posts but I really should!
Which book was your favorite for the month?
November 5, 2012, 6:01 pm
Sounds very productive! Applications are a lot of work. Best of luck!
November 5, 2012, 6:49 pm
Also must echo the well wishes on the uni app — stressful! Glad you got some reading in.
November 5, 2012, 7:15 pm
I really must get back to The Black Count! Reading The Count of Monte Cristo has really made me curious about Dumas and his father. Looks like you had a great month, despite distractions! :)
November 5, 2012, 8:10 pm
I’m glad to hear October was a good month for you. It got off to a good start for me, but the last two weeks have been so busy I haven’t had as much time for reading or blogging as I would like. I didn’t even have time to write my usual reading round-up post this month!
Good luck with the application!
November 6, 2012, 1:01 am
Woohoo The Black Count! I’m enjoying it very much but am reading it gradually rather than all at once. I do sort of get the impression that the background information has to go in to make up for the fact that there’s not as much documentation on Alex Dumas himself as there would be for a more traditionally famous biography subject. Maybe?
Literary Life: October in Review – of Books | of Books
November 6, 2012, 8:41 pm
[…] have seen quite a few blogs that I follow post monthly overviews (Judith and Charli for example) and in the case where I have missed, or want to return to, something they have […]
November 9, 2012, 1:58 pm
University! Good luck with the application process–I had a tough time choosing colleges as well and always wondered if I was making the right choice. Turns out I did and I’m sure you will as well.
November 9, 2012, 10:45 pm
Judith: Thanks :) History & English.
Jennifer (Relentless Reader): Thanks :) From what I’ve read on your blog you did have a good month, the books you choose were good ones. Good question… I think I’d have to say Exactly Where They’d Fall. It was a good book anyway, and it helped that the pitch was honest and fit the book well.
Jennifer (Books Personally): They are, and much harder than they first seem. Thank you :)
Audra: Thanks :) Getting back into reading has really helped, especially as I’m not quite done yet (possible interviews and so forth).
Heather: I must admit it took me a while to finish The Black Count, but yes, it’s very interesting. In the end it did turn out a good month.
Helen: You’ve the reverse of me, then, mine being a busy two weeks followed by a good two weeks. This new season is so crazy. Hope the busy-ness has been good. I’m later writing this post, I figured one has leeway for a round-up. You could still write one :) Thank you!
Jenny: I’d agree with you. I think what Reiss says does intimate that he’s discussed all there is to discuss. The background context is hefty, though at the same time I suppose a short book on Alex Dumas wouldn’t look too promising – in the way that a person would see the shortness and wonder if the story needed telling at all.
Trish: That’s me at the moment exactly, the choices I’ve made I’m still wondering if they were right. I hope I’ll indeed do as you did!
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November 5, 2012, 3:28 pm
Fingers crossed on the university applications. What are you planning to study? I hope it will all work out nicely for you.
Have a good month!