October 2018 Reading Round Up
Posted 2nd November 2018
Category: Round-Ups Genres: N/A
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I didn’t do badly in October. Looking at this list has made me realise how long the month was, and in a good way; whilst the last week of October was very cold – in relative terms – the majority was sunny and warm and I think the number of summery days, with the change following, afforded the effect of more time. This month was also about library usage – I’ve reviewed books I’ve borrowed from the library in recent times but this time it made up almost half of my reading, and I gave the books back with the idea in mind to purchase at least one of them at some point. (It’s likely the Whitehead will be on my ‘best of’ list, and I think not having my own copy when there’s a big chance I’ll want to re-read it or think on it further would be difficult.)
All books are works of fiction.
The Books
Colm Tóibín: Brooklyn – A young Irish girl is sent by her family to a growing America in the hope she’ll find a better life there. Lacks a real plot and characterisation.
Colson Whitehead: The Underground Railroad – Two slaves run away from the plantation and board an underground train to a less southerly state where life is likely better. Fantastic.
Eloisa James: A Duke Of Her Own – Villiers needs a mother for his six illegitimate children and thinks to choose between enticing Eleanor and ‘mad’ Lisette; if Eleanor has anything to do with it it’ll be she he chooses. The best of the entire series – awesome characterisation and often very funny.
Eloisa James: This Duchess Of Mine – Jemma knows it’s high time she and Elijah had an heir to the dukedom, and both husband and wife secretly hope love will blossom. Not as good as the rest of the series.
Jenny Colgan: Christmas At Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop – Despite decreasing sales at her shop, Rosie is looking forward to Christmas in a snowy village and spending it with her reluctant-to-be-a-Lord boyfriend, but her family want to come over from Australia and there’s a problem ahead for the community to deal with. Pretty fun and festive.
No contest, the Whitehead won it this month. A Duke Of Her Own was a very close second, and certainly if I hadn’t read The Underground Railroad at the 11th hour, it would have won, but Whitehead’s commentary and ending was just something else. The Colgan was a lot of fun to read.
Quotation Report
This is another occasion wherein paraphrasing the quotation just won’t work. Here it is in full, from The Underground Railroad:
Yet when his classmates put their blades to a colored cadaver, they did more for the cause of colored advancement than the most high-minded abolitionist. In death the negro became a human being. Only then was he the white man’s equal.
Finally the end of my busy period is in sight, even if it’ll soon be replaced by Christmas planning. I’m looking forward to reading (I believe the vernacular is ‘well, duh!’), evenings on the sofa listening to Eva Cassidy, and looking for gifts.
How was your October, and how is the weather where you are?
November 3, 2018, 12:25 am
Wow, you had an amazing October! I wasn’t in love with some of the other Whitehead books I read, but The Underground Railroad was absolutely terrific.
The weather where I am is just sort of beginning to be not terrible. Maybe. We had a nice day today. I am keeping fingers crossed that we are finished with days of highs above 80.
November 9, 2018, 8:22 pm
Charlie, my October was really busy too! Looks like you did some really comforting reading during your busy month though.
November 12, 2018, 4:37 pm
As always, an interesting round-up. Of last month’s books it is Christmas At Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop that really appeals to me.
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November 2, 2018, 6:29 pm
You did very well, indeed! Happy November!