Welp, I guess if you’re only going to get through one book in a stretch, it better be a good one 🙂
Yes, October has been a s l o w month in the reading department for me but, thankfully, every minute of listening and page turning has been worth the time carved out of a wild month.
Recently Read
What did I make my way through?
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin and it was absolutely lovely.
I’d had this book in the queue for a while but apparently yesterday was the day I was supposed to dive in because I whipped right through the whole book in record time, finishing it within 24 hours (a big deal in my world).
First Line
“Grace Bennett had always dreamed of someday living in London.”
Synopsis, from MadelineMartin.com
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.
Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
Currently Reading
Believe it or not, I’m still making my way through THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT.
One simply has to take their time with short horror stories, ya know? Especially when the world outside feels especially… unbalanced.
Favorite First Lines (since my last update)
“Sandra knows the way to the beach, but she has no clue how long it will take her to get there on foot.”
The Hope Boat by Gabino Iglesias
“She smells rotting corn and hears a breeze shushing through dead crops, and somewhere far away and old woman plucks the strings of a guitar and sings an unknown song.”
Grace by Tim Lebbon
Up Next
Shortly after signing up for theStoryGraph, I decided to participate in their Onboarding Challenge so I could learn my way around and read a few books I might not normally pick on my own. I’ve now completed all the components but one, which is reading a book from my least read genre. What’s my least read genre, you might ask?
Speculative Fiction.
Who knew?!
So, I’ve done a nifty search on theStoryGraph app and come up with a list I’d love your help with, if you’d be so kind!
- One Message Remains by Premee Mohamed
- What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
- The Merge by Grace Walker
- Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami
- Itza by Rios de la Luz
- The Necessity of Stars by E. Catherine Tobler
- The Words for Her by Thomasin Sleigh
- Trip by Amie Barrodale
- Humbaba by Christos Stavropoulos
- Family Spirit by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
- Kindred by Octavia Butler
Have you read any of the above books? Have any on your TBR? Or maybe you have a recommendation that isn’t on the list? I’m pretty much open to any book under 500 pages 🙂 TIA!
How’s your reading flow these days? Are you in a bit of a lull like me or are you whipping through your TBR in record time?
Linking up this weekend to First Line Friday with Carrie, Book Beginnings with Gilion, and the Sunday Salon with Deb. Have a look around to see what everyone else is reading these days.
Onward,
Melissa
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I’m slow, too. Making my way through the dense but very good The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison.
From your list, I am interested in What We Can Know. Have requested it from the library.
Hi Laurie! The Tomb of Dragons looks interesting! Have you read the other books in the series, too?
I am especially interested in What We Can Know as well. Glad to hear it pulled on you, too!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
This has been a slow reading month for me too! Having trouble concentrating, I guess. Of your list, I’ve only read Kindred. It was tough to get through – very violent and graphic, but that is the nature of the history of slavery that Butler is writing about. Like all of her work, it’s incredibly creative and poignant. A good read. Just brace yourself!
Thank you for this reflection on Kindred. I will definitely keep it on my TBR but might opt to not dive into it next. I could use something not so…real. Hope your week has rounded out wonderfully, Jessica! Have a great weekend ahead!
I’ve found myself reading lighter and cheerier books than normal as the outside world has grown less and less hospitable. I’ve put down one serious, thoughtful book after the other lately.
You asked about the books on your list? I have read Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami. I found it to be a story that’s filled with surprise and revelations—I also found it to be emotionally cold.
Hi Deb! I completely understand about putting down the serious books in these times. We’ve all got enough to weigh on us already.
Thank you for your reflection on Under the Eye of the Big Bird. I may read it at some point, but I will take your warning and choose another for now.
I hope you have an peaceful and enjoyable weekend!
The Last Bookshop in London has been on my list for a while, too. I’m glad that you enjoyed it! I thought it would be a good book for cozy autumn reading, but I may run out of time before I get to it.
I haven’t read any of those books. I liked Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and it seems particularly relevant in current times. I want to get to Kindred at some point.
I think The Last Bookshop in London will work just fine as an anytime read. I trust you’ll enjoy it when you get to it!
I have decided to move Kindred to another time as I’ve been warned it is quite intense. I so love both Parable books and am looking forward to Kindred in the near future when my heart and mind can handle a bit more…intensity.
First time seeing all of these books. I may search to see what they’re about.
I hope you find a good one!
I am going to add The Last Book Shop in London to my reading list. You’ve got some interesting titles in the speculative fiction category, but I’m not familiar with any of them. It may be my least read genre as well!
Hi Olivia! I really liked The Last Bookshop in London, I hope you will, too!
I often think that I should spend less time wrting and more time reading! I must say, The Last Book Shop in London sound just what I need to get me page turning again.
The two go so beautifully hand-in-hand! I do hope you pick up The Last Bookshop in London, it offers such a sweet getaway!
Love the cover for The Last Bookshop in London! Have a great weekend!
Such a lovely cover for such a gently profound book! Hope your week is off to a great start!
I had a great reading week last week, and I’m hoping to do the same this week.
I’m sorry I can’t be any help with your speculative reading options, I’m not familiar with any of them
Wishing you a wonderful week.
Thank you for putting some thought into my list! I so appreciate it even if there isn’t a solid answer yet 🙂 I do hope you have a wonderful week ahead filled with all the reading you head and heart can handle!
Great openeing sentences! Thanks for sharing them on BBOF! I’ve been reading a lot lately and hope to keep up the pace. Your lists tells me I’m behind on Ian McEwan books!
Thank you for hosting! I love how each of our posts inspires and reminds other readers 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying a lovekend!