I was not a very prolific blogger in October but I was a versatile reader. Everything from family sagas to cyberpunk to short stories to gothic to historical to biography. Short quick reads to lengthy tomes. I read nine books and have not reviewed one of them yet here, though I have several reviews written and they may come at you fast enough to divert you while the votes get counted.
Stats: 9 books read. 8 fiction. 6 written by women. 1 thriller. 1 mystery. 1 short story collection. 1 historical novel. 1 biography.
Countries visited: United States, Austria, Vietnam, Japan.
Authors New To Me: Shirley Grau, Asha Lemmie, JD Zahniser, Jean Kyoung Frazier
Favorites: The Sympathizer, Bellefleur.
Have you read any of these? What were your favorite reads in October?
i'm really curious about the Gibson; i read his first book and altho i can't say i was crazy about it, it has stuck with me more than a lot of other books. Mary Stewart wrote a great trilogy about King Arthur; i read that in my teener years... "Airs" is about Viennese horses?
ReplyDeleteI read the first book a few months ago and was impressed. I liked Count Zero even more. I am working my way to Mary Stewart's King Arthur trilogy. Yes, Airs is about Viennese horses. Review coming soon.
DeleteAnother excellent reading month. I added Bellefleur to my list after reading your review. On to November...
ReplyDeleteBellefleur was a monster of a book. Another triumph by JCO.
DeleteMary Stewart is an author I need to try. I'm curious about The Keeper of the House - off to check it out. I love how I always come across new titles when I visit your blog.
ReplyDeleteMary Stewart's books are an excellent combination of mystery and romance. They always give me a wonderful respite from heavier reading and I love her heroines. The Keeper of the House was an impressive surprise for me. Glad you like finding new titles!
DeleteVersatility is great! I forgot, which one was cyberpunk? Do you think I would enjoy that?
ReplyDeleteI hope November brings you another great batch of unexpected books
Count Zero is the cyberpunk. I think you would enjoy it for sure, but start with Neuromancer.
DeleteThere's also a diverse range of cover designs/styles!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love book cover art!
DeleteDefinitely diverse reads this month, love it!
ReplyDeleteHey, yeah, watch us diversify!
DeleteWe ARE pretty good at that ;)
DeleteQuite a mix ... I look forward to your reviews. I have read The Sympathizer and it appears it held up for you a second time. The section on the movie The Hamlet I recall being quite a satirical takedown. Enjoy your Nov. books.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that was a set piece for all time. I watched Apocalypse Now (for the first time if you can believe it) before rereading The Sympathizer. That gave the section even more relevance this time.
DeleteHow did you find Gibson? He was a HUGE influence on me in my 20's when I started reading him. Oddly I picked up his first book because the blurb described him as a Sci-Fi Raymond Chandler (who I love) and immediately fell in love with Gibson's writing style - but them I'm a sucker for anything 'Noir'.
ReplyDeleteI think Gibson is all that. Right up there with Neal Stephenson! Have you read his latest?
DeleteI *think* I've read 7 of his and have at least 1 or 2 in 'The Pile'[TM] but haven't picked up his latest yet. I LOVED his Cyberpunk stuff but his present day/very near future stuff is equally as good. He has a very unique 'voice' which I really appreciate.
DeleteSuch a great list again, so many different kind of reads.
ReplyDeleteI've read xxx.
The Keepers of the House sounds like a good read for me. Looking forward to your review.
The Keepers of the House won the Pulitzer Prize in 1965. I thought it was great! Review coming soon.
DeleteThat's nice to hear. Have a good day.
DeleteHaven't read any of the books in your post, but have The Sympathizer in my 'tbr'.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. I hope you get to read it soon!
DeleteYou have a lot of good looking books here, I’m curious about Pizza Girl and Fifty Words for Rain, I’ll have a look!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good month. Both of the ones you mention are debut novels.
DeleteThis is an impressive list of books. All look interesting. I did read Count Zero a long time ago. As I reread Neuromancer recently, maybe I will reread this.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how these books held up for you on rereading.
DeleteAn interesting list of reads. I read The Sympathizer in 2015 and found it quite fascinating. I'm glad to see you liked it, too.
ReplyDeleteYes, it held up and in fact was even better than the first time for me. Nice to have you back!
DeleteYou read ore than I did! I fear I'll be reading even less in November with my new job!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you had a new job! Did I miss something?
DeleteFor once, I have read one of these, Judy! A couple of years ago, I read and thoroughly enjoyed Airs Above Ground by Mary Stewart, and she is now an author I am always looking out to read more by, so I hope you enjoyed it too. As for my reading in October, I only read two books, but they were two great reads. Take care and happy reading in November. 👋📚🙂
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Mary Stewart and Airs Above the Ground was extra special. Happy reading to you and thanks for your visit and comment, as always.
DeleteWhat did you think of Fifty Words for Rain? I'm looking forward to reading it. I also want to read The Sympathizer - lots of high praise!
ReplyDeleteI initially had mixed feelings about Fifty Words but it lingered so in my mind and I think that says a lot. No reservations at all about The Sympathizer.
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