Reading Log: October-November

October started particularly well, with my birthday at the start of the month becoming a day dedicated to reading the new Richard Osman - a lovely gift from Offspring #1. after that, sadly, my reading declined again and is only just starting to pick up. The other day I discovered a pile of 5-6 half-read books, which probably goes rather a long way to explaining why although I’m sure I read more than this suggests, I don’t have many finished items to list here!

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club return, this time trying to solve a murder before it happens. Along the way there are the usual ups and downs - friendship, humour, love, and grief. I was smiling right from the start, as Joyce is so very, well, Joyce. I enjoyed all the red herrings along the way - I don't ever try seriously to work out whodunnit but generally have my own list of suspects, as I'm sure the author always intends.

Every bit as enjoyable as the previous four, and a lovely way to spend a day!

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

It took me a while to get into this one, but the central characters definitely grew on me gradually. The twists and turns along the way worked well, and I’m definitely considering getting the sequel.

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak This was a book club read that I hadn’t expected to enjoy, but it’s an excellent book! Set in Cyprus this is a story of love, conflict, and loss. It tells of the secret relationship between Greek Cypriot Kostas and Turkish Cypriot Defne, and the impact of war on them and their communities. It’s beautifully written, speaks wonderfully of the world of nature as well as human affairs, and is strongly recommended.

Vi på Saltkråkan by Astrid Lindgren [audiobook]

This is one of my absolute favourite books, and is definitely a comfort read/listen. The Melkerson family hire a summerhouse on a small island in the Stockholm archipelago, and gradually become part of the community there. It's simple, and funny, and complex, and sad. Just wonderful. (And it's available in English as Seacrow Island.)

Purchases:

Lilla Stjärna by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I went to Foyles, and was super-impressed at my own restraint in only buying a single book!

The Madman’s Library by Edward Brooke-Hitching

I think it really may be just the two books in two months - I’ve not even been feeling up to going to bookshops!