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November Summary and Plans for December

I finished 10 books in November, which I thought was OK considering the fact that it included most of The Dark Side of Love. I managed to finish reading the Richard and Judy Winter Reads and am working my way towards completing the 2010 Orange long list – I am hoping to complete it in Orange January.

Book of the Month

Books Reviewed in November:

The Dark Side of Love – Rafik Schami  

Haweswater – Sarah Hall  

The Wilding – Maria McCann  

Star Gazing – Linda Gillard  

The Snowman – Jo Nesbo  

The Well and the Mine – Gin Phillips  

All My Friends Are Superheroes – Andrew Kaufman  

No and Me – Delphine de Vigan  

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim – David Sedaris (Audio Book) 

Sister – Rosamund Lupton  

A Place of Secrets – Rachel Hore   (DNF)

Plans for December

I’d really like to finish Lonesome Dove this month. I’m only at page 250 (out of nearly 1000) and am finding it slow going. It is OK, but it has no forward momentum and so I find that I always prefer to read something else. It has the potential to be a wonderful story, but I think I just need to make a big effort to pick it up and hope that it grabs me soon. At what stage does the action start happening?

I don’t like to read more than one chunkster at a time and so I’m afraid Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong has been neglected this month. I really hope that I can make it to the end of Lonesome Dove soon so that I can start on this one.

Other books that I hope to read in December:

The Harmony Silk Factory – Tash Aw 

Hand Me Down World – Lloyd Jones

The Lotus Eaters – Tatjana Soli

The Awakening – Kate Chopin

Finch – Jeff VanderMeer

Player One – Douglas Coupland

Born on a Blue Day – Daniel Tammet

The Way Things Look to Me – Roopa Farooki

The Spider Truces – Tom Connolly

Have you enjoyed any of these books?

I hope that you all have a wonderful December!

34 replies on “November Summary and Plans for December”

Oh Gosh! you are planning to read The Harmony Silk Factory??I have been meaning to read it sooooo… much! Knowing that our book tastes are quite similar I have been thinking of buying (or go for a book buying binge) on Dark side of love. Seeing this book popping up time and again on your blog just make me want to treat myself for a Xmas gift.

Well Done Jackie for completing 10 reads in November!! 😀

JoV, I’ve been wanting to read The Harmony Silk Factory for ages too! I really need to read it soon as I’m beginning to feel guilty every time I walk past it 🙁

I hope that you manage to get a copy of Dark Side of Love at some point. Perhaps you can give someone string hints for Christmas 🙂

I am about 120 pages into The Lotus Eaters right now, and it is sublime. I don’t know if you have ever seen the movie The Killing Fields, but I am having dejavu, in a good way. I just really really need more than five minutes at a time to actually sit and soak it in.

Sandy, That is such good news 🙂 I haven’t seen The Killing Fields – perhaps I’ll get hold of a copy if I enjoy the book? I hope the rest is just as good. I hope you find the time to appreciate it fully.

I really enjoyed The Harmony Silk Factory, but then I seem to have a weakness for books set in that period and place:) I too have Wolf Totem, but I don’t think I’ll have time to read it this year. Maybe next year!

Sakura, I’m going to try to squeeze Wolf Totem in this year, but I suspect I’ll end up finishing it in January.

I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book set in Malaysia before which is another reason why I’m really looking forward to reading The Harmony Silk Factory.

I am not a huge fan of books set amidst the action of war, but I really enjoyed The Lotus Eaters. I have heard that once you get past all of the set up, the action and investment really kicks in with Lonesome Dove. It’s one I plan to read myself.

Nicole, Thanks for letting me know. I had heard that too, but wondered where it starts to get moving. Hopefully I’ll find the Lonesome Dove action soon 🙂

Great reading list(s)! I also read (only) 10 books this month although one or two were pretty large.

Remember we said something about reading PlayerOne together? Let me know when you want to start (preferably after Dec. 10th). I just finished Generation A, need to review it soon.

Wow! A impressive list for December!

I have read Hand Me Down World – a very clever interesting book but I did find it a bit of a trial in the middle.

Will look out for your review.

I’ve read Born in A Blue Day and thought it was a very interesting read even if I hadn’t already had an interest in ASD. Daniel’s situation is very particular given that he is an Autistic Savant yet he does show how aspies can learn social skills an adapt to our so called “real” world. An inspiring book and at the other end of the scale from those dreadful misery memoirs!

Teresa, I’ve read the first few chapters of the book and am very impressed. He is in a different situation to my son, but there seems to be a lot to learn from him. I’m looking forward to finishing it.

I have two chunksters going right now, and it’s tough! I feel like I’m not getting anywhere.

I’m planning to read The Awakening soon too! I’ll look forward to your thoughts on it. Also the Roopa Farooki — I read Half Life by her and would really like to read others. Happy December!

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