I have had a good reading month, completing about fifteen books. Unfortunately I haven’t had much time for review writing and so am a bit behind. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up over the next few weeks, but the good news is that I’ve read a few real gems.
Book of the Month
Books Reviewed in September
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern 
The Last Hundred Days – Patrick McGuinness 
Half Blood Blues – Esi Edugyan
Titus Awakes – Maeve Gilmore and Mervyn Peake 
What else have I been doing?
My eldest son returned to school at the beginning of the month so I spent most of September entertaining my youngest son. I discovered that looking after one child is far harder than two and so I’ve been volunteering to look after other children, just so they entertain each other. We had a lot of fun swimming, walking in the woods and sampling all the local playgrounds, but then last week he went to school for the first time.
So far he has just been doing half days, but he is loving it. On Monday he goes full-time, so I’m looking forward to getting a lot of extra free-time.
I was also lucky enough to be invited to attend Vintage Books’ 21st Birthday Party in central London. It was a lovely evening and I saw lots of famous authors (who I was too scared to talk too!). I did get to meet a few of the publishers and I had a very nice chat with Kim from Reading Matters.
Plans for October
I’ll be joining in Amy’s Nigerian Independence Day Reading Project by posting a review of Things Fall Apart.
I’m gathering together as many German books as I can for Lizzy and Caroline’s German Literature Month.
I also plan to read a few of the following books:
The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Sound of Gravity by Joe Simpson
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
35 replies on “September Summary and Plans for October”
Oh my gosh, your son’s uniform looks a bit like Harry Potter and it is adorable. I can’t wait to read The Marriage Plot in October, and I enjoyed what I have read of Galore so far. Have a great reading month!
Laura, I hadn’t noticed the Harry Potter link, but have just looked at images and the colour is very similar. The school uniform will look even more like Harry Potter’s as they progress up the school and move onto shitrts & ties. 🙂
Hah! I was thinking Harry Potter as well 🙂
I didn’t realise Eugenides had another novel – I loved both, The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex, so that should be worth reading. Look forward to your thoughts on that. I’m trying to think of my German lit endeavours, and I’m embarrassed to say, I’m coming up with a blank.
Happy October. Surely, a scary book or two is in order, as a tribute to All Hallow’s Eve?
anothercookiecrumbles, For the German lit month I have ordered a copy of Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr from the library as it was the best crime fiction I could find. I then have a few more of the classics on my shelf at home already. So will see if I can get to some Thomas Mann or Gunter Grass too. I hope you manage to find something.
I also agree about reading a scary book. I’m hoping that Villian by Yoshida will fill that role, but I may add another one or two if it doesn’t.
A good reading month!
Your boys look very smart in their uniform off for their next adventure!
Jo, Yes they do look smart, but I’m sure it won’t be long before they scuff up their uniforms!
Wow, both kids at school now, that is quite a change! I can tell you that you might think you’ll have more free time but it fills up very quickly with all kinds of things. 🙂
Have a good month!
Judith, I’m glad to hear that the time quickly fills up. I do worry that I might get a bit bored, but am looking forward to finding a new challenge to fill my days.
I’ve been home for 2 years now after quitting an unsatifying job, and I’ve been bored about 2 afternoons in that whole time. But then, I find it easy to keep myself entertained. 🙂
Judith, I hope I manage to acheive the same as you, but I suspect I’m not as good at entertaining myself 🙁
Oh look at your boys!! So cute in their uniforms! Love it. And I know what you mean about it being easier to look after two kids than one. YOU have to the be playmate when there is only one. That is my dilemma all the time. I’m always trying to get other kids to come over.
And I plan on reading The Human Bobby at some point, as well as The Marriage Plot.
Jenners, I’m quite good at being the playmate for short bursts, but I can only take playing with cars for so long. It’s far better to get them to play with each other and also helps the other parent – I love win:win situations 🙂
[…] Farm Lane Books – Jackie Introduction […]
I’m going to do German Lit Month as well. For my crime novel, I’m going to choose Perfume by Patrick Suskind or The Pledge by Durrenmatt. I do plan on reading Effi Briest and the Boll book as well. Others might include a Herta Mueller work, Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada, and maybe a short story or two.
Looking forward to it!
Michelle, Sounds like a great list! I want to read Every Man Dies Alone too – I’ll have to see if I can find a copy in the library.
School uniforms kill me! I always wanted to wear one as a kid.
I think you’re the first person I’ve found that had a good reading month in September. I know my numbers were fairly low and I’m anticipating even smaller numbers this month.
Girl with a Pearl Earring is very good so I hope you enjoy it. I loved Eugenides’ Middlesex so I’ll be interested in hear your thoughts on The Marriage Plot. I hadn’t heard about German Lit Month so thanks for pointing it out. I’m off to check it out now.
Christina, I think school uniforms are a great thing and am very glad that I wore them too.
I hope I enjoy Pearl Earring as much as you did. I’ve got a copy of the film and so hope to watch that straight after. I’m looking forward to comparing the two.
You had a great reading month and have what looks like a great list for October, can’t wait to see what you think of Galore. I really do have to read The Wasp Factory:)
gavin, Galore sounds wonderful. I hope I enjoy it as much as everyone else seems to.
Such gorgeous reads set up for October!
🙂
I need to look back on your reviews from last month. My youngest started school full-time last month and it is heaven! I hope you enjoy your free time. Have a great week.
Vasilly, I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying your child-free time. I hope I do too. 🙂
An excellent month! The boys look so cute all ready for school… I was thinking Harry Potter, too. My book club read Girl with a Pear Earring several years ago – a popular choice. The Marriage Plot is on my wish list.
JoAnn, I feel like I’m one of the only people who hasn’t read/watched Pearl Earring. I’m looking forward to changing that.
Your boys look so cute Jackie! I’m another one with my youngest full-time at school for the first time – though I’ve had to wait until year 1. As long as I’ve got books to read I’ll never be bored though I do feel guilty reading when I should be doing housework!
Thanks for your tip-off for the Germany reading month. Germany is a very special country for me so I’m looking forward to getting involved. I have Perfume on my bookshelf and The Sorrows of Young Werther on my Kindle.
Liz, I think I’d feel too guilty to read during the day. Perhaps I’ll get over that soon 🙂
I hope you find many more great books during German reading month – I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with 🙂
I ve been away from blog for a lot of time last month spending time with my family the kids look great ,great plans for next month ,all the best stu
Stu, Don’t worry – I think I’ve been just as busy. Hopefully I’ll have more time for the blog now 🙂
Good reading ahead! Hope you enjoy your alone time.
Beth, I’m loving the free time I’ve had so far, but I haven’t had much. It will be interesting to see if I still enjoy it after a few weeks.
Your two boys are so adorable! Thanks for reminding me that Eugenides has another book because I have two of them and I haven’t read any! Thanks for the review on Wasp Factory. When I see Iain Bank I know what title to pick now!
Jo, I have a feeling you’ll love Eugenides. I look forward to seeing what you make of him 🙂
I’m eagerly awaiting The Marriage Plot too. I pre-ordered it for my Kindle and love when new releases download automatically. I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on Girl with a Pearl Earring. I read it years ago and really liked it. I still enjoy Chevalier immensely, but I wonder what you will think!
Carrie, Chevalier has been on my wishlist for a very long time. I look forward to finally sampling her work – I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll enjoy it.