Monday, 7 October 2024

September Reading


Heading off again tomorrow, so I'll get straight into it.


How to Stop Time. It took me two thirds of the book to get into it - I found him a little annoying and the name dropping really irritating but the last third once the action heats up, engaging and interesting. I think if you like his other books, then you'll enjoy it. 



This is a junk crime - def a holiday read. I liked the cultural difference. Indonesian Chinese family star. There are some very funny bits but overall, I wasn't in love with it. Entertaining enough, but not really recommending it.







Ghost Ship This is a collection of beautiful poems, very poignant at times, amusing at others. One very heartbreaking I was at a loss for words. It got me thinking a lot about memory, and how we work it, touching it like a familiar fabric for comfort, even when it hurts. Lovely imagery that sticks in my mind well after reading. The description on the back jacket got me thinking...




Travelling Light I am slowly working my way through all of her adult works as they translate into English. This collection of short stories was written in the 80's, I think, though most seem timeless except a couple, in particular, Correspondence. Some travel out of Finland, for the first time if I recall correctly. One of the things I like about short stories is it's interesting to see what hooks people. My husband had read the book before me and he talked of one story in particular that he really liked. I was genuinely surprised he liked it so much as it didn't appeal to me as much as a couple of the others. But I guess that's why we discuss books...we all bring a different insight to them. Lovely collection on travel (& how we think about it) and I enjoyed it on my travels.



Linking with #MonthlyWrapUp #AnythingGoes #WOYBS #SeniorSalonPitstop #MonthlyBookWorms #SundaySalon #SundayPost #Bookdate #StackingtheShelves



18 comments:

  1. Edi and I are sometimes equally enthusiastic (or disgusted) and sometimes (often to my surprise) have completely different opinions about a book... But a discussion about it can also be exciting 😊
    You are already traveling again?! Then I wish you continued good days. It was nice to read something from you again!
    All the best and lovely October days,
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/10/weltreise-2024-sw-usa-roadtrip-teil-2.html

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  2. An interesting and varied selection of books! I haven't read any Matt Haig, but I know a lot of people love his work, so I ought to give him a try one day.
    Popping over from Book Worms Monthly.

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  3. I have read all three of the “Aunties” books by Sutanto and find them very very light and amusing to read. So NOT serious!

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  4. My hubby doesn't read many books, but I devour them. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog, fundinmental.

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  5. I enjoyed The Midnight Library, but haven't read any more Matt Haig. I am finding if I want to finish a book lately, I need the audio version. Safe travels!

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  6. I've read all of Matt Haig's books, and I have enjoyed all of them, to varying degrees. I like the mental health component that is in all of his books. We need to hear this, I think.

    I've thought about the Aunties books, but I haven't tried them yet.

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  7. Looks like a good reading month! Like me, you read a variety of genres.

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  8. Your a much more adventurous reader than me. I have not read any of these authors but Traveling Light sounds good. I enjoy short stories. I like your take on how to use them to see what others may like. Interesting. Have a good week!

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  9. I didn't like The Midnight Library as much as I expected to. The only other Matt Haig I had read (listened to) was The Humans, which I gave 4 out of 5 stars to on LibraryThing. I forgot to record The Midnight Library, so I don't know when I listened to it, but I think it would have been a 3-star rating. The plot and the main character (narrator?) were both mildly annoying, as I recall.

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  10. I struggle with short stories as they always leave me wanting more!

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  11. Hi, Lydia - Thank you for being a regular contributor to WOYBS. And thank you for sharing your thoughts on Matt Haig's 'How to Stop Time'. I've read and loved 'The Midnight Library' and have been contemplating picking up another Haig book. Perhaps I will start with a different one!

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  12. I love when I find a new author I like so much that I grab all their books.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  13. Hi Lydia, thank for joining us for #WOYBS?. I read Matt Haig's 'How to Stop Time' and think I preferred 'The Midnight Library' from memory. I don't read poetry but perhaps I should. I always find it difficult to understand. Thanks for sharing your recommendations though and have a lovely weekend. x

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  14. Hi Lydia and loved it, but I do love a story about time travel. I haven't read any other books on your list so thanks for the recommendations.

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  15. I'm a fan of Matt Haig and enjoyed How To Stop Time - not as much as The Midnight Library though. I'm currently reading his latest. Thanks for linking up.

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  16. Hy Lydia, thanks for joining us for the linkup this month with your reviews. I enjoyed How to Stop Time recently and the Travelling Light sounds good.

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  17. Great book list...it's so amazing the number of books we can choose from.

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  18. I love Matt Haig, he is not to everyone's taste though, I've yet to read his new book it's on my ever growing TBR pile. Great selection of books though. I'm going to feature your post on my November Bookworms Monthly

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