My reading month started off with a bang and then pretty abruptly crashed to a halt the week of Halloween. In that time, I managed to read two graphic novels and an essay collection about popular movies, but have been struggling through my current fiction read (which I’ve been working on for 13 days). Anyway, here’s a look at what I read — mostly 4-star reads and no two books alike!
As a reminder: Last Month’s Edition & How I Rate Books
4-Star Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cook by Kathleen Flinn — I’ve had this on my shelf for what feels like forever, and I honestly didn’t realize it was nonfiction until I read the first page. With a long title like that, though, it doesn’t make sense for it to be anything else. Nevertheless, it was a quick read with lots of useful tips about cooking and a recipe (or two) in each chapter. It’s aimed at beginners, but I still came away learning a lot.
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong — We read this essay collection for my office’s book club, and as one person said when we met, it wasn’t a book I enjoyed reading, but it’s one I’m glad I read. A book about and by people with all sorts of disabilities — visible and invisible, it wasn’t an easy read. It took me a while to get through because I couldn’t read it in huge chunks. But it was very eye-opening and made for an excellent book club discussion. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I put it down, and I hope it continues to change the way I see those around me and react to those that are different from me.
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman — I adored this new addition what is becoming a Practical Magic series. It was everything I wanted and more. I’m not sure I liked it more than Rules of Magic, which I also loved, but it’s close. I could read about the Owens women forever, if Hoffman can keep writing them.
Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley — I’m a huge Lucy Knisley fan, and when I saw that this recently came out, I immediately requested it from the library. I related to SO much of this — I kept shoving it over towards my husband for him to look at, and I was snapping lots of pictures to share with my fellow moms. It’s quick and funny and really accurately captures new parenthood. I will note that there are a lot of mentions of nursing, so if you’re at all sensitive to that topic, it might be something you consider skipping.
Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West — Liberty Hardy quoted full passages from this movie review collection in her recommendation on the All the Books podcast, and since it made me laugh out loud like a total weirdo while walking my dog around the neighborhood, I knew I needed to read it. West reviewed some of my favorite movies, and some I’ve never seen (I ultimately skipped those essays). The gold is obviously in knowing exactly which scenes she’s referring to as she describes them. Even though she eviscerates many beloved films, she does so (mostly) lovingly. It was a funny and diverting quick read that made me miss going to the movies.
3-Star Reads ⭐⭐⭐
An Age of License by Lucy Knisley — Not my favorite graphic memoir by Lucy, but it’s also the one I related to the least. I probably would’ve loved this hot off my study abroad trip. Still, her storytelling and drawings were lovely.
Currently Reading ????
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow — I have been slogging through this novel, and I maybe should’ve DNF’d it… but I kept going and now that I’m over halfway, I feel like I might as well just finish. (I read both Lucy Knisley memoirs and Shit Actually since starting this one.) It has just started picking up in the last 10% or so, and I’m hoping that keeps up. Has anyone read this one? What did you think?
What was the best book you read last month? What are you reading right now? I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved lately! Please share in the comments, and if you’re interested, the linkup information is below:
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I'm glad to read a good review of the new Lindy West book. I've been on the fence about it but it seems like a good one to read at the end of the year when (if) I take some time off.
You're not the first person I've heard struggle with the Alix Harrow book. I hope it is good by the end though!! Graphic novels are always a good choice when I'm struggling to get through other books.
I need to get my hands on Magic Lessons
I LOVE Lucy Knisley. I have Go To Sleep and need to read that one soon.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I can't wait to read the new Alice Hoffman! I"m reading Alix Harrow's Ten Thousand Doors of January, and it is quite literary, which sort of slows me down to appreciate the words, if that makes sense? Thanks for sharing and enjoy your month!
That definitely makes sense. I can see Harrow's writing being that way. I have finished now, and while it wasn't my favorite, I did think it really picked up about halfway in so I got more interested in the story.
Ok, just read It’s Not All Downhill from Here. By Terry McMillan
It’s a great book, happy,sad, some of life’s every day issues, but at times it was LOL kinda stuff.
2nd one which saw recommended on this site was The Switch by Beth O’Leary,.another good one,
Lots of characters, about being young & being old or should say older. How we or they related to each other on many different levels, could not put it down!