Sunday 1 November 2015

Books read in October

It's been a busy week so I haven't read or posted much and I've loads to catch up on. This monthly post needs doing and also a wrap up post for R.I.P X.

But before I do that I just wanted to share a few interesting links I came across recently.

Firstly, this is an article about the yew tree by nature writer, Richard Mabey, from his new book, The Cabaret of Plants. Fascinating.

Next, a spooky story from Scotland and perfect for Halloween. (I know that was yesterday but...)

And lastly, with the run-up to Rememberance Day on the 11th., a WW2 story that I was completely unaware of. Tragic that the misguided enthusiasm of so many young girls and women could have been so badly taken advantage of.

OK, onto the books.I read five in October (one, Wildwood, I've been reading for months but finished it this month so am counting it for October.)

47. Wildwood by Roger Deakin.

48. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton.

49. The Saint Germain Chronicles by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.

50. Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

51. An Appetite for Wonder by Richard Dawkins.

A few words about this one as I haven't had time to review it. This is the first instalment of famous 'thinker' and athiest, Richard Dawkin's autobiography. The first half to two thirds of the book deal with his childhood in Africa and at public school in England when his family moved back here. This was all delghtful and interesting and I liked the way he meandered all over the place with his thoughts and opinions on all kinds of subjects. It got less interesting, in my opinion anyway, when he dwelt a little too much on the detail of his scientific research at university and later... chicks and their pecking etc. It would be of interest to other scientists I'm sure but I found myself skim reading whole sections. Still, overall I thought it was very good and will read the second volume, Brief Candle in the Dark, which is just out, at some stage.

So that was October... a fairly varied month reading-wise. Two non-fictions, which I'm very pleased about, not having read any for quite a while. My non-fiction reading is waaaay down on last year's total of 21, no way will I do that this year. I don't have a standout favourite book, all were good reads apart from The Saint Germain Chronicles which I found not 'terrible' exactly, but a bit disappointing. I'm pleased to have had a good new series recced that I enjoyed the first book of: Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton, and a new author to explore, Sylvia Townsend Warner. Makes you quite excited about reading, doesn't it?

~~~oOO~~~

6 comments:

Kay said...

Sounds like you were pleased with your month's reads, Cath. Glad you decided to sample the Lacey Flint books. I really like them. I wish more of them were available as audiobooks. I'd like to re-read them that way.

DesLily said...

well you are rolling right along! it's to bad that last book turned "no so interesting" Biographies are sometimes really good or awful.. unusual for find one both... but then leave it to my Sis to find one! lol lol

Penny O'Neill said...

Well now, Cath, I've just spent an interesting bit of time checking out your links and books.

The yew tree article was fascinating for me, as was the one about the Nazi breeding program, though, of course, in a much different way. I knew of the program, but, not from such an intimate account.

BooksPlease said...

A nice variety of books, Cath. Glad you liked the Lacey Flint book and Wildwood - definitely a book to read slowly. I've read some of Dawkins' earlier books and found the science bits interesting but prefer his books about religion/atheism. So I'll look for his autobio in the library rather than buying them. I'm looking forward to reading Lolly Willowes.

Nan said...

I wouldn't be able to read the WW 2 book. Awful, just awful. I am reading a book just now that I think you might like. It is called Stranger in the House by Julie Summers, filled with actual memories of what life was like in English families after the soldiers came home. It is wonderful. Nonfiction.

Cath said...

Kay: I was pleased, all you can ask is that you at least like most of the books you read each month.

Pat: Yep, I managed to find a biography that was both really interesting and 'really' boring. Trust me. LOL!!!

Penny: Glad you enjoyed the links. I loved that yew tree one and might buy the book it comes from.

Margaret: I was hoping there would be a fair bit about his views on religion in this but realised quite early on that the book was more about his childhood. There was some but not a lot. I have one of his books of essays which may prove more interesting in that respect. I'd also like to read The God Delusion.

Nan: Some of these books that dwell on events in the world wars are truly terrible. I'll look into Stranger in the House. I remember Foyle's War dealing with that issue in one its episodes.