Hello and welcome to my October 2020 reading status!

During the past days I realized that I have a different strategy for sharing my reading status, compared to other bloggers (middle of the month compared to end of month). But it makes sense to me to take a reflection moment mid-month, to see what was done and what needs to be done. Do you also have this approach, or you prefer the end of the month wrap-up?

Back to reading! Since the previous reading status in September I finished 4 books – keeping up with my personal record for 2020! And what an interesting blend: non-fiction, murder mystery, and exotic settings such as Madagascar and West Africa. Cheers to many more months like that!

Currently reading

At the moment I am reading Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie (my review). It is a new collection of winter-themed mysteries, just in time for the upcoming winter season in the Northern Hemisphere ❄️ All short stories have winter as leitmotif (snowdrifts and dangerous gifts, poisoned meals and mysterious guests), and some of them feature Poirot and Miss Marple.

The book will be published on 20th of October (yes, very very soon!). This is the second advanced review copy I read and I am super happy about it!

Finished reading

First book finished was The Truants by Kate Weinberg (my review). It is a murder mystery involving a group of rule-breaker students and a teacher, reminding of “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. It is a modern whodunnit, a story about friendship and betrayal, transition (or not) to adulthood. For a great experience, try playing truant while reading the book!

I am very excited about the next book I read, as it was the first time I read an advanced review copy! Red Island House by Andrea Lee is a full immersion in the culture of Madagascar, with strong focus on the island’s cultural heritage as seen through the eyes of foreigners. The book will be published in March 2021.

Next followed a non-fiction book – The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (my review). It is a very educative book about how to transform any type of gathering into an engaging and memorable experience. Priya Parker gives lots of examples of interesting gatherings, from family dinners with a twist to global dinner parties – if you’re curious, google “Dîner en Blanc” 🙂

The last book I finished was Swing Time by Zadie Smith (my review). It is focused on the story of two young mixed-race girls / women and how their lives develop as they take different paths. I have mixed feelings about this story, as I was a bit disappointed. However, it was captivating enough to keep me reading until the last page!

Reading next

Not sure what my next read will be, but I do have at least two priorities – The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami. Atwood and Murakami are two of my favourite authors, so I will certainly read these books very soon, now that they’re actually waiting for me on the shelf ❤

How are you enjoying the transition season? For those in the Northern Hemisphere, already cuddling under the blanket with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate?☕ And for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, looking forward to summer holidays? ☀️

‘Till next time … happy reading!

Georgiana

Cover photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Published by Georgiana

14 thoughts on “What I’m reading in October 2020”

  4. Red Island House and The Art of the Gathering sound incredible I have put them onto my to be read list. Thank you 🙂

    I hate to be a bummer but I feel I owe it to you to tell you that Killing Commendatore isn’t really Murakami’s best and most interesting work, it is interesting but is far too long in my opinion. I have heard others say that same thing. I would recommend The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, South of the Border West of the Sun. Didn’t like Killing Commendatore or 1Q84 either but the rest of his (I have read so far anyway) have been out of this world incredible. Hope you have a good weekend. Take care and speak soon x

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    Reply

    1. Thanks a lot for being so open about Murakami’s books, I appreciate it a lot!

      I also heard that the new book is not top-notch, but I am curious to read a more recent book by him. And I enjoyed reading 1Q84, so there might be a chance that I do not dislike Killing Commendatore 🙂

      Until now I read 1Q84, A Wild Sheep Chase, Kafka on the Shore, and Norwegian Wood – this is the order of preference. Thanks a lot for recommending The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and South of the Border West of the Sun, I’ll add them on my list!

      Have a lovely day, take care!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. What was Wild Sheep’s Chase like and Norwegian Wood? I haven’t read these ones. I will let you make up your own mind on Killing Commendatore as by the sounds of it, it may be your cup of tea 🙂 xxx

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      2. Norwegian Wood has fewer magical realism elements, and I found the story more gloomy than the others – I did not enjoy it that much.

        A Wild Sheep Chase has more mystery and weird happenings, I liked it much more! I wrote a review about it last year, if you’re interested to find out more (no spoiler):
        readershightea.wordpress.com/2019/01/02/sheep-and-magical-realism-get-together-a-wild-sheep-chase-by-haruki-murakami/

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