October 2014 Chapter

Welcome to the Read.Write.Repeat. monthly wrap-up.  Every month, I give a quick overview of what books I read, the progress made on the 100 Best Novels goal, a few book-related links, and general blog news.  

October News

So, I'm partway into this month off from grad school and I can't seem to find that copious free time of which I was dreaming. There never is as much as you hope, is there? Work continues to be so busy and now there's talk of me staying on remotely a bit longer. I keep reminding myself that I'll reach a point and all of these things (work, grad school, etc.) will be done and I'll have all that time I want. Maybe that's true, and maybe we'll have bought a house by then and I'll be mired in one hundred other projects. Or, hopefully, I'll get another teaching job quickly after graduation and I won't have that much time to myself anyway. Who knows.

In spite of it all, I still managed to keep a steady reading pace this month. I'm a little slow moving right now on the 100 Best Novels list, but that's one of those things I tell myself I'll devote more time to once I don't have a job. 

Books Reviewed

1. The Death Cure - James Dashner
2. Hollow City - Ransom Riggs
3. Pilgrim's Wilderness - Tom Kizzia
4. GI Brides - Duncan Barrett & Nuala Calvi
5. Main Street - Sinclair Lewis
6. Sons and Lovers - D.H. Lawrence
7. The Iron King - Maurice Druon
8. Us - David Nicholls
9. The Martian - Andy Weir
10. Night Film - Marisha Pessl

Books Read

1. Sons and Lovers - D.H. Lawrence - 10/2
2. GI Brides - Duncan Barrett & Nuala Calvi - 10/2
3. The Iron King - Maurice Druon - 10/7
4. The Martian - Andy Weir - 10/10
5. Night Film - Marisha Pessl - 10/12
6. Saints and Sinners - Eamon Duffy
7. Us - David Nicholls - 10/19
8. Eating - Jason Epstein - 10/21
9. Gorgeous - Paul Rudnick - 10/31

Pages Read: 3,750

Favorite Book Read: Always hard to choose, especially since there were a few I couldn't put down this month. However, when it comes to longevity and long-term impact, I think David Nicholls's Us is the obvious choice. So well written and meaningful - not just a quick thrill. It's  a character driven indie film rather than a blockbuster action movie. 

100 Best Novels Progress

• 1 completed this month (Sons and Lovers)
• 33% complete

Articles

What Gilmore Girls/reading fan doesn't want to do the Rory Gilmore reading challenge at some point? I know I do. If you don't have the desire to commit to the whole thing, here are 7 to read right now.

I still haven't seen the Gone Girl movie, but here's a great article listing the differences between the book and the film adaptation.

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Despite temperatures in the low 80s here in NC this week, a cold front is coming and it looks like we're finally going to get that fall weather I've been anticipating and Ohio has been dealing with for weeks now (Have I mentioned I love living here??). We have some fun fall activities planned and our fireplace has become a familiar friend as the nights have gotten a bit cooler. It's hard to believe the holidays are coming up. Thanksgiving, my ultimate favorite holiday of all time, always offers some good reading time. Plus, we're both eager to spend some good time with our families.

As far as books go, I am still struggling through Parade's End. I'm hoping my solo drive to Ohio at Thanksgiving (Kevin is flying up a few days later) will help me knock it out via audiobook, but that sucker is a beast. I also have finally grabbed my long unread copy of The Hours off my bookshelf. I'm not terribly far in yet, but the writing is just beautiful. No wonder it won a Pulitzer. Finally, I'm still working through The Goldfinch (gosh, I'm all about monster books right now) and really enjoying it. My goal is to have it done by the end of the year so I'll be all ready for the 2015 Pulitzer announcement in spring.

What are your favorite books to read fireside?