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What’s On Your Bookshelf – October?

Retirement Reflections

As with last month, I had HONESTLY planned to take a reading break this month. And exactly like last month, reality did not align with my intentions.

Why try to take a reading break when I love reading, you might ask. This Loryn Brantz cartoon sums up my dilemma perfectly! Unlike previous months, all books were fiction.

Cartoon courtesy of Loryn Brantz, Buzzfeed.

Without further ado, here is what was on my bookshelf (or, more likely, my Kindle) this past month. I listed the first five in order of my preference. Having Jane Austen rated smack dab in the middle was highly unusual for me.

When reading a book, I almost always think of at least one person I think would enjoy that book. This month, I added this feature.

Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Book’s Blurb: A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow’s unlikely connection with a Giant Pacific Octopus.
MyRating: *****
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Deb V, octopus lovers and anyone who enjoys feel-good stories told from an animal’s perspective that take life’s tough challenges and make them easier to swallow.
My Review

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Title: Love Stories
Author: Trent Dalton
Book’s Blurb: Trent Dalton spent two months in 2021 pounding city pavements, speaking to Australians from all walks of life and asking them one simple and direct question: ‘Can you please tell me a love story?’ The result is a warm, wise, poignant, funny and moving book about love in all its guises.
MyRating: ****
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Hopefully, my local book club will enjoy this book. I recommended it to them, and they agreed to read it for their January selection.
My Review

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Title: Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Review from my friend, Jeri: “This novel is more than “just” a satire, however; it’s also an insightful critique of romantic love (at least as portrayed in novels ) while simultaneously containing a full-throated defence of novel reading. Austen’s caustic asides on Catherine’s rather miserable abilities at being a romantic heroine are laugh-out-loud funny.”
MyRating: ****
Who Might Enjoy this Book: My friend, Jeri (quoted above), went through a phase of reading gothic novels in high school, so this hilarious spoof is her favourite Austen novel. If you also enjoy wit, humour and anything gothic (including parodies), this book may be for you.
My Review

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Title: Cool Waters
Author: Dianne Warren
Book’s Blurb:
This wonderfully entertaining, witty, deeply felt novel brims with forgiveness as its flawed people stumble toward the future.
MyRating: ***½
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Two people I met through blogging immediately came to mind when I read this book. Bernie, who blogs at Equipoise Life and Mona, who currently doesn’t blog but should! This book would be well-suited to fans of Alice Munro and Carol Shields.
My Review

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Title: Nine Perfect Strangers
Author: Lianne Moriarty
Book’s Blurb: Could ten days at a health resort change you forever? Nine perfect strangers are about to find out.
MyRating: **½
Who Might Enjoy this Book: It is difficult for me to recommend this book as it was not my favourite. My friend Janis said she felt like the author had phoned in the manuscript, and the connection was not good. That at least made me laugh!
My Review: More here

Advanced Reader Copy:

Title: The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers
Author: Antoinette Truglio Martin
Book’s Summary: It is the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, 1911, in a crowded three-bedroom New York City Apartment. Endless chores, the heaviness of grief, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Trial squash any hope for a peaceful holiday season. The large Sicilian immigrant Taglia family continues to expand, especially with the arrival of a mysterious woman and two boys claiming to be close relatives. With little room or money and constant danger and heartbreak, can the wishes of sisters possibly come true?
MyRating: *****
Order details: Here or Here.
My Review: I was delighted to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of Antoinette Truglio Martin’s The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers (to be published November 7, 2022). I devoured the previous novels in this series, The Heart of Bakers and Artists and Dreams of Singers and Sluggers and was anxious to discover how these stories continued. I absolutely loved how the Taglia story unfolded.
Partly based on the author’s family accounts of coming to America from Sicily in the early 1900s, this series highlights the struggle, barriers and sorrow that so many immigrants endured. Targetted at middle-grade readers, these books can be enjoyed by any age group and would be wonderful shared and discussed. Although I highly recommend reading the entire series, the author has carefully structured The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers so that it also works well as a standalone. 
Congratulations to Antoinette Truglio Martin for achieving First Place in the Purple Dragonfly Book Award and receiving The Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. I am confident that more awards are to follow.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

86 thoughts on “What’s On Your Bookshelf – October?”

    1. Thanks, Barb – I’m glad that it wasn’t just me. I was sad to give Liane Moriarty that low of a rating – especially since I enjoyed the other books of hers that I have read. We will be discussing this book in our upcoming Book Club at the beginning of next month. I will be very interested in hearing what other members thought.

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  2. Pingback: When do you stop reading a book you’re not enjoying? #WOYBS – Deb's World

  3. As I lie here on the sofa with the ceiling fan on again reading your blog and wondering if I will get up to go get my book to read. Not so far. I enjoy reading your reviews and reading about the political shenanigans in BC and the UK

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    1. Hi, Ann – I love the vivid description. I fully agree that some days are meant for lounging (full stop). Thank you for your kind words on my reviews. Usually a short review is more nerve-wracking for me to write than a long blog post! 😀

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  5. Oh my gosh. I started with your first book on the list and stopped there and ordered “Remarkably Bright Creatures” for a good friend who is SO into octopus (and he’s a male over the age of 60!). Can’t wait to gift it to him. But I think I’ll want it myself, too!!

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  6. Such a great post Donna, especially given that you weren’t planning to write one!! I’m so glad you enjoyed Love Stories by Trent Dalton – the premise of it alone was enough for me to know I’d enjoy it. I’m with you on 9 Perfect Strangers, it just didn’t work for me but I’ve heard the Netflix (?) adaptation was quite good and I’ve enjoyed most of her other books too. Also love that you think of who might enjoy a book as you’re reading it – says a lot about you! xx

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    1. Hi, Debbie – Thank you for your kind words and ongoing support. I think the Nine Perfect Strangers is (or was) on Hulu. At least that’s what the cover of my book copy told me. Ironically, I believe that Hulu and Brit Box are the only streaming services that Richard doesn’t subscribe too. I am very hesitant to give him any more encouragement in this direction! 😀

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    2. Some good recommendations Donna, but I’m not keen on Lianne Moriarty so will give them one a miss. I watched the first episode on Netflix of Nine Perfect Strangers and didn’t enjoy it. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Laurie – If you and Antoinette are not currently reading each other, you should be. You are two of my two favourite Middle Grades authors (along with Darlene Foster, who you should also be reading)! Oh and I actually read three more books this past month (shhh, don’t tell) but I thought that they would make my post too long so I will include them in next month’s post. Yes, I failed my goal miserably!!

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  8. Hi Donna – another eclectic mix and interesting that your top pick was a book about a woman and an octopus (who would even think of that as the theme for a novel?!) Loved your brief, pithy reviews and I couldn’t even begin to imagine a month without reading, so I can see why you keep failing on that score 🙂

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  9. As soon as I started reading your review of Remarkably Bright Creatures I thought “now, that’s a book I should read”, only to find out you agree! Unfortunately not available on Libby so I’ll source it elsewhere. Thanks, Donna!

    Deb

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  10. Pinning several of these books to remember and run by my book club for our next read. Is The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers a children’s book. Let me look it up…ahhh, it is!! Will be checking this out. Do I need to read the other books first? Always glad for a YA or children’s book recommendation.

    I have only read one Moriarty book and was not impressed. Found it interesting that you gave Nine Strangers the lowest rating of the books you reviewed. I am not sure what all the hype is for her books.

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    1. Hi, Leslie – It is wonderful to hear from you. I hope that all is well for you. Antoinette Martin is a wonderful author for you to check out. I read the series in chronolical order, but you could also read Wishes as a standalone – no problem at all. Nine Perfect Strangers wasn’t for me, but I did enjoy What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies! 😀

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  11. I admit I used to LOVE reading and escaping into fiction when I was much younger. I am pretty sure I am interested more in non-fiction and memoirs as I take on more knowledge about what makes us (me!) humans tick. I listened to Trent narrate his book on the way to listen and see him speak about it earlier this year. We have become friends in a way, and I had to stop and start listening as it was quite an emotional experience. At the Writers Festival he made us all sing “All you need is love”…a fun way to end that session. Thank you for the link up and sharing your thoughts and books. Denyse

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    1. Hi, Denyse – It makes sense that we have different reading modes for different times in our lives. When I was a young principal with a young child I don’t think that I ever read one fiction book. I am now making up for lost time. Debbie mentioned that you had a friendship with Trent Dalton. I am totally jealous!

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  12. Hi Donna, thanks for sharing your reviews on a diverse range of books. I always love Austen but am now tempted to investigate the Trent Dalton and Remarkably bright creatures books. I was interested that you didn’t really enjoy Liane Moriaty as she seems to be everywhere at the moment.

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    1. Hi. Janine – Thank you for stopping by and commenting. In Liane’s defense, I did enjoy two of her earlier books so hopefully Strangers was just a one off. Definitely check out Love Stories and Remarkably Bright Creatures. I think that you will really enjoy them.

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  15. Not bad for wanting to take a reading break, Donna! Lovely reads, the last one would interest my SIL as her family came from Italy. I’m reading three at once, an audiobook collection, Diana Peach’s book Necromancer’s Daughter and a NF, luckily 2 on kindle. I really need to read more. Love your honest reviews!

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  16. I am the same way with taking a a reading break! LOL. Mostly I ignore all the housework but I do get out for fresh air and then settle in with my reading. I find Moriarty’s book are very hit or miss for me.

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  17. I really want to read Love Stories – friends keep talking about the stories in it. As for your cartoon, I often read after lunch on a Satruday lying in a beanbag in the sun on the deck,,,so I TOTALLY get that!

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    1. Hi, Lydia – I highly recommend Love Stories. Although I usually prefer reading over listening this book was incredible read by the author. Liatening to it on your deck, in the sunhine, would be especially brilliant!

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  18. Thanks for the recommendations! More to add to my TBR list.

    I can’t help but think that a bestselling author feels under tremendous pressure to follow up with an equally fabulous book, which isn’t always possible. Since I’ve enjoyed her other books, I think I might give Lianne Moriarty a pass for Nine Perfect Strangers. I haven’t read Apples Never Fall, have you?

    I just picked up two new books that I had on hold from the library today… fingers crossed!

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    1. Hi, Janis – I totally agree that best selling authors likely have incredible stress and pressure in producing their next book. I haven’t read Apples Never Fall but did hear from another blogger today that this book also fell far short of her hopes/expectatons. What books did you recently pick up from the library? I am currently reading Lessons in Chemistry (I am 1/4 of the way through). I will reserve judgement for now! 😀

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      2. Hi, Janis – You are the third person to mention today about recently attending an in-person author’s talk. I am soooo jealous!
        You are the second person to mention today that they did not absolutely love Lessons in Chemistry. I am relieved to hear that. I went into it only seeing/hearing the 5 star reviews. I am currently on page 120 and I am not gonna lie. I have my doubts! I look forward to hearing what you think about the current books you are reading, especially Our Missing Hearts.

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  20. Hi Donna, this is a fabulous post. I loved Love Stories and Northanger Abbey. I should revisit Northanger as it’s years since I read it. I’ve put the Wishes of Sisters and Strangers on my list. It sounds like a book that I’d love. As for taking a reading break, I understand how hard it is to do. I’ve been trying for months as I have three genealogy text books that I need to study. I must try to get them read before the end of the year, so I can get into summer reading.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I discovered that I am completely useless at taking a reading break. I honestly did try. I am totally giving up that goal for this month. I am so glad that you enjoyed Love Stories and Northanger Abbey. I am sure that you will enjoy Antoinette Martin’s writing as well. Good luck with your geneology text books!

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  21. Hi Donna, A reading break for you sounds like ‘mission impossible’ 🙂 Thank you for sharing your book reviews. I just started Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez, a new-to-me Canadian author. Her book was shortlisted for several awards and adapted to screen as a feature film and premiered at Toronto International Film Festival last year. I look forward to reading it to the end.

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  22. Pingback: 📚 What’s On Your Bookshelf – October 2022 📚 – Travels with Ali

    1. Hi, Alison – Thank you for joining us. I just popped over to your post and loved it. You gave a wonderful reminder of different books for different folks. No right or wrong. This is great to remember as we read. Now I just need to give myself permission to not finish a book once I have started. I am always sure that it will get better — even when I have solid evidence to the contrary! 😦

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  24. Hi Donna – as usual I’ve read lots of pieces of various books – nothing as a novel. A friend recommended ‘What the Water Gave Me’ ) Poems after Frida Kahlo – by Pascale Petit (a visual artist/ now poet) … it was shortlisted for the 2010 TS Eliot prize. My honorary god-daughter loves Frida Kahlo’s work … so I thought it’d be a good birthday present …

    … then she and her new fiance love Italy … so I’ve go a copy of ‘The Epic History of Italians and their Food’ … very interesting. But I’m drafting up a talk on the Foundling Hospital in London for our Georgian History group … life goes on – let alone the politics?! Always lovely to see your posts … cheers Hilary

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      1. Sorry forgot to put in the title of the Italian book ‘Delizia!’ or the author … he is English and lives in London … John Dickie – glad I send you off to look things up – inspires me .. thank you! Cheers Hilary

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  25. Pingback: Novellas in November TBR #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge #WOYBC #NovNov22 - Reading Ladies

  28. First, thank you, thank you for the wonderful review of The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers. I am so pleased you 5 star liked it!
    I agree with 9 Strangers, I couldn’t cheer for any chara ter and the twist was obvious from the beginning. Have you see the Netflix documentary, My Octopus Teacher. It sounds like the remarkable creatures would be a good companion.
    As always, so impressed with your reads. Thank you for the recommendations.

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    1. Hi, Antoinette -My only dislike about The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers was that it is the last in the series – with no more to follow. 😦
      I am surprised to find that so many of my friends also did not love Nine Perfect Strangers. Just goes to show – you never know until you ask,,,or until you share! I couldn’t find the movie version on Netflix. In Canada, I believe it is on Hulu (one of two streaming services that my husband actually does not subscribe to).
      I loved, loved, loved My Octopus Teacher. It does make a great companion to Remarkably Bright Creatures!

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  29. I haven’t read the Trent Dalton as I don’t like non-fiction but like his writing in general. And I completely agree re Nine Perfect Strangers. I HATED it. I’m actually not that much of a Lianne Moriarty fan I must admit as I didn’t like Big Little Lies that much either. (Certainly not like others seemed to!)

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    1. Hi, Deb – Thank you so much for commenting. I very much respect your opinion on books. I have other friends who don’t like non-fiction, so I totally get that. I am currently reading Lessons In Chemistry. Have you read that? I am half way through and it is seeming like a totally different book than what I expected.

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  30. Pingback: What is your reading speed? (October 2022) – Eat, Play, Live

  31. Donna,
    I suppose I prefer to be outside. Where you failed at taking a break, I failed in reading more than I intended (one novel). Nevertheless, I loved reading your reviews and the comments from you and your readers about the books you chose.
    I look forward to next month’s list. You HAVE to be a speed reader. Have a great week. Joe

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    2. Hi, Joe – I’m definitely not a speed reader. I simply spend lots of time reading. I don’t watch television and I watch very few movies, so some time comes from there. I also don’t work, so tons of time comes from there. Last week, I walked 55 kms so I do actively get outdoors but never as much as I would like. Thank you for your kind words on my reviews. For me, that’s always the hard part!

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  32. What an eclectic booklist! And so many inciteful comments. I haven’t read any of the books on your list and realize I really should broaden my reading beyond Westerns and non-fic!

    Subscribing!

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  33. Thanks as always for the book reviews, Donna. I appreciate the added feature of who might enjoy the book. I am a fan of Lianne Moriarty, but did not read Nine Perfect Strangers. Perhaps I won’t bother. I recently read her Apples Never Fall and loved it.

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    1. Hi, Christie- Thank you for reading and commenting. I believe that authors that write and publish as much as Lianne does are allowed a miss or two here or there. The pressure on them, especially following an immensely popular best seller, must be incredibly stressful!

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  35. Pingback: October Wrap-up 2022 – Snapdragon Alcove

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