Happy Halloween to those who celebrate! I enjoy spooky season and have managed to read a few books this month that fit with the theme. Although we have, thus far, avoided turning the central heating on (aren’t outside temperatures high for late October?), thermal base layers and woolly jumpers have become a wardrobe staple. The duvets I keep on the sofas proved their worth when I settled down to read during the short lived cold snap. There is something particularly restorative about wrapping up and then curling up with a good book and a warming beverage.
Last month I wrote about the road trip husband and I took to visit friends and family in Ireland. As promised you may read my teddy bear’s account of this adventure in Edward Explores Belfast.
This month we took a shorter trip away, spending a mostly sunny weekend in beautiful North Devon. This inspired several posts:
- visiting Walter Henry’s Bookshop in Bideford for Independent Bookshop Day;
- my review of the hotel we stayed in, Northcote Manor Country House Hotel and Spa;
- Edward’s account of this latest adventure, Edward Explores North Devon.
At home I have taken to baking bread weekly – such a comforting food and a treat as we no longer buy loaves. We have also been harvesting the apples grown at the bottom of our garden. Many crumbles and cakes have been enjoyed by us and the neighbours I share this bounty with.
Parkruns have been attended at home and away, although husband has a damaged hamstring so was mostly volunteering rather than running. The second field used by our local course has returned to its winter mud due to heavy rain – timings have become less important than staying upright for the duration. Of course, Parkrun welcomes walkers as well as runners, something they have been promoting throughout October. I decided to join this initiative on Saturday just past, enabling me to view the event from a new perspective. I didn’t feel the same sense of accomplishment on finishing that a run provides but it was still good to be amongst the welcoming community.
Despite the somewhat eclectic subjects I write about, this does remain primarily a book blog. I posted reviews for 7 books in October. Robyn added her review for the epic story that is Babel.
As is customary in my monthly roundups, click on the title below to read the review and on the cover to learn more about the book.
Fiction
Don’t Look At Me by Charles Holdefer, published by Sagging Meniscus
The Bone Flower by Charles Lambert, published by Gallic
Short Stories and Poetry
Spooky Ambiguous, published by Crumps Barn Studio
Eastmouth and Other Stories by Alison Moore, published by Salt
The Bygones by Jim Gibson, published by Tangerine Press
Non Fiction
brother. do. you. love. me. by Manni Coe and Reuben Coe, published by Little Toller
My Mind To Me A Kingdom Is by Paul Stanbridge, published by Galley Beggar
Robyn Reviews
Babel by R.F. Kuang, published by HarperVoyager
Sourcing the Books
Robyn added these fine titles to her extensive collection of special editions.
My book post provided me with some enticing reading to look forward to – a couple of these I picked up straight away.
As ever I wish to thank all the publishers who send me their books to review – the arrival of a book parcel remains a cheering event in my day.
My thanks also to those who share my words across their social media platforms – your continuing support is always appreciated.
And to everyone reading this, I wish you and yours good health and the ability to pause and enjoy all that is still beautiful in our world and lives. May we strive, at all times, to be kind xx
neverimitate 