September & October Reads 2022
Autumn already! We’ve lost an hour of daylight – surely that means another hour of evening reading? Here are the books I’ve been reading in September and October
Want some more book suggestions? Here are my recommendations from my July & August Reads 2022 , May & June Reads 2022 and Spring Reads 2022
Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus
Starting off with a 5* book, I loved this witty debut by Bonnie Garmus. Set in 1960s America, Elizabeth Zott finds a promising career as a chemist blocked by sexism, discrimination, theft of her work and sexual assault. A devastating tragedy leaves her a single mother to a daughter and a highly intelligent dog called Six-Thirty. Her life and career take an unexpected turn when she finds herself presenting an afternoon cooking show on telly. Elizabeth is uncompromising, unconventional and naive, yet somehow she becomes an unlikely role model.
This is a book that definitely lives up to the hype. Despite her flaws Elizabeth is immensely likeable and Garmus has created characters that you really care about. A satisfying conclusion, and a pleasure to read.
Sorrow & Bliss – Meg Mason
This was another one of those books that was everywhere in the summer of 2021. But sadly, I didn’t quite get the hype. There’s no doubt that this is a excellent portrayal of mental illness, but I was frustrated that Martha’s diagnosis was almost fictional, given that it was never named. This would have been a good opportunity to explore a recognised illness in depth, rather than shroud it in mystery. Martha is difficult to like; as the narrator we recognise that she can be unreliable and unsympathetic. Sadly, more sorrow than bliss for me.
A Ladder To The Sky – John Boyne
“A Ladder To The Sky” seems to start with a series of short stories, all with a literary slant, but it soon becomes clear that there is a common thread between them. Maurice Swift is an aspiring author, and he will do anything to become famous. He attaches himself to successful writers, stealing stories and ruining lives as he goes. We see Maurice through a number of different perspectives, including a chilling section written by Maurice’s wife Edith. A captivating read, I’m yet to find a John Boyne book that I don’t love.
Call of the Penguins – Hazel Prior
You can’t fail to love Veronica McCreedy. After first meeting her in “Away With The Penguins“, the eccentric octogenarian penguin-lover is back from her Antarctica expedition, leaving behind her grandson Patrick and her favourite penguin Pip on Locke Island. But opportunity soon arises for her to become a tv star, in the company of dapper documentary maker Sir Robert Saddlebow and nine-year-old chaperone Daisy.
It’s a teensy bit heavy-handed with its environmental messages but full of wit and warmth, it’s lovely to be reunited with this unlikely heroine.
Harlem Shuffle – Colston Whitehead
I can’t resist an airport book purchase, even when the Kindle is fully loaded with new reads. After enjoying Nickel Boys earlier this year I was looking forward to another Whitehead novel, sadly this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The story starts off strong with furniture store owner Ray Carnegie agreeing to fence some goods from an armed robbery. He gets sucked deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, whilst trying to maintain a persona as a business owner and family man. Unfortunately the narrative becomes a little disjointed as Ray veers from scam to scam, and new characters are introduced.
Carrie Soto is Back – Taylor Jenkins Reid
TJR continues her streak of highly enjoyable character-driven novels with Carrie Soto is Back. You could be forgiven for thinking that this is a sequel, judging by the title, but although Carrie does briefly appear in “Malibu Rising“, this is a standalone story. We are taken through a season of tennis Grand Slams, a season in which retired player Carrie stages a comeback to prevent pretender to her crown Nicki Chan beating her championship wins record. Carrie is arrogant, single-minded and highly flawed, and yet we still root for her, through every heart-pounding match. While tennis tales dominate, there is so much more to this book, including a touching relationship with her father/coach Javier.
A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas
House of The Dragon. The Sandman. The Rings of Power. Our current TV watchlist is full of fantasy, so I decided to continue the theme and begin the popular A Court of Thorn and Roses series. It’s the story of a 19 year old mortal girl, Feyre, who is whisked to the home of the Fae after accidentally killing one of their kind disguised as a wolf. There’s a lot of world-building in the first part of the book, and lots of characters introduced.
It’s a re-telling of the old Beauty and the Beast story, so naturally there is a curse, an evil fairy and a cross-species love story. Even within a fantasy novel, sometimes you have to suspend your belief. Feyre seems to accept her new situation very quickly, possibly because her “punishment” seems to be living in a fine house, with grand dinners and even her own studio to perfect her art. I might read the second in the series but I’m not completely sold on the SJ Maas love just yet.
The Four Winds – Kristen Hannah
In Depression-era America, devastating droughts and dust storms are threatening the livelihoods of farmers and their families. Elsa Martinelli takes the tough decision to leave Texas and the dustbowl behind, to travel west with her two children, Loreda and Ant. At the heart of the story is a mother’s love, and her courage, resolve and determination. Elsa and Loreda have a complicated relationship that echoes Elsa’s own experiences with her cruel birth mother and then the blossoming bond between Elsa and her mother in law Rose. Kristen Hannah is at her best writing sweeping and evocative historical fiction (see also “The Great Alone”), and her eye-opening descriptions transport me to this bleak landscape.
The Financial Lives of the Poets – Jess Walters
Not a book of poetry, or a book about finance, but a refreshing and light-hearted read about the middle-aged protagonists midlife crisis. Matt Prior is juggling an unfaithful wife, two curious young sons and caring for a father with dementia. Plus the bank is going to repossess his house in less than a week. Is it any wonder that a little recreational weed-smoking turns into a budding career as a drug dealer? It’s a book about bad choices, about near-financial ruin, about a failing marriage, yet still manages to be a funny and charming read. Walter is a talented writer, although this didn’t match “Beautiful Ruins” with it’s dreamy Italian setting for me.
Currently Reading
Three Sisters – Heather Morris
Yours Cheerfully – A J Pearce
The Shift – Sam Baker
My favourite book of September and October 2022 was definitely Lessons in Chemistry, closely followed by Carrie Soto is Back and Four Winds. No DNFs, but I did struggle with Sorrow and Bliss. What books have been on your September & October Reading pile? And what books are you putting on your 2022 Christmas list?
I’ve read 47 books so far in 2022! You can keep up with my reading lists by connecting with me on Goodreads
