It’s a new month which means I’m sharing what I read in the old month. In October I managed 10 books, with half being new purchases and the other half from my to-read pile which I had hoped to reduce significantly in 2024. It is a wee bit smaller, but with two months to go, I know I won’t be getting that extra shelf back any time soon. So many books so little time! But what a lovely problem to have – too many books. Is that even a thing?
Anyway, here’s what I did manage to finish in October.
Books for Children
Hester Hitchins and the Falling Stars, by Catherine Norton (Angus & Robertson, 2024). One look at the cover of this delightful hardcover offering and I knew I had to buy it. And I wasn’t disappointed – an adventurous story of girl-power set in England in 1866 and following the adventures of Hester Hitchins as she tries to take up a place at a Nautical navigation Academy usually only open to boys.
Mouse and His Dog: A Dogtown Book, by Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West (Welbeck, 2024). I hadn’t read the previous Dogtown book, but this one sat alone pretty comfortably. Set in a dog shelter and told from the perspective of a mouse called Mouse who is determined to help the dogs who, it seems, may never find homes of their own. Really cute.
The Long Walk, by Kerry Greenwood (Hachette, 2004). This one has been in my to-read pile for quite a while after I bought it from a library discard trolley. Set during the Great Depression, and against the backdrop of the building of the Great Ocean Road, it is the story of Isa Wyatt who, left alone with her three younger siblings, sets off on a journey from Melbourne to Apollo Bay, looking for their father.
Heroes of the Secret Underground, by Susanne Gervay (Angus & Robertson, 2021). More historical fiction – this one a time slip between Sydney in the year 2000 and Budapest in 1944, during the German occupation of Hungary. As such it deals with some really challenging times, but does so in a way with which young people can connect.
Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas (UQP, 2024). It’s a Peter Carnavas book so I knew before I opened it that I would love it. About imaginary friends, real friends and being true to both.
Hey, Kid, by Rita Golden Gelman, illustrated by Carol Nicklaus (Franklin Watts, 1977). Another from my to-read pile. This caught my eye on a library discard trolley ages ago, and has lived in my to-read pile ever since – even though it is a quick read. It’s quirky – and, if Google is to be believed, a bit of a collectible, selling on Abe Books for $32 US. Maybe I should sell my copy?The King and the Sea, by Heinz Janisch & Wolf Erlbruch (Gecko Press, 2015). Another quirky offering from my to-read pile. 21 extremely short stories about a little king – some funny, some to leave you thinking. I loved it.
Books for Young Adults
The Happiness Quest, by Richard Yaxley (Scholastic, 2018). Another from my to-read pile, and glad I finally got to it. As Tillie tries to understand why she is sad, her counsellor suggests she try to find out what happiness is – leading to a lot of realisations not just about herself, but also about her family and friends.
Books for Adults
How to Not Work Forever: Start Investing and Build a Life You Love, by Natasha Etschmann & Ana Kresina (Wiley, 2024). Not my usual type of read, but that’s the point, I think. A really clear guide to the how and why of investment. Inspired me to make some changes to my finances.
A Girls’ Guide to Winning the War, Annie Lyons (Honeysett Books, 2024). I’ve spent much of this year delving into the role of women in WW2, so I couldn’t not read this novel, set in London where librarian Peggy Sparks joins the wat workforce for the Ministry of Information. A pleasing blend of history, friendship and romance.
That brings my total for the year to a respectable 100 books read. Happy with that. What have you been reading?