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Share with us what you read in Sept. 2014

Please provide:

~ A GoodRead link
~ A few sentences telling us how you felt about the book.
~ How would you rate the book

Here are my September reads. I read three non fiction books that I enjoyed very much.


Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Non fiction
Rate: 3/5
Compelling exploration of the history of positive thinking. The author takes us back in history to the start of this movement. Then to her own negative experience with it when she was diagnosed with cancer. She then goes on to explore how this is now used in business, religion and medicine. Sometimes, Ehrenreich posits, much to our great detriment.

1959: The Year Everything Changed--Fred Kaplan
non fiction
Rate 4/5
Fasinating look at what the author says was the pivotal year that blasted us into the turbulent 60s. He explores music, medicine, literature, art, and the space program.


The Man He Became: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency by James Tobin

nonfiction
Rate 4/5
Audio book
Reader- Charles Constant.
Very interesting in-depth look at FDR through the lens of his polio. The reader of the audio was very good, too.

My list includes July, August, and September. I had assumed that I would spend my time recovering from knee replacement surgery, reading one book after another. Instead, I could barely concentrate and/or stay awake long enough to read at all. I'm doing better now - with my knee and with my reading!


The Other Typist - Suzanne Rindell. Two women become friends when they work as typists in the same New York police department in the 1920's. Or do they? This is kind of a crazy story with twists and turns and a narrator who may or may not be unreliable.

A Land More Kind Than Home - Wiley Cash. Strange things happen in a small storefront church in North Carolina where the front windows are covered with newspaper so no one can see in. There was a little more violence in this book than I usually like to read about but overall it was still a good read.

Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri. I don't enjoy short stories except, apparently, when they're written by Jhumpa Lahiri. I love her writing and the stories she tells. And I didn't even mind that I had to wait until the second to the last page to understand the picture on the cover of the book. Highly recommended.

Margot - Jillian Cantor. The premise of this book is that Anne Frank's older sister Margot survived the concentration camps and is living in Philadelphia. The story was interesting but the writing was a little bit over the top. One character - Margot's love interest - was described as having "grey green eyes" about 30 times. And "chestnut curls." No joke. Every time I saw those words I laughed out loud. But I did enjoy the book.

Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng. The story of a mixed race family whose teenage daughter, the light of everyone's life, dies. (Not a spoiler, it's in the first sentence of the book.) The family members are forced to deal with how their varying expectations of her affected how she lived her life.

If I Can't Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children - Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris. The true story of the Utah woman who disappeared at the time when her husband claimed he had taken his two young sons on a late night camping trip in the snow. Even though there was much evidence against him, he was never arrested and because he was allowed to remain free, he was able to murder his two sons and himself, leaving too many unanswered questions. This was by no means a great book but I read it in one day.

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? - Roz Chast. I'm a huge fan of Roz Chast and also an adult daughter who had to deal with the decline and the deaths of my own parents. She tells her story about her parents with humor and sadness in the same illustrated format that she uses in her other work. I loved this book. By the way, I read the actual book but in some of the reviews I read, people said it didn't come across very well in a digital format. So stick with the book.

Orange Is the New Black - Piper Kerman. Kerman's first person story of the year she spent in a federal prison on a drug charge, and the events that lead up to the incarceration. I enjoyed the Netflix series and I enjoyed this book too. She attempted to put her year behind bars to some kind of good use and it seems that she did.

Sorry to hear your knee surgery has been difficult, Connie. I know the rehab can be quite a chore.

Thanks for posting your books read. I always enjoy reading your list.

I've put the Jhumpa Lahiri book on my TBR list.

I had a pretty decent reading month for September. Several highly-rated books, including two that came very, very close to my rarely-ever-handed-out 5-star rating. (The last time I gave out 5 stars was in 2012. I have very exacting standards for that top rating.)

Best books I read this month:
1. An Untamed State by Roxane Gay: This is about a woman who is kidnapped for ransom in her native Haiti, her captivity over 13 days as her wealthy father refuses to bow to the kidnappers while her husband frantically tries to figure out how to get her released -- and her struggle to come to terms with the ordeal in its aftermath. This book is terrifying, and brilliant, and brutal, and not for the faint-hearted. But all I can say is, "Wow."

2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: This is about a young man and a young woman from Nigeria who each face difficult choices and challenges in the countries to which they emigrate: one to America and the other to England. And it's about Nigeria, too. This book delves into race and the immigrant experience in a way that takes your breath away. The paperback edition is nearly 600 pages, and I raced through it in a week. It was that good.


4-star reads:
3. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner: This is Stegner's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about retired historian Lyman Ward, who decides to write the story of his grandparents who were pioneers in the American west. What ends up emerging is a portrait of four generations in the life of an American family. I liked it a lot, although I enjoyed Stegner's "Crossing to Safety" just a teeny bit better.

3-star reads (books that were fun/interesting/fairly entertaining):
4. Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn
5. The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley
6. Still Life by Louise Penny
7. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
8. The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan
9. The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

2-star reads (Basic summary: Meh):
10. The Keep by Jennifer Egan
11. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson

Books I read but I can't really rate because, I mean, c'mon, it's Shakespeare and Dickens and who am I to tell THEM how to write:
12. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
13. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

What an excellent reading month, Amy. Very eclectic !

I read Angle of Repose, too. It's a quiet read. The writing is very good.

Connie, I too liked A Place More Kind than Home when I read it last year. I have Unaccustomed Earth and Margot on my to read list.

Amy, Americanah and Angle of Repose have been on my to read for some time. I have not yet read a Stegner novel yet, but I think I will really like them when I do eventually get there.

Alias Reader wrote: "What an excellent reading month, Amy. Very eclectic !"

Funny story (I thought) about one of my books this month: A few weeks ago my husband and I flew down to DC to visit our son for family weekend at his college. I was reading the Charles Manson biography, and my husband was reading The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. We really should have paid attention to what we were each carrying, because the woman sitting next to us on the plane actually made a comment to ask us why we were reading those particular books. I think she thought she was sitting next to a pair of psychopaths!

Lesley wrote: "Amy, Americanah and Angle of Repose have been on my to read for some time. I have not yet read a Stegner novel yet, but I think I will really like them when I do eventually get there...."

I would definitely recommend "Americanah"-- it is so good. And "Angle of Repose" is very well written, but as I said, Stegner's Crossing to Safety is my favorite of his. Also a quiet read, but he draws you into the story and you don't want it to end. With "Angle of Repose," I was getting a little tired of the characters by the end.

Amy wrote: Funny story (I thought) about one of my books this month: A few weeks ago my husband and I flew down to DC to visit our son for family weekend at his college. I was reading the Charles Manson biography, and my husband was reading The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. We really should have paid attention to what we were each carrying, because the woman sitting next to us on the plane actually made a comment to ask us why we were reading those particular books. I think she thought she was sitting next to a pair of psychopaths!
.."

lol

My neighbor and friend also recently read the Manson book and also Helter Skelter.

These are my September reads . . .

The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony
Non Fiction
Rate: 5
Senior Group Read -- I wasn't sure about this book, but then I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into all the drama, relationships with tribes and elephants, and accepting these new angered elephants which Larry reached out. There are also many touching, sweet times (like a surprise wedding) and things between man and his elephant.
Check this out--

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Fiction
Rate: 4
In a series of vignettes, Elizabeth Gaskell portrays a small-town life governed by old-fashioned habits and dominated by friendships between females in rural life. Yet it is tragic in its depiction of Matty's bankruptcy; the violent death of Captain Brown; and the unwitting cruelty of Peter Jenkyns. This book can be viewed as quite silly sometimes (regarding a cow dressed in flannel attire); as well as bigger issues such as the industrial revolution (swept through England in the 1840’s) encroaching upon their Shangri-La, where they attempt to do everything in their power to stop its arrival.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Non Fiction
Rate: 5
I loved the writing, the characters, and their lives in London. As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked and completed it in 30 hours. I read it through the night, and when I reached the end, I couldn't stop crying. A book I will never forget.

Sanditon: Jane Austen's Unfinished Masterpiece Completed by Jane Austen
Fiction
Rate: 3.5
Jane Austen never completed Sanditon because she died shortly after. My opinion regarding the second part of the book lacked what the first half had.

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
Fiction
Rate: 4.5
Many may find the subject of Gothic architecture long and, for some, boring. But I truly loved it. It was written during a terrible time, the July 1830 Revolution, where poor people had absolutely no chance. Only those with "titles" lived a somewhat decent life. A major change was coming to Paris. It was to be rebuilt by Baron von Haussmann and Napoleon III. Such tragic deaths, it was a heart-breaking time. In the end, Quasimodo must watch everything he loves, including Notre Dame, his step brother Jehan, and Esmerelda, who was hung. Even in death, Quasimodo is unable to be with her.

Writer's for Children: Critical Studies of the Major Authors Since the Seventeenth Century by Jane M Bingham
Fiction
Rate: 5
Review-A wonderful collection of every book written for children since the 17th century. HUGE book, but also included the author's biography.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Fiction
Rate: 5
Review- Quirky characters (aspergers?) like Don who is working on The Wife Project, consists of a 16 page questionnaire that hopefuls can answer and be promptly eliminated. But Rosie is totally different. The ending is not whatI thought it would be.

Neverhome by Laird Hunt
Fiction
Rate: 5
Review- An interesting battle story from the perspective of a farmer's faithful wife, Ash, who disguises herself as a Union soldier. Ash, her woman's perspective, has a surprising ending. The narrative is focused on what happens to the Union soldiers who are fighting the physical battle, terrible conditions with brutal physical abuse. Later, Ash takes the long walk and returns home, only to discover that she alone, is individually fighting the battle of her own life.

Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Aida D. Donald 304
Non Fiction
Rate: 5
Review-Excellent biography! I am so grateful to have read this biography -- I just love Teddy Roosevelt! He was truly an amazing individual. As a child "Teedie" admired his strong, protective father, and he strove to emulate him as an alpha male. "Teedie" developed into a son who always wanted to please his father. He set high expectations for himself and never wavered in his pursuit of praise from his father. His father was pious Presbyterian (he joined his wife's faith) whose purpose was to help the poor, serve God by helping your fellow neighbors. His father established charities such as Children's Aid Society, New York Orthopediatric Dispensery, Roosevelt Hospital, Bellevue Training School for Nurses, YMCA, Refuge for Orphans, as well as cultural support such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art. His father didn't fight in the civil war, instead he found someone to fight for him because his wife's brothers were in the Confederate service, and he didn't want to hurt his wife's siblings.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
Non Fiction
Rate: 5
Review- Interesting lives, originally the biography was meant to be about Jeannette Walls mother's childhood growing up on a cattle ranch in Arizona, but her mom insisted that the truly interesting life was about Lily Casey Smith. She was a spirited woman, a passionate teacher and a talker who explained in great detail what had happened to her, why it had happened, what she done about it, and what she learned about it. Well done!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Fiction?
Rate: 4.5
Review- Set in 1970 is an eye-opening account of a country's (Afghanistan) political turmoil, is the friendship between two young boys: Amir, the wealthy boy; and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. The boys are very close, they share stories, and also spend one special day running kites, where Amir wins. Unfortunately, a sexual abuse has been forced upon Hassan; all while Amir just stands on the side line watching. Amir doesn't even try to help his best friend. From this unspeakable event, everything changes their relationship forever, and changes the ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Amir and his dad move to America and Amir is forced to live with his disloyalty and cowardly actions.

Excellent reading month, Carol !

It's nice that your mom's senior book group often leads you to new and interesting books. I see The Elephant Whisperer is a Amazon 5 star book.

You read a lot of books this month that I also read and enjoyed a lot. Me Before You, The Kite Runner, Lion in the White House, & The Rosie Project. I loved them all.

The only one I read that I liked less than you was Half Broke Horses. For some reason I doubted the veracity of some of the story. Still it was interesting but I was put off by my doubts.

I don't know how you are going to top such a stellar month.

September was a very busy month. My husband and a good friend is helping to remove the old ceiling in the bathroom and put in a new one plus new walls. Last month we painted 2 bedrooms upstairs. So this month, I painted the 3rd bedroom (smallest, coldest- north side) on the second floor, only one window. I also put in a long twin bed in case we need it. So I finally have a place to read and write!! I found a great store that makes excellent bookcases and, everything made in wood. Sadly, they are going out of business. I think its only in New England-- called The Mill Store. I finally got all my 1,000+ books in the room. Now I am starting to make a card catalogue. I have almost all the books on the shelves, only a few are doubled up.

. . . . .

Starting October, my goal is to read . . .

1. John Keats by Walter Jackson Bate 712 pp. (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography -- 1963)

2. Next read The Brontës: Wild Genius on the Moors: The Story of Three Sisters 979 pp. by Juliet Barker.

3. I also picked up Reader's Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night by Matthew J. Bruccoli, and have my 1933 paperback edition of Tender Is the Night.

4. The Senior Book group read is Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult.

5. I also borrowed from the library The Man He Became: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency and . . .

6. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev translated by Constance Garnett and (my favorite) wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg! I also have Crime and Punishment with wood engraving by Eichenberg.

7. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple 330 pages.

8. I'm also adding a book entitled Bamie Theodore's Roosevelt's Remarkable Sister by Lilian Rixey, David McKay Co. 1963. First edition, mint condition, tight spine, hard cover.

I hope to read all eight books by the end of the month!

This past month, I read eight books.

The Book Thief, which I enjoyed. The story was quite dark, being told from the perspective of Death, but it definitely did provide a different side of the WWII story.
Rating: 3/5

Hush, Hush was very obviously aimed at young adults. The story was entertaining, but SO predictable. I found it similar to "Twilight", only with half-angels instead of vampires.
Rating: 2/5

Clockwork Angel, which I really enjoyed. I found it a fast read, and with a very exciting plot. I have already recommended it to my sister, and intent to finish the series as soon as I can. My only complaint was that it was very obviously geared towards younger readers.
Rating: 4/5

The Summoning was quite good as well. I have read Kelley Armstrong before, and thoroughly enjoy her writing style. "The Summoning" is also very fast-paced, and once you start reading it, you don't want to put it down.
Rating: 4/5

Fever is the second in the Chemical Garden Trilogy, and I read the first one a couple years back. It's alright, but not as gripping as "Wither", the first book. This one seemed a little more difficult to get into, and plodded along in several areas. It depicts a very interesting dystopian society though.
Rating: 2/5

Secret of the Sirens was a fluff read. I was ill, and chose this one as I thought it could be finished quickly. It was an interesting story geared towards children, and had a lot of neat mythical creatures in it.
Rating: 2/5

The Awakening is the second in the Darkest Powers series. I enjoyed this one just as much as "The Summoning".

The last book I read in September was The Phantom of the Opera. I was quite disappointed in this novel, as I love the musical, and the book is far, far different. I disliked how they made the characters all so pathetic and spoiled. The plotline trudged on, and it was a chore to finish the book for me.
Rating: 1/5

Carol, I am in awe. The volume and content of your reading is amazing. I always intend to pick up more non-fiction (memoirs, bios etc) by am so easily side-tracked.

This is what I managed in September.

On audio.

Edgar Allan Poe Collection. This was an interesting collection to listen to; morbid and macabre short stories and poems so well read by Ralph Cosham. 3 stars.

Poor Man's Orange This furthers the story of Rosie living in 1950's inner Sydney along with her extended family. Tragedies occur along with the poverty of the time and area. 3 stars.

The Zigzag Way Whilst visiting Mexico, a tourist decides to research his family history and connection with mining in the local area. Interesting history, may have been better for me in paper form. 3 stars.

I managed to read a couple of books that I have been trying to get around to for some time.

Gone Girl With all the promo of the film happening here at the moment, I am pleased I have actually read the book. I found it pretty good, but kept thinking there would be another plot twist at the end. It sure is a page turner though. Now I am wondering if the local cinema will be showing it. 3 - 4 stars.

Gone with the Wind I was surprised at the amount of historical detail in this, but then it is a Pulitzer winner. I admire Scarlett's ability to survive and thrive. She was a woman before her time. I have ordered the DVD and really looking forward to several night's viewing. 4 stars.

The Divide Set amongst the mountains of Montana, this is a story of a marriage falling apart whilst the daughter struggling to cope and becoming tragically involved in eco-terrorism. I found this to be chocked full of stereo-types. I read this for my around the USA in 50 books challenge which I am on track to finish in the next couple of months. 2 stars from me.

Carol wrote:Store. I finally got all my 1,000+ books in the room. Now I am starting to make a card catalogue.."

Congratulations! It sounds like you made a nice little library for yourself. I am sure you will get some good reading and writing time in now that you have a dedicated space.

I made a card catalog for myself, too. It's useful as I know easily know if I own a book or not and I can easily remove the card if I give the book away.

Maggie wrote: "This past month, I read six books.

Clockwork Angel, which I really enjoyed. I found it a fast read, and with a very exciting plot. I have already recommended it to my sister, and in..."

Very nice reading month, Maggie. Sorry you had a few clunkers. Thanks for sharing with the group !

Lesley wrote: "This is what I managed in September.

On audio.

Edgar Allan Poe Collection. This was an interesting collection to listen to; morbid and macabre short stories and poems so well read..."

I'll have to keep Poe in mind when looking for a good audio book. Thanks for the idea.

Lesley, you've never seen the movie version of Gone With The Wind? If so, you are in for a big treat !

Maggie wrote: "The last book I read in September was The Phantom of the Opera. I was quite disappointed in this novel, as I love the musical, and the book is far, far different..."

That was one of my favorite books but I have to admit that the film was over-the-top excellent! I loved the music, choreography, costumes, and so much more.

Lesley wrote: "Carol, I am in awe. The volume and content of your reading is amazing. I always intend to pick up more non-fiction (memoirs, bios etc) by am so easily side-tracked."

I prefer biography over all other genres. But since I've been here on this site, I have read excellent fiction which I never would have found on my own.

Lesley wrote: "Gone Girl With all the promo of the film happening here at the moment, I am pleased I have actually read the book. I found it pretty good, but kept thinking there would be another plot twist at the end..."

I picked it up the book a few days ago at the store. I think the release date is October 3rd where I live.

I always wanted to read Gone with the Wind, so I will put that on my TBR - thanks! :>

I always love seeing what others have read!

It was a slow reading month for me (but a busy work month!) - only 3 books:

Animal Farm - 4.5/5 stars
Classic tale of the animals taking over the farm ... or is it Stalin taking over Russia. Both, really. I read this in school ages ago and loved it. It is really a terrific read and rather terrifying in that so much of the story has actually played out in real life - tricking the animals into working so hard to support the luxury of the leaders, shifting and losing language, and reserving the ability to read and write to the upper class. I hadn't realized before the parallel with 1984 regarding the manipulation of language to control people.

The Moonstone - 4.5/5 stars
The first detective novel was terrific. It had humor and great characterization and an interesting tale. The use of multiple narrators was a nice addition and worked well. The tropes of detective stories (quirky characters, English country setting, etc.) were established here. I really enjoyed the story.

Wuthering Heights - 4/5 stars
Yikes! I'll never complain about my family again! These dysfunctional families living in relative isolation - geographically and intentionally - love and hate in an obsessive way. The relationships are unhealthy and passionate, but to me there is something compelling there. These characters are complex, though I think a weakness of the novel is that the characters are not as fully explored as I would have liked. I wanted to know more about them as individuals, in addition to how they are as part of a couple or as part of a group. Very interesting, though.

Amy wrote: "Funny story (I thought) about one of my books this month: A few weeks ago my husband and I flew down to DC to visit our son for family weekend at his college. I was reading the Charles Manson biography, and my husband was reading The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. We really should have paid attention to what we were each carrying, because the woman sitting next to us on the plane actually made a comment to ask us why we were reading those particular books. I think she thought she was sitting next to a pair of psychopaths!"

LOL! Hmmm. I'd probably think twice about sitting near you two in a securely enclosed space from which there is no escape!

Actually, I'd probably have questions for both of you about how the books were, as I would read both!

Susan from MD wrote: "I'd probably have questions for both of you about how the books were, as I would read both! ..."

The Manson biography was good. I thought the first half of it was better as it delves into Manson's family life and upbringing. The latter half details the Manson Family and the murders, which I had already read about in "Helter Skelter," so it didn't feel like anything new. And my husband is really enjoying "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." He was telling me the other day about a scientist in the book who specifically requested a top-secret security clearance for his wife so that he could talk to her about his work because he liked bouncing ideas off her. Which made the other wives jealous because their husbands apparently didn't want to talk to them! Lol

Susan from MD wrote: "Amy wrote: "Funny story (I thought) about one of my books this month: A few weeks ago my husband and I flew down to DC to visit our son for family weekend at his college. I was reading the Charles ..."

--------------
All 4/5 ratings. Very nice month, Susan.

I read Animal Farm in 6th grade. I need to re-read it as I really have no memory now. I do own a copy.

Thanks for posting your reads.

Lesley wrote: "This is what I managed in September.

On audio.

Edgar Allan Poe Collection. This was an interesting collection to listen to; morbid and macabre short stories and poems so well read..."

Perfect time of year for some Poe!

September was a bigger than usual list for me but all mostly quick reads.

Sugar and Spice 3/5
Please don't judge me. :)

The Year Without Pants: Wordpress.com and the Future of Work 4/5
This was more the story/history of Wordpress than about the actual implications and philosophy of the work from home culture, but was still an interesting read.

The Humans 5/5
Loved this book. Brilliant and unique observations of human kind and managed to be both warm and dark at the same time and not cliched or cheesy.

Sous Chef 3/5
Really interesting take on 24 hours in the life of a sous chef. Unlike some of Anthony Bourdain's works, which can describe places you'll never want to eat in again, I have that much more appreciation for our next great meal out.

Notes from the Internet Apocalypse 2/5
From the title, it sounded like a really interesting concept - a lot of opportunity to talk about profound implications of what would happen if we truly became unplugged from the internet, instead it was one isolated guy's search for replacement porn and the random characters he meets along the way.

The Husband's Secret 2/5
Really intriguing concept and the first third of the book flew. Then at some point the story/characters seemed to get shallower and the story seemed to stagnate. The epilogue was an odd "if only" addition to the story that further trivialized the rest of the story, though if it were a "choose your own ending" type book that might have worked.

Onward to October :)

Emma wrote:
The Humans 5/5
Loved this book. Brilliant and unique observations of human kind and managed to be both warm and dark at the same time and not cliched or cheesy.
.."

Congrats on the great reading month, Emma !

The Humans sound very interesting. I've added it to my TBR list. Thanks for the new to me title.

Sorry to hear you didn't care for The Husband's Secret. I have it on my list to read.

I have "The Humans" on my bulging TBR list--haven't gotten to it yet. Glad to hear you enjoyed it--I might have to bump it up the list!

All of the books below I feel the same way about. Great stories but end too abruptly. The author could have easily extended them all. But of course that's par for the course on these types of books.


4/5


4/5


3/5


3/5


3/5


3/5


4/5


4/5


4/5

A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets by James Bowen � � �

I always start my review with a short description of the book in question. I don't think however that I will need to introduce street cat Bob and his owner James Bowen. Their story has been covered by the media in length - so one knows pretty well what to expect from this book.

At first I feared that me knowing about their story would spoil the fun of reading it. I didn't need to worry though. The story is pretty straight forward. The language and grammar used in the Dutch translation is easy and my guess is, it is aimed at a very large audience.

It certainly isn't just a book for cat lovers to enjoy, as there is a powerful message. It's not just about a guy whose life changes due to a cat. It's about taking responsibility not only for a pet but for life as well, showing that we need to grasp the opportunities that come along instead of ignoring them.

'A street cat named Bob' is eye-opening and good for the heart.

Nemesis by Agatha Christie � �
Miss Marple, one-time partner in detection Mr Rafiel, has left posthumous instructions for an investigation into a crime. She must follow the clues in a coach tour to discover the truth of his bizarre request.

At first I feared this might be a sequel to 'A Caribbean Mystery', but luckily it wasn't. 'A Caribbean Mystery' and 'Nemesis' are partnered novels which complement each other. So it started off rather slow for me. After a few chapters I got intrigued. Alas, the end was rather weak. All the usual Christie trademarks were there - so nothing really new under the sun.

Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen � � �
For eighteen years, Fran Benedetto kept her secret and stayed with Bobby, as she wanted her son Robert to have a father. In spite of everything she loved Bobby. Then one day, Fran finally made a choice and ran away with her son. Now she is starting over in a city far from home. In this place she uses a name that isn't hers, and tries to forget. For the woman who now calls herself Beth, every day is a chance to heal, to put together the pieces of her shattered self. And every day she waits for Bobby to catch up to her. Because Bobby always said he would never let her go, and being a cop, he has the means to find her and Robert...

But a month ago I read ‘A cupboard full of coats� by Yvvette Edwards, which deals with the aftermath of an abusive relationship.‘Black and blue� by Anna Quindlen however, is quite a different story, with a different focus. The focus here is on the abused who tells her story in flashbacks. And the abusive relationship here is a mean to start a whole new life. But can Fran/Beth just start all over and just erase her former life? And can she ask the same of Robert? And will Beth eventually fall in love with the new teacher of her son, Mike? And will Bobby eventually find his wife and son?

As this entails pretty much the ingredients for a chick lit, this could easily have ended up: not my bag. Nevertheless, despite the chickish elements and the rather predictable plot, I liked this book as the story has a thriller like upset. You learn more and more about Fran her marriage with Bobby when the story proceeds.

There are a few inconsistencies in the story. And everyone and everything in Fran’s new environment seems perfect, yet it shows how we care to pretend about how perfect our lives and relationships are. Or is it more a question of ‘expecting too much of life and our romances�?! As there are a few thought-provoking hooks to the story, it's even more enjoyable.

‘Black and blue� is easy to read, well-paced, and - for me- also a trip outside my reading comfort zone.

Their Heads are Green and Their Hands are Blue: Scenes from the Non-Christian World by Paul Bowles � � �
I wasn't aware that this is a collection of travel stories. It started of rather oddly but became better with every new story. I especially enjoyed the last three stories.

Embers by Sandor Marai � � � �
The setting and action in ‘Embers� is very simple and straightforward: an old man, a general, called Henrik, lives in his castle and gets a message from his friend Konrad, who has returned after forty-one years, after disappearing very suddenly. While everything is brought in order to welcome the visitor, Henrik takes us back to his youth. When Konrad arrives, Henrik confronts him with what happened the day before his disappearance and with the truth he has come to know and acknowledged. At the end when Konrad leaves - he hardly has said anything substantial - Henrik knows what he needed to know. Moreover he has lived for this moment � as he knew Konrad would one day return.

During Henrik’s monologue Marai built in enough cliff-hangers to keep the story going. Henrik’s and also Konrad’s upbringing as military men in the Austrian-Hungarian empire no longer exists at the beginning of the 1940’ies. It is part of another era that is beautifully brought back to life as Marai knew to create the right atmosphere by using the right words. Apart from knowing how to use the right words, Marai also brought across his own thought and ideas on life, and especially on friendship. The ideas are catholic inspired and the tone is contemplating almost philosphically, however this novel is basically about emotions. And although the emotions are almost extinguished after forty-one years, as is the case with the two older protagonists, they still glow as they can only be extinguished by death.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the sort of book that one cares to re-read, not so much for the story but for the way it is told.

Jenn wrote: "All of the books below I feel the same way about. Great stories but end too abruptly. The author could have easily extended them all. But of course that's par for the course on these types of books..."

I see a few are series. My guess is the author tries to leave you wanting more so you will continue the series.

Thanks for sharing your Sept reads with us !

Danielle wrote: "A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets by James Bowen � � �

Their Heads are Green and Their Hands are Blue: Scenes from the Non-Christian World by Paul Bowles � � �
I wasn't aware that this is a collection of travel stories. It started of rather oddly but became better with every new story. I especially enjoyed the last three stories.
..."

Nice reading month, Danielle. Thanks for posting your reads.

I have a friend that loves cats and is into travel books. I am going to send both titles her way. Thanks !

Read some short ones last month so I have more to post!

1. House of Secrets: A Bletchley Park Novella
Three stars. I enjoyed this one, it's very short and worth a look.

Full review:

2. Protecting Parker
Two stars. Some pacing issues. And I'm not entirely sure what the major conflict was supposed to be, the war or the ex-husband. If you think of it as a romance you'll enjoy it a lot more.

Full review:

3. Gone
Great novel, the ultimate unreliable narrator. Subtly disturbing. Highly recommended.
Four stars.

Full review:

4. The Ark
Amazing concept and great execution. Could have been longer. There's an app you can download too. Highly recommended.
Four and a half stars.

Full review:

Leatherbound_Pounds wrote: "Read some short ones last month so I have more to post! ..."

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Nice reading month ! Thank you for sharing and providing links to your reviews.

Emma wrote: "September was a bigger than usual list for me but all mostly quick reads.

Sugar and Spice 3/5
Please don't judge me. :)

[book:The Year Without Pants: Wordpress.com and the Future..."

Thanks for introducing me to The Humans Emma, I've added it to my list. It looks great.