October Reading Wrap-up
In which I discuss the books I read during October 2023
For several years I have been posting monthly reading wrap-ups on Instagram and Facebook, letting friends, family, and fellow book lovers know what I read during the previous month. As I grow my weekly newsletter and other writing on Substack, I felt it would make sense to transition this monthly update to this platform as well. These posts will be shorter than my weekly newsletters but will provide a brief synopsis of the previous month’s reading and what I am currently reading going into the next month. Let me know your thoughts on this format and if there is anything additional you would like to hear about.
What I read in October 2023…
Paradise Lost by John Milton. This Epic Poem is one of the masterpieces of the English language. It is the retelling of the fall of man and so much more. Taking place across millennia in Heaven, Hell, and Earth, God and Satan battle for the control of mankind’s destiny.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. The tale of Janie Crawford, determined to be a strong and independent woman of the 1930’s in the South. “Janie saw her life like a giant tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches.” I really enjoyed this book. The dialogue is challenging at first but adds to the experience in the end.
Ravelstein by Saul Bellow. This story of Abe Ravelstein, a well-known professor at a midwestern university, was Bellow’s last work before he died. To me it was not as good as some of his other writings.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. One of my all time favorite science-fiction books and the winner of the Hugo award. This was probably the fourth or fifth time I have read it and I always get something new out of it.
The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Book 12 in The Wheel of Time series. It has been quite a few years since I read this series and I started it last fall in preparation for season two of the Prime series being released. Remains my favorite epic fantasy series.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Sometimes I love Dickens and sometimes I hate him. This is one of my least favorite of his books despite having probably the most famous opening line. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”.
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. I really enjoyed this book and thought it should an interesting perspective. I wasn’t aware of the controversy that surrounds it until after I had finished and was reading some other reviews online. I can appreciate that there are some concerns regarding Mr. Mortenson’s ability to manage funds but I also cannot deny the impact his schools had on remote populations. I would say read and judge for yourself.
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Book two of the Ender saga. I am listening to the series on audiobook. None of them compare to the first book but they are all decent. After the first book you probably have to be a die-hard sci-fi fan to appreciate.
What I am currently reading…
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. First book I have read by this author.
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Book 13 in The Wheel of Time series.
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card. Book three in the Ender Saga.
Since I completed my 2023 reading plan early I am more or less choosing random books off my shelves to finish out the year. I do have my 2024 reading plan all prepared and am looking forward to reading all of Steinbeck’s works in chronological order. I will have periodic updates on that project throughout next year. Until next time…
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Oh no! A Tale of Two Cities might be my favourite Dickens! But then David Copperfield is one of my least favorite, so what do I know!
Wow, Matthew! You have got through some really impressive reading this month! 👏 I love your idea of a reading schedule and the way you think ahead to the next year of reading.