October has been quite a month. I was at first very busy, preparing for the wedding and my parents’ visit. I didn’t read anything for nine days, probably the longest I’ve gone without finishing a book in the past two years. After the wedding, however, I settled in to the boredom of unemployed life, and aside from job applications, have had little to do besides read while my new husband is at work. There was also the amazing read-a-thon, which helped up my counts tremendously. So! What did I read in October?
Fantasy/Sci-fi
- Legend by David Gemmell
- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
- The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
- Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
- Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
- The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Non-fiction
- The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
- Popular Culture in Ancient Rome by Jerry Toner
- Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Historical Fiction
- Peony in Love by Lisa See
- The Queen’s Mistake by Diane Haegar
- Pendragon’s Banner by Helen Hollick
Historical Romance
- To Wed a Wicked Prince by Jane Feather
- A Marquis to Marry by Amelia Grey
YA
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
- The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
Literary Fiction/Classics
- Emma by Jane Austen
- The Blue Notebook by James Levine
- Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
That’s 21 books and I’m very pleased with that count! My reading has also changed a lot. I think I’m burned out on historical fiction. Is that horrible for someone who generally classifies herself as a historical fiction blog to say? I’m just very tired of it. I enjoyed all three of the books I read this month, but I don’t feel compelled to read the rest of what I have. Instead I’m absolutely craving speculative fiction. You can see it reflected here. I think this trend will continue into November. I do really want to read more actual history, classics, and literary fiction as well as the fantasy this month.
We’ll see how I succeed given I’m also planning on starting Nanowrimo for the first time tomorrow. I’m flat out terrified. I haven’t written a word of fiction in years but it’s what I used to do for fun every single day. I still don’t have a job, though, and while I will continue to apply heavily, even if I got an interview and offer this week it would still take some time to start working. So there is no time like the present to give it another try!
And before I forget – Happy Halloween everyone!
Some of the books mentioned in this post were sent free to me for review. Links lead only to my reviews, two of which are on another website.
I think it is quite normal to need a change some times, although personally I couldn’t break away from HF totally. Whatever you choose to read now I am sure that you will enjoy.
Good luck with Nanowrimo!
.-= Marg´s last blog ..Is there anything quite like the feeling you get… =-.
Good luck on the job hunt and on Noanowrimo. You really did have a fabulous month (including getting married!).
Take a break from your usual genre, HF will find you (or you’ll find it) again.
Fantastic totals after not finishing a book for almost the entire first third of the month! It is probably a good thing you’re doing NaNoWriMo, otherwise you’d probably finish 60 books, then you’d have so many reviews to write!
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..October 2009 Reading Wrap-Up =-.
I would be pleased with having read 21 books in a month as well! That’s awesome. I don’t think I ever will get my numbers that high. Good for you. I wish you luck in NaNo, hopefully you’ll get back into writing fiction with no problems
You read a lot of great books this month. I know what it is like to get burned out on a certain genre, so I wouldn’t worry about it.
Hope you have a great reading month in November!
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Olympics 2010 =-.
I think I must’ve picked up your historical fiction cravings; all of a sudden, I’m desperate for the stuff!
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Good luck with NaNoWriMo, and with the job hunt!
.-= Memory´s last blog ..144. Grass For His Pillow by Lian Hearn =-.
I would be happy with 21 books this month, too!
I think it’s only natural for you to be burned out on historical stuff. I can’t wait to see what you write fro Nanowrimo!
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Creepy Art =-.
Hi Meghan, just to say I can’t see your username on my buddy list for Nano, can you drop me your username so I can add you. Good luck!
.-= Jodie´s last blog ..National Novel Writing Month 2009 =-.
I’ve been burned out by historical fiction recently too. It can seem so formulaic sometimes, so I’m taking a break with the exception of a few books that really appeal to me.
I’ll be interested to read your review on The Knife of Never Letting Go. I finished that book this month too and absolutely loved it!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: October Wrap Up =-.
Hope you are enjoying your married life. I wish you the very best.
I am impressed that you could read so much despite being in the midst of honeymoon phase!
*grin*
Sunday Salon: October Wrap Up
.-= gautami tripathy´s last blog ..Crime Fiction Alphabet: Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie =-.
You definitely had a great reading month.
I know what you mean about getting burned out on specific genres! I’ve already decided that I need to get back to reading Fantasy because it is the one genre that I’ve barely touched lately and I’m really missing it.
.-= Heather J.´s last blog ..October ’09 Recap =-.