September was a lousy reading month for me. I read seven books, and only enjoyed two of them. I like to keep things positive on this blog, so I will only review the books I liked here. If you are interested in what I had to say about the other books I read, you can go to my Goodreads site and read my reviews there. I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who enjoy these authors and might disagree with my assessments.
Here is my rating system:
5 Stars- amazing, incredible, highly recommend, will be thinking about this book for a long time
4 Stars- really good, thoroughly enjoyed, recommend
3 Stars- good, enjoyed it, entertaining
2- just ok, meh, maybe someone might like it, but wasn't for me
1- not good, did not enjoy, do not recommend
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. If I could give this book ten stars I would. Best book of the year for me. I have never read such a compelling study of grief. The writer's prose was spellbinding and the depth she portrayed in her characters was masterful. I can barely put into words how much I loved this book, I was so moved. The book is the story of Shakespeare's wife Agnes and the death of their son Hamnet to the plague. Shakespeare is an absent father, as he is always off in London putting on plays at his playhouse. His wife Agnes and their three children live in a town outside of London. The book is a family saga about people who actually lived 400 years ago but comes to life on every page with a power you will not forget. A masterpiece in my opinion. Winner of the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction, and well deserved. 5 stars.
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb. This book has such an interesting format. The author writes in an autobiographical memoir style, from the voice of her grandmother. It was poignant and very well done. The grandmother's voice comes through very strongly and it is obvious that she was cherished by the author. What a personality! I wish I had been able to write such a lovely tribute to my grandmothers. Grandma Bobby tells the story of her life, starting with that of her own mother, a Russian immigrant who escaped persecution by coming to America. Grandma Bobby is hilarious and there are plenty of laughs in this book, but keep your tissues handy as well. 4.5 stars.
I decided to add in this book because I think many of you would really like it, in spite of my so-so review.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. This book has been compared to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, so I was thinking it would have a similar "feel" to it. Sadly, it did not. The premise of the book was very appealing. The story takes place just after World War II in the village where Jane Austen grew up and wrote some of her novels. A disparate group of individuals in the village forms a society to preserve the cottage where Austen once lived and wrote. Unfortunately, for me, the author did not develop the personalities of the characters thoroughly enough for me to relate to them as I should have. There were many Austen references, which are fun for fans of her work. I really was rooting for this book and wanted to love it, but it just fell a bit flat for me. Barely 3 stars.
These are the titles I was less impressed with (reviews on Goodreads):
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
The Restaurant by Pamela Kelly
Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman
The Street by Ann Petry (no review of this one)
27 responses to “Books of September 2020”
interesting reviews…i am reading “the other bennet sister” about mary and her life after the others are married and settled…really starts about 150 pages in but so far so good…
interesting reviews…i am reading “the other bennet sister” about mary and her life after the others are married and settled…really starts about 150 pages in but so far so good…
interesting reviews…i am reading “the other bennet sister” about mary and her life after the others are married and settled…really starts about 150 pages in but so far so good…
Thank you for the book reviews.I have put the first two on my reading list.
Thank you for the book reviews.I have put the first two on my reading list.
Thank you for the book reviews.I have put the first two on my reading list.
I’ve added Hamnet to my Kobo wishlist. Thanks, Nicole!
I’ve added Hamnet to my Kobo wishlist. Thanks, Nicole!
I’ve added Hamnet to my Kobo wishlist. Thanks, Nicole!
Thanks for the lists. I read The Restaurant by Pamela Kelly & agree that it was so-so. There was an opportunity to develop the characters & story that just wasn’t followed through, in my opinion. Wishing you a good week ahead! Stay well!
Thanks for the lists. I read The Restaurant by Pamela Kelly & agree that it was so-so. There was an opportunity to develop the characters & story that just wasn’t followed through, in my opinion. Wishing you a good week ahead! Stay well!
Thanks for the lists. I read The Restaurant by Pamela Kelly & agree that it was so-so. There was an opportunity to develop the characters & story that just wasn’t followed through, in my opinion. Wishing you a good week ahead! Stay well!
I love your reviews. I’m always looking for suggestions and have read many of the books you’ve reviewed. So far the only thing we don’t see eye to eye on is real thrillers – too much for me! Even though I love a good mystery. Tana French’s books,for example, though well written are a little too scary. They are so real!
I love your reviews. I’m always looking for suggestions and have read many of the books you’ve reviewed. So far the only thing we don’t see eye to eye on is real thrillers – too much for me! Even though I love a good mystery. Tana French’s books,for example, though well written are a little too scary. They are so real!
I love your reviews. I’m always looking for suggestions and have read many of the books you’ve reviewed. So far the only thing we don’t see eye to eye on is real thrillers – too much for me! Even though I love a good mystery. Tana French’s books,for example, though well written are a little too scary. They are so real!
I had a not-appealing batch last week, too. The Jane Austen book was pleasant but contrived, IMO. But my current book has me engrossed! (The Address Book by Deidre Mask.)
I had a not-appealing batch last week, too. The Jane Austen book was pleasant but contrived, IMO. But my current book has me engrossed! (The Address Book by Deidre Mask.)
I had a not-appealing batch last week, too. The Jane Austen book was pleasant but contrived, IMO. But my current book has me engrossed! (The Address Book by Deidre Mask.)
Thank you for the book reviews. I often try to get them from the local library, sometimes it works and it gave me many new titles and new autors to read.
Thank you for the book reviews. I often try to get them from the local library, sometimes it works and it gave me many new titles and new autors to read.
Thank you for the book reviews. I often try to get them from the local library, sometimes it works and it gave me many new titles and new autors to read.
I enjoy seeing your book recommendations.
I just finished reading The Lager Queen of Minnesota. It was **** – 4 stars because I really enjoyed it. The story follows multiple generations of women in one family. A good read.
I enjoy seeing your book recommendations.
I just finished reading The Lager Queen of Minnesota. It was **** – 4 stars because I really enjoyed it. The story follows multiple generations of women in one family. A good read.
I enjoy seeing your book recommendations.
I just finished reading The Lager Queen of Minnesota. It was **** – 4 stars because I really enjoyed it. The story follows multiple generations of women in one family. A good read.
I always love your reviews and have gotten some good reads! I see someone mentioned the Lager Queen, which I loved as well. Thanks for reviewing 🙂
I always love your reviews and have gotten some good reads! I see someone mentioned the Lager Queen, which I loved as well. Thanks for reviewing 🙂
I always love your reviews and have gotten some good reads! I see someone mentioned the Lager Queen, which I loved as well. Thanks for reviewing 🙂