It seems like I'm writing these monthly wrap-up posts every couple of weeks lately, but here we are easing into the fourth quarter of 2025! September was a good month for us. We spent almost two weeks with family in central NY, enjoyed time with friends both old and new, replaced our gas fireplace (just in time, as it turns out!) and I read plenty of good books.
Books Read in September
Good Morning Comrades by Ondjaki
World Lit Book Club, literary fiction in translation ⭐⭐⭐
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 1 by Beth Brower
historical fiction, reading project ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This Motherless Land by Nikki May
MMD September selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
literary fiction, reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris
nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
nonfiction, audio reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October Reading Possibilities
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (completed)
Heart the Lover by Lily King (completed)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
(in progress)
In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
(MMD November Selection)
Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker
(ongoing real time readalong)
My October reading is already off to a good start. I've finished two books - one started last month and one short, highly-anticipated new release. What was your favorite September book? What are you looking forward to this month?
JoAnn, so glad you guys have got to spend lots of time with family and friends. That's important, right? My favorite book from September was the latest entry into the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith. I've enjoyed all those books and while they are very long, I like the stories. Looks like you've got some good ones on tap for this month. I've heard good things about Buckeye. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteKay - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my library cooperates and sends me Buckeye by the end of the month. The line seems to be moving pretty slowly...
DeleteYou have some great titles for October and wow, can you believe we are a third of the way through the month? Yikes. I didn't know Bowring's latest book was out and I sure want to keep up with that storyline. I wonder is this the last one in that series?
ReplyDeleteI am just wrapping up The Elements by John Boyne. I like his writing style and Les mentioned she has read several of his books, good stuff.
Hoping to get to the Lily King book.
Glad to hear you had some wonderful visits with friends and family. We finally had some cool weather and have been enjoying sitting on the porch, day and evenings. My liver won't thank me with the mai tais I have been enjoying on the porch at night but...what the hell. I'm going to enjoy life :-)
Tina - In a Distant Valley was just released on Tuesday. I enjoyed the first two so much that I pre-ordered this one. Bowring says it will be her final "Dalton" novel.
DeleteI think The Absolutist is the only one of John Boyne's novel's I've read, but I have several more on my tbr list - including The Elements.
Glad things are finally cooling down in your part of FL. I can imagine how happy you are to be able to sit outside again... and the mai tais sound pretty good, too! Hope you have a good week :)
I remember liking Writers and Lovers but must reread to recall all of it! I see you reread it also, so it must have created a spark!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Heart the Lover is both a prequel and a sequel to Writers & Lovers, yet it can definitely stand alone. (I know how strange that sounds, lol!) I'm glad I reread W&L and ended up loving Heart the Lover.
DeleteI enjoyed the second Emma M Lion better than the first, I hope you do as well. The series continues to get better (and more addicting) with each book.
ReplyDeleteCindy - I ended up finishing Vol 2 of Emma Lion and thought it was much better than Vol 1. It's going to be ever hard to restrain myself from jumping into the book 3 before Nov 1!
DeleteI agree that it feels like the monthly summaries are coming more quickly than in years past! The days fly by, don't they? It sounds like you had a good September. I'm really looking forward to Lisa Ridzen and Lily King's books. I need to order a copy of Bowring's new one, which I plan to read along with Where the Forest Meets the River. Buckeye has caught my eye, as well. I only finished three books last month, but two were big winners! Linking to my post here. :)
ReplyDeleteLes - I finished both the Ridzen and the new Lily King thanks to an extra day on the couch after my flu and covid vaccine... both very good, especially Heart the Lover. Hope to start the final Dalton novel tonight.
DeleteYay for a month filled with family, friends and good books. You had some interesting reads for September and I look forward to seeing what you choose for October.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - It doesn't get much better than family, friends, and good books! Happy fall!
DeleteThe latest Lily King novel is on its way to me right now. I hope I like it.
ReplyDeleteYou had both a good reading month and a good social month!
Deb - I LOVED the new Lily King novel. Hope you do, too.
DeleteSounds like you had a lot of fun last month! When the Cranes Fly South sounds like it's perfect for me at this time in my life.
ReplyDeleteMiaismine - When the Cranes Fly South is such a beautifully written book, but overwhelmingly sad...
DeleteI want to read No More Tears and Buckeye, I grew up in Ohio and love to read authors from there and read books that take place there.
ReplyDeleteVicki - The author said the town Buckeye is set in is fictional, but I have a feeling it's based on a real place. Bet you would have an interesting perspective since you grew up there. Hope I can get it from the library this month.
DeleteSeptember sounds like a great month. And wow most of your reads were between 4 - 5 stars. I love when that happens!
ReplyDeleteOlivia - Most of my books were real winners last month. I love when that happens, too!
DeleteIt looks like you had a great September! I hope October treats you well JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodie. Happy October!
DeleteI'm curious about Birnam Wood. I always perk up at a Macbeth reference.
ReplyDeleteJoy - Birnam Wood is the November selection at MMD book club and I'm looking forward to it!
DeleteI’m glad you had a good month. My favourite book of September made me laugh a lot - The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy By Brigitte Knightley
ReplyDeleteWishing You a happy reading week
Shelleyrae - It's great when your favorite book of the month also makes you laugh... seems like we can all use a bit more of that lately! Have a good week.
DeleteInteresting book list. I saw a performance of 84, Charring Cross Road in London years ago, and it really is a good play!
ReplyDeleteMae - I'm planning to watch the 84, Charing Cross Road movie, but had no idea there was a live show as well!
DeleteBirnam Wood sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteErin - I thought so, too... looking forward to it!
DeleteHope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bree!
DeleteWow I didn't realize the new Bowring novel was out this month! So glad you noted it. I have listened to the audios of the 2 others. She seems to be writing these quickly but I gather this is the last one? And we know you have to read Buckeye for us. And I have the top two books on my TBR. Enjoy these.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Yes, Bowring's book released last week and it's the final book of the series. I bought the paperback, but just noticed that the audio is available on hoopla! What a surprise! Hoping my library comes through with a copy of Buckeye this month.
DeleteSuch good reading choices for both September and October! And how great to spend time in NY with family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. September was a good month!
DeleteI'm glad you had a good September. I hope you love your October reads!
ReplyDeleteThanks, AJ. October is off to a good start.
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