So… September happened. I feel like September truly just slipped through my fingers when I wasn’t looking and suddenly here we are on the edge of October. In September I did the same as in August and roll a TBR, but only actually read about half of the books on there but what I did read this month, I did like. I don’t think there is any rating here under three stars. Anyway, short preamble over – here are the books I read in September.
Dracula’s Child by J.S. Barnes
I started the month with a Netgalley ebook for review, so I do have a full post on my thoughts but this book basically follows the same characters from Dracula by Bram Stoker a number of years after the events of the original novel. In short, this book was a tale of two halves for me. The first half felt genuinely authentic in voice and tone but the latter parts of the novel felt like it was losing some of the eeriness and the atmosphere that had been built up throughout. If you love the character in Stoker’s novel (and are willing to establish something of a disconnect between the 19th century novel and this book), Dracula’s Child might be one to consider.
Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin
After reading Other Words for Smoke at the beginning of year, I was keen to try Sarah Maria Griffin’s debut novel and… It was very different. I really enjoyed the post apocalyptic setting and the gradual build up of society after great devastation. The general need for progress was something I really enjoyed in this book. Whilst I found elements of the novel a little predictable, I devoured the story in the space of a weekend. If a steampunk YA novel is something you’re after, then this might be a book to consider.
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
I heard about the book a couple of months ago and have avoided reviews of it since. I was intrigued about the idea of such an isolated establishment and what was going on there and I loved it. I’ve since read other reviews and have seen it described as a book that no two people will have the same opinion on what its about and I can totally see that. For me, this book really raised some questions around academia and academics motivations for their research/life choices. I’m not sure it is a book I’d recommend to everyone because I can understand why some people wouldn’t get a lot out of this book. But if you’re interested in academia and mysteries potentially it is one to consider.
Hag: Forgotten Folktales Retold
Again, I have a full review as this was a Netgalley ebook, so I won’t go into it too much here but Hag is a collection of short folkltale retellings from a variety of authors. As a collection, this one works really well and has a wonderful share of historical retellings and stories which bring folktales into the 21st century. It doesn’t come out until the beginning of October but each story is available in an audible podcast series I believe if you want to get a taster before investing in the book. But I wholly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if its something you’re interested in.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
In September I watched the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film for the first time and utterly adored it. In short, it completely changed the way I looked at Austen story and characters – how dare the world convince me that Darcy is a horrible man, he’s just horrifically awkward. So I immediately decided to give it a reread, having not read the book as a whole since I was about fourteen. Now, I gave it this time a 5 star rating as opposed to the 3 stars it had before. A new perspective on the novel truly changed my opinion of the story and Austen as a writer. I’m not saying I’m an Austen fan yet, but it looks like I could be heading that way.
Emma by Jane Austen
After finished P&P I was still in a Regency era kind of mood so (with the help of an instagram poll) decided to pick up Emma and it was alright… I found it interesting following Emma – a character I found pretty unlikable. There were elements I found a little entertaining but largely just found the plot a bit dull. I do intend on reading the 2020 film at some point in the near future and potentially that will alter my opinion of the story, but until then its one of my least favourite Austen novels.
As I write this post I’m also about 150 pages into Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo and whilst I’m not going to rush to get it finished by the end of the month, I am really enjoying it and imagine I’ll finish it soon!
Whilst September wasn’t a great month in terms of the number of books I read, the ratings were pretty good. I also managed to read a variety of genres – reading two classics in a month feels like quite the achievement.
What did you enjoy reading in September? Have you read any of these books? Do let me know!
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