Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. In 2019 I’m not participating in a formal reading challenge, but rather The Unread Shelf Project 2019, a challenge to read books that I already own. So I’ll be listing where each book came from this year instead of listing a particular challenge category. This is my October 2019 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for October 2019. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

The Polygamist’s Daughter by Anna LeBaron and Leslie Wilson

Purchased using Audible credit.

This has been on my TBR list since I heard Anna LeBaron on What Should I Read Next podcast. Her brief story there was so fascinating that I knew that I needed to read it. And I’ve already read another book by a cousin of the author, Ruth Wariner’s The Sound of Gravel. The story of her upbringing in and escape from a polygamist cult was horrifying and inspiring. I recommend this book.

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

In true Blake Crouch fashion, this is a page-turner and a mind-bender of a novel. It involves memory, time, and what it means to know for sure what occurred. I don’t want to say more about it, for fear of spoiling the wonder of the story. Just go out and read this book, and then let me know when you’re done so that we can talk about it.

The Ash Family by Molly Dekter

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

This was my book club’s pick for October, and I honestly didn’t like it. The book didn’t seem particularly well-written to me, as it struck me as a facsimile of The Girls and multiple other stories about cults like the Manson family. I finished the book, because I haven’t ever gone to book club without reading the book, but otherwise would have abandoned the book partway through. I hate writing about books that I don’t care for, as I appreciate how much an author gives up to write a book. But this one was just not for me.

Hell’s Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men by Harold Schechter

Already owned Kindle e-book.

This is the story of Belle Gunness, a woman who lured and slaughtered a series of different men in the early 1900s, something that I’d never heard about before. Her actions were shocking.

The book also includes a lot of information about the trial of the man who is alleged to have killed Belle and her children, which was really interesting to me. The trial sounded like a total circus. And it’s still completely unclear what really happened, whether Belle died in the fire, and who actually set the fire.

I really enjoyed this on e-book, because it was an enhanced Kindle e-book. It included photos and animated artwork, which really enhanced the story.

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I loved this story! After a few books that were involved tougher subject matter, I needed a ‘palette-cleanser’ book, and this one fit the bill. After I started reading it, I realized that this is a spin off from the book The Bookshop on the Corner. I’d recommend reading them in order, but you can read out of order (like I did). I’ll be reading the first book as soon as my library hold comes up.

The Concubine’s Children by Denise Chong

Purchased physical book this year.

I picked this up at a library book sale this year because the cover, featuring the actual photo of the author’s mother and grandmother, is striking. The story is somewhat depressing, in that the conditions and circumstances that Chinese people lived through during that time in both China and the United States. But the family’s ability to work through the difficulties and forge a functional family in the US, and then visit and connect with the family in China was moving.

Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia by George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire

Purchased physical book this year.

I’ve looked at this book at two different book sales. The first time, I didn’t pick it up, but bought it the second time because I just couldn’t resist. My family has some Scottish heritage, so it was interesting to learn a little more about the clans. And I started watching Outlander on Netflix, so that added to the fun of reading it.

After the Flood by Kassandra Montag

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

The Nebraska library system offered this book to everyone who wanted to read it simultaneously this month. I thought this was such a neat thing, that I couldn’t resist reading it along with others in my state. The author is from Nebraska, and part of the book is set in the state too. This dystopian novel is the story of a mother and her daughters, one who is with her and one who has been kidnapped, surviving and learning to live and love while the vast majority of the world has been flooded.

The Truth Behind the Black Lives Matter Movement and the War on Police by Ron Martinelli

Purchased physical book this year.

After hearing Martinelli on Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast, Revisionist History, I wanted to read his book. His segment on the podcast was fascinating, and as a forensic criminologist, it seemed like the man had a really good grasp on police involved shootings, what causes them, and what can be done to avoid them. Unfortunately I didn’t care for it. The book could have used some serious editing. The book appeared to be self-published, and it showed, as the author spent an awful lot of time on tangents. I would have appreciated hearing more about Martinelli’s experience, and on the case studies. I think that would have better made his points.

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss

Purchased using Audible credit.

As an attorney, I think it’s important to attend continuing education and read about topics that are possibly useful to my practice. This book fit right into that category. The author is a former hostage negotiator, so he had extra incentive to hone his skills. I especially appreciated that the techniques came from different disciplines, but can be used in all kinds of negotiation scenarios. This was a good one, and I can see the benefit of a re-read of it.

 

Books in Progress:

Courageously Uncomfortable by Lisa J. Goins (Already owned Kindle e-book.) My bible study group is working through this book.

The Selected Letters of Willa Cather by Willa Cather, Andrew Jewell, and Janis Stout (Purchased physical book this year.)

To Live Is Christ by Beth Moore (Already owned Kindle e-book.)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (Borrowed from a friend.)

Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words by John W. Pulley (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.)

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy (Kindle First book, so new but free.)

 

Books Abandoned:

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini (Borrowed from library using Libby app.)