September 30, 2020
September 2020 Reading Wrap Up
How was your September reading?
September was a fourteen book reading month with zero DNFs. I am happy to report five five-star reads, two four-star reads, four three-star reads, and three two-star reads. Find all my September reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.
My favorite read of the month is Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell simply because it made the greatest emotional impact.
Did we read any of the same books?
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
4.5-5 Stars. Compelling, engaging, and emotional literary fiction.
My review of Hamnet here.
Transcendent Kingdom
4.5-5 Stars. An engaging and poignant family drama that reads like a memoir. My review of Transcendent Kingdom here.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
4.5-5 Stars. A mash up of light mystery, comedy, and drama in true Backman style. My review of Anxious People here.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
4.5-5 Stars. Multi-generational heartfelt women’s fiction with likable characters and an inspiring theme. My review of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett here.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
4.5-5 (MG) Stars. A reread of one of my very favorite middle grade historical fiction books (now I need to reread the sequel). Not yet reviewed.
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
4 Stars. A delightful and heartwarming story of found family reminiscent of A Man Called Ove. My review of The Story of Arthur Truluv here.
Family in Six Tones by Lan Cao
4 Stars. (ARC) An interesting memoir from the experience of a Vietnamese refugee and her American-born daughter. My review of Family in Six Tones here.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
3.5 (MG) Stars. One of my strategies after a heavy or intense read is to pick up a middle grade book. This engaging histfic is one I’ve had on my list for years. Not yet reviewed.
I’d Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos
3.5 Stars. Women’s fiction. Not reviewed.
South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber
3.5 Stars. Heartwarming women’s fiction with a side of magical realism. Not yet reviewed.
The Secret to Happiness by Jessica Redland
3 Stars. Women’s fiction. Not reviewed.
The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser
2.5-3 Stars. (ARC) Women’s fiction. The story was OK, but I didn’t care for the religious profanity. Not yet reviewed.
No Offense by Meg Cabot
2.5-3 Stars. Women’s Fiction. Not reviewed.
One Time by Sharon Creech
2 Stars. Enjoyable character and an inspiring theme but minimal plot which I think might not engage middle-grade readers. Not reviewed.
Let’s Discuss!
What was your favorite September read?
Did we read any of the same books?
Which of these books is on your TBR?
ICYMI:
September Blog Posts:
September Blog Audit Challenge
Hamnet Book Review
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto Book Review
Fall 2020 TBR
Transcendent Kingdom
The Music Shop Book Review
Family in Six Tones Book Review
Books With Grandparents As Important Characters
Anxious People Book Review
My Dear Hamilton Book Review
Books For My Younger Middle-Grade Self
Promote Literacy: National Literacy Month
Lions of Fifth Avenue Book Review
From Sand and Ash Book Review
All the Devils Are Here Book Review
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
Book covers are credited to Amazon.
© ReadingLadies.com
Fourteen books is fantastic Carol, and five 5* reads as well!
Thanks Nicki! It was a great month because 2 of them will likely make my best of year list! 🙌
Even better then! 😀
Your September was like my August! I think September will be a 9-book month for me (maybe 10, depending on how today goes). I haven’t read any of the books you listed, but a few had been on my radar. Glad to see your reviews on them!
Thanks for commenting! Two or three of them will end up on my best of year so that’s a double win! I’m happy to hear your September reading was great too!
14 books is amazing! I devote my time to read about 3-4 books a month. I loved Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.
Thanks! Yes, Anxious People was so good! It’s the enjoyment that really counts, not the numbers!
True 🙂
We read a couple of the same ones — Transcendent Kingdom and Eudora Honeysett — both of which I loved. I agree with using MG books as palate cleansers, and I quite liked Esperanza Rising as well. Great books, Carol 🙂
Thanks Afoma! I’m fairly certain Transcendent Kingdom will make my best of year list!
Sounds like you had a great reading month! I hope October will be just as great!
Thanks! It’s always amazing to look back on!
It looks like you had a great month Carol. I am in the middle of Eudora Honeysett and hope to finish it this weekend.
It’s a quirky lovely read that reminded me a lot of Ove 👍
Yes, I can see that for sure. I love Rose.
Loved -The War That Saved My Live- I think i read it on your recommendation. Bought it and passed it on to my grand-girls. I send all the grandkids a package every week with a book and this was one of my favorites!
I just finished a reread of the sequel! I realized, though, it seems more YA than MG…at least, right on that border. Love its tender themes of healing and trust and found family!
I have Hamnet on Overdrive, waiting for me to finish my current audiobooks. I need to start soon or the same thing will happen that happened to my copy of Anxious People — I waited too long to start it and it expired on Overdrive and I dropped to 100th in line for it!! I was devastated. I enjoyed Transcendent Kingdom and you are right; it does read like a memoir! I liked Homegoing a bit more, but still thought the writing was amazing.
Here are my recent reads, if interested: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/10/september-book-reviews.html
Elena
Don’t miss out on Hamnet! I’m sure it will be at the top of me list for best of 2020! Happy reading Elena!