Here's how October shaped up for me:
Podcasts:
Birthful - I am really enjoying this podcast which delves into all kind of topics from labor and delivery to breast feeding to cloth diapering. Shout-out to Amber for recommending this to me!
Books:
It was another strong month of reading for me! I read 7 books! My favorites were Al Franken's memoir and This Is How It Always Is.
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson - 3 stars - This is a novel about 2 step-sisters. The older sister goes to Alabama to help out her aging grandmother and learns some secrets about the family. I had heard good things about this author and while I enjoyed the book, I didn't LOVE it.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel - 5 stars - This will end up on my 'best reads of 2017' list. It's about a family with a transgendered child. The author is the mother of a transgendered child so she can speak with authority on the subject, although she makes it clear in the afterword that this is not her child's story. My book club will be discussing this tonight and it's going to make for a great discussion, especially since the person leading the discussion is a child psychologist who has counseled transgendered youth.
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham - 4 stars - This is a young adult novel that is addresses the race riots that occurred in Tulsa in 1921. I had never heard of these race riots. As a result of the riots, an entire section of town where African Americans lived was burned to the ground. I'm glad this book is bringing attention to this horrible act in history.
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain - 3 stars - This is similar to Almost Sisters as the main character returns home to deal with her father's estate and learns a shocking family secret.
Still Life by Louise Penny - 4 stars - This is the first book in Penny's Inspector Gamache series. Some have said the book moved slowly but I really enjoyed all the character development. It is a 'cozy mystery' so it's the perfect series to dig into as the weather gets colder! It also made me want to visit Quebec, Canada as the series is set in that area. I'll definitely read more from this series (after I get through my big stack of unread books that I own!!).
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate - 5 stars - This memoir by the Minnesota Senator, Al Franken, was really entertaining. He used to write for SNL so clearly has a great sense of humor and a way with words. In the book he talks about his career and how ended becoming a senator. He won in a very close race - with all the law suits it took 7 months for him to be declared a winner. I was living in Minnesota at that time but do not remember the legal battle over the senate race! I guess I did not pay as close attention to politics back then?
The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay - 3 stars - I bought this off a kindle deal email months ago and finally got around to reading it on our Asheville vacation. It's a light, easy read so was perfect for vacation.
Looks:
I already shared this photo in my pregnancy update, but this was one of my favorite looks from October. Most of my looks are not photo-worthy these days. I have been wearing a lot of longer maternity long-sleeve t-shirts. I bought some cute dresses from Gap and Pinkblush but my belly isn't big enough to wear them yet as there is too much excess fabric!
8 comments:
It always amazes me how many books you are able to read in a month! I feel lucky if I get the papers read every day! But we have been so busy cleaning apartments and doing our fall yard clean-ups so not much down time at all. I dislike cold weather so much but after this crazy fall, I am ready for time inside and at home!
I love that outfie and the look of your baby bump! You look perfect!
I need to pick up This is How it Always Is. I have heard good things from many of my book loving friends so it's time I pick it up :)
My only podcast lately is Chatty Sisters because I am, as usual, super behind.
Loads of books! I want to read Franken's too -- I have read one he's written before and I really enjoyed his style. I'd think this one would be interesting.
We're reading The Almost Sisters for my book club this month! I have heard good things, so I'm excited to give it a shot. And I am soooo glad you loved This is How It Always Is. One of the best books I've read this year.
Added Al Franken's book to my TBR list due to your recommendation!
I hope I get This iis How It Always Is from the library soon! I have heard such great things about it!! Also so glad you are enjoying the Birthful podcast, I have been really liking it as well and it's nice to go back and listen to older episodes that are also relevant.
You made it through a lot of books this month. Awesome. I am happy to hear you also enjoyed "This is how it always is"... it was definitely a really good read!
Every time you post about your books of the month I get the urge to go to Chapters or to the library. I think I replaced a lot of my reading time with social media over the past few years, and I want to try and change that.
I put the Franken and Frankel books on my to-read list! Both of them look really interesting. I am not really familiar with Franken, but I love learning about things that I had no idea were out there! I have not read that Penny book, but have read others by her and really like the easy and quick manner that they flow in. Its a nice weekend read and doesn't require too much thinking but still keeps you entertained!
I just finished The Last Days of Night, which is about Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla and the battle they have over A/C vs D/C electricity. It was an interesting read, and also taught me something about a time period I was not as familiar with!
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