September Reading Wrap-up 2017

Sunday, October 01, 2017
I finally have my reading mojo back! August was an awful reading month but September was so much better in comparison as I managed to read twelve books and I'm mostly through an audiobook as well so go me! I read some amazing books this month with amazing covers too so thanks to BookBridgr, Gollancz, Walker Books and Pushkin Press for the gorgeous ARCs. 

*My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajim Statovci - (288 pages - available now) - ★★★★☆, 4/5
Another gorgeous book from the wonderful people over at Pushkin Press (they can do no wrong recently!). I already have a review of this book on my blog so you can check out my review if you want to know more but I'll just say that I loved it! 

*City of Circles by Jess Richards (384 pages - available now) - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 
Another book I received as a physical copy from Book Bridgr and it's also a new release, it came out last month. I adore the cover, I think it's one of the best book covers I've seen recently! I have already published a full review of this book which you can check out along with a couple of other books in this wrap-up. As you can tell from my rating, sadly I was very disappointed with this book!

*The Dollmaker Of Krakow by R.M Romero (288 pages - available on 5th Oct) - ★★★★★, 5/5
How stunning this the cover of this amazing and heart felt childrens book! I was sent this book but I don't remember requesting it however I'm not complaining at all as it was a lovely story with magic and friendship. I also have a full review on it up on my blog already so you can click the link to read it. 

The Sleeper & The Spindle by Neil Gaiman (72 pages - available now) - ★★★, 3/5
I have wanted to this book for so long but it has always been a little pricy especially as it's so short but I found it for less than £5 on World Of Books and I had to have it. The cover is just beautiful, the illustrations are incredible and the story was sweet, fairytale-like and quick but it wasn't as amazing as I hoped it would be. However, the book itself is just so pretty so I'm going to keep it but I don't think I'll be re-reading it sadly. 
*Quiet Girl In A Noisy World by Debbie Tung (184 pages - released 7th Nov) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
I haven't read a graphic novel or illustrated book for a while and this one was a great refreshing read! I would definitely categorise myself as an introvert and so much of this book was relatable to me and I think it would for many other people too. I liked the illustrations and the topics as well as how thoughtful it was; however I did find it a little repetitive but that's the only negative. 

*Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings - (224 pages - available now) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
Another book from BookBridgr and it's a hardback! I don't know if I've mentioned it on my blog but I have always loved films, TV shows and documentaries about crime and spies so this book sounded great! Check out my full review for my thoughts and opinions. 

*S.T.A.G.S by M.A Bennet - (304 pages - available now) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
I requested this book a while ago from Hot Key Books and I finally got round to reading it and I really enjoyed it! It's YA so it was a very quick read, it was entertaining on the whole but I did have some problems/issues with it but again you can read my full review for more thoughts. 

*North by Bronte Aurell - (224 pages - available now) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
I visited Norway in August so any book related to Norway or Scandinavia in general and I'm interested, especially when it has such a gorgeous cover! This book is the authors insights into Scandinavian culture, focusing on Norway, Sweden and Denmark as well as Finland. I loved the writing style and the authors voice which was dry and sarcastically funny, down to earth and entertaining. I loved the comparisons between the main Scandinavian countries as well as the recipes and insights into the true Nordic and Scandinavian cultures which isn't just about Ikea or snow - the Scandinavian countries are more individual and unique than most people think! The only negative is the text size as it was tiny and while I liked the photos, I think they could have been more unique or creative. If you're interested in the Scandinavian countries then definitely check out this book. 
*The Pinks by Chris Enns - (185 pages - available now) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
I haven't been reading many non-fiction books recently so I thought I'd pick up this one as it sounded so interesting and it's pretty short too. It's about the female detectives that made up part of the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency, their work and cases, the struggles and opposition they faced as females in a male dominated world at that time...same as now. It focused on a few women individually and some of the famous cases they worked on involving murderers, spies and president Lincoln. 

I did find the book interesting but it was a little repetitive, it wasn't entirely focused on the women as there were a lot of mentions to mens opinions of their female colleagues and I think it could have been written and also presented in a far more compelling and interesting way - maybe more structured or with illustrations of the women (like The Women Who Made New York) but sadly, it was a little lacking in my opinion and it felt much longer than it actually was. 

*The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli (415 pages - available 17th Oct) - ★★★★★, 5/5
As with quite a few other books within this monthly wrap-up post, I already have a full review coming soon - it will be live on the 17th Oct so stay tuned but I will just say that I loved the ARC cover, the characters are amazing and it involves dragons! You just need to pre-order it!

*The Dark Blue Winter Overcoat & Other Stories From The North by Sjon (224 pages - available 12th Oct) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
I am loving every single book from Pushkin Press and this one is no different! I was kindly sent it in September and read it almost immediately as it involves authors and stories from across Scandinavia including Norway which is a country I visited this summer. It was a great short story collection but I felt as though some of the stories in their topic or feel were a little samey but I would still definitely recommend it! You can check out my full thoughts and opinions in my review

*The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono (56 pages - available now) - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 
Last week I won a competition with Vintage Books on Twitter (I won best looking book stack!) and I was sent around ten books as my prize, one of which was this one. I hadn't heard of most of the books I was sent including this modern French classic. It's a beautifully published little hardback, I loved the illustrations throughout the book and it was a nice, quick read about a fictional character who plants trees where there were none...it sounds a little boring but it's quite endearing and fairly thought provoking. 

Have you read any of these books? With October comes quite a few readathons (spookathon etc), will you be taking part in any? Do you have any halloween book recommendations? 

18 comments

  1. Wow an amazing list. I love the first four book covers. Such pretty designs. I just spent a fortune buying loads of books. I got more to add for next time. xx

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  2. That's a lot of books. I've been living your book recommendations as well.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

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  3. Wow that's alot of books! I really need to get back into reading again xx

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  4. Wow, you've read so many! I need to read more often! xx

    Beautylymin

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  5. I am super impressed that you managed to read 12 books in one month!! I bought 2 new ones 2 weeks ago and haven't even opened the covers yet I've just not been in the right state of mind to settle into it, like I said before I love the sound of the dollmaker story and "Quiet Girl in a Noisy World" has intrigued me now too!
    Alice Xx
    www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk

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  6. You managed to read 12 books in one month?! That's so good! I really need to read more often xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush

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  7. Wow so many recommendations! The covers look incredible, I am just getting back into reading! Perfect for this time of year too, getting real cosy xx

    Taylor Jane ox | www.taylorjane.co.uk

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  8. You read so many books wish I had more time to do so

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  9. I love seeing what books you are interested in, it is so fun! :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  10. What a fab round-up of books - wowzers! x

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  11. That's a whole lot of reading! I'm really getting back into reading lately and have gone through a few in the last couple of weeks. I've run out of books now though! x

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  12. I could never read 12 books in one month! I think the most I read is 6 and thats because I was on holiday for 2 weeks and did nothing but sunbath and read! These don't seem like the type of books I would pick up but you've made them sound really interesting, I'm considering buying "Quiet Girl in a Noisy World".

    Chlo x

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  13. I wish I could get through this many books in one month, this is amazing. I've had such a struggle finishing a book this year it's been so annoying. I love a book with a good front cover though and some of these look so good especially North which sounds really interesting too!

    Ellie x

    http://elliesbitsofbeauty.com

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  14. I'm hoping to read a couple of books on my upcoming holiday this Thursday and I'm so excited! I don't read nearly as much as I should do and I really enjoy it when I get really into a book xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.co.uk

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  15. I definitely need to set some time aside to read some of these books! x

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  16. Great reviews as always! Trust your book opinion so much!

    Cass | CassandraMyee

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  17. Gosh you must be such a quick reader :) so jealous of how much you managed to work through!

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  18. Well I did it, I have read one whole book, eveytime you post these I say I want to read more and you always make me want to read more too and I have read an actual book ha ha, still a long way to go xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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