This month has been a busier month for reading. I thought at first that I'd be reading a lot of ghost and creepy stories, with it being Halloween month, and that is what I usually do in October. But I found that as the month went on I really didn't want to read as much creepy stuff, and so just picked up the stuff that I felt drawn to.
I started the month with finishing a library book, which I didn't get chance to photograph,
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
This is a YA retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Told from the duel perspective of Harper, a teenager in present day, and Rhen a prince in a different realm who needs help breaking a curse. Harper was very likable and I felt sorry for her throughout the story as she was torn by her need to be with her family, but her reality of being trapped in a different realm to them. I really enjoyed most of the book, though I wasn't 100% sold on the ending.
In a change to that I then read,
Black Markers by Jan-Andrew Henderson
A short history book of the old graveyard and cemeteries in Edinburgh. I found it to be very informative, and it really built up a picture of Edinburgh's past. It included nice little anecdotes, as well as lots of photos. I highly recommend for anyone who is interested in Edinburgh, or just graveyards in general.
Next up an audio book,
Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
I have watched the Studio Ghibli recently and my husband advised me that there were quite a few differences from the book, so I decided to give the audio book a listen. I enjoyed it greatly, as it's such a fun story, and yes it is quite different from the film in many ways, though the film is enjoyable too. I wish I'd known about this book when I was a young kid, I actually don't know how I didn't come across it, though as a class we were all obsessed with Roald Dahl and Michael Morpurgo, so that could explain it.
For a little bit of spookiness I then read;
The Face in the Glass The Gothic Tales of Mary Elizabeth Braddon
I've had this book a year of two and thought it was about time I read it. The Ghost's Name and Good Lady Ducayne were stand out stories for me, I really didn't see the twist coming in The Ghost's Name, but maybe that's just me. Many stories are focused on the foreshadowing of death, but not all. I think this collection is great for people who like creepy stories, but don't want to be full out scared.
I then moved on to a book which I thought would also be creepy, but was different than expected;
The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea
Another book told from duel perspectives, this was a very interesting work of historical fiction, with an element of magical realism. I wrote a book review on it which I will link if you are interested to read it. https://littlecottageofbooks.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-glass-woman-book-review.html
The next couple of books I got in a YA box from A Box of Stories, which I treated myself to, I covered them in my last blog, so I'll just give the briefest mention to them here, they are;
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
The first book I have read from this author, I'll be reading more work from them in the future.
Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson
An enjoyable read, just the thing for a bit of escapism.
Finally I read the following short story collection;
Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson
I couldn't let Halloween go by without reading abit of Shirley Jackson. This is a great little collection of her tales. The Honeymoon of Mrs Smith and The Bus stand out for me. I just love Shirley Jacksons' writing style and this book did not disappoint.
So that is everything I read/listened to in October, what books did you read? Have you read any of the above, if so what are your thoughts on them, please comment below,
Happy reading
Fiona
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