Bookish Reflections – October 2019

A monthly round up of all things bookish at Sammi Loves Books…It’s my attempt at becoming more accountable in my reading and reviewing habits…

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In a nutshell

I’m a little late in posting this, thanks to a combination of having a dreadful cold and attempting to do NaNoWriMo.

October was a month of posting reviews for books I’d read the previous month, which I managed to do.  However, what I didn’t get around to doing was posting the reviews for the books I had read in October.  That is now November’s task.

The end of October was focused on “Halloween Reads”.  This year, I read three stories for this: one was light-hearted (Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House by M. C. Beaton), while the other two were from my favourite type of Halloween Read: gothic, Victorian ghost stories (two short stories by Mary Braddon: The Cold Embrace and Eveline’s Visitant).  Keep an eye out for those reviews soon!

In terms of this blog, I’ve decided there are too many pages for me to keep track of – and keep updated! – especially in terms of my themes and challenges.  And so, I’m planning on condensing these down; each year’s challenge for any given theme etc, does not require its own page.  Over the next few months, I’m hoping to work through this site systematically, updating / changing / deleting as I go in a sort of blog housekeeping activity, so if things look different, that’s why!  I’ve already started with the Halloween Reads page…

If any writers / poets / authors / etc, would like to be interviewed as part of Afternoon Tea at Sammi Loves Books check out this page for more information, FAQs and an index of all the previous interviews.  If you’ve any questions, please do get in touch at: sammicoxbooks@gmail.com

Books I’ve reviewed

• Agatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage by M. C. Beaton
• Murder in the Afternoon by Frances Brody
• Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by M. C. Beaton
• Agatha Raisin and The Curious Curate by M. C. Beaton

Other Book-Related Posts

•  None

Favourite read(s) of the month

•  Murder in the Afternoon by Frances Brody

Books I’ve bought (or been given)

• Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige
• The Big Four by Agatha Christie
• The Mystery of The Blue Train by Agatha Christie
• The Leper of St Giles by Ellis Peters
• The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters
• London by Edward Rutherford
• Thornyhold by Mary Stewart
• The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland by Steve Roud

Books I’ve downloaded

•  None

What I’ve been reading on Wattpad

•  Circle Wright by KC Farrar
• Other NaNoWriMo projects by various authors.  You can check out my dedicated reading list for this over on my Wattpad profile – the link can be found in the sidebar

September’s “Read and Review” Goals*

• Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M. C. Beaton
• Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate by M. C. Beaton
• Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by M. C. Beaton
• Murder in The Afternoon by Frances Brody
• A Woman Unknown by Francis Brody
• Dawnthief by James Barclay

* Light blue = review posted | Blue = review not posted | Black = did not read / review

What I’m reading and reviewing in October

• A Woman Unknown by Francis Brody (currently reading)
• Dawnthief by James Barclay (currently reading)
• Crossing Places by Ellie Griffiths (currently reading)
• Eveline’s Visitant by Mary Braddon (read, awaiting review)
• The Cold Embrace by Mary Braddon (read, awaiting review)
• Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House by M.C. Beaton (read, awaiting review)

Goodreads Reading Challenge

My goal is 40.  I’ve read 37.  93% complete.  3 books ahead of schedule. Woohoo!

Other reads (books not on Goodreads): 2

• They Never Get Caught by Margery Allingham
• The Taking by Stan Nicholls

Total books read so far this year: 39

Sammi Loves Books Reading Challenge 2019

I’ve completed the following challenges from the list this month:

• None – eek! 😮

Total challenges complete: 8 / 20

You can find the complete list of challenges here.

A to Z Review Index Challenge

• No change here – Still the letter “I” to go.

Challenge status: 1 / 2

Read, Review, Rehome

Goal: 20 | Total so far: 21 / 20 – Woohoo! I hit my goal!!!

• Agatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage by M. C. Beaton
• Agatha Raisin and The Curious Curate by M. C. Beaton
• Miss Tonks Turns To Crime by M. C. Beaton