Alison

📚 What’s On Your Bookshelf – October 2022 📚

What have I been reading this month? Read on to find out!

Last month I read and posted a book by Lisa Jewell – The Family Upstairs – and said I couldn’t put it down, so quickly after that I followed up with the sequel – The Family Remains.

In this story we find out what has become of “The Family Upstairs” and also what happens when the police in France find Michael’s body and the story of his second wife Rachel. There is also a body found on the banks of the Thames which has DCI Samuel Owusu following the trail of clues left behind.

I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the first and it kept me guessing until the last page. 5/5

It seems I am hooked on Lisa Jewell for the moment! Another page turner so different from the last two, I don’t know how she does it.

A story that goes back and forth between 2017 and 2019, about the disappearance in 2018 of Tallulah and her boyfriend and her mother’s search for answers. In 2019, Sophie a published author moves to the village with her boyfriend who starts a new job as headmaster of the local boarding school and soon becomes involved in the search. 5/5

Another Andee Lawrence story, but in this book she is not the main character. Although I enjoyed this book I did get confused about the different relationships between the characters! It kept me guessing until the very end. 4/5

I’ve enjoyed all Jane Harper’s books and this was no exception. Set in the Clare Valley and featuring Aaron Falk once again. Another disappearing act! This one also had me guessing until the very end. I love the way she writes about small communities and the interaction between everyone. 4/5

“Classic’ – a book which people praise and don’t read.”  – Mark Twain

This is a challenge set by Debbie from Deb’s World and also Sue, Donna and Jo. I love this challenge as I love reading! Although I am not a prolific a reader as Debbie. This month she has posed the question “When do you stop reading a book you are not enjoying?”. For me it is generally once I have read the sample I have downloaded to see if it has me hooked. That is the beauty of an e-reader or Kindle I think. Because what speaks to one person will fall on deaf ears of another. There are far too many books out there and such little time to continue doggedly through a boring book.

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading” William Styron

23 comments

  1. Hi, Alison – Thank you for joining us at What’s On Your Bookshelf and sharing your recent reads with us. I wholeheartedly agree with your statement that “what speaks to one person will fall on deaf ears of another.” That is such a great reminder. I am currently reading a best seller that has solid five star reviews. I am only a 1/4 of the way in but I am having serious doubts. Different strokes for different reading folks! 😀

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    • Thanks for your comments Donna
      I’m also reading or trying to read one of my favourite authors newest book with rave reviews but just can’t get a hold on it. So have put it to sleep for a while.

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  2. I just finished a book and read the three star reviews right when I started it. I’m not sure why and I spent the rest of the read with those in mind. I never did understand the complaints and rated it a 4/5.

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  6. Thanks for joining us for WOYBS Ali, I always enjoy seeing what you’ve been reading and am now adding Lisa Jewell into my list. Thanks also for the mention, after starting a few books recently and not enjoying them I wondered if others have a system for giving up, so it’s been interesting to get everyone’s comments. I love that quote by William Styron and can totally relate to it as I live several lives when I read!! Sometimes reading a ‘best seller’ can be a good experience but not for everyone, as Donna said different strokes for different readers.
    I also enjoyed Jane Harper’s Exiles and it kept me guessing up until the end. My daughter suggested I read it so it was good to get her recommendation as I’m often the one telling her about books to read. With a toddler she is just finding she can find time to get back into reading a bit more. Great to have you join us!

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  7. Lots of suggested titles here for me to explore. I like mysteries but am trying to read more nonfiction lately. And I just bought an Aussie book on gardening and growing a garden of veges today.

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