October is a month beloved by writers of all stripes. One of my favourite bits of seasonal writing is by Humbert Wolfe,
"Listen! The wind is rising and the air is filled with leaves; we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves."
I have admired those bloggers who commit to posting something every day for a month or so, and decided to attempt it myself. Some days may be just a photo and a quote, others may be regular length posts.
I recently finished reading The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. It's set during WWII, and more specifically the Blitz. The wars seem to be very popular settings for recent novels and I approached this one with a slightly jaded air. However, I found the story engaging on multiple levels. The theme that has had me thinking more about this book is the power of story in life.
During the past months I've found reading to be such a wonderful way to forget about the woes of the world. A little escapism is good. Stories help us all to empathize with others, and to see events from other points of view. Story has the power to connect people in meaningful ways.
A young man who was in my English 10 class several years ago hated reading. He was not at all pleased with the amount of reading I suggested. In class we read together All Quiet on the Western Front. The novel can be a bit of a slog and I often read chapters aloud to the class to move things along. When we got to the end of the book, this young man told me it was the best book he had ever read. Something in that tale of the horrors of war touched a chord in him. The power of story.
Oops, this was supposed to be very short and sweet. And I got carried away.
What are you reading just now? Enjoy these October eves!
I love the escape when I get into a book, but moatly read while on vacation. We are travelling now and I have a few books along. I enjoy historial fiction. I think that you accomplished your goal as a teacher, with that assessment from the young man.
ReplyDeleteI came over to your blog after reading your comment on Where Five Valleys Meet. Your words reflected my own hopes for the future. Your blog is lovely. I will be following your daily posts with interest. You might have just inspired me to return to writing on my blog. BTW I live across the water from V.I. on the Sunshine Coast.
ReplyDeleteI had it in my mind to blog every day this month, too, but already missed day one. :) Oops! Not a good start. HA! I seem unable to read fiction at the moment so all the books I've read lately are actually about current events, learning the truth through historical accounts and hearing personal stories. My eldest boy hated to read when he was younger while my youngest could always be found with a book. Now that's flip-flopped. My eldest loves historical fiction and goes to the thrift store to buy books, while my youngest is tied to his computer for work and everything else he does on the daily. :) Happy October!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your daily blogging. Like you the power of books draws me in especially by an October fire. . Will check that title out. Have a lovely weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteI agree whole heartedly with you about the power of reading and how it can take you away from the woes of the world.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your daily blog.
I love to read. I just finished reading The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi.
ReplyDeletePenny, I, too, just finished The Henna Artist. The writer's descriptions were so vivid for me. I could envision the bright colors and plants and smell the flowers and food.
Deletei am reading The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith. You gave that young man a gift for a lifetime of enjoyment! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy October! I am reading now mainly Finnish newly released novels. It is an avalanche of great stories and I admire so much our modern writers. No use telling about them more prexisely until someone is translated to foreign languages :D
ReplyDeleteLorrie, have fun with your daily challenge - I look forward to following along. Love your photo...that spot looks a perfect place to read.
ReplyDeleteI am reading a new writer, new to me. I shall get back to you. I'm not sure about her, yet!
ReplyDeleteThe October eves quotation is my very favorite October one! There is something about it that stirs something deep in my soul. But I've never researched the author so I must do that. I hope you will commit to daily posting In October, Lorrie. I did a half month when I first was new to blogging, February 1-14. It was a little exhausting but I still go back to read them and am proud I did it.
ReplyDeleteYour account of the young man in class who hated to read was exciting. Just to think that you opened up a new world to him! I've wondered about ordering the Last Bookshop in London as too many times I've been sold by any title as intriguing as that only to be disappointed. I'm glad to know you enjoyed it. It is an era I enjoy reading about. I'm rereading Charlotte MacLeod's Peter Shandy mysteries. She was a Canadian who moved to New England and wrote many mystery series, one under Alissa Craig set in Canada. I discovered her one day hearing her being interviewed on public radio while driving to the grocery store. I stopped first at an antique store and couldn't believe that on the table inside the store was a big stack of MacLeod's paperbacks. No way I was going to ignore that nudge! But I also keep a biography going and am on one by James Beard, letters between him and a woman who was a cookbook author, Helen Brown. I'm reading a little bit of it at breakfast to motivate me to plan a good supper for that night.
I had to come back and say that your picture is lovely, a story in itself!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you concerning the power of reading. Books can take you to other places. Reading can let you escape from realty for a while. Historical novels are a favorite of mine among other genres. Enjoy your books.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY AUTUMN
Marilyn
I am reading the fourth book in the Everstone Chronicles by Dawn Crandall. I am also reading book 1 in theCottage On Gooseberry Bay Halloween Moon by Kathi Daley. It is a cozy mystery. I enjoyed My Dear H amilton and America's First Daughter.
DeleteMarilyn
Hmmm, there went my comment. Grrrr... Guess I can not pause, or it will disappear.
ReplyDeleteSoooo.... Try again.
To me, all of blogging *should* be Fun.
I post when I have something to say. And I seem to have something to say, about daily. -smile-
To commit to anything, would take the Fun away. So I never use any blogging prompts or etc.
Hope you do not let commitment, take away from your particular Fun of Blogging.
🍁🍂🍁
Lorrie, I love to read and it seems that I am drawn to WWII stories, especially those set in France. However, I am currently reading "The Night Portrait." A story of WWII and Da Vinci's Italy. It is written by a 'new to me author,' Laura Morelli. I am unable to comment about it as I have just started reading.
ReplyDeleteMy book club just finished The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett. The book deals with the life of an elderly woman but this serious topic is handled with humour and poignancy. Our group ages range from me (69) to a really bright lady of 86 so we had a lot to discuss. It was one book club selection that I was glad to have read.
ReplyDeleteI Iearned so much from this tutorial trip post! Such a beautifu1 areA THOSE EIK ARE OTHER WORD1Y. SO REGAI !
ReplyDeleteWith the nights drawing in, October can be a great month for reading :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan