November was book-ended for me with Witch Week at the beginning, and hosting the final week of Nonfiction November at the end. It was busy and full and a bit hectic, but as usual I loved all the blogger interactions. What was a highlight for you this month?
[divider]
Reviews
- The Buried Giant, our readalong book for Witch Week, generated some interesting discussion.
- Moving on to Nonfiction November, with White Trash and Hillbilly Elegy I continued to try to understand our current political and social situation.
- I took a quick look at some splendidly gift-worthy books from the Folio Society.
Other Books Read
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson- East of Eden by John Steinbeck – Review to come
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo
- Season of Migration to the North by Tayeh Sadih – Mount TBR, Around the world
- Ombria in Shadow by Patricia McKillip
- Manderley Forever by Tatiana de Rosnay
- Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin
- A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge
- My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’homme
Other Features and Events
- I participated in the Classics Club Spin, and came out with Don Quixote to read by the end of the year. I’d better get going!
- I discussed What makes a nonfiction favorite? and listed some of my favorite reads of the last few years.
- I announced my intention to try to experience the life changing magic of tidying up. Clothes went well, but I haven’t gotten very far on books yet.
- For Blogging the Spirit, a favorite poem by Walt Whitman.
Shared in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the Month in Review linkup at The Book Date, and the Monthly Wrap-up Round-up hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
East of Eden is one of my favorite books of all time. 🙂 Happy December!
LikeLike
I loved it too, so glad I finally read it.
LikeLike
I’m joining a book club in January and the book they’re reading is Hillbilly Elegy so I’ll finally get to read it. I hope it does provide insight rather than making me more depressed than I already am!
LikeLike
There’s much that could be called depressing in the book, but also much about the resilience of the human spirit. I’m trying to hold on to the latter while recognizing the former. HOpe you have a good discussion!
LikeLike
If you are so inclined, let us know how the Marie Kondo method worked on the books. I PROBABLY will never do it myself, but I love hearing about how others have de-cluttered their life!
LikeLike
I will definitely let you know. It’s pretty interesting so far.
LikeLike
I still fold towels the way she suggested, but that’s as far as it went! Off to read what you have to share about non fiction books.
LikeLike
I think any little thing you can do is worth while.
LikeLike
I still fold our t-shirts as suggested, and I whittled down the photo albums I inherited from my parents until they actually fit onto the shelf. So yes, I guess it was worth it for those details!
LikeLike
I should really read The Haunting of Hill House, I’ve had it recommended to me time and time again 🙂
Have a great week!
LikeLike
I finally read it and found it much different than I expected. Shirley Jackson is an amazing writer.
LikeLike
I love Walt Whitman! My English teacher first introduced me to him and I’ve enjoyed his works since. One of my favorite lines has to be ‘sounding the barbaric yawp’ from “Song of Myself”. It’s just so memorable.
I like your blog header, by the way! It’s beautiful. I hope you enjoy your week!
claire @ clairefy
LikeLike
Thanks Claire! My header is by the talented Stephanie of These Paper Hearts. I love it too.
I’m having a hankering to read more poetry these days. Maybe I will finally read the entire Songs of Myself (usually my attention span is not up to long poems).
LikeLike
I’d like to read The Haunting of Hill House and East of Eden. I’ve really only read The Lottery, but I know Jackson is well respected for other work. And I used to think I hated Steinbeck, but then I read Grapes of Wrath in my 30s and was blown away.
LikeLike
I loved them both!
LikeLike
I read The Haunting of Hill House a few months ago. I liked it, but I think I like Jackson’s short stories better. I hope you’re having a good December!
LikeLike
My favorite book of hers remains We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but I’m reading a volume of stories and other material now (Let Me Tell You) and enjoying them as well.
LikeLike
I haven’t read any of the books you read, but I’d like to read the organizational ones and make that a goal to start on my clothes. I might just start with a drawer at a time and see how it goes. Happy holidays!
LikeLike
One interesting thing about the tidying method, and different from other ways I’ve tried, is that it goes by category, not by location. Clothes is the first category, and I did them all at once (it took about a day), but you could break that down further by category if it seems too much. For example, you could go through all your socks, stockings, etc., pulling them from different drawers or locations where they may be lurking. Or start with only tops or only sweaters or whatever. Her point is that if you tidy by location, the clutter from other places creeps in very easily – and I have found that to be true. Anyway, you’ll see if you read the book. Good luck!
LikeLike
Now this approach sounds very interesting to me. As a logical person, this may be the right method for my brain and emotions to approach decluttering. Thanks for the follow up!
LikeLike
I think the principle of going by category is brilliant. Hope it helps you in your decluttering process!
LikeLike