October flew by and it would seem my schedule weighs increasingly heavier. I thought I could relax a bit after achieving the 500 review badge for NetGalley but that achievement coincided with harvest and I got embroiled with juicing, walking trails, and the search for a good used bike. We got our much revered Indian Summer and just couldn’t resist getting out of doors. Now, of course, we are looking at the upcoming holidays—all designed to be time sinks. Let’s face it—something has to give. First, I’ll try giving up one post a week.
Together we read or listened to seventeen books in October, most from NetGalley, but also audiobooks, and several author requests.
- Many Are Invited by Dennis Cuesta (CE review)
- How the Wicked Run by Annabelle Lewis
- Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (audiobook)
- The Gods of Sanibel by Brian Cook (CE review)
- Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas (CE review)
- Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
- Beartown (audiobook) vs The Winners by Fredrik Backman (CE review)
- A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley (CE review)
- Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni (CE review)
- Fries and Alibis by Trixie Silvertale
- Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops by Allison Hong Merrill (audiobook)
- The Last Summer in Ireland by Noelle Harrison (CE review)
- The Quadrant Conspiracy by James H Lewis (CE review)
- Murder at an Irish Bakery by Carlene O’Connor
- Bullet Train (movie) vs Bullet Train (audiobook) by Kotaro Isaka
- No Quiet Water by Shirley Miller Kamada
- O’Brien’s Law by John McNellis (CE review)
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed Bullet Train, but in a head-to-head which one? Would still have to go with the book. The movie, despite a dead-panning and understated Brad Pitt, was just too much flash bang Hollywood. I preferred the psychological study of the great mix of characters in Isaka’s book.
Did you see the movie or read the book? Both? Did you read any of the others above? I saw many thought The Winners was indeed a winner while the CE could not finish it—and as you know—very unusual for him.
Reading Challenges
My usual battle with trying to catch up the challenges. Lost the battle again, but you’ll see—I’ll eventually catch it up and win the war. My challenges for 2022 are all listed and linked in the widget column on the right. Please check out their progress by clicking the Reading Challenges page. I’m now at 92% of the Goodreads Challenge of 180 books at 166. I’ve already achieved the Audiobook Challenge, Historical Reading Challenge, and the NetGalley Challenge with a 98% Feedback Ratio. Phew! I’m feeling a bit like my granddaughter with our great-grandson—see that face? Yeah…
But speaking of getting older; our little Bichon Frisé, Frosty, will have her seventeenth birthday in January 2023. I’m not sure she’ll make that as she is declining before our eyes. Breaks our hearts and we watch her every day for signs she is suffering. So far, so good; eating and drinking her water, getting me up one to three times during the night to piddle. Maybe it’s not the books and blog that have me exhausted, but we love her too much to give up quite yet.
Thank you for joining me if you are a new follower and as always I appreciate those who continue to read, like, share, and comment—especially comment! Let me know if you saw something above that got your interest.
©2022 V Williams 
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense 
