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My Month in Books | September 2024

Oh September, what a month you have been. This is me trying to be consistent in my reading updates and I am glad that I am (almost) keeping up! Here’s my month in books for September 2024: what I’ve read, what I’m currently enjoying, and what I’m looking forward to:

Photo by lil artsy via Pexels

Books I’ve Read in September

I’ve read a total of 5 books this September:

In retrospect, it was a majorly mid reading month but for some reason, I feel like I accomplished a lot. I am suspecting that the main reason was Coco Mellor’s Blue Sisters. It was the first hardback and (thick) printed book (339 pages) that I’ve finished in a long time and it counted for something. Even if it was a bulky copy, I lugged it around town, everywhere, because it immersed me like no other printed book in a while. The last time I was close to this, it was with June’s Butter. I suffer from chronic inability to focus so when I find a book that hooks me in and captures my attention, it is such a special thing. For a while now, I’ve always imagined myself to be a girl that would like a Coco Mellors book – and I am so glad that I absolutely loved this one. It’s not a perfect book by any means – but whatever people say, it’s a solid 5 out of 5 for me. It touches a lot of things – growing up, sisterhood, trauma, pain, identity, family – but most of all, grief. It might be a polarizing book – I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about it, which kinda stings a bit, to be honest – but for people with whom this resonates: Hi! I want to be friends if you need someone to talk to. 👋

I also read two cozy romances this month. First is the continuation of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and the second book of the Dream Harbor series, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store. This is very formulaic. I don’t think there’s anything particularly amazing about the writing, but you definitely would stay for the vibes. It is set in late Summer, giving way to fall – and since I read it in September, it’s the perfect timing. I just didn’t vibe with the two main characters for some reason, which I find weird because it has all the elements of a fun story I would like. I feel like this is perfect for casual listening/reading, but nothing more. Another one is a book that have been on my list since I started going through Everand’s audiobook archive: Autumn in Sycamore Park. This is also a cozy, formulaic story but I liked its approach so much better. Even all the side characters I would want to know more. It doesn’t really focus too much on romance, there are elements of it sure – but I loved it more because it centers around the protagonist’s efforts of building a life in a new small town and finally making a life that is her own. I particularly liked the portion about Jennifer being so sensitive about the fact that her treatment of one of her students could make or break his confidence and could have a lasting effect. I hope more teachers are like her. It actually made me tear up around the tail end of the story because of it. 🥲

The Light of Asia is something that I started waaaay too long ago but I somehow got around to finishing once I had some free listening times after I finished my two romance audiobooks above. It is an interesting premise – and I actually enjoyed the first few chapters in it particularly around the parallels in ancient texts that is mind-blowing given the distance of the places where it originated from each other. There is much focus on religion though – which is always fascinating. But somehow, the deeper I get, the more flat everything is and by the end, I ended up losing interest. It was a very ambitious book to say the least – and well researched, I would imagine. But it fell short in making an impact to me.

And finally, this gorgeous book: The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain – which probably holds the place of one of the most beautiful book title I’ve ever came across with. I was initially hesitant to buy this since this is technically just a collection of lyrics. But when I saw it in person at my last London trip, and I saw the illustrations, I was in love. I’ve always been obsessed with how a simple line from a song can transport you into a vivid, specific moment – and with Bianca Bagnarelli‘s illustrations along side the songs, the lyrics transform. I haven’t listened to the whole album yet but when I get a perfectly chilly, rainy afternoon, I’ll pop the album on and read this again to savor it. 🤍

What I’m Currently Reading

  • In the Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life Essay Collection – I’ve been collecting the Daunt Books essay collections in this same vein and I’m only missing At The Pond at this point. I came across these collections after reading Amy Key’s Arrangements in Blue (arguably my favorite read of 2024 so far) because she contributed in At The Pond. I am starting with In the Kitchen and there is this essay there that I absolutely fell in love with the moment I read the first line: Cupboard Love by Ella Risbridger, who started the essay with “I am always falling in love in kitchens.” I am at 1/4 already and I am hoping to find more love in here. God, I love essay collections!
  • Publishable By Death (St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery, #1) by A.C.F. Bookens – I always make sure that I have these 3 things in my rotation: 1) a non fiction, 2) a fiction, and 3) an audiobook. This is my audiobook pick at the moment. I was initially gonna pick up Plotted for Murder as it is tagged as an autumn book (I’m trying to be in theme here 😅) but then I saw that it is part of a series – and thought to myself, why not start from the top? 😂 This is a very first person POV type of book, and it unfolds as it happens to the main character – the vibe is kinda different from the other cozy mystery I’ve read for some reason (this is more upbeat, maybe because of the tone of the narration). But I am holding out for this series as I saw that almost all books in here averages 4+ stars, which is impressive.
  • Intermezzo by Sally Rooney – I gave in, ladies and gentlemen, and bought Sally Rooney’s latest release. I was initially not gonna buy this as soon as it was published because I didn’t wanna ride the hype train at the moment. But then I came across Liv’s review of Intermezzo and all I’ve ever wanted was to get my hands on it after. If you ever have a doubt that writing long, heartfelt, meaty reviews can make a difference, this is exhibit 1. It also doesn’t hurt that almost all of the lit fic girlies in Substack I am following are loving this. (I am in love with Substack 😭) The moment I started reading this, I immediately remembered what put me off everytime I start a Sally Rooney book: the lack of quotation marks, which confuses me so much. It’s bad in ebook. It’s a bit better in print. But it still doesn’t help. I am at a point that it still bothers me. Honest to goodness, I didn’t know how I got through Normal People (which turned out to be one of my favorites reads of 2023 | Reading Diary: 25 Thoughts While Reading Normal People by Sally Rooney). I suppose you just get used to it.

What I’m Looking Forward to

  • Autumn (Seasonal Quartet, #1) by Ali Smith – a reread because I really wanted to restart and commit to my Project Seasonal Quartet this year, i.e., reading each of the book of Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet in the season they’re set it. I only managed to finish the first book last 2022. It became a ritual of mine to bring each book to a photoshoot as the season changes (see: autumn, winter, spring, summer). I hope I would be able to properly kick start and renew my efforts in this again. (Note: This is the first time I’ve seen these photos side-by-side and they look so pretty. I am emotional looking at them, tbh. Oh how time passes so quickly. 😭)

I am writing this (almost) in the middle of October and I am just excited on how I can make the remaining weeks of actual fall 🍂 (and apparently my new favorite month!) count. Come November, it will just descend into colder, shorter, and darker days and I am anticipating a shift in my reading tastes again. Till next time! 👋✨

HOW ABOUT YOU? HOW WAS YOUR READING MONTH THIS September? DID YOU HAVE ANY NOTABLE FAVE? 
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