Although at times I felt like I wouldn’t be able to read anything at all this month, and although I was also engaged in the epic chunkster that is Solenoid, I did actually have a reasonably good and varied reading month. 10 books, of which five fit in the German Literature Month category and two in the Novella in November category. I even managed to review all four German-language books I read – including the biography of the woman who is fast becoming my favourite Austrian writer. Seven books by foreign authors, one collection of short stories (which tends to be a rarity), two non-fiction titles (again, a bit unusual for me, one of them a biography). Only three crime fiction titles, of which one was a translation from German.
My favourite this month was probably the Marlen Haushofer novella The Loft (Die Mansarde). The most escapist was The Peacock by Isabel Bogdan.
I had also planned to attend several literary and theatrical events this month: Iceland Noir, a concert at the Royal Festival Hall, several trips to the cinema, a RADA performance, an online performance of Shakespeare by cues only, a musical at Sonning Mill. In the end, I only managed to see two of our Icelandic Corylus authors in an online discussion with Dr Noir for Barnet Libraries on the very first day of November, plus the rather forgettable One Piece Red anime film and a disappointing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (muddled storytelling, some lovely cinematography) in the cinema.
Reading plans for the final month of the year? I usually like books set in snowy landscapes for December, but this year I will stick to whatever suits my mood while finishing some of the chunksters I had planned: volumes 2 and 3 of Your Face Tomorrow by Javier Marias, Tessa Hadley’s The Past. Svetlana Alexievich’s Second-Hand Time. A few lighter reads will no doubt make their way there as well, as I need to forget the rather gloomy second half of this year and turn with renewed optimism to face the New Year.
findingtimetowrite 
Goodness, I’m beyond impressed. I thought I was a quick reader, but you leave me at the starting blocks. From your list, the ones that jumped out at me were the Javier Marias volumes, whereas the one to start today is The Loft, sitting accusingly waiting for me to do so. Let’s hope for an optimistic start to 2023!
Given your tweets over the past few weeks, I’m amazed at what you’ve read this month. Fingers firmly crossed that December will be an easier month for you, and for your sons.
Wow – well done on all those plus a chunkster!! 😀 December fortunately has no reading events for me (apart from Susan Cooper) so I’m looking forward to following my whims. Hope everyone’s health improves!!
I’m happy for you that you were able to get more reading done than you’d thought you might, Marina Sofia. It’s a good idea to blend in novellas with chunksters! I’m sorry to hear you didn’t get to more events; hopefully you’ll be able to get to more next year. For now, reading what suits your mood sounds like a great way to end the year.
Lovely to hear that Tessa Hadley’s The Past is a possibility for your December reading. I found it very immersive and a real pleasure to read.
Wonderful books you’ve read, Marina! Loved your review of ‘The Loft’! Nice to know that you are planning to read Second-hand Time in December. Will look forward to hearing your thoughts. Happy reading in December 😊
I’m reviewing Second-hand time today (or at least hoping to), so of course I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts. I hope you and your family enjoy a more peaceful December.
A great reading month there with a lot of variety. I absolutely loved The Peacock, really good escapism as you say. You have been busy too. I have some Christmassy books planned for later in the month.
That’s an impressive tally of books read given all the health issues in your family you’ve had to deal with in recent weeks. Hope December brings you some respite from that and you get back to joining in with literary events