2025_October
October started like summer, but it will end like winter. No snow yet, but the leaves were glorious going through the month. Also a glorious month for reading!
Let’s start with a local author purchase while on my Iceland excursion last July.
- “The Flatey Enigma” by Victor Arnar Ingolfsson translated by Brian Fitzgibbon. I know nothing about what this book will be about – I admit I don’t read the blurbs much, but the cover on this one sold me : Dark, blood red raven dominating the black suggestive ocean/wooden plank view behind. Of course, first chapter reveals the dead body. A murder mystery. And then another murder. OK. But the names of people and places are hard to follow (this book has been translated to English from Icelandic). I have a difficult time figuring out who’s who and where or why and what are the relationships among those who might have a why. Turns out, nice ending, but my brain hurts from concentration!
So how about a nice easy read with a guaranteed (predictable, somewhat boring) author?
- Dan Brown’s newest, “The Secret of Secrets”. I like his books, nothing too special, but nothing too disappointing. This one is nice and long; halfway through and you’ve only lived a morning in the action-packed storyline. I usually like long books – when they’re good you hate for them to end! Nice theory for the story basis. Of course, like most Dan Brown, I read this one as a movie playing in my head. It’s kind of exhausting – is the author trying to set a record for how many chapter-ending cliff-hangers? Especially when you absolutely know they’ll make it out of the current jam! Fairly easy, fast reading, despite the drawn-out scientific dialogue to explain everything. Actually, it was a nice contrast to the previous read, where I had to figure so much out on my own. There must be a happy medium author for me soon! Can’t really say much about the plot without spoiling, so, if you like this author, you’ll like this book. It delivers. Predictable, but good if you’re in the mood for an action movie in your head. Frankly, it was too long for me. I’m betting that the movie will be better than the book (something I rarely say!)
October ended up busier than planned : curling, executor duties, babysitting. A great book sales show. Always time for reading, though. November? My least favourite month, so to beat the blahs, I’m going on a cruise! Hurricane Alley should be quiet by then? Load up the Kobo! This ship (Holland America Konigsdam) has a great library; I am eager to partake.
Tried Michele Sabad’s books yet? Please take a look. 😉
Stevie Szabad, Author 