My Year in Books 2024: October

Well, I've not really improved my reading-for-fun streak this month. In my defence, I was really tied up with Halloween events this month, and I had a few books to read for review. I did start another novel, but I didn't finish it by the end of the month, so sadly today's post only has one title on it.

In case you're curious, here are my posts from the rest of the year so far: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September

Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram (2024)

I got this in my Abominable Books box this month, and I was so intrigued by the premise that I jumped straight in. The book is about a man called Vicken who is travelling on Montreal’s Metro with the intention of ending his own life. He reaches a station at the end of the line, only to discover that there’s no exit and no trains leaving from the platform. The building that Vicken finds himself in is a labyrinthine, impossible space that defies logic. I was drawn to this idea, as I do enjoy a bit of impossible architecture. Some of the descriptions of the Metro station are dizzying and utterly bizarre, so I wasn’t disappointed in that aspect at all. To be honest, I wasn’t disappointed by anything in the book, though it’s certainly not subtle. It’s told through first-person narration, so a lot of it is about Vicken describing his state of mind to the reader. The subway station is a pretty obvious metaphor, though there are times when Vicken denies this is the case. However, the nature of the metaphor is a bit more elusive than you might expect, and there are certainly moments that will give the reader pause. Ajram uses a narrative technique in the final section of the book that I really enjoyed (though I won’t say what it is, as I don’t want to spoil it). The book resists a trite or placatory conclusion, and that really worked for me. Enjoyed this one.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 19

It's Day 19 of our Halloween celebrations, and I had a couple of community events today (followed by a couple of horror films).

Pumpkin Earrings

Wearing my new pumpkin earrings today!

Late Autumn Walk in the Park

I led a Late Autumn Walk in the Park today for Friends of Crumpsall Park, talking about seasonal traditions, nature and folklore.

Samhain Walk in the Woods

And then straight after that, I headed to Blackley to lead a Samhain Walk in the Woods for Friends of Bailey's Wood, also talking about seasonal traditions, nature and folklore.

Black Forest Cake

Little afternoon snack after all the walking and talking.

Spaghetti Squash

Rob cooked our spaghetti squash for tea tonight. It was so good.

H is for Halloween

Carrying on with our A-Z of horror tonight, and the choice for H was a pretty obvious one!

I is for I Know What You Did Last Summer

And then a classic 90s slasher to complete our double bill.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 18

Another day of celebrating Halloween!

Spider Brooches

Getting ready for our Halloween/half term activity at work... making spider brooches!

Halloween Chocolate

Had a little bit of seasonal chocolate when I got home from work. This was part of a little bag of sweets my mum gave me at the beginning of the month.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 17

Another day of Halloween month... and another day that was a wee bit too busy for any celebrations. Sigh. Still, you have to mark the season somehow.

Zombie Fruit Leathers

I haven't seen these before, but they're officially my new favourite thing.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 16

Another day of celebrating Halloween! Not a lot of festivities today (due to work commitments) but I tried my best with what I had.

Cinnamon Sugar Crème Brûlée

I was at a training session all day today, which wasn't particularly festive. I tried to pick the most seasonal thing from the lunch table though. I probably deserve points for trying.

Spaghetti Squash and Uchiki Kuri

Our Groobarbs veg box arrived today, with not one but two squashes! Hooray!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 15

It's Day No. 15 of our Halloween celebrations!

Beetlejuice Earrings

New earrings! (Since it's been a Beetlejuice-y kinda month!)

Chocolate Ghost

Was out for a work event this morning, and it went well so I celebrated with a chocolate ghost.

Autumn Gnocchi

Out for a work dinner tonight. We were at The Smithfield Social, so in honour of the season I ordered from their Autumn Specials menu... wild mushroom and truffle gnocchi with spinach, pistachio pesto crumb and crispy parmesan!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 14

Another day of celebrating Halloween month... woohoo! And I'm still feeling under the weather... boohoo! Still, I picked myself up and got out of the house for a bit (my cold's gone, but the tiredness is still here).

Autumn Mouse

Little present from my mum - a twin to the one she got me at the Autumn Equinox.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Went to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with my brother this evening, which was a lot of fun (or, not too bad for a legacy sequel).

Beetlejuice Fanta

In honour of the film, my brother got me another bottle of Beetlejuice Fanta. 'Tis the season, apparently.