Lily and the Octopus

 Book 100 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from November 5 - 7

Lily and the Octopus

by Steven Rowley

published 2016

3 stars

Unrelated to this specific book: this was my 100th read of 2026 so I've met my goal!  This was also the last letter I needed to read a fiction book starting with every letter of the alphabet (I'm only a few letters away from doing the same with nonfiction).

I put this book on hold and when my husband picked it up for me the librarian gave a warning that it was very sad.  That warning coupled with the main characters being a man and his dog gave me an idea of where we were heading from the start.

It was sad but I wasn't as drawn in as I expected.  I felt more sad for the man's loneliness than the actual circumstances.  I also was deep in a weed drink when I finished it so that may have blunted my emotions as well.

*******************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 100th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'L' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

Vietnam War 50th Commemoration

 Book 99 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from November 1 - 4

Vietnam War 50th Commemoration:

A Time to Honor

5 stars

This book is solely stories from those who served during the Vietnam War and since it delivers exactly what it says, I'm giving it 5 stars.  It was unique, varied, honest, and respectful.

There was also a DVD enclosed but I didn't watch it.

************************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 99th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'V' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

Never Let Me Go

 Book 98 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 30 - November 1

Never Let Me Go

by Kazuo Ishiguro

published 2005

4 stars

I'm sure there are layers I missed because I don't feel I can completely detach from real life at the moment but I was still absorbed.  It required focus because there weren't obvious peaks and valleys so every detail could either be throwaway filler or something pivotal but it was an easy focus.

************************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 98th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'N' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

The X President

 Book 97 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 28 - 30

The X President

by Philip Baruth

published 2003

4 stars

When I saw this at an used book sale I had to get it.  An elusive 'X' title for my A-Z challenge and the summary actually sounded decent - win win!

I had hesitations as I started to read it.  First, it was written in 2003; what would be considered "satirical" and "shocking" back then and would it just make me sadder about our current political climate?  Second, it referenced thinly veiled actual people (including the former president "BC") and I was worried it would be outdated or too preachy depending on the author's leanings.

So I was a little unsettled as I started reading but fortunately, my concerns were not validated and it was a good read.  Basing characters on somewhat familiar figures actually helped give some grounding and backstory and aided the book in an unexpected way.  And the plot was outlandish even by today's standards (although maybe not from a technological standpoint) so it was interesting as long as you don't overthink it.

I did think the end before the wrap-up (the parts in the house) went off the rails a little but the ending itself was nice.

**********************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 97th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'X' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

- A book I purchased in 2026 (my goal is to read any books I buy within 6 months of purchasing them)

- A book I own that is leaving my house for a new reader to find (my goal is to declutter and make progress on whittling down my shelves/boxes of books in my house)

Zen Dogs

 Book 96 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read on October 29

Zen Dogs

by Alex Cearns

3 stars

Books like these are why I'm thankful for libraries.  It was a cute 10 minutes of looking at pictures but not something I'd pay money for.

********************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 96th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'Z' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

My Grandfather, the Master Detective

 Book 95 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 25 - 28

My Grandfather, the Master Detective

by Masateru Konishi

published 2023 (translation 2025)

3 stars

This novel is an okay way to pass some time.  It kept my interest without generating a lot of excitement.  It took me a minute to settle in because I didn't realize how much fantasy would play into it but once I knew the "rules" of the book, I was able to stay grounded.

I almost went down to 2 stars out of frustration in her keeping secrets but it ended fine so I decided to do a low 3.  I do wish there wasn't a love triangle aspect and that it had been resolved differently since there was.

**********************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 95th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

The Royal Insider

 Book 94 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 22 - 26

The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen,

the King and Princess Diana

by Paul Burrell

published 2025

3 stars

First of all, I'm not British so I'm not familiar at all with the day-to-day tabloids, tv appearances, etc. meaning my knowledge of Paul Burrell is pretty slim. He seems to want to be/remain famous just based on my opinions of those who go on reality tv shows, as well as one of his main gripes about The Crown being that there wasn't a character representing him. 

I felt a little icky reading this because it felt like telling tales out of school but admittedly, I was also very curious. He definitely spills tea and names names but I'll take the advice that he says the Queen gave him and read it with a grain of salt.

 

Without any other information about the veracity of his words, I'll go off the writing of the book itself.  He cuts no slack for those he doesn't like (Prince Harry in particular) and seems to have a bit of a 'hero' complex for himself.  It's hard to believe he was involved in so many pivotal moments (such as saying he chose the 'revenge dress') but never had anything negative to say about himself or his interactions.  It comes off a bit pompous, like when someone says their biggest flaw is "working too hard" in a job interview.

************************************

Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 94th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)