October was a win, at least page-wise

I didn't read a lot of books this month (only 2). But I did get a lot of pages read (1,147 pages). In my defense, I didn't have a whole lot of free time last month. Fingers crossed, I'll have some more free time this month so I can get more reading done!

China Dolls by Lisa See (376 pages). The story starts in San Francisco in 1938. Grace, Ruby and Helen all meet, by chance, in Chinatown. Grace has just arrived from Ohio, convinced her years of dance training will help her become a star and escape her violent father. Ruby, talented and intoxicating, has her own secrets. And then there is Helen, a traditional Chinese girl who decides it is time to spread her wings. The girls immediately bond. And for the next 10 years, their lives remain intertwined as they remain in show business. Just because their lives are intertwined doesn't mean they always like each other. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor rocks their lives and shocking betrayals bring a lot of things to light. I really liked this book. I loved how the author used real people, real places and real events to make the girls' story seem like it could have been true. I love the detail she put into describing the Chinese-American nightclub era.  It took me five days to finish it (only 2 days of actual reading time). 

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (771 pages). Apparently, I am late to the game in reading this one. Seeing as it was a Pulitzer Prize winning book and all.  It was well worth the wait. Theo Decker is 13 years old. He lives with his mother in New York City. His father abandoned them, but Theo doesn't care- he and his mom have always been a twosome, even before his dad left. One day, an unimaginable accident takes the life of his mother. And lands him with a world famous piece of artwork. After a short stay with his friend's family, Theo's dad reemerges. And off Theo goes to Vegas. There, he meets Boris and his world changes. When his dad dies in a car accident, Theo runs home to New York and creates a new family and a new life for himself. Years later, Boris returns to his life, with a shocking secret about a shocking secret of Theo's. Together they enter a dangerous world, all in the hopes of recovering something Theo thought was lost to him forever. It was a darkly beautiful book. Very dark. It took me twelve days to finish it (only 6 days of actual reading time).