What I Read: My October
It’s late but it’s here, yall … my October 2023 reads, ratings, and book reviews! October was an awesome month for me, reading and lifewise. I was social (yes, you’re allowed to be proud of me) and I also took time to focus on me and dive into a good book or six.
If you’ve known me for a while, you know I LOVE Halloween, so I of course incorporated a thriller and some “spooky” romcoms into my reading list this month. I’m so excited to share!
If you missed my joint August and September review, click here to get caught up!
Month Reads by the Numbers
In August and September, I read a total of 6 books.
Book formats:
- Paperback: 3
- Hardback: 3
Types of books:
- Romcom: 3
- Thriller / Mystery: 2
- Historical Fiction: 1
Yearly Reads: Goal Tracking
According to my Goodreads I am one book ahead of my goal of 52 books for 2023.
As of the end of October, I am at 44 books.
To see other book roundups and reading reports from this year, click here!
My October 2023 Reads and Reviews
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
4.5 Stars | Historical Fiction
Trigger warnings: rape, murder, sexual assault, grief
The author does a great job at describing these instances without going into too much detail.
For Fans of: True crime podcasts
This book is written about the murders of Ted Bundy, but in a fictionalized (and not romanticized – thank God) way. It focuses on the Florida State Chi Omega sorority murders and another murder that happened four years previously.
I ate this book up. Though it took a little time to get into, you can just tell the author poured her heart and soul into her research to make this book accurate and moving. It is one that I highly recommend picking up!
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
5 Stars | Romcom
This was an absolutely beautiful, special kind of book. It’s one of those books that you want to stay up all night to finish while simultaneously not wanting it to end. Every bit of it is delightfully magical.
Things I loved:
- The main character is 29 and looking for love while attempting to grow in her career. So relatable.
- The presence of food and wine: need I say more?
Synopsis: Clementine is a 29 year old who is about to get her big break in publishing, focusing more on her career than on settling down … and then she finds a stranger standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. The kicker? He exists in her past. She – literally – lives seven years in his future.
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
3 Stars | Romcom
This was a cute, quick witchy read that was perfect for Halloween. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Did it have enough spice and spookiness that it was super fun? Absolutely. Think R-rated early 2000s Disney Channel Original movie.
The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling
3.5 Stars | Romcom
This is the second book in The Ex Hex duo, and I personally liked it more than the first! The characters were more dynamic, and the storyline was much better / easier to follow. You don’t need to read the first to read this one, and even if The Ex Hex wasn’t for you, I recommend giving this book a shot! It was a great, two day type of read.
None of this is True by Lisa Jewell
4.5 stars | Thriller / Mystery
Trigger warnings: grooming, abuse, sexual assault
For fans of: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
When Alix meets her birthday twin at a restaurant on her 45th birthday, she has no idea her life is about to turn completely upside down.
This book was UNHINGED in the best way. It was one of those that just keeps adding on layers upon layers of twists. It was the perfect spooky thriller for this month! I loved that it showcased a podcaster and her process of creating / what goes into creating a podcast. That is an area of content creating I have yet to touch, so it was fun to read about!
My half star deduction is due to the grooming … there is something deeply unsettling to me about a 40-something year old being attracted to a 16-year-old, and I think that this may have had an effect on me while reading. I can’t say much more without giving up parts of the plot, but I can say that this is a book to add to your list!
One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus
4 Stars | Young Adult Thriller
For Fans of: The Pretty Little Liars series
A nerd, a jock, a drug dealer, and a homecoming princess all receive detention one day, and now a student is dead. Worse yet, they’re all considered persons of interest. While they all say they didn’t do it … with the secrets they hide, who can you really believe?
I picked this book off of my TBR (to be read) pile as a final read for the month because I wanted something quick and easy, but kind of scary … and what is more scary than returning to the halls of high school?
What I liked and expected: this plot line was engaging, the relationships in the book were well developed, and the book overall was an easy read.
What I did NOT expect: how much I was going to love this book. I’ve mentioned before that young adult books often come across disingenuous to me. It’s almost like authors write most YA books like the characters are in 6th grade and not about to be functioning members of society. McManus did an amazing job at steering away from this, and I am so excited to read the others in this series … book #2 is downloading on my Kindle right now! If you need something to get you into reading or are looking for a mystery that won’t keep you up at night wondering if an axeman is hiding in your closet – this is for you!
