I don’t usually plan out my monthly reads. When I’m seeking out a new book, I intend to find something that’s already on my (lengthy) to-be-read list. However, I often stumble across a recommendation, on Facebook or Amazon, and indulge in that instead.
This October, I have decided on four specific books that I feel fit the whole vibe of this particular month. Admittedly, they are not a far cry from what I read year-round, but still…
Something Wicked This Way Comes [Ray Bradbury]
Brother [Ania Ahlborn]
Halloween Fiend [C.V. Hunt]
A House With Good Bones [T. Kingfisher]
It is highly likely there will be a few autumn- and Halloween-themed cozy mysteries sprinkled among these main four, and I have already been enjoying bits and pieces of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with my morning coffee.
I love the autumn months!
If you have any October-y recommendations for me, please leave them in the comments!
My November was even slower than my October, in regard to the reading challenge. To be fair, that could have something to do with extra hours at work and my week-long trip to Colorado…
Anyway, I have only read five books since my last update. I did reach my goal of 55; time to raise the number again.
So here are the books I finished, complete with ratings and brief reviews. Enjoy, and remember to recommend anything you think I’d find interesting!
None of This is True (Lisa Jewell)
Rating: 4/5
None of This is True was an intriguing read – until the very end. The story was enough to hold my interest, and Lisa did quite well in keeping certain things shrouded in mystery. However, the big reveal was a mite disappointing and, frankly, dissatisfying. I would still recommend it, though, because not everyone will feel as I do about the conclusion.
Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
Rating: 2/5
After hearing about Frankenstein for years, I finally decided to read it. How had I missed such a classic, right? Especially given how much I love all things horror. Well… having read this infamous novel, I feel that I could have continued living without it. I’m sure many of you will herald Frankenstein as a must-read, and I do understand its importance in literary history, but I just couldn’t get into it. Victor pissed me off. That’s the gist of my complaint. I won’t bore you with my opinion on this particular book any further.
Ghost (Kat Blackthorne)
Rating: 3/5
Ghost is the first in Kat Blackthorne’s “The Halloween Boys” series. I like the concept behind this book, and I love Kat diving into several facets of the supernatural. On the other hand, I lost my patience with Blythe, the female lead. I’ll give the short version of what didn’t win me over: everyone wanted Blythe, she accepted what was going on way too easily, and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – most of the smut was unnecessary.
Witching You Were Here (Amanda M. Lee)
Rating: 3.5/5
Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series are considered cozy mysteries, and that description is accurate. I read most of Witching You Were Here on my flights to and from Colorado. This is the third book in the series, and while I do enjoy the quirky relationships among the Winchester witches and their friends/significant others, I am waiting on a more intricate plot, or even a darker scenario like the murders in the first book. Still, these are fun and easy reads. I highly recommend grabbing your favorite blanket and a mug of tea (or coffee) and curling up with one of these books.
The Drowning Kind (Jennifer McMahon)
Rating: 4/5
My mom read The Drowning Kind first and told me that I would enjoy it, and she was right. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll say only that I was hooked from page one, I devoured this novel in three days, and this story carried me through a lot of emotions. It actually made me cry quite a bit. Read this. Read it now. Trust me.
**
I am currently reading Dracula (Bram Stoker) and The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick).
