A chill in the air. 🍂 A cozy stack of books. 📚 Pumpkin spiced coffee. ☕️
Finally, everything’s coming up Autumn!
I surprised myself by getting through as many books as I did this month, considering I was working on the final bit of editing my novel, which made its way back to the editor last week. I’m that much closer to getting it on your shelf! Even though this wasn’t a ten-book month (still a very respectable eight!), it was packed with some pretty great reads. I thought about increasing my 2024 goal from 30 to 100, but decided it would be fun to see my original estimate and how much I further I went this year. So far, I’m at 80. Perhaps next year, I’ll aim a bit higher, given I know it’s possible!
Anyway, this round included some solid fiction (mysteries, of course, are you even shocked at this point), a few memoirs, and even a science read. I threw in some Substack pieces I enjoyed this month, too.
Please, hit up the comment section and tell me what you loved reading this month? I’m always looking to add to my TBR! 🥰
I hope everyone had a wonderful October and may your shelves be stacked and your mugs be full of warmth.
FICTION
THE VACATION HOUSE, by Jane Shemilt
Two stories converging with two decades in between? Count me in. We start in Paxos, Greece following a teenage girl, Sofie, whose family works as caretakers in the vacation home of some rich people from England. They visit in the summer of 2003 and Sofie’s life is never the same. Fast forward to 2023, the daughter of the home’s owner, Julia, is living a wonderful life with her wonderful husband — or so it seems. She begins seeing a therapist and her life is never the same. The way the lives of these two women come together is surprising. This is billed as a psych thriller but in my opinion, it was really a two tragic stories, intricately woven together. A total page turner.
SOCIETY OF LIES, by Laura Ling Brown
This one was slow for me to get into. I think it’s because I have been working on my novel again. It’s definitely not the book’s fault! It’s well-written and has a very compelling plot. This follows the story of two sisters, both Princeton students who were a part of an exclusive “eating club” — and the same secret society beyond that club. The older sister, Maya, is devastated to find her much younger sister, Naomi, died on campus and is certain it’s not an accident. Their individual experiences at the same university are more related than they may have thought, and the way it comes together was worth sticking with it. Pick it up from your library if you’re into something like this!
DAUGHTER OF MINE, by Megan Miranda
I started this book earlier this year, when it first came out, but had to stop because I was struggling with my own grief from losing my father last year. I put it back on hold because I never miss a Megan Miranda story, and I’m glad I was in a better place to devour it this month. (Things are still hard, but, ebbs/flows and all that.) This story is about Hazel, whose father passes away and leaves her the family home. She left the town a decade prior, but finds herself sucked back into it quickly, and she starts to learn more about her mother’s disappearance all those years ago. There’s also a drought happening; the water levels of the lake are dangerously low, which prompts investigations into secrets long submerged. I couldn’t stop turning these pages — Miranda delivers yet again!
BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN, by Jessica Knoll
I put off reading this one, even though Knoll is one of my faves, because I knew it would wreck me. From the first page, I found myself absolutely devouring the prose. Knoll makes me want to be a better writer. Anyway, this is a story about two victims of a certain serial killer, although he is intentionally not named and referred to as “The Defendant”. Knoll has mentioned that this book was born out of reading how the judge called this serial killer a “bright young man” and how that infuriated her (rightly so). What about the bright young women he killed? She expertly weaves in details based on the true crimes into this thrilling piece of art together with such tension. I’m typically a quick reader, but I found myself slowing down with this one to fully take in her work. This may very well be one of the best books I’ve read this year, if not the best. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
NONFICTION
TELL ME EVERYTHING, by Minka Kelly
I cannot express how little I knew about Minka Kelly before picking this up. In fact, I probably never would have borrowed it had it not been so highly rated on Goodreads. (Yes, I’ve never watched Friday Night Lights, and I barely realized she did a handful of episodes on Parenthood, which I loved.) Anyway, I loved this memoir — it was everything you want a memoir to be. Vulnerable, heartbreaking, and courageously honest. Kelly’s upbringing is not uncommon and I hope others read this, especially those with complicated relationships with their own mothers. I cried a handful of times while listening and when I finished, I felt proud of the woman Minka Kelly became, and is.
THE THIRD GILMORE GIRL, by Kelly Bishop
Kelly Bishop is an icon for the ages. This woman has worked so hard and has graced our screens and stages for decades, and when I heard she was dropping a memoir, I couldn’t request the audiobook fast enough — you know I love when the author reads their story to me! Listening to Bishop tell her life’s story and her experiences was absolutely wonderful. Her career is epic and I especially loved hearing her talk about her time on Dirty Dancing and Gilmore Girls, but also her start in the business as a dancer. This was touching and I now may find myself speaking out into the universe like she has numerous times, “gee, I wish…” I can’t recommend this enough.
COSMIC QUERIES, by Neil deGrasse Tyson (with James Trefil)
You know I love a science/astrophysical piece of work, and this didn’t disappoint. With a different narrator through most of the book, and Neil popping in to read pieces of it, it felt much more like a podcast. Highly recommend if you enjoy pondering the existence of humanity and our place amongst the stars within the cosmos. It’s great for all ages, too — it doesn’t get too technical with astronomy and physics, but does a great job of explaining concepts and making these concepts accessible to an audience who may not have a scientific background (like me, beyond enjoying reading about these concepts!).
A HEART THAT WORKS, by Rob Delaney
I’ve had this on my list for a while, and the audiobook finally became available via my Libby app (local library). I’ve also put this off because I remember following Delaney on Twitter during the time he lost his son and it was devastating. I’m a big fan of him and his writing, and this did not disappoint. Heart wrenching, vulnerable, and humorous in all the right places. If you have a child, you might skip this one, but also, maybe not. His experience is something that no one should have to face, and his words might bring comfort to some.
See what else I’ve read this year by clicking here.
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All the (non-affiliate) links for the books reviewed go to Bookshop.org, a wonderful site where you can purchase your books and support your local independent bookstore(s). 📚
My list of "wants to read" grows every month with this post!