October Book Recap

Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. Here are the books I completed in the month of October:

• A Million Junes by Emily Henry - Although this book isn't new, it was newly added to my Libby app, so it popped up on one of my recommended lists. I normally love Emily Henry books (and Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook reader), so I knew I needed to listen to this one. I was stoked that this was 'less steamy' than her normal book (I would even venture to say it read a little more like a YA book than her traditional RomCom genre). It was an interesting plot with some supernatural thrown in for good measure. June lived in a 'magical' house that was a 'thin place' between reality and the 'after'. She was able to slip through time and space to visit past memories. When she collided with Saul, a sworn enemy, she realizes that not only are the memories those of her father, but also those of past relatives and even family members of Saul. It felt a little like a ghost story mixed with Romeo and Juliet. As with most of this author's books, I was hooked from the very beginning (even if my description doesn't exactly grab your attention ;)). I would give it a 9 out of 10.  

 

• Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds - This title was in the newly released section of my Libby app, in the Young Adult genre, so I thought I'd grab it. It was a short listen (four hours total, which means about two hours for me, since I listen at 1.75 speed), so I figured that even if it was terrible I was committing too much time to it ;) Thankfully it wasn't terrible. It was told from a teen boy's perspective before he and his girlfriend have sex. I actually really liked it. First, since it was YA the sex wasn't the point of the story (they actually never get into the act of having sex in the book), which I appreciate. Second, it was told in a backwards sort of way. It started twenty four seconds from 'the act', then moved back to twenty four hours before, twenty four days before, etc. Third, it was told from a guy's perspective, which I feel like is not very common. Most of the coming-of-age type stories are from the female perspective, so it was cool from the other side. It was a cute love story that was an easy read and still packed a punch. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• A Little Less Broken by Marian Schembari - This book popped up on my Libby app in the newly released nonfiction section and I thought it seemed interesting. I didn't know much about it, other than the little phrase on the cover that mentioned how an autism diagnosis finally made this author feel whole. I have a friend who was diagnosed with autism later in life and I thought this would give me a better glimpse into their life. I found this book extremely eye opening. Not only was this about her personal story, but it showed how the medical field often doesn't listen to women, people of color, queer folks, those who are in marginalized communities, etc. I have seen this first hand, and although I'd never wish these experiences on others, it was comforting to know I'm not alone. This book walked through Marian's life at different ages and stages to show how being undiagnosed impacted her life. A diagnosis may not be an end-all-be-all, but this author found it was extremely useful and somewhat necessary in finding herself. Claiming the label autism was a way to step into community, care and self-compassion for Marian and can be equally as helpful to others. I would give this a 9 out of 10. 

• Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness & Julie Murphy - When you see a novel written by two fun authors, you jump at the opportunity because you know it'll be a blast. And I was NOT disappointed. I love everything that Julie writes and I enjoyed JVN's memoir so I knew this one would be great. A non-bianary recent graduate thinks they will make a break from their small town with a summer internship in the big city, only to have that opportunity ripped from their grasp. Sully gets stuck in their hometown for the summer and doesn't have any plans for the future until they find a GHOST IN A HANDBAG! Yep, this is fiction in case you had any doubt ;) Sully promises the ghost that they will do their best to help the ghost find out his past (how he ended up dead, what happened in his life, etc because his memories are few and far between). As the blurb on Amazon said, this is a 'big hearted story about friendship and love'. It was funny and heartwarming all at the same time, while encouraging everyone to be brave enough to be themselves. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The House of My Mother by Shari Franke - I had seen a few documentaries about Ruby Franke, so I thought a book written by her daughter would be interesting to listen to - I was right. This is the telling of what happened behind the 8 Passengers family vlog by the oldest daughter in the family. I have to start off by saying, I admire the fact that Shari did not name her younger siblings by name, nor did she go into their stories. They have had so much of their life broadcast without their consent that I appreciate Shari's concern around this topic. With that said, if you were thinking you would read this book for more of the nitty gritty of what Ruby did to abuse her children, you are probably barking up the wrong tree. Shari doesn't devolve more of the story than you've probably seen on the documentaries made about the family, but she does tell it from her perspective and shares how the experiences impacted her life. I am so happy to hear that she has found freedom and healing from this traumatic past that she was raised in and wish her nothing but the best. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

With that, October is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list! 

What's the best book you've read lately?