You can probably already tell that October was a big reading month just by glancing, so I won’t waste too much time before sharing my reviews for the past month. If you are wondering how I was able to read so many books this past month check out this post. 

What I Read in October 2023

Light from Uncommon Stars: this book had been nowhere on my radar until a month ago, but it turned out to be one of the best books I read this year. This book is a mixed bag of genres that normally wouldn’t appeal to me, but it works. Science fiction, literary fiction, and fantasy this book really has a little bit of everything. You follow the story of a trans violinist who is trying to make her way in the world after leaving her home. She is not alone in this journey though and gets help from a violin teacher who is called the Queen of Hell and of course, there are aliens. Like I said a little bit of everything, but just trust me and read this book. 

Where the Grass is Green and the Girls Are Pretty: an enjoyable audiobook that I downloaded because it was recommended as a good fall vibes read. I had no idea what the plot or even genre was until I got a little way into the book. This story follows two sisters and their seemingly perfect lives that are actually not so perfect. Loosely based on the college admission scandals. 

Hello Beautiful: I am so happy to finally be sharing about this book! It has been in my TBR pile for way too long. This was a beautiful story about what it means to be human and live a life of brave choices. There are hundreds of little women references which I adored, but I think this book has something for everyone. Complicated family relationships, basketball, artists, and hope. 

Happiness Falls: we read this for my Literary League book club this month and it was such a wild ride of a book. A father goes missing and the last person to see him is his son Eugene who has a rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak. You will learn about the power of language, ponder quantifying happiness, and watch what it means to be a family. 

The Dead Romantics: this is going to be one of my favorite books to recommend in October! Think if the movie Ghost was reimagined and set in a small town and a little on the cozy spookier side of the spectrum. If that hasn’t sold you I don’t know what will. 

Adelaide: a truly beautiful modern love story about finding love, specifically the right love for yourself. Adelaide is a 20-something living in the UK and on the brink of graduation, she just needs a job and to convince “the one” to love her the way she should be. 

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism: if you love learning about language and what makes it so powerful then I highly recommend picking this book up. Author Amanda Montell explores everything about the languages of cults and how that language permeates other parts of our society. 

The Whispers: I was excited to read Ashley Audrain’s new book, her previous book The Push is one of my favorite thrillers of all time. This book was also eerily chilling and I finished it in 24 hours because I just needed to know what happened. A child is rushed to the hospital after being found below their upstairs bedroom window that’s open, a terrible accident is what the whole neighborhood thinks. Or was it? 

The Burnout: this book was just pure joy to read! If you want a fun romance and a sweet story about childhood innocence you will love this book. Sasha has been doing it all for way too long and finally, the burnout hits and she finds herself literally running away from work. She goes to stay in an oceanside town that she used to visit as a kid with her family, for some R&R (and to transform into an entirely new person of course). But Sasha can’t avoid the most annoying grumpy man who seems to be the only other guest at the hotel. 

Reign: reading this book was so bittersweet because it was the final book in the American Royals series. The series follows the premise that instead of George Washington becoming President he becomes King and it’s set in what would be present-day America with a monarchy. Katherine McGee, the author, created such a vivid world and I am sad to be leaving.