Despite the fact that October was absolute chaos for me as per usual, I had a decent reading month and an even better book haul month…
Reading wise I didn’t stick to my October TBR as much as I wanted… I blame this fact on three books I had placed on hold ended up coming in this month. All three happened to be Halloween-ish reads, so no harm done.
I really hadn’t been buying many books this year, but I definitely made up for that in October. It’s not my fault though… I attended two book events, Kate Morton’s book tour for The Clockmaker’s Daughter and the Books by the Banks book festival. Also a bunch of my highly anticipated books came out in October as well… my hands were tied.
» Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Feelings in a few thoughts:
- This duology (or is it?) was absolutely fabulous! I really like how Taylor left things a little open ended. I really hope she writes more books in this world.
- These books are just so unique & the writing is breathtaking, both make for such a immersive reading experience.
- If you haven’t read this duology, what are you doing with your life? These books have earned a spot on my favorites list!
» The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Guide #2)by Mackenzi Lee
Feelings in a few thoughts:
- This book is feminist AF and I’m here for it!
- I LOVE what Mackenzi Lee is doing for YA historical fiction. She is really proving that HF is far from boring! I also love that she is highlighting how challenging the plight of women was in the 1700s (and let’s face it, beyond.)
- As per usual Lee made me laugh out loud on many occasions.
- Positive & realistic female friendship for the win!
- If you were to ask me if I loved it as much as A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, I’d have to honestly answer no, BUT that doesn’t mean this book wasn’t fantastic.
» Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Feelings in a few thoughts:
- I would say the target audience for this one is on the younger side of the middle grade range, around the 3rd – 4th grade range?
- Perfect book to read during Halloween time! All the scary elements were all age appropriate. Small Spaces gave me 90s Goosebumps vibes.
- While I did enjoy the overall plot/story, I was slightly disappointed with the character development & rushed plot, but I attribute this more to the target audience. I almost wish Arden would have written this book for the older MG audience.
» The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Feelings in a few thoughts
- I LOVED Kiersten White’s And I Darken series, and I’m here to say she has done it again! She is quickly becoming a favorite author in my eyes
- This retelling of the classic Frankenstein is on point. I really believe that Mary Shelley would be proud.
- Perfect book to read during the Halloween season, or during the fall/winter months.
- This book was deeply unsettling.
- .I highly recommend you going into this one only if you’ve read the original Frankenstein. You really need to be familiar with the original to appreciate the brilliance of White’s retelling.
September 2018 Reading Wrap-Up + Book Haul
Book Blogger Recs: Bloggers to Follow for Horror Readers #BookBloggers
Book Event: An Evening with Jacqueline Woodson in Conversation With Sharon Draper
6 Middle Grade Books to Read This Halloween
Book Review: The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies
Physical Books:
» The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Guide #2)by Mackenzi Lee
» Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
» West (East #2) by Edith Pattou
» Vengeful (Villians #2) by V.E. Schwab
» Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
» A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
» The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
» Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
*Signed by Author at BBTB*
» The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
*Signed by Author at BBTB*
» Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
*Signed by Author at BBTB*
» We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices
*Signed by Jason Reynolds & Sharon Draper at BBTB*
Which books did you read this month?
Have you read any of the books I read or hauled this month? If so, what did you think?
Did you buy any books? If so, which ones?
Comment below & let me know 🙂
It looks like you’ve had an excellent reading month! I haven’t read any of the books mentioned but the first books of the series you’ve read are on my TBR so hopefully I’ll be able to get to them soon
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You read so many great books this month!! You covered pretty much half of my current TBR, haha. So glad you enjoyed them, makes me even more excited to go forwards and pick them up!
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I’m so glad you liked The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein! I read it recently and LOVED IT! such an atmospheric book and the characters were the best thing 💕
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I really need to get to Mackenzie’s 1& 2 and Strange the dreamer (and the Muse of nightmares). I need more time
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Can’t believe it’s already time to do October wrap-up’s! I feel like it flew by and soon we will have snow lol! It looks like you had an awesome reading month girl! I really want to read Jodi Picoult’s new book!
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lol, Amanda, I’m starting to think you need to reevaluate what “chaos” means in your world, because every month is chaotic! Perhaps your life is fast-paced, and chaotic would be…what? What would that look like?
You had a series September. I’m thinking about have a series 2019. I have so many series that I want to get through that I might just go for it. I have a whole universe by Mercedes Lackey to get through (15 books) and Irvine Welsh’s whole Trainspotting (now) series, which includes 5 books. I thought about adding a fat detective series to my fat reads quest, but what if I hate the first book in the series? I’ll have to uncommit.
Which books did you read this month?
I read Detroit Hustle by Amy Haimerl, a memoir about fixing up a house.
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware, a thriller.
Cat’s Eye, a boring novel by Margaret Atwood.
Knit One, Girl Two, a novella.
A few plays: Fallen Angels by Noel Coward, The Humans by Stephen Karam, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City by Halley Feiffer, and Tiny Beautiful Things, the play adapted from Cheryl Strayed’s essays.
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, a musical.
Have you read any of the books I read or hauled this month? If so, what did you think?
I haven’t read any of the same books as you!
Did you buy any books? If so, which ones?
I’m keeping buying to a minimum, but I bought Mammoth by Jill Baguchinsky, a novel about a fat anthropologist, on Liz’s recommendation.
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Sounds like you had a wonderful month! Great haul as well… I really need to get a copy of Muse Of Nightmares and Vengeful ASAP.
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Wow! You had an INCREDIBLE October! Don’t sell yourself short. So many posts! So many books read! I love it. Plus, many of these books were delightfully thematic for October. Overall your reads for October were really positive! I’m so glad.
I also love White’s The Conqueror’s Saga. However, I haven’t read Frankenstein— I am ashamed. Perhaps I can read both of these books next October? We shall see!
Your haul is only 3 books, so I wouldn’t worry about it. 😉 I purchased Vicious and Vengeful this month. I fell in love with Vicious last month, so I figured I should get both books instead of just Vengeful. XD I spoil myself sometimes. Books are so easy to buy.
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