I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
Goodbye September, and hello October!
October is my absolute favorite month of the year! Ohio in October is absolutely gorgeous. The weather is cooling off and the trees are starting to change… It is now socially acceptable to consume pumpkin spice in public 🙂 It’s nice to appreciate the small things during these crazy times we are living in.
Let’s see what I read & blogged in September…
» The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This book was compulsively readable. The Vanishing Half dives into racial topics like colorism and racial passing, both of which I haven’t read much about within books.
» You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
*3.5 stars*
This was a sweet YA contemporary with a queer black main character. If you enjoy YA books centering around prom, this will be your jam. While I enjoyed many aspects of this book, I just wasn’t feeling it. I do think this is an excellent book, but just not my personal cup of tea.
» When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
One of the most inspirational and emotional memoirs I’ve ever read. I’ll be adding this to my favorite books of 2020 list.
» The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
This was an excellent hate-to-love trope romance.
» The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
This was very different from the previous Picoult books I’ve read. While I enjoyed the overall story and liked the exploration of death & ancient Egypt, there was WAY too much Egyptology info dumping.
» Practical Magic (Practical Magic #1) by Alice Hoffman
Well this was a big let down. After hearing people RAVE about the movie for years – still haven’t seen it – I was excited to buddy read this with a friend. Not only was I not a fan of the writing style, but I was very underwhelmed with the plot.
» Front Desk by Kelly Yang
This is a wonderful MG novel that tackles some tough issues. Highly recommend this in a classroom setting.
Goodreads Challenge Update: 98 books in 2020
August 2020 Reading & Blogging Wrap-Up
Mini Book Reviews: September 2020 – Part 1
Mini Book Reviews: September 2020 – Part 2
» Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle #1) by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
» Into the Wild (Warriors #1) by Erin Hunter
Fire alone can save our Clan…
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by the powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying — and some deaths are more mysterious than others.
In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty… Who may yet turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.
» Story Thieves by James Riley
Life is boring when you live in the real world, instead of starring in your own book series. Owen knows that better than anyone, what with the real world’s homework and chores.
But everything changes the day Owen sees the impossible happen—his classmate Bethany climb out of a book in the library. It turns out Bethany’s half-fictional and has been searching every book she can find for her missing father, a fictional character.
Bethany can’t let anyone else learn her secret, so Owen makes her a deal: All she has to do is take him into a book in Owen’s favorite Kiel Gnomenfoot series, and he’ll never say a word. Besides, visiting the book might help Bethany find her father…
…Or it might just destroy the Kiel Gnomenfoot series, reveal Bethany’s secret to the entire world, and force Owen to live out Kiel Gnomenfoot’s final (very final) adventure.
» Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she’s seen her fair share of them, and she’s excellent at dealing with other people’s tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it’s an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.
The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie’s old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren’t exactly thrilled to have a “lady” on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn’t seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can’t think about that. Because she doesn’t fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don’t date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping…but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she’s worked so hard to be taken seriously?
Katherine Center’s Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage.
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 🙂
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