Chelsey’s October Reads
Phew! Did the month of October fly by for you too? It really feels like just yesterday I was all antsy to begin our new month of schoolwork and routines, and here we are now in a new month! As much as I love reading in the summer months in the sunshine, there is something incredibly comforting about reading under the warmth of a cozy blanket with a cup of hot coffee close by.
Over the last few weeks I have also indulged myself with time at our puzzle table, which is why I was slightly surprised when I “only” read four books this month. But considering the amount of time I spent sitting beside my daughter, and unashamedly alone throughout the day, I believe it was all time used wisely.
Another slight change to some of my reading habits, is that I have started listening to podcasts when I have the capacity to have my earbuds in. A few solo grocery shopping trips and a solid Saturday deep cleaning bedrooms has got me hooked on “That Sounds Fun” with Annie F. Downs. I started on her Summer 2024 Enneagram series and am loving it.
On to the actual books I finished in October:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (4.5 stars) - A story of a not-quite-endearing couple over several years, but also lifetimes apart. As worlds collide and the past is uncovered, choices are made measured by love, selfishness, and sacrifice. While some of the events were unsettling, the plot intertwined beautifully throughout the narrative and timeline. I saw all the hype this book was getting on social media and I really enjoyed it. I could appreciate the selfishness of human nature, as well as the uncomplicated commitment to love. I do not agree with all the actions and motives that were portrayed, however, I believe the story was told beautifully with a realness that made me feel like there might be hope for restoration and forgiveness after mistakes are made.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (4.5 stars) - This was our October Book Club read. Having never read anything by Celeste Ng, I found Little Fires Everywhere to be a very good read. It felt almost like following a news story with great detail than being pulled into a fictional plot. The town of Shaker Heights was the main character, and the lives of those who grew up there, or ended up there after a series of unfortunate events, were the chorus cast. The bottom line to this book, in my humble opinion, is that our own perceptions become the pressure we feel the weight of and just because it’s always been a certain way, is that the best way to continue? I will say that originally I rated this book as a 3.5, but after considering the questions in preparation for book club, I realized how much more was under the surface. The nuances were woven together excellently so that you could read it as a good book, but ponder it as a very provoking read.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (4 stars) - I had been looking forward to this read for a while. It definitely delivered on the aspect of returning to find out what happened next. There was plenty of drama and suspects that surround two events of missing children from the same family-run summer camp; the story spans nearly 25 years with multiple POVs and narratives. The writing and timelines were clear and easy to follow through the twists and turns.
I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale (5 stars) - Such an adorable read! This was my first title by Holly Smale and I could hardly put it down! The story was intriguing and well-written to convey the range of emotions displayed by all characters. Margot is trying to get her life back together after a decade-long-relationship explodes. She collects data to essentially prove that all men are alike but what she didn’t expect to find was glimpses of her very own future. I will definitely be reading more by Holly in the future!