October felt like a transitional reading month. The autumn new releases started to slow down. Some Christmas new releases started to appear. I was very excited about new releases from a few of my favorite authors. Even so, the month ended up being a mostly 3 star month. I have a theory… The more tired I am, the less stars I give. (Sorry!) I enjoyed my October reading, but I didn’t love it. Our October was kind of bonkers. I don’t think I was able to give the same heart and soul to reading this month. As always, no matter how busy I am, reading is still my preferred downtime activity. It is always a highlight of my month!
Shockingly, non-fiction won top spot this month. I really enjoyed House Hushing: The Simple Method to Declutter and Decorate for a More Peaceful Home by Myquillyn Smith. I love books with pictures! Also, the concepts in this book deeply resonated with me. I am a calm, peaceful, anti-clutter decorator. While I didn’t need the book to spur me into action, I did appreciate how it validated the whys behind how I decorate and the vibe I want my home to have. In the midst of a busy month, focusing on a peaceful house felt right. Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise by John Mark Comer fit in that same vein. I was challenged and encouraged by Comer’s call into a quieter life. Again, I would use the words “deeply resonated” to describe my reaction to this reading. My non-fiction is speaking loudly (or I guess quietly) about what I value and what I hope to have more in my life moving forward.
I gave 4 stars to Stephanie Garber’s novella, The Mirror of Infinite Endings. I loved revisiting the characters of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. As a novella, it was a quick read, but an intriguing pop back into this fairy tale world. The ending left me hoping that Garber continues to write about these characters. I was very excited to read new releases by Melissa Ferguson, Courtney Walsh, and Gabrielle Meyer. These ladies are go-to authors for me. I love new releases, especially seasonal ones. I have a short list of new releases coming soon in November. Hopefully, I’ll be in a better head space next month. I’d love to avoid another mostly 3 star month!
The Book List for October
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.
Non-Fiction:
- House Hushing: The Simple Method to Declutter and Decorate for a More Peaceful Home by Myquillyn Smith – 4 stars
- Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise by John Mark Comer – 4 stars
Fiction:
- Turn to Me by Becky Wade – 3 stars
- Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade (Novella) – 3 stars
- You and Me by Becky Wade (Novella) – 3 stars
- The Proposal by Becky Wade (Short Story) – 3 stars
- The Mirror of Infinite Endings by Stephanie Garber (Novella) – 4 stars
- Autumn Kissed by Deborah M. Hathaway – 3 stars
- You Fall First by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
- Feels Like Home by Courtney Walsh – 3 stars
- The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson – 3 stars
- To Educate an Earl by Gabrielle Meyer – 3 stars
- A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason – 3 stars
- 50 First Kisses by Becky Monson – 3 stars
- Never Not Friends by Kortney Keisel – 3 stars
