My October Reads

Digital Body Language

By Erica Dhawan

Pages: 288

A self-proclaimed definitive guide to communicating and connecting in a hybrid world. I found it to be a very eye-opening read into digital communication and the ways we can translate physical body language, something people rely on to communicate, into a digital context. This is especially important with the current pandemic situation and I have already tried many of the recommendations Erica made in my own personal and professional communications.

Beginning After the End: The Early Years

By TurtleMe

Pages: 237

King Grey has unrivaled strength, wealth, and prestige in world governed through martial ability. However, solitude lingers closely behind those with great power. Beneath the glamorous exterior of a powerful king lurks the shell of man, devoid of purpose and will. Reincarnated into a new world filled with magic and monsters, the king has a second chance to relive his life. Underneath the peace and prosperity of the new world is an undercurrent threatening to destroy everything he has worked for, questioning his role and reason for being born again.

I really enjoyed this one. It has a nice pace and the plot and all the mysterious exposition has me hooked and eager to start the next one in the series.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Ok but the mention of how people who were able to go home after 9/11 and be comforted were able to recover. 
I'm just...going to be snapping...because like...yes it's saying stuff I know, but I listen to trauma podcasts. 
and like.. how trauma makes it difficult for a person to judge if a situation is dangerous or not because of the amygdala. 
"Emotions assign value to experiences, and thus are the foundation of reason" snaaaaaaaaaaaaaps.
Reads a book about trauma. *talks about depersonalization. *laughs uncomfortably
Go off about the DSM5. Go off. I'll drink my tea and love it. 
So I knew this book was going to attack me...but like...
Also I really appreciate that we talk about how trauma doesn't stop affecting the body and the mind when we're not thinking about trauma, and how often times victims of trauma know that their reaction is an over-reaction, but they can't stop it because the body has trained itself to keep itself safe. 
464 Pages

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

I just love that each of the children brings a unique perspective and their perspectives are hilarious. I love that the unique-ness of the characters, and their quirks, are the things that help them and that they're not looked down on. 
Look at the dads. I love the dads. Mr. Benedict and Mr. Milligan. I love them. 
It's funny and it's clever, and it slaps. 

464 Pages

The Bronzed Beasts by Roshani Chokshi

I'm so nervous that I'm going to be hurt again...like I won't be surprised at all..but I don't want it.
"you are an overpriced chicken" iconic. 
I'm going to go sit in a corner and just...like...sit with the characters and not stop thinking about them for like three days.
I just love the characters so much. 
It's the found family and the heists and the puzzle solving and the being snarky for me. 
400 Pages

October books

 My Best Friend's Exorcism

Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act….different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre behavior start to pile up, Abby realizes there’s only one possible explanation: Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not about to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

All I can say is...I guess so?

Pages: 337

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Aiden Bishop knows the rules. Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day until he can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others. 

This book was awesome! Great all the way through. 

Pages 458

The Exorcist

A desperate mother and two priests fight to free the soul of a little girl from a supernatural entity of pure malevolence. 

Captain Howdy indeed. Good story, but not as scary as I imagine. I'm chalking it up to the fact I've seen the movie, there's too much hype and that I'm pretty sure I'm desensitized to most horror now. 

Pages: 385

No Judgments by Meg Cabot

I thought because Meg Cabot wrote The Princess Diaries it was going to be chill...no she thirsty. 
 So the coffee shop has the same rule as Luke's from Gilmore Girls. 
I'm here for the dog... I love dogs. Black and white dogs. 
....so yeah...this has the classic Hallmark movie feel...
Drew is cool. We stan. 
384 Pages

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

So this one is definitely better than the first two...cause stuff is actually happening....like...
And it feels like there are actually stakes this time around
Also...like I said...Matt is one of the hobbits who I will not name....
624 Pages

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

 Yeah it's a re-read because I'm going to read the second book and we all know that I love any and all Beauty and the Beast retellings.
I forgot how much I loved Grey. Like....
Also they got a new cover and I'm like...I love the cover but I have the old one and want matching sets...evil. 
400 Pages

Death's Excellent Vacation

Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Pages: 339

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Because everyone - and everything - needs a break from the routine, Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner return with an all-new story collection of members of the paranormal world taking a vacation. 

This was a fun read. A chance for the authors to have fun with some of their regular characters. Sookie Stackhouse and her vampire friend Pam go on a weekend getaway, a demon takes a trip to Paris, a shifter ends up protecting an heiress from supernatural hit men while on vacation and ten other short stories involving the furry, strange, and sometimes grotesque.  

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Pages: 340

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

This short story collection was edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner and includes fifteen original tales set at Christmas time with a werewolf theme. The collection also includes an original Sookie Stackhouse story, set between books 8 and 9 in the series.

This was a fun read. Perfect to read around Halloween and Christmas time both. Some of the werewolves are sad, some are scary and others show how human the creatures can be in these short stories. There are a variety of authors, some new, some established including Donna Andrews, Simon R. Green, Kat Richardson, Patricia Briggs, and Nancy Pickard. 

Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side

Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side Edited by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 358

Rating 3 out of 5

Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series and several mystery series, edits this collection of short stories about crimes and vampires. The volume includes a short story set in the world of Sookie Stackhouse and the events in the story occur between books 7 and 8 of the series.

Other authors in the collection are mystery writers but for some this was their first venture into supernatural fiction. They include: Steve Brewer, Dana Cameron, Max Allan Collins and Mickey Spillane, Barbara D'Amato, Carolyn Hart, Toni L. P. Kelner, Lou Kemp, William Kent Kreuger, Margaret Mahon, Elaine Viets and others. 

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

Gaaaaaaaaah I love it when friends like...know about each other and like...accommodate
fdskahfjkhsdafjkh
I'm just like... 
Laila is the mom friend and I love her and I would marry her. I love her. I love all of them. Except what's-her-name. She can go drown for all I care. 
There's so much angst and I love it and it hurts me.
Me getting ready to read the third book:

432 Pages

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

(It's a re-read so that I can appreciate the last book shhhhhh)
"secrets keep my hair lustrous"

I'm just like...crying all of the time because I've read the second book.
The trail of cookies. Still iconic. And I love it.
Hexagons are the bestagons 
416 Pages

Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston

"In a crowd of thousands" Really Ashley? did you seriously...
I love Anastasia retellings.
I wish I had re-read the first book (because it's been like 9 months) because I'm confused, but I don't care. And I think I could have enjoyed the relationships more
I need more content. Short stories or something. Pleaaaaase.
464 Pages

Reboot by Amy Tintera

I mean...couldn't you technically call this a zombie book because she was dead for 178 minutes...because it gives me zombie vibes.
And then there's The Host vibes.
ok ok ok. I like Amy's fantasy better...
400 Pages

All These Warriors by Amy Tintera

....I did not mean to read two Amy Tintera books, from different series in a row....coincidence 
Someone hold my earrings while I start a fight with this guy: "I said do you wanna fight me"
Narcissist..
Eden is a treasure and I love him.
I love it when friends support each other and help each other heal from trauma and like....own up to the things they've done wrong, and actually mean it.
336 Pages. 

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

 so like.....can these boys please stop being boys... like...I think this is the sign that I can't read about high school students in love triangles anymore...because I just... they toxic. They both are awful, and they're awful to each other.
I'm getting a rage headache because they are not valuing the human person for their inherent dignity and I wanna start a fight because consent is important and also. no.
I really hope that this series doesn't villainize religion...because like...it's the people that are crap...
Hears a character leaving important bits out of the bible to make a point: that is not correct.
302 Pages

Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco

Do I want to fangirl about Dante and the seven circles of hell. And how Hell isn't hot it's cold. Yes. 
Girl is being stupid..and like I can't blame her, but also like....
Cough. Yeah this is New Adult.
okayyyy. ok ok ok.
Sorry I'm still fangirling about how hell is made up in this universe...because Dante....
So I'm mildly upset that the last scene ended where it did...because that's just rude.  
And now I wait a year
448 Pages

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

Alexa play Dead Girl Walking
Me and my love of Criminal Minds making me feel real smart rn. 

Alexa play "No Body, No Crime"

I love Robbie. I know we know this. But still
Friendship is magic.
I'm just gonna go cry...because the ending. I'm screeching.
464 Pages

Arrowood by Laura McHugh

 Arrowood by Laura McHugh

Pages: 320

Rating 5 out of 5

This second novel, from Missouri author Laura McHugh is a gothic tale of family secrets in small town Iowa. A haunting novel from the author of The Weight of Blood about a young woman's return to her childhood home--and her encounter with the memories and family secrets it holds

After the death of her father, Arden Arrowood inherits the grand historical house, Arrowood, in her home town along the Mississippi River in southern Iowa. Searching to find her purpose and trying to finish her master's thesis she believes the quiet house and town are just what she needs. 

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10)

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 320

Rating: 4 out of 5

Everything is relative - or about your relatives, at least that's how life seems to Sookie Stackhouse. She is dealing with a whole host of family problems, a cousin wanting to live with her, another cousin who is learning how to use his talents, her brother wanting back in her life and Eric's father and brother showing up for an unexpected visit. Sookie also feels she must help her ailing neighbor, Vampire Bill Compton, by tracking down his vampire sibling, at the same time, his remaining human family has a crisis of their own and Vampire Bill has to decide if he should assist them. She really just wants some quiet, downtime, to recover from the trauma she endured in the recent war, but now even the werewolf pack of Shreveport wants a favor.  

Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9)

Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 320

Rating: 4 out of 5

While national governments are just adjusting to having vampires as citizens (or forbidding them on pain of death to be in their country), the weres decide to come out. The decision is lead by the werewolves but all weres know now is there chance to show their friends and family who they really are. The ordinary world at first is peaceful in Bon Temps, Louisiana but just as Sookie thinks her friends will be accepted, a mutilated body is found in the parking lot of the bar where she works. 

But while humans, vampires and weres are all distracted with this gruesome killing, an older, more powerful, and secretive group of supernaturals prepare for civil war in the human realm. 

From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse #8)

 From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse #8) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 368

Rating: 3 out of 5

Picking up immediately where book 7 left off. Sookie is shaken by the effects of Hurricane Katrina followed closely by the manmade explosion at the regional vampire summit. Everyone in Louisiana and the surrounding states are feeling stressed and that there is a power shift underway. Adding to Sookie's personal stress, her boyfriend, Quinn has disappeared. Once again she wishes she could just be a waitress at Merlotte's and have an ordinary, boring life. But as a Friend to the Pack and being blood-bonded to a vampire Sookie is hardly ordinary. Trying to avoid all politics, human, vampire and werewolf completely doesn't work out and she is drawn into the changes all around her. 

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

A quick re-read before reading the sequel because I forgot what was going on. 
Wrath and his relationship with food. It's wonderful 

Anytime they start telling stories about Italy and grandma:

400 Pages

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan

I like that religion isn't villainized.
Grandmaaaaaaaaaaa
soft boy.
....why is this book attacking me....
464 Pages

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

I love this criminal. 
The mystery is cool.
It's the sibling relationships for me.
So like...the ending was open-ended, but like...satisfying...
416 Pages

Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S Olson

Alexa play "Never Enough"
Ok but the gender-swapped Phantom of the Opera and Hunchback of Notre Dame (the Disney version) vibes.
I love Emeric. He's too pure. 
The magic system and the descriptions of the setting were cool. 
Hey at least the music teacher was actually a good vocal coach...instead of just yelling "Sing"
Look at all the abuse and grooming. Cough. 
 ......So I'm going to go write some fanfiction...because of the last few pages.
I am unwell. I have a lot of emotions... I'm going to go lay in my bed for a week now.

368 Pages

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

So this is the second book to make me cry today..and it's the beginning of the book. 
As soon as I found out there was a school on Mars:

So like....am I the only one who's like....this has Attack on Titan training camp energy...just me...cool. I'll just listen to the soundtrack with this...
Ohhhh some of these things are sketch and problematic
Ok so more than some of these things are problematic....
Did my brain compensate for the gruesomeness and trauma by saying "God, it's brutal out here" yes.
Alexa play Teenagers.
If you can get past the violence and like...despicable things that are happening to the characters--it slaps. 
It's like Hunger Games but with less direct killing, and more violence/cruelty against women and scheming and some teamwork involved.
416 Pages

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

Screeeeeeeeeeeech
Even. More. Cameos. 
So let's talk about trauma and gaslighting. Do I wanna start a fight? Yes.
Soft boi. Big heart. Has tattoos and motorcycle... Perfection.
I'm not crying...
352 Pages

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

Sooooooo is this a reference to Jesus in the desert and when he was tempted by Satan...because like...
"It is always better to choose greatness than to be forced, because a man who is forced is never completely his own master"ehhhhhh. I mean... I guess. but also like....
Why are we trusting strangers. Don't trust her just cause she's pretty.
Why are boys stupid. Boys are stupid. Idiots. 
Alexa play "Carrying the Banner" from Newsies.
....I really hope all the women are just like...nah...because I don't want women fighting over a guy...
Do I want to make a list of all of the things that give me LOTR vibes...yes...but I shall be chill. 
672 Pages

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

I'm melting
The cameos.
Also I live for clueless smitten boys. Iconic.
Why do I feel very seen by this....
Khai is great.
I really liked that the author made the characters who were on the spectrum into people, instead of a robotic stereotype, and even when they fit that stereotype, they still cared about people (Surprise, people have emotions). I liked that the other characters treated them like human beings...like....

320 Pages

Steelstriker by Marie Lu

Did I completely forget what happened in the first book. Yes
If Marie Lu hurts me again like last time...like I'll be ok with it, but also
I'm screeching for many reasons
I love my children and the yearning
416 Pages

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Inserts a very sarcastic "How touching" with Maleficent vibes
The cameos.
When a character has a fun hair color it really reinforces the idea in my brain that I should have purple hair.
You know who else is a prince. anyways.
Nicodemus. Really? That's the name we're giving him. Ok. 
All the Cinderella and Frozen vibes
THAT'S where you end it?!?! But but but.
And I have a conspiracy theory and y'all are making it difficult to confirm or deny. 
416 Pages

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Summary: "August 1983. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their baby sister, Kit. The siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-- especially as the offspring of legendary singer Mick Riva. It's the day of Nina's annual end-of-summer party, and she's the only person not looking forward to it after being abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Hud needs to confess something to the brother from whom he's been inseparable since birth. Jay is counting the minutes until the girl he can't stop thinking about promised she'll be there. And Kit has a couple secrets of her own. The alcohol will flow, the music will play... and by morning the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames."

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an extraordinary author. She makes you feel things in ways you never see coming. 

I loved the setting, the time period, the surfing, the family. I look forward to what she comes up with next!

"Every day of your life feels like you're climbing up the mountain. And then you get there and you stay for a bit. And it's nice at the top. But then you start sliding down the other side."

P.S. Maybe in Another Life was my first and will always be my favorite of hers.

369 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

So I thought this was going to be like Mr. Lemoncello's, and it's not. It's so much better and I'm super glad because like...It's clever, and on a higher level and my brain doesn't get upset. 
The sass. Iconic. In character. Incredible.
512 Pages

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

ExCuSe mE. I did not come here to have all the things I'm learning in therapy be reinforced. 


y'all can't mention honeydew and expect me to be mature.....don't look at me. 
.....Anyone else hearing the Tangled soundtrack
Just. The way they interact. I'm fine. 
OH THANK GOD IT'S NOT A STANDALONE.
496 Pages