I’ve been reading a ton of good books lately, and it’s gotten to the point where it feels too good to be true. I feel like any minute now, my luck will end and I will hit a reading slump. But for now, I’m having a hard time narrowing my top favorite reads of the month, and I am okay with that.
I’m still making great progress on my GoodReads Reading Challenge! I’m currently 12 books ahead, with 116 read out of 125 total books. (For the sake of rounding things out, I increased my goal from 121 to 125. My goal is usually 1 more book than the previous year, but I’m doing so well that it doesn’t hurt to bump it up to an even number.)
Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander
For the sake of Halloween, I decided to give cozy mysteries a shot by reading Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander. I was hoping to read this during my trip to the Philippines back in September, but I just never got around to it.
I do love a good mystery and I’ve been wanting to read more of the genre outside of YA, but I wanted something that was light and not too serious. (Hence, cozy mysteries!!) It was also important to me to read about a female main character.
I enjoyed Meet Your Baker. It’s not my new favorite book, but I think it was a great introduction to the genre. What I loved about most is all the descriptions about the baked goods. It got me really hungry and craving some sweets. It even inspired me to roast some figs for the first time.
Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett
Part of me wants to really slow down and stop reading Jenn Bennett’s books so that I don’t ever run out. I want to savor them forever. But the other half of me just wants to read them nonstop because I cannot get enough of her characters and her world-building.
I am weak. I started her Arcadia Bell series this month because it’s just so appropriate for Halloween! I’ve been wanting to dabble more into urban fantasy, and Kindling the Moon just checks all the boxes for me. Jenn Bennett develops a fascinating world of demons and magicians.
Arcadia “Cady” Bell has been in hiding for the last seven years after her parents were wrongly accused of murdering magicians from a rival group. Cady is tasked to either prove their innocence or surrender herself in their place.
My only problem with this series is the big age gap between Cady and her love interest, Lon Butler. But they have good chemistry, so I guess I’m willing to overlook it.
The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
I’ve been devouring all of Tessa Dare’s books every since I picked up her Castles Ever After series. She’s definitely one of my must-read authors, and I always pick up her new releases. The Governess Game is probably one of my favorite books by her.
I think that diversity is harder to find when it comes to historical romances, but I’m glad that things are finally shifting. Tessa Dare proves that there are ways to bring minority characters out, but yet still make the plots believable. (If we really want to talk historical accuracy, let’s talk about all the number of dukes running around in regency England….)
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo
The Way You Make Me Feel is the kind of book that I literally could not put down. I read it in two days. It was so cute and funny.
To avoid suspension, Clara Shin and her worst enemy, Rose Carver, must work in her father’s food truck to pay back their school after a prank went wrong. Instead of a carefree summer full of pranks, Clara must learn how to get along with Rose.
What I liked about this book is that it provided a different angle of the Asian American story. Clara and her dad are Korean, but by way of Brazil. Clara’s grandparents had immigrated to Brazil, and her parents had immigrated to Los Angeles.
Plus, I really love food. Clara’s dad owns a Korean Brazilian food truck called KoBra, and I really enjoyed all the passages about the food. I wish I could try this in real life!
Sadie by Courtney Summers
I usually “read” half of my books in audiobook format. I fell in love with audiobooks several years ago, and I never stopped. I just love multitasking as I work, cook, or do chores around the house.
Sadie by Courtney Summers is hands down one of my favorite audiobooks that I’ve listened to this year. Sadie is about the disappearance of a teenage girl. The police have labeled her disappearance as a runaway, but when a radio personality hears about her story, he becomes determined to track her down.
The format of the audiobook switches back and forth from Sadie’s perspective to a podcast about her disappearance. I’m not an avid podcast listener (audiobooks, all the way!), but I’ve listened enough to know that the fictional podcast sounds like the real deal. The team at Macmillan did a fantastic job with the production.
And those are my favorites of October. I’m constantly on the lookout for new books to try. I’m currently looking for more urban fantasy books that are great on audio. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know in the comments below!
