October Reads: Putting the Boo! in Books

 This year just keeps on flying by, even when some days it feels like time is  moving super slow. I had to keep reminding myself today that tomorrow is October first, and the weather is turning much cooler and feeling like Fall. 

This month's reads are full of supernatural hijinks and I can't wait to jump in! I'm still reading Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko. Wow. It's definitely not a book I can read quickly but I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I'll confess that holiday books are starting to look very tempting, too. I'm going to try and have some self control and hang on until November before I start reading my feel good novels for the holiday season. I'm pretty sure I won't be alone reading escape fiction this winter. Is it wrong to be excited that I have a new flannel robe on the way? Holy cow my nesting vibe is hitting an all-time high. 

Here's what's on the reading list this month:

I know. It's not spooky. But I can't wait to read this novel about a librarian finding love. 

A cross between Big Little Lies and Practical Magic? Sure. This is one book that keeps popping up everywhere I look, so I took the hint and will read it this month. 

Garth Nix writes great stories. This one has booksellers who are magical, murder, and adventure. 

1902. A school for girls. Shocking murders. A modern day movie set, and a story within a story. This is a big hulking book, and I'm super curious! 

I've had two friends read this book and they LOVED it. A podcast, a small town, and a cover up. Thriller vibes! 

I've been waiting a few months for this to come out and was happy to buy my copy a few days ago. Books in a library that lies in between life and death give a woman a chance to relive her life with many different choices. If you could do it over and fix your regrets, would you?

I've got a bit of reading to do this month, so I will hop to it. Some nights it is a battle between watching holiday cooking shows and just keeping the TV off and reading for a few hours. Tonight is a TV night. 

Happy reading this month! Please share your reads with me. I'd love to know what you've discovered, and happy to get recommendations on what I should read. 

The Bookalicious Babe

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October Reads: Putting the Boo! in Books

November...Wait! How Did We Get Here So Fast?!

I don't know about the rest of you, but here in Iowa we got about 4 inches of snow last night (Halloween Eve) and the kiddies are out and about tonight in temperatures that are dipping into the 20's. Yikes! Not the Halloween folks around here were hoping for--usually it's fairly moderate and lovely. We're prepared for snow and cold, just not in October. More like December. 

So, not only are my fellow Iowans confused, annoyed, and just plain ticked off, but oh golly, the poor trees! Still fully loaded with leaves, and I don't think we're going to get much of a chance to rake 'em up as they fall. Usually, I think you'll agree, we've got a little time to ease into thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I think it's safe to say we're all a bit perplexed as to how we should actually be feeling. I'm not ready to even think about turkey, gifts, or decorating. Nope. Not yet. 

I am, however, putting my December reading list together. I love, love, love to read holiday novels in December. It's my month of unapologetic fun reads. I've got a stack sitting out, and I was tempted to start, but this snow has killed it for me. I'm content to wait another month before I start. Definitely not ready for holiday reads just yet. 

So, November. What am I going to read? I've got a few novels that I've started in October, and hope to finish in November. And a few that I bought a few months ago and haven't managed to jump into just yet. Here's what's up for November:

 So I've got to read this novel so I can read the holiday themed novel that comes after it! I liked the first in the series--The Library at the End of the World. Ah, Ireland. Take me away. 

Oh, this one will stretch my comfort zone. A serial killer stalks his young victims at an amusement park in 1915 Chicago. Yikes! Getting rave reviews. 

Victorian gothic novel about a young widow who returns to New York to restore a dilapidated mansion, and uncovers a whole lot of secrets. 

I've started this, but haven't gotten very far. A young woman discovers doors into other worlds and goes on a grand adventure. Another novel getting rave reviews. 

I'm also reading Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew. It's pretty wonderful, as Alice Hoffman's novels always are for me. I have to take it in bites, because it takes place during World War 2 in France, and I have a difficult time reading World War 2 novels. Hard on my soul, I guess.

I'm also going to attempt NaNoWriMo this month! That will cut into my reading time, but I'm hoping it will fire up my very rusty and dusty creative bone. I'll keep you posted on my progress! Honestly, my story idea is very thin, so I'm just going to sit down and start typing November 1st and see how it goes. 

So long, October! November...well, I can't believe you're here. Wasn't it just summer a little bit ago? 

Happy Reading!  
The Bookalicious Babe

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November...Wait! How Did We Get Here So Fast?!

October...Cooler Nights, Yes, But No Snow Yet Please!

Well, I failed getting all of my books read in September. I just couldn't dig in and pay attention long enough to read Their Eyes Were Watching God, so back on the shelf it goes. I will read it. It's become a personal goal for me. I started What We Talk About When We Talk About Books and became stuck pretty fast. I may return to it when it's in paperback. I did read Nora Robert's Blood Brothers, and liked it enough to want to read the two other books in the trilogy. I've read a few of her trilogies, and unfortunately they all seem very much alike, so unless she pulls something out of her hat, I may not read anymore. I'll finish this one, and review all three together soon. 

October was always the gateway to the fun part of the year for me as a child. Halloween, quickly followed by my birthday, then Thanksgiving and Christmas. So much candy, treats, and yes, birthday cake! I still love the last few months of the year, even if they are a bit frantic sometimes. October is also a great reading month, too. I get to snuggle down and relax at night. Here's what I'm reading this month:

I'm almost done with this novel--a contemporary quest to find King Arthur's actual resting place--and the treasure people will kill to obtain. Loving it! 

A widow is accused of witchcraft, and someone is playing tricks on the town with inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe's short stories. Eek! Gothic goodness. 

YA novel about a mysterious road in the woods that leads to...nothing good. Nope. Ghosts, thrills, and teen horror. 

An apocalyptic tale set off the coast of Ireland. A young teen has to leave the island to save her mother...will they survive what has killed humanity?

A collection of Agatha Christie's supernatural short stories, with a bonus story included. Perfect for Halloween! 

Of course, I'll have a few other titles to talk about. If you haven't like my Facebook page, please do--I put up videos where I blab on about what I've picked up at the bookstore and the library. 

Take care everyone! Let me know what you're reading this month! 

The Bookalicious Babe

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October...Cooler Nights, Yes, But No Snow Yet Please!

That Month Where I'll Be Reading When I'm Not Working or Sleeping: October Reads and Those Pesky DNF'S

I'm still a bit far from my goal of 100 books this year.  It seems like a pretty easy thing to achieve; after all, I read every day for an hour minimum.  If I'm lucky, I get in a chunk of 4 hours.  I had a glorious streak about 5 years ago, where my reading capacity was amazing, and I not only met my reading goal, but blew past it. All I can say now is that life is even busier when I thought it would slow down, and my chances of having chunks of time to read have become less and less.  Still, I'm trying a Hail Mary to get closer to my goal before December 31st.  

Part of that goal is to read some of the books I've bought over the past few years that are still sitting on my bookcases.  I am definitely someone who gets easily distracted by new books and pretty covers.  My discipline goes out the window! Before I talk about my reads for October (which is the gateway to my favorite reading months--cool days and chilly nights), I have to discuss my Did Not Finish books.  Dang it. 

 I tried really hard to get into this book, but I found myself not very interested.  I enjoyed The Little Paris Bookshop quite a bit, so I was disappointed I couldn't find my groove with this one.  I'll probably try again next year.  

 Ah, Strange Practice.  Sure to be a series, or at least have a sequel or two.  I've enjoyed reading this book very much--I started it on vacation in July.  However, I lost my reading mojo and now am stuck 3/4 of the way through.  It's still lying next to my bed, waiting for me to pick it back up.  I'll probably finish it before the end of the year, but for now, it's not going to be picked up again anytime soon. A doctor in London who takes care of supernatural creatures, with a vampire as a bestie?  A great concept, and I like all the characters.  Oh, how I wish I'd finished it on the plane ride home.  Dang it. 

Another novel I read great reviews on that had me checking it out of the library as soon as it was available.  A Viking historical saga full of pillaging, raping, and the struggle to avenge an attempted murder all make it fascinating.  I just didn't have the time to really sit down and concentrate, which is what this novel deserves.  I'll probably try again when it's in paperback.  Sometimes reading a hardcover book is tough for me, knowing I'll have a second chance and probably buy the paperback--then I'll read it.  Even though I didn't finish it, I would say it would make an excellent Christmas gift for fans of historical sagas, and those curious about the Viking way of life.  




Now, without further ado, I present my October reads.  I like to read novels that are on the dark side in order to get my Halloween groove on--when I'm not watching paranormal shows on TV.  And because too much of the dark stuff drags me down, I've tossed in a few other reads that will lighten me up.  

Bookshelf read that has waited too long!

I'm a fan of Carol Goodman and love her Gothic tales

Saw this on the web and it looks like an excellent  combination of history, antiques, and ancient prophecies. 

I've had many friends read this and tell me it's fantastic.  A novel about what's going on in our world today.  

I love bees!  Three stories told in past, present and future.  

This caught my eye; not sure what to expect. 

I'm reading this now, and LOVING IT.  Similar to Christopher Moore.

A favorite author--can't wait to read it!

New to this author; publisher review request.  It's a hefty hardcover, but I'm eager to dip into the Nordic  crime  genre.  Better late than never!

I've got a few other titles that will sprinkle in throughout the month.  Watch for an upcoming book giveaway.  Happy Fall reading!  The Bookalicious Babe
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That Month Where I'll Be Reading When I'm Not Working or Sleeping: October Reads and Those Pesky DNF'S

October is Here and Spooky Reads are on Tap

I rarely have a themed book blog, but since it's October and I love Halloween I decided now is a good time to read some of the spooky tales I have on my bookshelves.  While I will still be reading and reviewing my usual historical and contemporary fiction, I'll be sprinkling in tales of witches, demons, and strange phenomenon, as well as some interesting non-fiction finds.  So to whet your appetite for all things creepy and spooky, here are some of the books I'll be reading and reviewing this month:

I can't wait to dig in!  Stay tuned for reviews and don't forget to keep the lights on and the door locked....
 

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October is Here and Spooky Reads are on Tap