October Wrap Up: The Month of Spooky Season!

Hi all!

I can’t believe its November already. Seriously, where the hell did the year go?!

This October, I really got into spooky season by watching a bunch of horror movies, and reading a whole bunch of spooky books. I didn’t go to a party or dress up, instead I waited at home with a bunch of chocolate, waiting for kids to come trick or treating … but no one came! 😭

Books read

The Starless Sea // Erin Morgenstern // Physical ARC // ★★★★★

EASILY THE BEST BOOK I’VE READ THIS YEAR! YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! Seriously, I laughed, I cried, I smiled like an absolute loon. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is me: he has anxiety, he spends more time in fictional worlds, and he has astigmatism.

The Binding // Bridget Collins // Audiobook // ★★★★★

I adored this book so much, it’s definitely a new favourite! Emmett and Lucian’s love story is so heartbreaking and beautiful, I never wanted to stop reading the book. I hope Bridget Collins will write a sequel because I need to know what happens to my boys after that ending!

Letters to a Young Poet // Rainer Maria Rilke // Library book // ★★★

I read this book because it’s Lady Gaga’s favourite, and it was only ok. There was some good advice, but also a lot of religious advice and I was like 😴 .

The Winter Quarters // Anna Veriani // eBook ARC // ★★★★★

Oh wow, I loved this! This was such a sweet, soft romance between friends who eventually become lovers. They’re been in love with each other their whole lives and neither have ever mentioned, but when Kai travels to Japan to spend some time away from his reality show star life, at his best friend, Hiro’s, hot springs. I freaking adored this and can’t wait to continue supporting this new author!

The Infinite Noise // Lauren Shippen // Hardback // ★★★★★

I fully admit that this book probably doesn’t deserve 5 stars if you view it only as a book itself and not along with the podcast, but because I know and love the podcast and the characters so well, that’s why I had such a good time with this book. I love Caleb and Adam so much, my boys were amazing! Very keen for Damien’s story!

The Name of All Things // Jenn Lyons // Physical ARC // ★★★★★

I loved this sequel to The Ruin of Kings! It’s so much fun, with awesome characters — new and old. I loved the new main character, Janel, but thankfully Kihrin is still there! I didn’t really like the new narrator of the footnotes, she didn’t really add anything to the story. But still a great book!

Room for Three? // Katrina Jackson // eBook // ★★★

A really fun, quick read! It’s about a couple who have felt disillusioned with their relationship and who get a new roommate and both of them fall in love with her.

Gilded Cage // KJ Charles // eBook ARC // ★★★★★

I freaking loved this book! This is the sequel to Any Old Diamonds focuses on Templeton Lane, jewel thief. I loved seeing old characters from previous books, some of whom are passed away now, but now I know they enjoyed a long and happy life!

The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter // KJ Charles // eBook // ★★★★

This was a sweet prequel to Any Old Diamonds and features Stan, Templeton and Jerry’s fence. Stan is ace and his eventual girlfriend is also ace and trans! A very sweet book, but does feature transphobia.

Witchmark // C.L. Polk // Audiobook // ★★★★★

I surprisingly loved this! I think if I had read it instead of listening to it, I might not have enjoyed it as much, because the narrator was great! A very unique magical world with weather magic and creatures from other worlds!

The Handmaid’s Tale // Margaret Atwood // Paperback // ★★★★★

Loved this! Very fucked up and freaked me out, but I adored it nonetheless. Honestly, I have to say that if the events in this book were to happen — women being viewed as property and forced to breed — it would definitely happen in America … no offence lol. I’m excited for the sequel!

Deosil // Jordan L. Hawk // eBook // ★★★★

This was a good series ender, but could have been better. I think it was very rushed — too much was happening, the action never stopped, and the characters never got a chance to just sit and rest for a bit and therefore neither did the reader. Every chapter ended on a little cliffhanger with some new creature attacking them, with was a bit much. Nevertheless, I was happy with all my favourite character’s endings! I’m sad there won’t be anymore books in this series!

Heartsong // TJ Klune // Audiobook // Reread // ★★★★★

This was a reread for me as I read this book as an ARC last month, and I loved it again! I adore Robbie and Kelly so much, their romances is so sweet and lovely. This was also quite a heartbreaking story, so prepare yourself for that!

Her Body and Other Parties // Carmen Maria Machado // Library book // ★★★

Eh, this was only ok. I really liked two stories in this collection, but the rest were … boring and confusing. I understand what the author was going for, but I don’t believe she got there.

Orientation // Gregory Ashe // Audiobook // ★★★★★

I adored this so much! I’ve been meaning to read it for ages, and finally got the chance. So glad I did because I love Shaw and North so much. This is a very, very slow burn; apparently they get together at the end of the second book, but one of them is married so very keen to see what happens (although I think I know).

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Book(s) of the Month

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Best posts

• Special Editions of Books That I Own (That I Won’t Let Anyone Read)
• Discussion: Why You Should Get Rid Of Your Books
• How to Celebrate Spooky Season as an Aussie: Books, Movies, Music & Fun Things To Do!
• My End of Year TBR: Books I Need to Read Before 2020

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Reviews

• Review: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
• Review: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
• Review: The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons
• Review: Heartsong by TJ Klune
• Review: The Winter Quarters by Anna Veriani
• Review: Gilded Cage (Lilywhite Boys #2) by KJ Charles

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ARCs I received

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Books/Audiobooks I bought

Signed, exclusive edition of Ninth House

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What I watched

THIS MOVIE WAS FUCKED UP! I’m still having nightmares about it!

The Babadook was pretty good, but the ending kind of sucked. Otherwise, this was a pretty scary film and the acting was phenomenal.

How was your October and Halloween? Did you read any spooky books or watch spooky movies? Let me know!