I didn’t feel like writing about what I read in October. I don’t remember why but this past month I’ve been feeling more and more compelled to come over to this space. It’s just that… I don’t have a clue what to write about anymore. It’s wild because there was a time where I never wanted to do anything but write. I wanted to make it my whole livelihood! I’m not sure that much is for me, these days. But I would love to stretch that muscle a little bit more. I’m sure something will come to me but if you have any ideas, I’m all ears.
In October, I read three books.
I started with Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford.
I really loved this book so much. I just snagged it off the new release shelf at the library because I really like books about old ladies. And this one was no different.
On its face it’s a book about an older woman who joins a fictionalized version of the Great British Bake Off and has a secret that she’d really like to keep.
But at its core, this is a book about the complexity of long relationships, the power of unconditional love, but mostly about taking the opportunity to take what you want out of life–even if you haven’t believed that you’d deserve it until now. It’s never too late to take what you want–even if you didn’t know what that was until just now.
The characters are absolutely lovable and darling. I couldn’t get enough of these folks.
Then I read The Fastest Way To Fall by Denise Williams. Another book I absolutely loved!
Britt is a plus-sized hottie that works as a writer for a lifestyle blog (me in another life). She gets an assignment to try out a new body-positive fitness app and give her full and honest opinion. Things are going great when her posts start going viral and getting tons of views–and she also starts falling for her coach. Things start getting a little out of hand as her fame rises and then yadda yadda yadda… I’m not gonna give it all away.
Here’s what I will say: the banter is A+. The spice is comparatively tame (in relation to a lot of other books out there) I’d give it 2.5/5 chili peppers. I did take a point off because of a personal pet peeve of mine that I won’t tell you about because it’s a spoiler.
A note for my body-positive friends: I was nervous that this book would have weight loss talk in it or that our fat main character or other characters would be concerned with that. I can’t say there’s none of that but it is a topic used to point out who’s a good person and who sucks. So that’s nice. And the love interest is obsessed with her body as-is. There are also a few other scenes where the main character notices the way her body is changing but not in a way that glorifies thinness as much as it celebrates her strength. I recommend it!
Next up was Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks. Full disclosure: I got this book because I thought it would be a nice, semi-spooky romance to read for Halloween. I was wrong (no spook whatsoever). But that’s okay because I loved it anyway!
It’s about this shy, demisexual Irish mortician (that’s where “morbidly” comes from in the title) who has to get married before he turns 35 or he’ll lose his family’s funeral home. Meanwhile, his new neighbor is a feisty Texas girl who’s trying to leave her messy past behind. They’re total opposites, obviously, and it’s super awkward at first, but then… you know. Feelings. It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s got just the right amount of chaos.
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that took place in Ireland before! The beginning of the book has a glossary full of Irish words and their English translations. So when Irish characters use those words, you can flip to the front to get the phonetic spelling so you can say it, quietly, to yourself and feel cool. Also… there are extra spicy Irish words and phrases at the back of the book. Because… you’ll need that too.
In October I DNF’d these two books:
The Old Place by Bobby Finger (was really enjoying it but not feeling compelled)
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (this book seems really good but my brain is still smooth and just wants light stuff–I can’t wait to dig back into all my thrillers again though!)
In November, I read two books.
I read fewer pages this month, but I feel like I read a lot more often than I did in October! I’ve been reading every day (or close to it) and that feels good. That’s something I want to keep up with.
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young was so good! I have never read a book that handled disability the way this did. UGH! I felt really seen–even though our disabilities are very different.
I will tell you something I didn’t know about before picking it up–but also, it’s something that if I had known, it would have kept me from reading this book. And I would be poorer for it. This book does prominently feature a pregnancy. If you’re avoiding pregnancy tropes because of trigger reasons–by all means, avoid this one. But if it’s just because you think you know how it’s going to go or something like that? I recommend getting past that and picking this one up.
Both main characters in this book have limb disabilities (as does the author of this book!) and while that’s not the main feature of any character–it’s also absolutely not ignored! And I love that. Because in your relationship, your family, your friendships, no matter what accommodations you need, they will come up! And this demonstrates it so beautifully.
Also, and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say this, there is no annoying 3rd act breakup scene. *Siri, play the Hallelujah Chorus*
The day after the election, I was dead inside and I didn’t feel like reading anything at all. But then the bookstore called and said that a book that Ryan had special ordered came in and, what do you know, he’d bought me a copy of Stanley Tucci’s newest book. That was exactly what I needed.
So then I read What I Ate in a Year by Stanley Tucci. I would tell you about it here but I actually had to come over to my blog and write a whole post dedicated to only this book. Here’s a link.
XOXO, Lib 