What I Read in October
Happy end of October :) This month’s reading picks were centered around new releases and crazy thrillers, as it’s so fun to lean into all things spooky as the days get shorter and fall rolls around. I consistently update my Best Thrillers on Kindle Unlimited post whenever I stumble upon a 5-star read, so I wanted to see if Frieda McFadden’s newest fall release would make the list. To prevent any reading ruts, I also mixed in a few memoirs, including one that explores a woman’s journey towards becoming a medical examiner. I really enjoyed all of the books I read this month, but be sure to send me your recommendations - I always want to expand my horizons and read something unexpected and have enjoyed everything that’s been recommended to me this year.
what i read in october
the boyfriend by frieda mcfadden
3/5 stars
This is Frieda McFadden’s newest release. Her books are very hit or miss for me; I loved her early releases but her newer releases seem a little too rushed and predictable. I had decided this book was going to be my last one of hers for a while if I ended up disappointed again.
I ultimately was not let down by this book! It’s much stronger than the last few she’s released, even though it has a slower pace than you expect from her.
This is a thriller with a romantic twist. It follows a single 30-something dating in NYC; I feel like we don’t get too many books about that age range that aren’t centered around marriage/ children, so I thought this was refreshing and want to read more with similar protagonists.
While this book doesn’t reinvent the wheel as far as thrillers go, I did not see the big twist coming and was pleasantly surprised, especially since I thought it was blatantly revealed at about the halfway mark.
Ultimately, I didn’t give this 4 stars because the main character made dumb decisions and I found the writing to be a little immature at times. Aside from that, it was really enjoyable and one of Frieda McFadden’s better books. Skip this one if blood makes you queasy, though!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
things we never say by caitlin weaver
3/5 stars
I absolute loved this author’s debut novel last month and could not wait to read her newest release, although this is a stand-alone and completely unrelated to the first (not a sequel). I’d consider her books to be domestic, family-based dramas rather than thrillers, but they’re a nice change of pace for me and I think they offer something for everyone.
This is just as well-written as her first novel. It’s not the first private school scandal storyline to be explored but the author makes it feel fresh with new twists.
I loved how the author showed authentic female friendship without jealousy or cattiness, especially in a trio. There was lots of scandal, secrets, and drama within this book but the women were not pitted against each other, and that’s unfortunately rarer than it should be.
This had impeccable character development and pacing; the tension builds towards a solid ending, but doesn’t drag on. The characters are believable and realistic. It’s also easy to distinguish between all of the different families, and the characters feel genuine.
That being said, I unfortunately did not love this book as much as her first, which was emotionally conflicting and provocative. This book felt a little too predictable. The individual secrets and drama didn’t necessarily feel over-the-top, especially within each family, but all together, it seemed excessive and almost like there was a “life struggle” bingo card that needed to be filled. I wish that Rhea’s story went a little deeper, and the phrase “Oh, honey” was a little overused as each character’s go-to response, but this book would still be a solid pick for book clubs.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the glass girl by kathleen glasgow
4.5/5 stars
The newest YA novel by Kathleen Glasgow, “The Glass Girl” is about anxiety and alcohol abuse. Her novels are always a masterclass in tackling hard topics authentically; as a reader, you really feel transported into another world and are given the chance to walk in someone else’s shoes, so to speak.
Every character is purposeful, and the writing is impeccable. I loved the structure and how the book is divided into parts; part four was especially unique. And while I don’t have a sister, the relationship between the main character and her little sister was touching and beautiful.
This author’s books are the type to stay with you for a long time, and “The Glass Girl” is no different. Raw, heavy, and emotional, some themes include being healthy vs happy, asking for help, and vocalizing boundaries.
While I loved her first few books a little more, this was still wonderful and heart-wrenching. Glasgow’s books are must-reads for me and capture such an intimate aspect of humanity and relationships. They reinforce the idea that people are going through so much below the surface, and how important it is to be patient, be kind, and listen.
Favorite quotes:
“I believe if you can walk into the darkness then you have the strength to walk back out.” (p. 290)
“Some days seem to last forever but there is always another one in your future. Move toward that.” (p. 392)
Read it here.
the last one at the wedding by jason rekulak
4/5 stars
Another new release, this thriller is simple yet unique, and perfect for anyone who wants a thriller they can read before bed that won’t keep them up all night.
The plot doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel; I found the charm of this thriller to be in the storytelling and characterization. Like any real-life wedding or family event, there’s a fair mix of endearing and deeply unlikeable characters. The author injects the secrets and twists in good timing, and I found the pacing to be engaging, even though it wasn’t a total page-turner.
I wanted a little more for the ending, but I do think the author kept everything very true to the characters’ personalities, so it did make sense and from that perspective, wrapped everything up nicely.
What I liked most about this book was that it centered around a father and adult daughter, which is a perspective you don’t get much of within the thriller genre. When you look at this book from the perspective of relationships, it does have a chill to it, and I can see why it’s classified as a thriller, even though I didn’t find it to be violent or scary.
Read it here.
working stiff: two years, 262 bodies, and the making of a medical examiner by judy melinek, md
5/5 stars
This is all about the daily life of medical examiners (MEs) and the world of forensic pathology, told from the perspective of Dr. Judy Melinek during her two years of ME training in NYC.
Intelligently written, this breaks down the science of life and death in a straightforward, easy to understand way without being callous or reading like a textbook. I loved the mix of factual science with engaging storytelling; Dr. Melinek also ties some examples back to her personal experiences and what motivated her to want to become a medical examiner in the first place.
Detailing a variety of cases and causes of death, this feels like a crash course into forensic pathology, but it isn’t centered around murder and crime. One chapter goes into the 9/11 terrorist attack; there’s also quite a few examples that explore how an ME certifies a death accidental versus natural.
There’s a lot to learn here, even if you’re well-versed in anatomy or true crime. For example, I didn’t realize how involved MEs are with family counseling, or that they sometimes take phone calls from and speak directly to victims’ families.
Engaging from start to finish, this was a fascinating read. If you love CSI, this book is for you.
Favorite quotes:
“Mine is a gruesome job, but for a scientist with a love for the mechanics of the human body, a great one.” (p. 169)
“Doing autopsies for a living did not make me afraid of the world, but I was being haunted by ghosts who weren't dead yet.” (p. 173)
“Every doctor has to cultivate compassion, to learn it and then practice it. To confront death every day, to see it for yourself, you have to love the living.” (p. 254)
Read it here.
if i don’t laugh i’ll cry: how death, debt, and comedy led to a life of faith, farming, and forgetting what i came into this room for by molly stillman
4/5 stars
This is an endearing memoir about grief, purpose, and working through mistakes. I was initially drawn to the title, and really excited to read something that brought humor into death and loss - not that death is funny, but like the title implies, you’re usually laughing or crying, and humor adds much-needed levity.
Molly Stillman is a great storyteller. I am not an audiobook person, but think hers would be great. I liked the structure and how dates were included at the beginning of each chapter to clarify the timeline. Memoirs can sometimes struggle with clear continuity, and since much of Molly’s takes place in her younger years, the dates help differentiate the eras of her life.
This memoir is shorter (238 pages) and one you could finish in an afternoon. It reads like a conversation with a friend. It’s honest, vulnerable, and introspective, yet I think the humor almost shelters it from being too much of an internal monologue.
The last few chapters are exclusively her Christian testimony, which I didn’t anticipate. Not everyone will connect with how her debt brought her back to God, but I think part of her message is that nothing has to make sense to us to make sense to God. He will use anyone and anything to connect with you.
Favorite quotes:
“Pain is a much greater teacher than blessing.” (p. 228)
“If God can forgive you, who are you that you can’t forgive yourself?” (p. 230)
“Why can be a useless question. The better question is: What am I going to do now, and how can it make me a better person?” (p. 231)
Read it here.
everyone here is lying by shari lapena
4/5 stars
This was recommended to me by a friend from high school; we’ve had lots of overlap with thrillers over the last few months, so I was excited to jump into this one. I haven’t had much luck with book clubs in the past, so in a way, this felt a delayed gratification book club where we could still discuss it, even though we read it at different times.
True to the author’s signature, this was a character-driven thriller with tons of secrets. It’s one of those thrillers where it isn’t over until the very last page, because the twists don’t stop.
I wish there was one more chapter at the end. It wasn’t a cliff hanger per-say, but the author layers lots of details and subplots throughout the book that I wish we got one more chapter for full resolutions to everything.
This was engaging from start to finish, but I did find that LaPena’s writing style kind of reminded me of Keith Morrison narrating Dateline haha.
Read it here.
bright young women by jessica knoll
2.5/5 stars
This is a fictional reimagining of Ted Bundy’s victims, but the book itself never mentions him by name. This is done on purpose, as the book subtly argues the idea that we should focus on the victims instead of the killer.
The message of the book drew me in and I really wanted to love this, but it was so slow and hard to get into - probably one of the least favorite books I’ve read this year.
Even with a serial killer premise, this book is not a thriller and not very exciting. Rather, I found it to be an exploration of feminism, identity, purpose, and grief. The author is pushing a message, and it’s more about that than providing readers with an entertaining story.
The writing itself was overly complicated, and the reflective tone bordered on monotonous too often. There are a couple of quotes that hit home and make you think, but overall, I really felt like this dragged on.
Instead of this, I’d recommend reading one of the author’s previous books, “Luckiest Girl Alive,” which was an engaging thriller that was later turned into a Netflix film. If you are more interested in the reimagining of an infamous crime, read “The Girls” by Emma Cline.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the alchemist by paulo coelho
4/5 stars
A beloved classic that makes so many “Books Everyone Should Read List,” I’m adding it to my Top list on Kindle Unlimited because I was surprised to see it as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
As far as self-improvement books go, this is not a how-to guide that gives you action steps to follow. It’s a fable that’s easy to read and under 100 pages. There’s a little bit of mysticism to this, but the lessons are applicable to everyone’s lives regardless of age or religious beliefs.
I’m only giving this 4 stars because I found it a little repetitive and boring at times, but with how quick of a read it is, I do think it’s worth it.
Favorite quotes:
“It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand,” (p. 7)
“When each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.” (p. 13)
"Don't forget that everything you deal with is only one thing and nothing else.” (p. 14)
“When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.” (p. 32)
“People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want.” (p. 36)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
god, family, country: a memoir by craig morgan
5/5 stars
This is one of the few memoirs that sincerely captures the author’s voice on paper. Craig Morgan is uniquely charismatic yet down to earth, and this book reads like a one-on-one conversation with him.
A man of many roles and responsibilities with so many incredible life experiences, this memoir exemplifies how far curiosity and creativity can take you when there’s purpose and intention behind it.
He takes you behind the scenes of the decisions he’s made, showing how one can be strategic but not calculated, and how small-town values can be your biggest strength. I learned a lot in particular about the business elements of the music industry, which he discusses candidly.
My favorite thing about books, memoirs in particular, is how they allow you to live a million lives in one and encourage personal reflection. With such a rich, layered life journey (military, music, family, racing, etc.) Craig Morgan’s memoir makes you really think of the threads of your own life, how you address your responsibilities, and how you can be of service to others.
Favorite quotes:
“You don't notice the accomplishments when you're wrapped up in the race. Sometimes it's hard to see the milestones because you're just running across them so fast.” (p. 143)
“We’re all like that, maybe. Happy and deeply sad, fun, and more than a little down—it’s the human condition. That’s why certain songs touch people so hard.” (p. 277)
“When your career hits a plateau, you need to find a way to spike it higher.” (p. 200)
“The mysteries of faith and everyday life don’t need to be consciously examined or debated; they simply need to be. The Holy Spirit touches you chopping wood or putting a hole in the ice to catch dinner. We’ve carried that with us as we’ve progressed. We’ve found new ways to express it, whether in art or at home. We haven’t turned away from it, but found new ways to live, to be human.” (p. 310)
Read it here.
this girl’s a killer by emma c. wells
2/5 stars
This is a new thriller entered around a female Dexter/ Joe Goldberg, and I had been anticipating its release for a while.
I always love reading books about 30-somethings, and this takes place in Baton Rouge, which is a nice change from all of the small town or coastal city settings that are so often used. I found the writing to be sharp and sassy (ex: “patriarchal catnip”), but it did feel a little immature at times for women in their mid-30s.
Overall, this is a fun read, but you have to overlook a lot and suspend disbelief to enjoy it. I wanted to be able to recommend this to everyone, but I just couldn’t understand how the author would take so many creative liberties that ultimately lowered the quality of the story.
No spoilers, but I will say the ending felt rushed to me. While there are no cliffhangers, the author leaves a few inconsistencies and loose strings at the end.
I really wanted more from this, but if you’re looking for a lighthearted yet suspenseful read, you might like it.
Read it here.
from here to the great unknown by lisa marie presley and riley keough
5/5 stars
This is such a special memoir. Started by Lisa Marie Presley, her daughter RIley Keough ultimately finished it after Lisa Marie’s sudden death. Both are co-writers and there are parts written by each of them. At times, Riley finishes what Lisa Marie didn’t, but she also adds context to what Lisa Marie has already shared. The result is incredibly nuanced; Riley is respectful yet honest, and I found myself reflecting on mother-daughter relationships in a between-the-lines type of way.
Although Lisa Marie lived a unique, very public life, this is still deeply human, intimate, and relatable, as we all struggle with identity and insecurities. It’s also emotional, spiritual, and perceptive. Without anything or anyone to ground her, Lisa Marie lived very intuitively and didn’t think much about consequence, and it was interesting as a reader to see exactly how that played out from a bird’s eye, retrospective viewpoint.
This memoir depicts a really interesting duality between making life extraordinary, big, and fun, while also wanting simplicity, quiet, and calm. Post-COVID and in a world of social media FOMO, I think we can all learn from this and reflect on how we want our lives to feel.
Amidst the chaos and heartbreak, there is so much love in this book and it really does make you cherish the relationships in your life, including the one you have with yourself.
I highly recommend this, especially if you’re drawn to themes of identity, grief, loneliness, and how deeply relationships impact our sense of self and quality of life.
Favorite quotes:
“It'll hit me still, on and off it comes… The grief still comes. It's still just there.” - Lisa Marie Presley (p. 62)
“This is one of the most heartbreaking things about the last decade of her life-being a mother was the most important thing to her, she had really wanted another chance at it, and yet her addition showed up.” - Riley Keough (p 198-199)
“I believe that a body is just a body, and the spirit is ultimately inside of the physical shell, and I don't think chemicals have anything to do with the spirit. They make the physical addiction to the body—but the root of the addiction comes from being really unhappy. That's a spiritual problem.” - Lisa Marie Presley (p. 216-217)
“This was a huge lesson for me—the only way out is through. You must allow pain in to free yourself from it.” - Riley Keough (p. 255)
“Grief settles. It's not something you overcome. It's something that you live with. You adapt to it. Nothing about you is who you were.” - Lisa Marie Presley (p. 262-263)
Read it here.