Booked Out [October 2020]

How was your month in books? Which book was your favorite? Did you read anything spooky or mysterious thrillers?

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+ KIM +

September was such a stellar reading month for me that I was determined to follow suit in October. Tragically I think all my amazing books in September left me with a major book hangover and I didn’t finish anything the first two weeks of the month. But never fear, I wrapped up some awesome books just before that Halloween deadline. My favorite this month was Gideon the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir. The sass is strong with this one! and I loved every second of it. I listened to the narration by Moira Quirk and it was just so well done! Now, there are a lot of characters to keep up with in this book, which is sometimes hard for me on audio, so be warned of that. Gideon is a force to be reckoned with but surprisingly, it was Harrowhark that I’m still wanting to learn more about. Two things I loved most about this book: Snarky characters who also had hearts of gold deep down AND lots and lots of action and intrigue. This book is just so unique and fun. Also read:

• The Last Time I Lied, Riley Sager ☆☆☆☆☆
• The Boy on The Bridge, MR Carey ☆☆☆☆
• Ninefox Gambit ☆☆☆
• The Monster of Elendhaven, Jennifer Giesbrecht ☆☆☆1/2
• Drowned Country, Emily Tesh ☆☆☆ 1/2
• One of Us Is Next, Karen M. McManus ☆☆☆☆

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+ TANYA PATRICE +

Like Kim, I found it hard to get into a groove this month, and the books I read were sub-par and almost sent me into a reading slump. So the book I started the month reading turned out to be the best – Anxious People, Fredrik Bachman.

This is the 5th book I’ve read by the author. After the 1st, I was a fan … after the 2nd … I’ll read anything he puts out as soon as it comes out! So – back to Anxious People. It’s a book about quirky characters, the thin line that can send us over the edge into bad decision making, questionable decisions, complicated relationships and … well, it’s about messiness. Life is messy, people are messy, circumstances get messy – and Backman delivers with a book that is well written and – dangit – I’m just going to say … lovely. I also read a non-fiction book this month – White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color, Ruby Hamad. This book explores the role that white women have played in racial history, and how some are still perpetrating this role today with savior complex and by weaponizing their fragility with “white tears” in the workplace when challenged. It really goes deep into the history of racial oppression in several countries and the role white women have played. This book is probably a LOT to take in for white women who play no part in these games, but its an important book even if it just brings awareness. Also read:

• The Twisted Ones, T. Kingfisher ☆☆☆
• The Last Policeman, Ben H. Winters ☆☆☆
• Night Shadow (Night Tales #2), Nora Roberts ☆☆
• Saga Vol. 2, Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Artist) ☆☆☆☆☆

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What was your favorite book read this month? We’re linking up with The Monthly Wrap-Up.