Sometimes I think my reading life is a little all over the place. My tastes don’t fit a neat mold, and I’m definitely not always the “target reader” for the books I pick up.
One shift I’ve made recently? Letting myself DNF books. Years ago, I would have pushed through no matter what. But now, if something isn’t connecting, I give myself permission to move on. Life is too short—and there are far too many books—to spend time forcing a read just because it’s popular or “highly recommended.” My goal is simple: enjoy what I do read.
With that said, here’s what kept me company this month:
📖 Slow Horses by Mick Herron
I stumbled across this paperback in a used bookstore during one of my many bookstore wanderings. (Side note: I adore used bookstores. My current favorite is three states away, but I make a point to stop in whenever I can—great prices, great finds, and the joy of giving a book a second life.)
Back to Slow Horses. I’d already seen the Apple TV+ series (Gary Oldman is perfection), but the book still surprised me. Herron’s writing gave me several lightbulb moments about things that had confused me in the show. Even knowing the plot didn’t spoil the fun. Best of all, there are eight more books in the series waiting for me!
🎧 The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
I wish more people picked up books like this. I listened to the audiobook, and it was excellent. This fictional account of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune shows the power of friendship and what can happen when people come together for a greater cause. A moving, inspiring read—I highly recommend it.
🎧 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This one was a reread for me. I wanted to know if it was as good as I remembered. Spoiler: it was. Beyond the glitz and Hollywood drama, it’s a story about fighting for who and what you love. That made it a perfect thematic companion to The First Ladies. I’ve read a handful of Jenkins Reid’s books, but Evelyn Hugo remains my favorite.
📖 The Match by Harlan Coben
Another used bookstore find! This thriller isn’t my usual go-to, but I was hooked. Following Wilde as he searches for his origins—mixed with a dose of reality television intrigue—made for fast, suspenseful reading. It also made me think twice about how much of our lives we put on display.
📚 That’s my October stack! What about you? Have you read any of these—or do you have a recent favorite you couldn’t put down?
Until next time…