Past me kind of made my life easier for October. I was way over halfway into three books, so it wasn’t hard to finish them all up in the first week of the month. I managed to read 5 books which is as much as the last two months combined. And not only that, but I also bought a few books for my birthday as a gift from me to me. Moreover, Spookathon happened, and I didn’t participate. All this time waiting for that stupendous week and life got in the way. I’m quite sad I couldn’t enjoy as I was hoping for since it’s one of the few readathons I’ve been doing every year. Oh well… there is more Spookathon next year – I hope! *fingers crossed*

Wrap-Up

The first book to finish off in October was One Child by Torey Hayden. I just wanted to get it out of the way as I wasn’t enjoying it. Going in, I’d read some not-so-positive reviews, and despite what everyone was saying I wanted to see for myself. This book is a true story of an abused six-years-old child and the teacher, aka the author, that helped her out. Quickly, I started to realise the story was all about the author and not about the child. The book starts off with the news of a little girl that tried to kill another boy, and by chance – or fate – she was put in Hayden class. I always thought this book would dive in the psychological path and explain how abuse affects children. For my dismay, none of that happened. There’s not even an explanation from the child to why she tried to kill that boy. The book is basically all about the teacher and the work she does with at-risk children.

Moving on from disappointments, I finished Day 21 by Kass Morgan next. Being back to The 100 world is always a delight for me. No matter how bad the book might be, I will always have a special place in my heart for it. Although the second book in the series isn’t bad, it was great! I keep on expecting more action, more drama, more suspense, more blood, more like the TV show. I really like these characters, and I care a lot for them, but they aren’t in any immediate danger. I don’t need to fear for their lives because everything is going to turn out fine in the end. I’m still going to read the third book, Homecoming, and it looks like sh*t is about to go down! Hopefully, it will be a tremendous mess, and everyone starts fighting against each other.

I recently discovered Spotify has a few audiobooks available for free. Some are classics others are YA like When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. I was over the moon and really excited to read books that I’ve wanted too without spending a penny – I’m always looking for the best deal. I settled for a Christmas story to get ready for the season that is still one month away – yes, I’m one of those! I listened to Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson, and I enjoyed it until I realised I had no idea what was happening. I still managed to pick up somethings here and there, but not in an extent that I could fully understand the story. I guess I have to listen again or go for a physical copy instead.

This month I also took part in the blog tour for Don’t Get Involved by F. J. Curlew. The author kindly asked me if I wanted to take part, and I’m so glad I said yes. The writing is great, and the story was captivating and immersive. It’s a book that I highly recommend you to read this winter with a big cup of tea to warm up. You can read all my thought on my review and also find links to get a copy.

The high light of the month was Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. Not in a million years, I thought I would enjoy this book as much as I did. The story had everything for me not to like it, and yet Rowell used her magic power and trapped me in this fantasy world that I don’t want to leave. For the longest time, I haven’t felt head over heels for a character or a book hangover. I try filling my need for Simon and Baz with fanart, but it’s not enough. Do I have to read fanfiction?? What if it turns out to be a void that sucks me in and I can’t get out?? I’m scared! One thing I know for sure, I have to buy Wayward Son.

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Haul

My birthday wouldn’t be my birthday without new books. Book Depository was having a big promotion in one book of my wishlist, and that was enough reason to add a few more to the shopping cart. The reason my shopping spree started was The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker. I reviewed the second book in this duology for the blog tour, and I loved it, so it was only natural that I would go back where it all started.

However, I had no idea what to buy next. So I thought of going back to a BooksandLala’s video about her favourite books and find some that interested me at a great price. Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl was one of them. I feel like every booktuber hauled this book at some point and the premise does sound interesting: five friends are stuck in the limbo, and the only way out is if all of them agree with who should die. I’m expecting a lot of secrets to be uncovered and drama everywhere.

Slowly, I’m still making my way through my most anticipated books of 2018, and I decided to treat myself with one: Busted by Gina Ciocca. I enjoy reading YA from time to time, and it’s always missing from my shelves. The book is about a girl that becomes famous in high school for caught cheaters, and she starts to fall in love for one of the boys that she is “hired” to investigate. All I can think of is drama, drama, drama, romance, drama, and drama. Don’t tell anyone, *whisper* but I’m slowly getting addicted to juicy love interests. *whisper*

The next two books I bought on a whim. Her Name was Rose by Clair Allan is about a woman that got killed in an accident and another that replaced her. Now, she has the family that belonged to the dead woman, and her new life isn’t as perfect as she imagined. The other book is Missing Pieces by Carly Anne West, the first book in a new middle-grade series based on the game Hello Neighbor. By the time this game was still in beta version, there was a lot of theories around the neighbour. The story was always very mysterious, and theorising was so much fun. I’m ready for another take on the neighbour’ story.

As if all these books weren’t enough, I went to the bookstore and bought three new mystery novels. Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris and The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware are from authors that I’ve heard about a lot, and I’m excited to finally have their books to read. On the contrary, one that I never heard of is The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza. Although that didn’t stop me from buying it. There was so much fuss about this author in the bookstore that I decided to give it a try. Plus, it’s the first book in a detective series, and I’m awful at starting those series in order.

The last book to land in my hands was Be Happy, Always by Xandria Ooi, the first book I ever won on a giveaway. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived in time for my birthday as if someone has sent a present my way. This is a non-fiction about being happy, overcoming life’s challenges, and maintain a positive attitude every day. It’s not the type of book that I usually read, but I’m always trying to be as happy as I can. And if this book can open my eyes to new ways to get there, I’m ready for it.

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