Life's Sweet Journey: Great Reads of the Month October Link Up

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Great Reads of the Month October Link Up

Happy Wednesday!
It's starting to "feel a little cooler" here in Florida (and by cooler I mean low 90s as opposed to high), but I am not letting the heat stop me from pretending its fall which is my favorite time to cozy up with good book. With the stack I made it through this month I feel like I may as well have been holed up in a cabin with its own personal library. I am considering starting a reading round up, because I would love to see what everyone else is reading. Want to link up what you've been reading lately? Join in using the "add link" button at the bottom of this post for any book related blog posts you have and let's read together!


Books To Read One of Us is Lying


Saint Anything

I had forgotten how much I loved Sarah Dessen books when I was in high school. I had read her well into my early 20s as well and at some point fell away from it, completely on accident. When a friend mentioned one of her books the other day I decided to see if there was anything I hadn't read from her available when I went to the library. Saint Anything reminded me of everything I enjoy about Sarah Dessen and her writing. Not only that but Saint Anything is a book that hits very close to home for me...

Sydney is a high school student, who has always felt overshadowed by her older brother. First for his big personality, then when he started getting into trouble and taking all of his parents attention. When he ends up in jail for a drunk driving accident Sydney's life changes. She switches schools and meets the Chatham family and their fun-loving, close-knit bonds have her discovering more about herself and what she wants out of life. It's a beautiful story and one I was easily engrossed in!

The Last Mrs. Parrish

I listened to The Last Mrs. Parrish for book club and sadly I will not actually get to be there to discuss it because Babe and I are heading to Fort Wilderness, for a weekday staycation, to really utilize our Disney passes before they expire in January! I was really looking forward to discussing this one too, because while I did find it to be a bit slow at times it did hold a lot of thought provoking content...

When Amber Patterson sets her sights on Daphne Parrish and her seemingly glamorous life she will stop at nothing to embed herself as deeply into the other woman's circle as possible. But how close is too close? What will happen when she becomes Daphne's closest friend? Is there more to the whole story than meets the eye? This is a great read for anyone who liked The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl!


The Woman in the Window

Again perfect for those whole loved Gone Girl The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn is a great psychological thriller for October! While it did take me a little while to get into it had me hooked towards the end. I was pretty certain I knew the ending, but there are definitely some twists and turns to keep the reader (or in my case for this one, listener) on their toes...

Anna Fox is a shut in, her agoraphobia keeping her a prisoner in her own home. Her only glimpse to the outside world her windows, her hold to life the neighbors she watches. What triggered her fear of going outside? What happens when she sees something through the window that can't be explained? Does her life of seclusion have her imagining things or are things more sinister than they seem? 

Harry Potter Illustrated: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

This needs no explanation and just gets all the heart eyes! I had this on preorder for over 4 months and it finally arrived. While I didn't actually read it this month I have skimmed the pictures and am all kinds of in love. The illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the perfect book for October and an easy gift to add to any Christmas list for the Harry Potter lover in your life. Just look at those illustrations... 

Harry Potter Illustrated Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter Illustrated Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter Illustrated Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


One of Us is Lying

Ok, so technically I listened to this last month, but I had to share it because One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus was reallllly good! It had been a long time since I read a YA mystery and I was skeptical as to if I would like this book club pick, especially after finding out it is written from four different perspectives, but one chapter in and I was hooked... 

When five teens enter detention after school they never expect for only four of them to walk out. After foul play is found to be involved four kids who hardly knew each other are quickly thrust together into a group they never meant to create. Each is hiding a secret. Now the question is who can (or can't) they trust. While I did have this one figured out pretty much from the jump I still got completely immersed in each characters story line. It's also a book club I happened to miss and therefore couldn't discuss; if you read it I would love to know: Did you figure the ending out early or were you completely shocked? 

Where She Went

Apparently it was mystery month for me; Where She Went by Kelly Simmons was an intriguing read! While I did find myself skipping through some of the inner dialogue to get to the juicy parts this one was a perfect mystery for wanting something that's more quick-paced and easy to get through quickly...

Where She Went is told in two voices, alternating chapters between single mom Maggie and her newly collegiate daughter Emma. Maggie's story begins with word that her daughter is missing, while Emma's chapters start from before she disappears. Maggie will stop at nothing to find out what has happened to her daughter and on a college campus not everything is as it appears at a parent's first glance.


That's it for me for this month! 
What have you been reading? 
Join in the link up below!

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Click here to enter

11 comments:

  1. 'One of Us is Lying' looks so intriguing. I'm going to have to pick up a copy and read it.

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  2. I love the illustrated versions of Harry Potter!

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  3. These definitely sound like very entertaining and edge of your seat reads!

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  4. Always love a good book round up! Thanks for sharing these- appreciate the summaries too!

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  5. Always appreciate great book recommendations! I love that beautiful Harry Potter book. Wow!

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  6. HI! I don't know if my Short Story Link Party is appropriate for your party so I didn't link it up but I invite you to linkup with me! This is a creative writing exercise for fun and without a lot of editing. Just start typing and see what you come up with! Remember, no story is too short! See the party on my site for the current prompt :)

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