Reading Wrap-Up: October 2025
October was a great mix of formats and genres! A little memoir, a little mystery, and even some magic. I finished eight books (and sort of DNF’d one). I rated seven of the eight books 4 stars or higher!
Here’s what I read in October and what I’m excited to pick up in November:
What I Finished Reading
📘 Sociopath by Patric Gagne – Listened on Libby. Fascinating and unsettling in equal measure. It gave me a new perspective on what sociopathy actually looks like in day-to-day life. 4.5 stars
📗 We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter – Read on Kindle. The premise hooked me, but the execution fell a little flat. It had potential to be sharper and more compelling than it was, and while I didn’t dislike it, it just didn’t leave much of an impression. 3 stars
📙 The Honey Bus by Meredith May – Listened on Libby. I adored the relationship between the author and her grandpa, and the parallels she draws between bees and humanity are beautiful. 4.5 stars
📘 Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez – A small-town romance that completely swept me up. I loved the characters, their chemistry, and how refreshing it was to read about a heroine in her late 30s (lol). 5 stars!
📗 The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna – A heartfelt, magical story that really made me reflect on growing up and losing little pieces of who we were as kids. It’s a slow burn, but one that lingers in the best way. 5 stars!
📕 Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton – Listened on Audible. I think I would’ve liked this even more if I were a bigger Harry Potter fan, but it was still entertaining and surprisingly vulnerable toward the end when he talks about mental health. 4.5 stars
📙 Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson – Read on Kindle. Definitely a fun, fast-paced mystery. Not the most realistic, characters were extremely unlikable, and I guessed the killer early (just had a feeling). Yet…somehow, none of that made it less enjoyable for me. 4 stars
📘 Good Morning, Monster by Patric Gagne – Listened on Libby. Thought-provoking and powerful. The stories of her patients’ resilience stuck with me long after finishing. 5 stars!
What I’m Still Reading
📙 The Measure by Nikki Erlick – I’m not far in yet, but it’s already thought-provoking. The kind of concept that makes you pause and think about life and choices. That said, I’m not exactly excited to pick it up, so it might be a slower start for me.
📘 Gray After Dark by Noelle West Ihli – About a third of the way in, and it’s a heart-pounding page-turner. The tension builds fast, and I’m completely hooked!
The Book(s) I Didn’t Finish (But Might Someday)
📗 You Like it Darker by Stephen King – A collection of short stories I started on Libby but didn’t finish before my hold expired. Calling it a “soft DNF” since I do plan to return to it once it’s available again.
Looking Ahead: November TBR
So here’s the thing… I never stick perfectly to my TBR, and I’m okay with that. I’m a total mood reader, and sometimes the vibe changes halfway through the month. Still, I like having a list to keep me focused (or at least pretend to be). These are the books at the top of my list for November, plus I’ll be finishing the ones I already started.
📘 King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby – My virtual book club pick. A dark Southern thriller about grief, revenge, and family secrets. I’ve heard it’s gritty, fast-paced, and full of moral gray areas.
📗 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – My local book club pick. A historical mystery set in 18th-century Maine about a midwife who becomes entangled in a shocking murder investigation. Everyone says the writing is rich and immersive.
📕 Lock Every Door by Riley Sager – Didn’t get to last month, trying again. A woman becomes an apartment sitter in a luxurious building with a dark past.
📙 The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez – I’ve loved what I’ve read by her so far, and this is the one that started it all. Looking forward to reading her first novel!
📘 Happy People Are Annoying by Josh Peck – A memoir from the Drake & Josh star that blends humor and honesty as he opens up about fame and addiction. I have never watched the show so we’ll see if that makes a difference in how much I enjoy the book.
📕 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – A modern classic I’ve somehow never read. I’m finally tackling it this month. Expecting dystopian, eerie, and likely still relevant decades later.
📗 The Housemaid’s Wedding (A short story) by Freida McFadden – Bonus pick! A short story follow-up to The Housemaid series. I’m curious to see where it goes. I imagine quick, twisty, and probably unhinged in true Freida fashion.
Let me know what you read this month or what’s on your November list—I’m always down for new recs!
“Grace costs you nothing.”
