October 2023 Reading Wrap Up

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!

I can't believe we're in the final stretch of the year! October went by way too fast. I feel like I was trying to juggle a thousand things at once. I had a huge birthday weekend, and I have also fully committed to crochet as a hobby/obsession. Because of that, I didn't read as much this month. Well, as much for me, I should clarify. 

In the month of October, I read 8 books: 5 novels, 1 novella, 1 short story collection, and 1 graphic novel. There was a big chunk in the middle of the month where I didn't read anything at all, which is why that number is much lower than usual. I also DNFd a book, which brings my grand total of yearly DNFs up to 3. And, despite it being my birthday month, I have a super small haul, the smallest of the year so far (aside from January, since I didn't buy any books that month)!

Alright, let's get into the wrap up!

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Novels

1. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno Garcia
Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.57 CAWPILE
Page count: 306 pages
Day(s) read: 10.07 - 10.09
Goodreads thoughts: The atmosphere was on point but I didn’t ever feel connected to the characters. I don’t know if it’s general apathy with my reading right now or something else but I’m just not feeling any sort of way about this book. A bit forgettable, to be entirely honest.

2. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White (Review Here)
Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 384 pages
Day(s) read: 10.09 - 10.13
Goodreads thoughts: Wow. Wowowowowow. The MIND that White has, I swear. This was so disturbing, and macabre, and horrific, and I LOVED it. I may not relate to Silas's transness, but I felt SO seen through his autism. If you can handle body horror, then I absolutely recommend that you read this!

3. The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophy, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 1.5 stars/2.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 268 pages
Day(s) read: 10.02 - 10.14
Goodreads thoughts: Yikes.

I don’t know if it’s just because the Alchemist was so life changing for me, but every other book I’ve read by Paulo Coelho (and I’ve read a LOT, like a dozen books) just aren’t the same. It’s like they were written by two very different authors. This novel had zero flavor, I was so bored by everything! I never thought I’d give a Coelho book 1 star, but here we freaking are I guess.

4. Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 1231 pages (57 hrs 24 mins on audio)
Day(s) read: 10.12 - 10.29
Goodreads thoughts: I think this is my second favorite in the series (after Words of Radiance). Kaladin's character arc continues to destroy me in the best way possible, and the world keeps getting bigger with every installment! I really don't know how Brando Sando does it, but I'm not complaining. And now I have to wait for book 5 ;-;

5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Genre: Classics, Horror, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.14 CAWPILE 
Page count: 223 pages
Day(s) read: 10.28 - 10.30
Goodreads thoughts: Fascinating, and actually really sad! The existentialism explored really made me think, and now I’m even more impressed with Mary Shelley.

Novellas

1. Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.86 CAWPILE 
Page count: 123 pages (2 hrs 55 mins on audio)
Day(s) read: 10.03 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads thoughts: I feel like I need to do a reread of the previous books before I can confidently say this, but I think this is my favorite novella in the series (so far). I loved learning about Chih's childhood and how they were raised in the abbey, and also the origins of the neixin. It was definitely the most emotional of the series! Myriad Virtue's grief was so all consuming, it was truly brilliant writing.

Story Stories 

1. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving
Genre: Classics, Horror, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 2 stars/3.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 286 pages
Day(s) read: 10.24 - 10.25
Goodreads thoughts: If you're ever looking for a thousand descriptions of ANYTHING--the woods, a dinner table, a horse--then Irving is the man for you. If you want anything else, look elsewhere.

Graphic Novels

1. The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen 
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 256 pages
Day(s) read: 10.01 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads thoughts: Inspirational story, beautiful art style, important history...a formula for a wonderful graphic novel.

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Total page count: 3,077 pages

Favorite book of October: The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
                                              Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

October DNFs: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

No unfinished books this month

October book haul: The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
                                  The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher
                                  All Systems Red by Martha Wells

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Alright, that's it for October! 

I'd love to know your favorite read of the month! Let me know in the comments below, or DM me on Instagram (link in sidebar under the heading "More Media").

Until next time, friends!