October Reading Roundup
As October draws to a close, it's time to cozy up and reflect on all the stories that filled our month. From mysteries to heartwarming tales, October’s reading list brought a bit of everything. Grab a cup of tea and join us as we discuss our reads for the month!
A Curious Beginning By Deanna Rayburn
I found A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn to be such a fun read! As someone who loves historical fiction books, this had everything I could have wanted: adventure, intrigue, a bit of romance, and a woman who doesn’t live by society’s standards. This book kicks off the Veronica Speedwell series and I’ve already requested the second one from the library! Veronica Speedwell is a no-nonsense, butterfly-collecting, independent woman who gets wrapped up in a murder mystery after a strange turn of events. And honestly, I loved the way she charged through life in an action first, questions later way.
The chemistry between her and Stoker is perfect! Their banter is sharp and witty, making their dynamic one of the highlights of the book (and honestly gives me Watson/Sherlock vibes). Not only were the main characters great, but the plot moves at a great pace, with plenty of twists that keep you guessing and engaged. If you’re into historical mysteries with strong female leads, this is absolutely worth picking up! Definitely recommend for fans of clever mysteries and witty, headstrong protagonists!
II. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood’s Check & Mate was a super fun read for me, especially because I love a good rivals to lovers. The story follows 2 chess players who butt heads from their first chess game , which makes for a lot of witty banter (which I also love)!
While I love rivals to lovers stories, this one felt like a one sided rivalry on Mallory’s side. And having said that, I still very much enjoyed it! The only other criticism I really have for the book is that I feel that it dragged a bit in some parts and I found myself wanting more action/story development around the middle of the book.
That being said, to me, a book sinks or swims with it’s characters. And I think Hazelwood really shines with her characters in this book. They’re relatable, and you really feel their chemistry, especially as they open up to each other. Even when the story slowed down, I kept reading because I genuinely cared about the leads and their journey!
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun, slow-burn romance with a dash of chess rivalry, Check & Mate is definitely worth checking out. It’s got its flaws, but Hazelwood’s charm makes it a win in the end!
III. How to Solve Your Own Murder
How to Solve Your Own Murder was one of those books that I did not expect to like as much as I did! I started reading it because it was available at the library and I needed a book to listen to, plus the premise of the book sounded vaguely intriguing to me. I do not read a lot of mystery books, but this one convinced me I need to pick more up! I typically listen to books on my way home from work, and this one kept me engaged and entertained, even when I was stuck sitting in traffic!
How to Solve Your Own Murder is a quirky and clever take on mystery, with a blend of suspense, humor, and heart. I think the premise of the book makes it stand out from other mystery books I have looked at, which is probably why it caught my attention! In this book, the protaganist tries to solve her own murder from the afterlife!
Not only did I find the premise of the book engaging, the writing was also great as well. It kept me listening and engaged, trying to solve the murder myself. I really loved how the author balanced characters and plot as well as wit and intringue. There was a lot of mystery, but also plenty of funny moments too.
I highly recommend this book! The plot is full of twists and suprises. It kept me guessing until the very end of the book. Overall, if you’re a fan of mysteries (or just looking to get into the genre), How to Solve Your Own Murder is worth the read!
IV. Fourth Wing
I am pretty late to getting to Fourth Wing. Addmittedly, I was hesitant to pick it up because I had heard very mixed reviews (it seemed like you either loved it or hated it and there were no in betweens). But, a friend highly recommended it and bought the book for me to read. I was surprised that I liked the book as much as I did, I could not put it did down (and I didn’t want to)! I am so glad my friend suggested it!
Right from the beginning, Fourth Wing pulls you into a unique world of war colleges, dragons, and intense, high-stakes challenges. From there, it felt like the story line progressed quickly. There was always something going on, or something I wanted to know about, which kept me turning the pages late into the night. The protagonist, Violet, is incredibly relatable—she’s tough, but also vulnerable and unsure of herself in ways that feel very human. You root for her, not just because she’s facing incredible odds, but because she’s real, too.
The book isn’t all action and intensity, though. There is romance, too. I really liked the main love interest in this book! But, I did find the love-triangle trope in this book to be rather irritating. Love triangles are not something that I enjoy in books, so I was ready for that part of the book to just end! The love-triangle didn’t diminish my love of the book or tarnish my enjoyment of it, though.
One thing I did appreciate about this book was the different characterization of dragons offered by Fourth Wing, especially the dragon bond. The idea of channeling magic and dragons being, kinda “in charge” of the whole situation was something that I feel like I haven’t read in a book. So, it was a nice to have a different kind of dragon character/vibe in this book.
If you’re like I was and on the fence because of mixed reviews, I’d say give Fourth Wing a shot. It’s got action, heart, and a storyline that builds into something truly captivating. Definitely a solid recommendation for fantasy fans!