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Writer's pictureOlivia Swindler

October Reading Round-Up

Happy November! Normally, I would say this is the start of cozy reading season, but it was 80º one day this week, so now I don't know what to believe anymore. Here's what I read in October!


Happy Reading!




Blue Sisters | Fiction, 4/5

The writing in this book is gorgeous. I loved the way this book talked about grief and addiction, but more than anything this is a book about sisters. I wish there would have been a little more depth to the Blue parents, but overall highly recommend this one. Great is you want an emotional, quiet, fall read.



You Could Make This Place Beautiful | Memoir, 4/5

The writing of this book is stunning. I first heard of Smith from her poem Good Bones. This is a story about divorce, but it is also about motherhood, and career, and success within a partnership. As other reviewers have noted, there is a lot unsaid in this book. I think this book could have either benefitted from some distance or but alluding less to what was left unsaid.


Overall this book is beautiful and perfect for another who loves memoir. I really enjoyed the audio version.



I Hope This Finds You Well | Fiction, 4/5

This book is a mix of Office Space, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine in all the best ways. If you love a workplace drama and a somewhat quirky, highly anxious main character, then I think you would really enjoy this book. It felt like it drug on a little in the middle, but I loved it on audio.



The Last One At the Wedding | Thriller, 4/5

I loved the premise of the book and it felt like the perfect spooky season read. I had a really hard time connecting with the main character which changed my reading experience. I think the plot could have been a little faster paced, but the story line was great. Good for fans of The Family Game.



Shortest History of Israel and Palestine | Non-Fiction, 5/5

As the title suggests, this is a great short history of Israel and Palestine. It was published in 2022, so does not include anything about October 7, but I found it to give very helpful background to the current situation.



Revenge of the Tipping Point | Non-Fiction, 5/5

I loved Malcolm Gladwell. I especially found the section on college athletics to be fascinating. Feeling great about my choice not to go to Harvard.



The Boyfriend | Thriller, 3.5/5

While the writing in this book didn’t wow me, it was exactly what I needed it to be—a fast pace thriller that kept me guessing until the end!



What I Ate in One Year | Memoir, 5/5

I love Stanley Tucci. As described, this is a book about what he ate in a year. It was impossible to listen to this book and not want to either cook for a dinner party or travel to Italy ASAP. While this is a book about food, it is also a book about grief, life, aging, and family. I loved it.



Calypso | Essays, 4/5

I love David Sedaris. I picked this one up after hearing him speak earlier in October (cemented my love for him even more). While this book is his typical style, it focuses a lot more grief and death.

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