October is officially over and I must say that I actually put in the effort into reading spooky books for this month. I have spent the year trying to steer away from themes but I can’t not read spooky books in October. Anyway let’s jump into my thoughts.

• I read 9 books this month
• I DNFd 1 book this month
• Genre: 2 horror, 2 non-fiction, 2 thriller, 1 fantasy, 1 sci-fi and 1 sport.
• Gender of authors: 5 women and 4 men
• Race of authors: 6 white authors, 2 asian author and 1 black author
• Age range: 8 adult and 1 YA
• Format: 5 hardback, 3 eBook and 1 paperback
• 4.1 stars average rating for the month

Endless Night – Agatha Christie (DNF)

Now I RARELY dnf Christie books. I just tend to really enjoy her work but this book just dragged on for ages with barely plot and just a character meandering around and I hated his internal dialogue. I did google the plot and I guessed the twist so while I probably would have enjoyed the ending and the reveal it just took forever to get there. Literally, I had read 90 pages and it was no closer to a single dead body.

Graveyard Shift – M.L. Rio (3.5 stars)

This was a weird book to rate as on one hand I felt that the plot overall was interesting but I felt that the writing and the plot structure was lacklustre. I found the beginning to be really slow to get into and the ending to feel abrupt and underdeveloped. But I really enjoyed the middle and I like the characters. So it was more of a middle of the road experience.

The Woods All Black – Lee Mandelo (4 stars)

Now this was a horror book! I loved the setting of this book, rural American town where nothing happens but attending church, spooky woods, scary cult like leader. I am sat! The trans rep in this as well as the discussions of body autonomy, safe sex was a breath of fresh air compared to the oppressive environment out main character finds himself in. I like the mystery and I could easily read more books of our MC going to various backwater towns and looking after townspeople. I enjoyed the body horror element as well.

Want – Gillian Anderson and Anonymous (4 stars)

I am not sure really how to review this book as it’s very subjective to each individual but I had a great time getting into the mind of these women. Some of them made me laugh, cry or just sit and contemplate my life!

Rewitched – Lucy Jane Wood (5 stars)

I had the absolute honour to interview Lucy Jane Wood at my bookstore’s final event for 2024. It was a great way to end the year and I had an amazing time. Thankfully, I loved this book with my entire heart. I loved the cosiness of it, the characters, the relationships, the way magic system was super fun, the plot went down a road I actually didn’t expect which was great. I can’t wait to see what this author does next.

Ring Shout – P Djèlí Clark (5 stars)

Mr Clark is up there with authors that just don’t disappoint! Every single book he has written has been incredible and this book was no exception. Amazing characters, tear-jerking moments, action-packed and twisty plot. I just love a good P Djèlí Clark book!

Ancillary Justice – Ann Leslie (5 stars)

Now, I love reading a book that gets the cogs turning. I like feeling that my brain is getting a work out. My goal next year is to read more fantasy and sci-fi books that really get me thinking and this book was one of those inspirations. The plot, the characters, the world-building, the way gender is used and how different cultures are represented, discussions of colonialism made for an incredibly interesting read!