Sunday Book Club: October 2020 Reading List

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I am so far behind in my instagram reviews, I feel like I’m past the point of return. Except I’m also too type A to just leave that list unfinished at 87 books in August (or September?)…All this is to say that I think this is the first list of books I’m posting where NONE of the review were already posted on Instagram already. So here’s your fresh batch of reviews for the October 2020 Reading List and then lord help me, it might be time to work on instagram.

October 2020 Reading List

Cobble Hill by Cecily von Ziegesar

Note: This book was given to me as an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Does the name of this author sound familiar? That might be because you last heard this name along with “Gossip Girl.” That’s right! Cecily von Ziegesar is back (finally) and with a non-YA novel. Now, I’ve heard some meh reviews about it so far, but truthfully, I would disagree with that (I think those people were just hoping for another Gossip Girl).

This novel shows off one of von Ziegesar’s greatest skills: creating a whole world of incredibly unique and quirky characters and then throwing them together to let us watch what happens. All while letting New York City shine as it’s own character in the background. To go into each character would be overwhelming, but each character is so well developed and described you feel like you’ve known them for years within minutes of reading about them. The plot does move you through a full year, which can seem a little fast. However, I think that it ends up working really well and she’s able to cover a lot of ground without feeling like the reader missed anything.

I don’t think it’s necessarily a novel for everyone, but if you like an ensemble novel, then I would recommend it for you.

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

I’ve only read two books by Reichl, but I’ve now decided that everything she’s written is probably amazing. Aka I need to read all of her books. The first book I read by her was “Save Me the Plums” about her time as Editor in Chief of Gourmet magazine. Garlic and Sapphires however focuses on her career right before that as the restaurant critic for the New York Times. I don’t know what was better, her description of food or the many adventures that she had as a critic. Honestly, this book is a must read.

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

I can’t decide if I liked this romance novel or if I felt it was just meh. I really enjoyed the main characters and their growth in the novel. But there was something about the story that I just didn’t love. I think I would like to see a sequel to see the characters in a new setting or story.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Whenever I hear that a new movie or series is coming out and it’s based on a novel (or a whole series), I have to check it out. So when it was announced that Shonda Rhimes was adapting the Bridgerton series for netflix, I googled immediately. They looked like excellent romance novels so I did what I always do and ordered the first one from the library. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Yes they have some cheesy lines, but they are so much fun.

Kind of a Big Deal by Shannon Hale

Another mixed feelings book, sigh. So I really liked this book right up until the last few chapters. I felt like it went a little off the rails there and then tried to pull it back. But it was a fun ride and a YA book that I did enjoy reading.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

I finished this book in one sitting. That should tell you enough right? I just couldn’t stop reading and I wanted to know what would happen next! The ending definitely satisfying and I completely enjoyed each twist.

A Summer to Remember by Sue Moorcroft

I’ve been really into cozy reads lately and this one fits that bill. After Clancy’s life completely blows up around her, she heads up to a small town in Northern England to take over the job as a caretaker for a row of houses her cousin owns. Unfortunately, her cousin’s reputation spills over on to Clancy and Clancy’s old life keeps catching up with her.

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

I don’t know when I started enjoying novels that tackle multi-dimensional worlds (maybe when I read Dark Matter?), but I’m definitely into it now. Which meant that this novel was up my alley. I enjoyed reading it, but I felt like something was missing part of the time I was reading. Maybe it just had a slow start or there was an explanation that was edited out, but something was missing. If you enjoy multi-dimensions, I would suggest giving it a go though, because you might enjoy it.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

I had to restart this book twice to finally get myself to start reading it, which was honestly the most disappointing thing to say. I was so excited for Emily St. John Mandel’s next novel (after loving Station Eleven), but I could not get into this one. It followed a similar idea as Station Eleven, where multiple characters’ lives focused around one event. But the event in this novel (a ponzi scheme) posed two challenges.

First, the story opened with a case about a girl drowning, so you think the main story centers around that. Which it kind of does, but kind of doesn’t (that’s a problem). Second, the ponzi scheme was presented as the main event in the novel. But then it happened so late in the novel that by the time it happened, you forgot about it. You’ve also forgotten about the drowning by then. Whereas in Station Eleven, the main event (the disease) happened right away and then the novel went back and forth in time.

I’ve also now convinced myself that I should go back and re-read this book, so I think I need to stop typing.

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

I feel like I’m out of words after I just typed that novel above. So I’ll just cut to the chase with this one. This book is great and it was a fun read. I loved the behind the scenes of a celebrity’s life and I couldn’t stop picturing Jennifer Lopez as the celebrity character.

This Coven Won’t Break by Isabel Sterling

The sequel to These Witches Don’t Burn! I really enjoyed this novel and it was a great sequel. It did an excellent job of building off plotlines established in the first novel and it was just overall a great sequel. It really was like a YA version of the original WB version of Charmed.

The Lost Jewels by Kirsty Manning

When I read the description of this novel, it gave me such Fiona Davis vibes, I knew I had to read it. What does that mean exactly? Well, it means that the novel centers on (at least) two women at different points in history and their stories intertwine, but you don’t know exactly how at the beginning. It slowly unfolds over the course of the novel and you’re left with a very satisfying novel. This rang completely true for this novel with one exception, you did know how the two women related to each other, but there was a big gap in the story that was still left to be filled in by the novel.

They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

A soon to be tv series! Which I actually didn’t know when I read this book, but I really enjoyed this novel. It reminded me of the Debutantes series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Little White Lies and Deadly Little Scandals). The one thing I will add though is that I kind of guessed the twist, but I still enjoyed the ride.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Check out my review here.

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Let me start off by saying that I don’t think I would have ever picked up this novel on my own. But someone suggested it for my book club, so I happily picked it up. And then I couldn’t put it down. I loved this book so much. The writing was beautiful, the story was amazing, and I absolutely loved it. I did get angry at one part of the book (which you’ll guess when you read it), but I HIGHLY suggest you read it.