September Wrap Up and October Plans

I was so unprepared for the end of September that I actually forgot to add this to my to do list for the week. Whoops.

September has been pretty insane, but it was expected to be. Back to school means back to preschool/daycare programs for me, and trying to sort out all my scheduling and programming and updating paperwork and doing assessments and all sorts of crazy stuff. On top of that, I’ve been learning to play Dungeons and Dragons, returning to band rehearsals, trying to create a reasonable gym schedule, and all the usual socializing/eating/sleeping/etc. requirements that keep people’s heads from exploding with stress. Oh, and I got sick because kids are gross. It’s been fun, just very hectic.

I have managed to get quite a bit of reading done this month, especially with the help of audiobooks while I drive. So let’s do this, shall we?

Books I Reviewed

A Passport to a Nation of Talking Slugs by Andrew Kozma 4/5
These stories were so bizarre, but somehow, the author pulled it together to make it enjoyable to read. They’re short and sweet, and definitely worth checking out, if you’re into weird stuff.

Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore 4/5
This was not at all what I expected, but I really enjoyed it. The beginning section is slow and a bit hard to get through, because it’s just a lot of set up, but each of the endings are fun and unique, and make up for the slow first section.

The Sacrifice by Indrajit Garai 3/5
These stories were really interesting and a good read. They have some great characters and interesting situations.

Four Weeks, Five People by Jennifer Yu 2/5
There was so much potential in this book, and it just wasn’t as hard hitting as it thought it was. There was some great variation in mental health, but the therapy is not good and there isn’t much focus on recovery. Too much relationship drama and filler overshadowing what should have been more important in a book like this.

Citizen Kill by Stephen Clark 3/5
This is a fast paced, action packed adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat for most of the book. But it was predictable and the instalove was kinda icky.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan 4/5
I love how the characters have developed through this series, and how much they’re growing up. Plus, this was such a fun adventure. I can’t wait to read the next one.

The Inherited by Lily Burlington 2/5
This was a great premise and idea, and it just wasn’t well done in this book. There were so many interesting things that could have happened and were brought up and the focus just seemed to go in other directions. Maybe it gets to that stuff in the next book?

The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne 4/5
This book was so weird and twisted, and kids are so dang creepy at the best of times. But a fascinating thriller, and one I really enjoyed.

Books I Read and Will Be Reviewing in the Near Future

Wow, that looks impressive when it’s laid out like that. Technically one was the very end of August, and one I may not finish before October, but even so.

This has been seriously helped by listening to audiobooks in my car while I drive. Because of the amount of time I spend in my car each day, I can get through audiobooks over the course of a few days. So that accounts for Fairest, Magonia, The Accident Season, and The Young Elites.

The Warlock’s Nemesis was a DNF. There’s a mini-review coming along for that later on, along with the mini-review for Fairest.

It was a bit of a mix this month. I loved The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, Fairest, and The Shoe on the Roof. Was not a huge fan of Magonia or The Warlock’s Nemesis.  The rest fell somewhere in the middle.

Songs I Listened To

17 by Will Hoge

Home is You by Megan & Liz

Burning Bridges by Bea Miller

You and Drugs by The Federal Empire

Fine by Noah Kahan

Ain’t It Grand by Gord Bamford

Lines by SoMo

Books I Acquired

I did so well this month! The first two there were review copies sent to me, so I actually only bought one book this month! Mostly, this was because I was super broke after a summer of halved income, but whatever.

Plans For October

All The Bright Places, Falling Kingdoms and The Winner’s Curse are all audiobooks I’ve downloaded from the library and will listen to in the car.

Hallowe’en Party and Anna Dressed in Blood are my Halloween week reads. The Spirit Mage is a review copy I’m super excited to get to after reading the last one. A Court of Thorns and Roses has been on my TBR for so long it’s actually ridiculous, so I really need to get to it.

What are you planning to read in October? Got any good Halloween reads planned? Let me know in the comments below!