Overall Mood: content – I have spent a lot of months recently reading a lot of books, so I wasn’t expecting to get all that many read this month. In fact, I was half expecting to have to ditch my Spooktober plan halfway through and make up a lot of discussion posts to stretch out the month’s posts. Thankfully, I came across so many exciting and engaging reads in the last few weeks that made finishing my Spooktober book reviews so easy, and have set me up to have a pretty varied November for reading too.

Books Read:

The Birds Began to Sing by Jeffrey Buchanan

This NZ historical fiction novel is an LGBT+ story at its core, wrapped in a crime mystery amidst a time where homosexuality was a punishable offence. It is not an easy read, but it is one I can see being eye-opening and cathartic for many individuals who identify as queer. This novel explores a young boy’s life, sexuality, and future, and the perspective is engaging and emotional. If you are looking for a Kiwi read that features an LGBT+ perspective, look no further.

The Tropic of Serpents: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan

This novel contains just as much, if not more, fantasy adventure than A Natural History of Dragons, and I had so much fun reading it. The academic fantasy feel is balanced so well, the characters are interesting and engaging, and the dragons make for such intriguing elements in this story world. With the political facets of this story world starting to come into play, I can see this becoming more and more exciting, and I do think this is a great cosy fantasy series for readers to consider.

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

I saw this as a book recommendation, and knowing my mum loves serial killer reads and darker crime fiction reads I figured she would be a good judge of merit. Safe to say she really liked it, and when I got my hands on it I read it so quickly I don’t think I saved any time for breathing. It is such a gripping novel, immersive and creepy and right up my alley. It is a fantastic dark crime fiction read that you must get your hands on.

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

I was shocked by this read, and not just because I wasn’t sure what to expect, but because of how amazing it is. I have read Fable, one of Adrienne Young’s YA novels, and while I didn’t think it was bad it wasn’t memorable to me. This adult debut of hers is the exact opposite. I loved almost every bit of this, with its balance of magical realism, romance, crime mystery, and thriller, and the characters are intriguing and complex, making for an engaging and exhilarating read.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

I think I have cracked the code for my book recs over summer, and the combination is simple – short reads, minimal current hype, and writing that actually comes from the heart. Small Things Like These is one such read, and I can wholeheartedly say that there isn’t a single word out of place or unneeded in this story. Everything has meaning, significance, and weight, and the overall story is sad yet hopeful, making a statement that isn’t afraid to cut in the process. Claire Keegan may become my summer author given I have Foster on my TBR pile and so many more books of hers I can request from the library, and I highly encourage you to look for a few when you can.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

I Who Have Never Known Men is a shocking read, but it is also introspective, explorative, and addresses a great main more things than you expect. It is a novel that cuts to the bone, makes you ache, and leaves you reeling when the final page is turned. While it wasn’t my favourite of the month, it certainly isn’t something that will fall to the wayside in my overall reads. If you’re looking for a feminine modern classic, this is something you may enjoy.

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

You give me a historical fiction novel, I’m going to read it. You give me a modern historical fiction war novel, I’m going to be intrigued and likely quite satisfied. You give me a modern historical fiction war novel that includes a cello, and I am not going to be able to stop talking about this book. I need to read it again for the pure enjoyment of such a heart-aching read, and I know this is going to find its way to my bookshelf before long. I cannot get enough of this novel and the juxtapositions, the imagery, the introspection, and the overall impact it has left. The Cellist of Sarajevo is my recommendation for you this month and always.

Crossroads of Ravens by Andrzej Sapkowski

I was so happy with this novel, and it has given me hope that I may see some of the Witcher novels on my shelf again some day. Crossroads of Ravens gives the perfect origin story for Geralt while also providing a lush, dirty, dark fantasy landscape that makes the story world feel so visceral and tangible. This is definitely my favourite of the standalones, and asa story about Geralt it gives such great reasoning and grounding for his charactrisation in the latter books (this is chronologically the first Witcher book, even though it’s the most recently published). If you are wanting to get into the Witcher books, I highly suggest starting with Crossroads of Ravens and reading in chronological order for the best reading experience.

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin. A. Craig

I forgot how much I enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows until I picked House of Roots ad Ruin up, because this one is just as sharp and lush as the first. The gothic fantasy elements make for such beautiful settings, the horror details make for that perfect chilling realisation, and the characters are rich and complex, creating engaging dialogue and interactions. This is one of my favourite YA dark fantasy series out there, and I encourage all fantasy readers to pick it up.

A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan

Witches in WWII hunting down dangerous grimoires to end the power of the Third Reich or destory the world, sneaking around occupied France and hiding out in safehouses – how could I resists? You know I love a good historical ficiton novel, and when you throw witches into anything I am bound to come looking. This was such a good read, and it doesn’t feel so surreal or fanciful like I iniitally feared. there is a mature tone to this book that makes it hit just right, and I think many would enjoy it.

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

‘Tis the season of scary for sure, and Hidden Pictures fits the bill. This horror thriller has all the elements of a great crime mystery with a pinch of paranormal scare to keep you on your toes. The pacing is fantastic, the tension addictive, and the plot itself is so well orchastrated that you will not want to put the book down for anything. I am going to be keeping an eye out for more books by Jason Rekulak in the future because his writing style is something I gelled with so easily. Definitely one for the scary book fans.

The Roses of May by Dot Hutchison

This book is the reason this monthy reading summary is being posted so late in the day for me (currently 9:16 pm.) as I just finished this and have so much I want to say, but I will be leavign that for my full review of it. Safe to say, this series is defiinitely a favourite and I am s happy I picked up the third book, The Summer Children, from the library this afternoon because I might have to sneakily read it before mum does. This novel is strctured differently to The Butterfly Garden, but is no less engaging and immersive. Crime fiction readers need to get their hands on this series pronto, because if you haven’t read it yet you are missing out.