I’m so excited about this On My Bookshelf because I read a total of nine books in September!! That must be a record for me, and hopefully helps me on my way to my goal of reading 60 books in 2020. And this post has a bunch of good thrillers if you’re looking for something spooky this October (be sure to check out my past book posts if you want more thriller recs)!
Recent Reads
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
I loved this mystery set in a Dallas, TX office space. It combined some really poignant commentary on #MeToo and women balancing careers and motherhood, along with an exciting whodunnit. The boss of three women ends up dead shortly before he is expected to become the CEO of the company. His name also appears on a spreadsheet of ‘bad men’ in Dallas, which leads to a group of women in the office becoming suspected of his murder. I would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries and has an interest in women’s experiences in the workplace.
Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer
Oh man, you guys. I was a serious #Twihard back in the day and it only felt right to give this book a chance. I don’t want to be dramatic and say it ruined the original for me, but it definitely made me dislike Edward. He’s super whiny, sexist, and the whole book just makes him seem even creepier. Which I didn’t realize was possible, since he’s a 117-year-old vampire who sneaks into a teenage girl’s room to watch her sleep…
I just don’t think Meyer was meant to write this series from a male perspective. I did like that you could know more about what other characters were thinking and learn more about the Cullen fam, but overall I wouldn’t say it was worth the nearly 700 pages. Just reread the OG books!
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
This book. Wow. I don’t need to tell you how terrifying and well-written it is because I’m sure you already know. I so wish I had read this prior to watching the series on Hulu (Elizabeth Moss does an amazing job of playing Offred), because I already kind of knew what was going on. I think it would have been that much more shocking and suspenseful had I not known the ins and outs of Gilead and Offred’s story before reading. Either way, I think this is an important book to read whether you’ve previously seen the series or not. There were a few differences that threw me for a loop (mainly Serena Joy’s character), but nothing too crazy.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK. I don’t think I can even put into words how impactful and meaningful this book was for me. While Glennon’s life is so different from mine, and she has far more life experience, her words and stories often felt relatable. I love how this is written in short anecdotes with powerful lessons. Everything she says about confidence and religion/spirituality and living your truest life felt so refreshing. I could go on and on, but seriously you must read it. And if you have please message me because I have so many thoughts! I’m still trying to figure out how to take everything Glennon said and implement it into my life.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
Y’all know I love a good Shari Lapena novel! This is one of two in this post. This one was GOOD. And perfect for October. This felt very Murder on the Orient Express-y in the best way. The guests at a remote inn get snowed in one weekend. The morning after they all arrive one of the guests is found dead. It offers the perspectives of all the guests as they attempt to figure out who among them is the murderer and start to go a little bit crazy as the weekend goes on. I will say I guessed the end of this one, but I think that’s just because I’ve been reading so many of Lapena’s books (and mysteries in general) lately!
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
This book follows to actors starring in a new adaptation of a telenovela. Jasmine has recently gone through a public breakup and has sworn off men, while Ashton is hiding secrets about his personal life. I didn’t love it as much as everyone else seemed too, but it was a cute, easy read. And the telenovela vibe reminded me a little of Jane the Virgin!
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Okay, I think this book was supposed to be disturbing and shocking, which to some extent it was, but I found the plot to be predictable. A couple living in a nice suburb seem to have a perfectly normal life, but no one knows they secretly murder women together. I thought it was fascinating that it was written from the POV of the husband, but to me it seemed obvious what was going on long before it was revealed at the end of the book. I’d still recommend if you like a mystery/thriller novel!
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Reese Witherspoon chose this one for a reason! It was so thought-provoking and had me hooked from the start. It’s about a nanny and her relationship with the child and the mother she works for. Something that really stood out to me was the love and care Emira (the nanny) felt for Briar (the little girl she babysat). I don’t even want to explain the plot for fear of giving something away, but it really made me think about race and the impact of the misguided ‘good’ intentions of white individuals.
The End of Her by Shari Lapena
Another really great thriller by Lapena! Also perfect for October. Stephanie is happily married with twins, but a woman from her husband’s past shows up to blackmail Stephanie’s family. Stephanie begins to doubt her husband and things quickly spiral out of control. I couldn’t fully figure this one out which was great because after reading all of Lapena’s other novels I was getting a good sense of her endings, and this one surprised me a bit!
Up Next…
Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
Love Unscripted by Owen Nicholls
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Watch Over me by Nina Lacour
//
Giveaway Time!
I’ve been thinking for a while that I wanted to giveaway some of my favorite things to someone who follows along with the blog, and I’m finally doing it! I’m giving away a copy of An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena, a leopard headband, and my favorite gold huggies I wear everyday. It’s going live on Instagram Monday October 12, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. PST. Directions to enter will be on that post!
Leave a Reply