Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. Here are the books I completed in the month of September:
- The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan - I had seen this on a few 'must read' lists, so added it to my hold list on Libby and got in line. This is a fake memoir used to tell a fictional story about an elusive, bestselling author named Cate Kay, whose real identity is Annie (Anne Marie) Callahan but also goes by Cass Ford. The book is told from multiple different points of view (and I love that the audiobook uses different actors for all of the different characters - it just makes it feel so much more real and alive). I found this story super engaging and really loved the entire thing. The author did a great job weaving all of the stories and worlds (Hollywood, book publishing, etc) together and I was addicted till the last page. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness - I have had this book favorited on my Hoopla app for a while now and thought it was time to get around to it. There are a few people in my life who have been diagnosed with ADHD or similar neurodivergent diagnosis and I wanted to learn more about it. This read was super informative. This book is NOT written by doctors and does not have a bunch of medical jargon, it is written by a husband and wife team, the husband has ADHD and the wife does not. They are simply sharing what they have found in their life experiences and are sharing that with the world at large. The information is fun, lighthearted and easy to digest, even though this is a very serious topic. Whether you have ADHD or want to support someone else in their journey, this read is extremely insightful. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera - I didn't realize there was a third book in this series, so when I saw it pop up on my Libby app under the recently added section I jumped on it. This series is about Death-Cast, a service which calls people at the beginning of the day (between 12am and 3am in their time zone) to let them know they will be dying that day (if it is their final day and if they have paid for and signed up for the service). I read the first book of the series in December of 2020 and then the prequel that was released in May of 2023. This one was about twice as long as the first two, so it took me about a week to listen to it all, but not for lack of interest. Instead of a single 24 hour span of time (like the first two books covered), this book was a longer time frame. It flipped back and forth between Paz, a boy who was hoping Death-Cast would call so he knew he suicide attempt would be successful, and Alano, the heir to the Death-Cast empire and the boy who helped save Paz's life. I did find this one a lot harder to listen to because of all the suicide ideations and self-harm talk, so be warned that it is definitely a darker vibe than the first two. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- And They Were Roommates by Page Powars - This book popped up in the YA new releases section of my Libby app and I thought I would give it a try. The story is about Charlie and his plan to keep his trans identity secret from the new all boys boarding school he is attending. The problem is that he is paired up with a roommate who he had a past with prior to transitioning. Jasper, the roommate and principal's nephew, doesn't realize Charlie is his long lost love right away and of course drama ensues. I thought it was an interesting plot, was engaged the entire time and was stoked to see more trans representation. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- How to Examine a Wolverine by Philipp Schott - Of course being a University of Michigan alum I was interested in the title of this book ;) This is a compilation of essays by a veterinarian. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it was interesting enough to give it a few hours. The stories were quick, cute and heartfelt. They are focused mostly on dogs and cats (being a small animal vet), but do range from bees to burmese pythons - and obviously a wolverine. I found myself smiling or thinking 'awww, how sweet' through most of the book. There was definitely never a dull moment for this Canadian veterinarian. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune - This is actually a RE-READ. I first read this book back in August of 2024 and LOVED IT. I actually was scrolling through my 'for later' list on my Hoopla app and I went back a ways and saw that this book was listed. I was corn-fused because I LOVE this author and thought for certain I would have read all of his books before. I snagged it and about two sentences in I realized that I, of course, had read it before (but must not have removed it from my list, oops!). As with the majority of his books, which are a little out of left field (teenagers with superpowers, talking gnomes, a sort of backwards Pinocchio story, etc), this one was in the same vein. A journalist who was fired and just inherited his family's cabin heads there to sulk and plan his next steps, but when he arrives he realizes he is not the only one there. I won't ruin the rest, but let me tell you that there are some extraterrestrials involved. It's a thriller, mystery, love story and so much more wrapped up in one fast-paced book! There were smiles, laughs, tears, #AllTheFeels! And now I am adding the physical book to my wish list so I won't forget about it again. I would (STILL) give it a 10 out of 10.
- Twelve by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Last month I finished the Naturals series, but then when I was scrolling through my Libby app I noticed that this 'novela' was recently added. I wasn't sold on the whole series, but with this book only being three hours (and then less than that of listening time since I keep my audiobooks at 1.75x speed) I figured it would probably be worth it. This short story was decent. It was about a twelve year old that the team had actually worked with before (solving her cold case kidnapping six years prior). Mackenzie calls in 'the team that found her' and wants them to solve what she believes is a murder but it was ruled a suicide at the time. I won't ruin the mystery but will say I figured she'd be 'joining the team'. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- Audre & Bash are Just Friends by Tia Williams - This book was in the just released section in the Young Adult genre of my Libby app, so I figured I would give it a try. It was a cute story about two teens. Audre is a perfectionist who lives by the rules and loves giving therapy sessions to her friends. Bash is a mysterious hunk who just moved across the country mid-senior year. One of Audre's friends challenges her to step outside of her comfort zone for the summer and try five different tasks (things like staying out at a party after 10pm, trying a new-to-you activity, etc). Audre knows she won't have the courage to tackle the list herself, so she enlists the help of a "fun consultant", Bash. And, as I'm sure you suspected (or at least I did), this pair of 'friends' turned into more than that throughout the summer. It's a sweet, summer rom-com, first love story at its finest, one that would be perfect to read on vacation or by the pool. A quick and easy read. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
With that, September is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
