As far back as I can remember, I’ve read as naturally and instinctively as others breathe. My love for reading has only grown with each book (mostly literary fiction novels) I devour.
Books are small universes—affordable and easily carried yet filled with endless possibilities to expand and enrich the mind. Through these pages, I continue to explore new experiences and worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and deepen my understanding of the human condition.
These are the books I read in October, listed chronically, and graded on how likely I am to recommend them (highly recommend, recommend, and do not recommend).
Falling To Earth
It’s 1925, and the Tri-State Tornado (like, the worst tornado ever) devastates the small town of Marah, Illinois.
And when I say devastate, I mean DEVASTATE. Every townsperson lost at least their property if not they and/or their loved one’s lives.
Every townsperson except Paul Graves, that is. He, his home, his business (lumber mill, pretty nice gig when everything needs to be rebuilt), and every family member is standing, pristine.
It’s curious. How, why, was the Graves family spared? In Marah, curiosity soon becomes resentment, and worse.
This novel is an interesting study of trauma, both the unavoidable and self-inflicted; recommend.
The Galveston Diet
Yet another book about diet and menopause! Hey, man, knowledge is power.
I’ve found her tips, particularly regarding sleep and macro breakdown, helpful. If you’re in the same stage of life (perimenopause and/or menopause), I highly recommend this book.
Ferocity
An unflinching look at privilege and violence, Ferocity involves the “self-demise” of Clara, a daughter of the region’s (Southern Italy) most powerful family.
What exactly happened to Clara, and what is her family hiding? Shockingly violent, but somehow still plodding, recommend.
Coyote America
Do you know much about coyotes? As a species AND their cultural history? Well, get ready to sharpen your coyote knowledge skill set.
The information presented was very, very interesting, and I’m glad to know it. But his writing did nothing for me. This is no A Sand County Almanac, etc, etc; recommend.
Pond
An unnamed lady lives her life. She is some kind of writer or professor or something. She is filled with interesting thoughts.
First and most importantly, this is a beautifully written novel. But you gotta be in a certain mood or headspace to appreciate it, as Pond is the Seinfeld of literature: a book about nothing.
Plot is no master here, and character development is more like a fun aunt than an authority figure. It’s ideas, concepts, and patterns that drive Pond; recommend.
Women and Children First
The mysterious death of a teenage girl at an isolated house party in small town Massachusetts, ignites a powder keg of Rust (salt?) Belt tension.
Her death and its aftermath are explored and (kinda) explained through ten pivotal female characters. Incredibly well-written and understanding, highly recommend.
An Owl On Every Post
An Owl On Every Post is a collection of autobiographical stories and sketches about Babb’s early life on the Oklahoma plains (living in one of those dugout mud houses!).
I’ve recently fallen in love with Sanora, and I urge you to join me. She was a great writer and this material is super interesting; highly recommend.
Screaming On The Inside
A raw look at the state of American motherhood. Given the title, have you a clue as to what her assessment will be? Yeah.
But listen. You can’t fight the system if you don’t understand how it works. Read this interesting and aggravating book to find out how, highly recommend.
Essential Labor
If the previous book got you down, let this one lift you back up! Garbes acknowledges the unsustainability of the system (macro) but focuses on ways to teach and explore equity in the family (micro).
It gets a bit repetitive, though, recommend.
The Human Comedy
Homer is fourteen, he lives in California, he runs very fast; he loves apple pie, baseball, and World War II.
Eh, I understand that this is A Book Of Its Time (1944), but it’s waaay corny; do not recommend.
200 Years of Great American Short Stories
This hard-to-find collection of hard-to-find short stories was a FASCINATING journey through the development of American literature; highly recommend.
Hour of the Witch
Mary’s husband stabs her with a fork, and that, my friends, is the last straw. It wasn’t the first time he’d been violent, but jeez, how could anyone overlook this grievous injury?
Her friends, families, and even those 1660’s magistrates will understand why she wants a divorce, right? And they’ll just grant her one, without letting dangerous accusations fly? (No.)
I read this because of Halloween, but it turned out to be more historically interesting than bone-chilling (it was suspenseful, though, more like a thriller).
Chris isn’t one of my favorites, but this is very good, apparently as he’s a little obsessed with the 17th century; highly recommend.
On the Dirty Plate Trail
Notes/interviews (written by Sanora Babb) and startling photographs (taken by her sister, Dorothy Babb) from the Dust Bowl refugee camps in the 1930s.
This is another shocking time period of American history to learn about. So please do; highly recommend.
Conclusion
In sharing my October bite size book reviews, I hope to open up new literary adventures for you to enjoy as much as I have.
These recommendations are more than just pages bound together; they are invitations to explore, imagine, learn, and feel.
Want More?
Check these articles out for more bookish content:
Happy reading!
Love,
