Autumn to Winter Page-Turners: Highlighting Short Reviews from October to December
I’ve always been an avid reader… well, that’s not entirely true. I used to despise reading in elementary school. I would cry, plead, and beg to avoid such torture. As a child, I believed there were so many other things I would rather do than sit down and read.
Everything changed the fall I moved away for three months, leaving my friends and everything I knew behind. At the time, I thought the move was permanent; we relocated from Miami to Tampa. Needless to say, I was relieved it was only a three-month stint.
However, when I returned, things had drastically changed. I no longer had the same classes, and I didn’t know anyone at my new lunchtime. One day, after eating lunch alone, I ventured into the library, sat at a table, and found a Christopher Pike book. I picked it up, started reading, and instantly fell in love with it. That’s how my passion for reading began!
I’ve taken breaks here and there, and most recently, I was on a lengthy hiatus. It had been so long since I last picked up a book, but now that I have, I can’t put them down!
Here are a few books I finished in 2023 and my thoughts on them.
October 2023, Reads
“Practical Magic,” by Alice Hoffman: I wanted to love this book because I adore anything witchy! The writing was excellent, but I only started to get into it towards the end. Now, to be transparent, I have already seen the movie a million times and loved it, which might have influenced why I couldn’t get into the book. For me, this was one of those rare moments where I loved the movie more than the book.
“The Ex Hex,” by Erin Sterling: OMG, this book was so hard for me to get through. Again, I love witchy reads, and I based my choice on what BookTok recommended, but I could barely finish it. I know, based on what I saw on BookTok, this is probably not the popular opinion. But I just couldn’t get into it. I finished it just because I hate leaving books unfinished, and it set me back on my reading goal. Not that my goal was high — as you can see, I started reading in October, so there were no lofty expectations there, lol.
November 2023, Reads
“If He Had Been with Me,” by Laura Nowlin: Let me set the scene for where I read this book in ONE sitting! My husband and I were out of town in one of our favorite places, Sarasota. We adore the beaches and restaurants there and visit as often as we can. On this trip, we rented a cabana that was set up for us before we arrived — all we had to do was show up. The day was beautiful; it was sunny but with a bit of wind, so it wasn’t hot. I got comfortable and began to read. A few hours later, I was done with my book, and thank goodness I was in one of my happy places. I think that’s what kept me from crying my eyes out.
This read was super easy, and although it had a few slow moments, it was one of those reads that transport you back to high school in certain ways — to the days when everything was a big deal and a huge misunderstanding. Those times when you didn’t know how to express your feelings, so you were fueled by pure assumptions. This book literally broke my heart!
“Archer’s Voice,” by Mia Sheridan: I loved this book! It was sad and heartwarming. It told a story of survival and how loving someone and allowing yourself to be loved can help heal even the deepest wounds. I didn’t want to put this book down. I couldn’t finish it in one read because of life… but I tried, lol. It was a really sweet story that I truly enjoyed.
“Does It Hurt?” by H.D Carlton: This book was wild. I wasn’t thrilled by it, but I also didn’t hate it. It was somewhat predictable in the suspense-mystery part. The love-hate relationship was also a little intense. Yes, no one wants their identity stolen, but the male protagonist took it too seriously. It got to the point where I was like, “OMG, get over it already.” Again, I didn’t super like it, but I didn’t hate it either. I was able to finish the book without wishing I had never picked it up to begin with.
December 2023, Reads
“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen McManus: I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with twists and turns that kept me engaged and wanting to read more. The mystery aspect was fantastic, even though I managed to figure it out before the end of the book. I usually hate when that happens, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. I loved the side stories and character development of each character. There’s a TV show that is loosely based on the book. This is one of those instances where the book is far superior to the show or movie. So, if you’ve watched the show, you can still read the book and be pleasantly surprised because they’re not the same.
“One of Us is Next” by Karen McManus: This sequel, while not exactly a part two or continuation from the previous book, was also enjoyable. The main characters from the first book make an appearance, but this one centers around Maeve, the sister of one of the protagonists from the first book, and her friends. I liked this book, but not as much as the first one. The storyline was different, which I appreciated. Much like the first one, I figured out the ‘aha’ moment before it happened, but it was still a great, easy read. I’ve started the third book now, and it’s back to the original characters plus a few from the second book, so this should be interesting.
The Joy of Reading: A Pathway to Better Mental Health
I’m extremely glad I started reading again. It’s such a great way to help with mental health. if you did not know, reading helps reduce stress, gives an emotional intelligence boost, and enhances mood. So, if you enjoy reading and are feeling a little down, pick up a book and let me know how it makes you feel. If you don’t normally read, pick up a book anyway and give it a try – you never know, it might spark a new love for reading!
Exciting news for my book lovers!
A new product will be added to my Etsy shop this week and I am super excited about it! I have been wanting to do this for such a long time! I will be adding blind date books to the shop! Each book sent out will also come with a bunch of cute items that if you are a book lover like me I know you will love. If you won my last giveaway you already know! Check out the SHOP and look out for the new drop! Do not forget to checkout the blog STORE for the new 2024 planners and self-care journals they are my faves!
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