I cannot believe that it’s November, like I just cannot. Christmas is less than two months away, I haven’t purchased a single thing (let alone made a list!) and my kids will NOT let me take away gifts from the festivities this year (can’t blame me for trying!). Cue Stephanie Tanner – “How Ruuuuude!”
October was a full month for us and I’m quite pleased with the amount of reading I managed to fit in. I’m still a few books behind schedule to meet my yearly goal of 50 books, but there’s still plenty of cold and dark days ahead to catch up! My October wrap-up included TWO 5-Star reads, a couple of magical realism books, and another decluttering guide. How are you doing with your reading goal this year?
Some Of It Was Real – 5 Stars
Sylvie Young is a 24 year old Psychic-medium on the verge of stardom. Her shows are sold out and talk of a TV show is in the works. She connects with her audience and helps them connect with loved ones that have passed. Thomas Holmes is a journalist hell bent on proving Sylvie and all other psychics are frauds. When Thomas reveals his idea for an exposé, Sylvie knows that this will ruin her career. Thomas gives Sylvie one week to prove that she is the real deal. But the catch, she has to give up her phone computer and access to her agent to make sure she doesn’t get any extra information from outside sources about the audience members.
This book came out of left field, and I’m so grateful that it did! It’s not even a true story and I had chills up my skin and tears in my eyes by the end of Chapter 2!! Sylvie and Thomas start out as enemies-of-sorts and through their journey of self discovery, uncovering the past, and mending relationships, I ached for them to resolve their disagreements. This book was rather deep, but I found it brilliant and refreshing, with a well developed storyline. One of my Top Five for the year!
I would really like to read more books with psychic characters. Do you have any suggestions?
The Ex Hex – 3 Stars
Nine years ago, Vivienne placed a curse on her ex for breaking her heart. She was young and drunk, and even though she knew she was a witch, she didn’t really think she could make it happen. But when the gorgeous Rhys Penhallow returns to their small Georgia town and all of her damnations come true, she begins to realize that maybe her hex did work after all.
This was part enemies to lovers, part second chance romance. I like the idea of witches living among humans just like in Practical Magic – it adds a touch of curiosity and whimsy to the town. Overall it was a cute book, but a bit cheesy at times and lordy did she make me wait for the steam… 70% y’all! That is cruel and unusual punishment, I say. A great book to read at Halloween if it’s on your list.
Other books with Magic:
The Night Circus – 4 Stars
Caraval – 4 Stars
The House in the Cerulean Sea – TBR
Declutter Like A Mother – 4 Stars
I’ve read A LOT of books about Minimalism and Decluttering, but this was the first one that was really written from the perspective of a mom with little children running around making messes and owning things. Other books talk about the kids rooms, but I don’t always feel like those people have kids like my kids.
Allie wrote this book from a totally different perspective. It is perfect for the overwhelmed, stressed out mother, that needs a way of clearing clutter. It’s about letting go of perfection and the minimalist “rules” that have come to be. Do it your way. “We’re not shooting for perfection, remember? We’re shooting for less stress, more space; less chaos, more peace; less of what doesn’t matter, more of what does.”
She understands having a family and doesn’t expect us to have stark white walls with nothing in your home. “Women subconsciously relate how happy they are with their families and home lives to how they feel about their homes. So, the more clutter and chaos in her home, the less happy a woman is with her family and her life.”
When talking about hobbies that you were once into: “It’s okay to evolve. It’s okay to change. That’s what humans do, especially humans who become mothers and have had their priorities shift.” Moms helping moms for the win!
Other favorite decluttering books:
How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind
Soulful Simplicity
Other Birds – 3.5 Stars
Zoey comes to Mallow Island off the coast of South Carolina to claim the apartment her deceased mother left her many years before. When she arrives at The Dellawisp – an old cobblestone complex, she is immediately immersed in the lives of her quirky and secretive neighbors.
The condo complex was occupied by a band of misfits… each with their own quirk and story left untold. Zoey is an outsider, but she is determined to make friends with everyone and bring some life to the Dellawisps. This book was more serious and slower paced than Allen’s other novels which have a bit more whimsy to them, but her magical realism trademark was still present.
If you’re new to Magical Realism or Sarah Addison Allen, I recommend starting with her novel, Garden Spells.
It Starts With Us – 5 Stars
If you haven’t read It Ends With Us, please go read it now, and also avoid reading about this one until you’ve done so. Content Warning: Domestic Violence
At the end of IEWU Lily runs into Atlas and Hoover gives a glimpse of hope for Lily after all she’s been through. ISWU picks up from that very moment forward. Lily is dealing with her ex-husband and their daughter and how they handle co-parenting. Meanwhile with Atlas back in Lily’s life, Ryle is not happy about it which brings some familiar and triggering feelings, emotions and behaviors back to the forefront.
Even though I didn’t need this book to be written, I’m so happy that Lily received the happy ending she deserved. This book will leave your heart full and only has a fraction of the anxiety that IEWU had. I went into this one blind as I read IEWU over five years ago, but she wrote it in a way that reminds you of who the characters are and some of the events from the first book, but this is absolutely book two and should not be read without the first. I will also agree with others that have claimed this one felt rushed, but it didn’t bother me at all. I agree with Atlas, “I hate that we have to pretend like we don’t already know we’re spending the rest of our lives together.“
Looking for more book recommendations? Check out all of my book posts here!
What was your last 5-star read? Do you have any that you would recommend I add to my TBR?
Becca @ Life's A Pearl
Wow, two 5 star reads!!! Adding “Some of It was Real” to my TBR! Sorry I have no psychic character recs for you. Also yay for books that say it’s ok to move on from past hobbies – let that stuff go! Let me know when you decide to pick up Cerulean Sea. I’ve heard such amazing things – it’s fairly high up on my rapidly growing TBR 😂
ASHLEY
I really think you’ll like Some of it was Real!! And I’ve had Cerulean Sea on my library holds twice but had to bump it off for more pressing holds. #bookwormproblems Maybe we could target for January?