October 2026 Reads

 

October was an interesting reading month, although perhaps not quite as fiction-heavy as usual. I read five nonfiction books (three of which were assigned reading for my doctoral program), eight short stories with seasonal vibes, and two novels that were both perfect for Halloween. Interestingly, although I didn't have any books that I would actively recommend skipping, the majority of my reading ended up in the "Maybe" category. Here's why.

The "Maybe" pile

1. Short stories

I know short stories aren't a format that works for everyone, but I do enjoy them occasionally, especially when they are thematically collected around a particular holiday or season. Seven of the eight stories I read came from Amazon's Magic & Mystery collection, featuring such popular fantasy authors as Travis Baldree, Robert Jackson Bennett, Heather Fawcett, Scott Lynch, and others. If you enjoy these authors, I'd recommend checking out the collection.

I also read The Magician by Rebecca Serle, a short story included in an Amazon collection exploring motherhood. Rebecca Serle is quickly becoming one of my favorite magical realism writers, and although this story wasn't specifically Halloween-themed, it had just the right atmosphere for the season.

2. Books read for school

The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer, and Qualitative Literacy by Mario Luis Small and Jessica McCrory Calarco were all assigned readings for my doctoral program.

Of the three, I'd say The Coaching Habit is probably the most accessible and relevant to a general audience, particularly anyone working in a leadership or management role. The other two are more specialized and will likely appeal primarily to readers interested in their respective fields. All three were worthwhile reads in the context of my studies, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them to everyone—which is why they landed in the "Maybe" category.

3. The Witches of Cambridge

The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman is her newest release, and I was quite excited to pick it up. I've read several of Hoffman's books before and particularly enjoyed the Practical Magic series. This novel has a similar atmosphere and will certainly appeal to readers who enjoy her particular brand of magical storytelling.

That said, I don't think Hoffman is for everyone. Her writing tends to be slow-paced and character-driven rather than plot-driven. If you're looking for an action-packed, fast-moving witchy read for Halloween, this might not be the book for you. I enjoyed revisiting Hoffman's world, but it didn't quite rise to the level of an enthusiastic recommendation.

The books I enthusiastically recommend

1. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

This is an outstanding novel set against the backdrop of very recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. Written from an Indigenous perspective, it explores generational trauma, cultural appropriation, colonization, and the complexities of contemporary Native American identity. And, of course, there's a ghost!

I found the book fascinating, thought-provoking, and wonderfully layered. Erdrich manages to weave together social commentary, cultural history, humor, and a touch of the supernatural into a truly memorable story. Highly recommended.

2. Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

What a poignant and necessary book! Kidder follows the work of Dr. Jim O'Connell, a physician who has dedicated his career to caring for Boston's unhoused population. Through a series of individual stories, we get a glimpse into the lives of people who are often overlooked by society and the challenges of providing meaningful care to a population with complex and frequently unmet needs.

Each story is heartbreaking in its own way. And Dr. Jim himself? Truly a modern-day saint. His compassion, dedication, and commitment to people who have very few advocates are extraordinary. I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend it highly enough.

3. Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke

Finally, Dopamine Nation is another timely and thought-provoking nonfiction read. Dr. Lembke explores our modern-day relationship with pleasure, instant gratification, and addiction, examining how the constant availability of pleasurable experiences can affect our brains and our ability to find balance.

This book really made me think and introduced me to phenomena I hadn't previously considered. I particularly appreciated how it encouraged me to look more critically at some of the everyday habits and indulgences we tend to take for granted. An excellent read for anyone interested in understanding the psychology of pleasure and our increasingly complicated relationship with it.

Overall, October was a satisfying reading month. I enjoyed my seasonal detour into short fiction, made progress on my doctoral reading, and came away with three excellent nonfiction and literary reads that I would wholeheartedly recommend.

September 2026 Reads

 

September was a somewhat mediocre reading month for me. As you can see from the graphic, quite a few books landed in my “Maybe” or “No” categories. That said, I did have two outstanding reads that will almost certainly make my list of favorite books of 2026.

The Standouts

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans absolutely deserves all the hype! Told entirely through letters, the novel follows an older woman through her correspondence, gradually revealing her personality, relationships, and life experiences. If you enjoyed Theo of Golden, I think there’s a good chance you’ll love this one, too. It’s a slower, quieter read, but also deeply engaging and emotionally rewarding. Definitely one of my favorite books of the month.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett was an absolute delight! It’s the first book in a fantasy mystery series, and I loved everything about it: the fascinating world-building, the political intrigue, and, above all, the characters. I’m already eager to read the next two installments. The audiobook is excellent, too, so I highly recommend that format if you enjoy listening to your books.

The Disappointments

The Coven and The Cursed by Harper L. Woods are installments in the same paranormal romance series, and unfortunately, neither worked for me. I found the writing weak and the plots lacking, with little to compensate for either. These were definite misses, and I wouldn’t recommend them.

I also read The Power of Beliefs by Shawn Achor after hearing him as a guest on Oprah’s podcast. I found what he shared during the interview intriguing enough to want to explore his ideas further. My advice, though? Watch the podcast episode and skip the book. The interview was more than enough for me.

The “Maybe” Pile

This was by far my largest category in September, and the books here fall into two distinct groups: titles that are widely loved but didn’t quite work for me, and nonfiction books that I picked up out of particular interest.

Others love these, but they weren’t quite for me

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is a classic feminist dystopian novel, and I went into it expecting to love it. Unfortunately, I found the plot somewhat lacking, and I struggled with it for much the same reason that Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro didn’t work for me. We see the world almost exclusively through the limited perspective of the protagonist, which leaves a great many questions unanswered. I understand that this approach may be intentional, and if you enjoy ambiguous, open-ended stories, you may appreciate the novel more than I did. Personally, I wanted a little more context and a broader understanding of the world in which the story unfolds.

I read some short stories by J. G. Ballard for my book club, and opinions within the group were quite divided. Some members absolutely loved his work and consider him a foundational science fiction writer. I found some stories more interesting than others, but here’s the thing: a month later, I can barely remember any of them! Perhaps Ballard’s work simply isn’t for me, although I can appreciate why his writing inspires such strong reactions.

The Bookbinder’s Secret by A. D. Bell is a historical mystery set in nineteenth-century England. The protagonist is a female bookbinder who discovers a series of books containing secret letters hidden in their bindings. If you enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, you might like this one, too. I had some fun with the premise, but the story requires a fair amount of suspension of disbelief, and a few of the plot twists felt far too implausible. Still, this is the first book in a series, and I think there’s potential here. I already have the sequel and plan to give it a try before making a final judgment.

Special interests

Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker tells the story of a family with twelve children, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia. The family's experiences and the genetic material they contributed to research have been invaluable to our understanding of serious mental illness. It’s a fascinating but difficult read, and I found the treatment of some aspects of the subject insufficiently nuanced. Mental illness is a topic of particular interest to me, so I was especially invested in the book. That said, this is a heavy subject, and I recognize that it may not appeal to everyone.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari was one of those nonfiction books that seemed to be everywhere when it first came out. If you enjoy sweeping, big-picture overviews of human history, it’s worth considering. Harari covers an enormous amount of ground, offering a broad perspective on how our species developed and shaped the world. However, I sometimes found his tone a little too authoritative, as though he had a definitive answer to every question. That know-it-all quality was off-putting in places, even when I found the subject matter interesting.

Final Thoughts

September was a reminder that a book’s popularity doesn’t necessarily mean it will resonate with me. Ultimately, two outstanding books are more than enough to make a reading month worthwhile. I’m especially glad to have discovered The Tainted Cup, as I can’t wait to return to its world and characters.

August 2026 Reads

August was another very good reading month for me. I read nine books, and five of them ended up firmly in my “Yes!” category. I also had a couple of books that I enjoyed well enough but are part of ongoing series, so I’m reserving final judgment for now.

There were several standout reads this month, across both fiction and nonfiction.

My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner was probably the biggest surprise of the month. This is Renner’s memoir about the horrific accident that nearly cost him his life and the long, difficult road to recovery. I found it incredibly compelling not just because of the accident itself, but because of what it reveals about resilience, family, and the determination to rebuild your life after something that changes it forever.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume was another favorite. I somehow managed to make it this far without reading it, and I’m glad I finally did. It is a coming-of-age story about friendship, family, love, and the complicated ways people can remain connected to one another over the course of many years. There is something very nostalgic about Blume’s writing, but the relationships and emotions still feel remarkably relatable. I must say this is not a fluffy romance. I think going in with that knowledge will help not feel disappointed.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff was a beautiful and heartbreaking family story. It explores addiction, marriage, parenthood, and the ways that one person’s struggles can reverberate through an entire family. Definitely not an easy read, but a very powerful one.

I also really enjoyed Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. This is a relatively short but emotionally rich novel about a Colombian family divided between the United States and Colombia. It explores immigration, family separation, belonging, and the complicated meaning of home. I especially appreciated how much the author manages to accomplish in such a compact book.

Another nonfiction standout was Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. I’ve read some of Green’s nonfiction before, but this one particularly impressed me. It is part history, part science, and part exploration of global health inequality, all centered around tuberculosis. It made me think about how differently we experience diseases depending on where we happen to live and how much access we have to medical care. An excellent example of nonfiction that manages to be informative without ever becoming dry.

Two books landed in my “Maybe” category this month: An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong and Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore. Both are part of ongoing series, so I’m hesitant to make a final judgment based on a single installment. I’m still interested enough in the characters and worlds to keep going, but neither was a standout for me.

And then there were my two “No”s: Angel of Darkness by Daniel Kraus and The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden.

The latter deserves a little more explanation because it has made me reconsider an author I used to think of as a favorite. Katherine Arden became a favorite of mine because of the Winternight trilogy, which I absolutely loved when I first read it. However, her two most recent releases—The Warm Hands of Ghosts and now The Unicorn Hunters—have both been disappointing for me. I think the biggest issue is that they lack the dynamism and engaging plotlines that I have come to expect from fantasy. I want fantasy to pull me along, and neither of these books managed to do that.

Interestingly, my recent reread of the Winternight trilogy has made me question even that earlier love. I made it through the first two books, but only barely, and I never even picked up the third—which is still the book I remember most fondly from the trilogy. Perhaps this is simply a case of discovering that a book or author that once felt perfect for me no longer works in quite the same way. Reading tastes change, after all. Still, it’s a little sad to realize that an author who once felt like a favorite may no longer be one.

Overall, though, August was a very satisfying reading month. My Next Breath, The Bright Years, Infinite Country, and Everything Is Tuberculosis were all memorable for very different reasons, and I’m always happy when a month gives me a few books that stay with me after I’ve finished them.

July 2026 Reads

July was a bit of a mixed reading month for me. I read nine books, although four of those were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, so the number is a little misleading. Still, I had some definite standouts—and a couple of books that I wouldn’t recommend.

The biggest surprise of the month was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I had been looking forward to this one, and it absolutely lived up to the premise. It follows a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and suddenly has to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. It’s an entertaining satire, but there is also plenty to think about underneath the humor. Definitely a recommendation from me.

I also continued my journey through The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, listening to four more installments this month. These continue to be charming, entertaining, and very easy to listen to. They are definitely more on the light and whimsical side of historical fiction, which is why I’ve kept them in my “Yes” category for enjoyment, while acknowledging that they may not appeal to readers looking for serious historical fiction.

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker was another favorite. This is a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a complicated relationship at its center, and it pulled me in completely. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.

There were two books that landed in my “Maybe” category. The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard had an intriguing premise and some elements I enjoyed, but ultimately didn’t quite work for me enough to become a favorite. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong was entertaining, but again, I wasn’t particularly wowed by it.

And then there was Between These Broken Hearts by Lexi Ryan, which landed firmly in the “No” category. The verdict on the graphic pretty much says it all: read this one only if you’ve already made it through the first three books in the series. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend starting here.

Overall, July had some definite winners, particularly Yesteryear and To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, along with another four enjoyable visits to the world of Emma M. Lion. Not every book was a winner, but that’s part of the fun of reading—there’s always another one waiting on the TBR.

Mid-Year Reading Check-In

I complete this same list of questions (almost) every year, and it is a good way to check in on what's been read so far and make some plans for the rest of the year.

1. Number of books read so far this year

As of today, I’ve read 60 books.

2. Best book you've read so far in 2026

Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny is, without question, the most profoundly moving book I’ve read this year. I was not only deeply affected by Navalny’s story, but also incredibly impressed by him as a person. With most politicians, it’s easy to question their motivations—whether they are driven by power, fame, or wealth. In Navalny’s case, I came away with a very different impression. Given the course of his life, it seems clear that his primary motivation was the pursuit of justice, and he ultimately gave everything in that fight.

3. Best sequel you've read so far in 2026

Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen, the ninth installment in the Her Royal Spyness series. I love dipping into this cozy mystery series a couple of times each year, and this was one of my favorite installments so far. It was witty, charming, and thoroughly entertaining.

4. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s a satirical novel about a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and is forced to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. The premise sounds both hilarious and thought-provoking, and I’m really hoping to get to it this month.

5. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang. It’s described as a witty, deeply moving coming-of-age novel exploring grief, language, and culture shock against the backdrop of one unforgettable summer in Taipei. I’m very excited to see what Kuang does with a more contemporary story.

6. Biggest disappointment

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe. It’s marketed as an enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance and has developed quite a devoted following among romantasy readers. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The experience also reinforced something I’ve been noticing lately: finding truly exceptional romance novels often means sorting through quite a few mediocre ones first.

7. Biggest surprise

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I had previously read two of Reid’s novels and thought they were perfectly fine, but neither quite lived up to the hype. Atmosphere, on the other hand, exceeded every expectation I had. It completely captivated me and will almost certainly end up on my list of favorite books of the year.

8. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Allen Levi. Theo of Golden was my first experience with his writing, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

9. Newest favorite character

Theo from Theo of Golden. His kindness, quiet wisdom, and ability to savor every conversation and every moment of life made him one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time.

10. Book that made you cry

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman, and Upward Bound by Woody Brown. Each one moved me in a different way, but all three left me reaching for the tissues.

11. Book that made you happy

Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen. Spending time with Lady Georgiana always feels like visiting old friends, and this installment was especially delightful.

12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

In addition to Yesteryear, the books at the top of my TBR are Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, Whistler by Ann Patchett, and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. I also have an entire stack of summer romances waiting for me, and I’m hoping to read as many of them as possible before the season comes to an end.

June 2026 Reads

June was another productive reading month, with 11 books completed. The number is a little misleading, though, as several of them were quite short. Four of those books were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower. They were thoroughly entertaining, full of charm and wit, but I ultimately placed them in my "maybe" category. While I enjoyed them, I think readers looking for rigorously researched historical fiction may find them a bit too whimsical.

This month I also finally read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro for my book club. I realize this is a controversial opinion, but I didn’t love it as much as many other readers seem to. I understand what Ishiguro was trying to accomplish: the novel focuses on the quiet majority, on people who comply with a system that ultimately destroys them rather than resisting it. That is a fascinating idea in itself. However, because that is essentially the only perspective presented, the story felt somewhat one-dimensional to me. Human societies are rarely so uniform, especially when grappling with profound ethical questions like cloning. I found myself expecting at least some glimpse of dissent or resistance somewhere in the wider world, and its absence made the novel feel less convincing than I had hoped.

My two favorite books of the month—and quite possibly of the entire year—were Upward Bound by Woody Brown and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Upward Bound is written by Woody Brown, a non-speaking autistic author who communicates by typing and earned degrees from UCLA and Columbia University. The novel is composed of interconnected vignettes told from multiple perspectives, all centered around an adult day program serving people with significant intellectual and physical disabilities. It shines a light on a community that many of us rarely encounter or think about, while exposing the realities of a system that is chronically underfunded, understaffed, and responsible for supporting people whose conditions are often misunderstood or stigmatized.

Since the book's publication, there has been considerable discussion on social media questioning Brown's authorship because of his disability. Personally, I have no interest in participating in those debates. Instead, I would rather remain open-minded and hopeful that people with significant disabilities can find meaningful ways to communicate, create, and have their voices heard. Regardless of those conversations, Upward Bound is a compassionate, eye-opening novel that has stayed with me long after I finished it.

Atmosphere completely surprised me. I had previously read two novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid and thought they were enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. Atmosphere, however, is on an entirely different level. Set in the 1980s, it follows a female astronaut as she prepares for her first mission into space. I found myself deeply invested in the protagonist and her journey. Alongside the excitement of the space program, the novel weaves in a beautiful romance between two women with remarkable tenderness and authenticity. Although the book is deeply introspective, the narrative never loses momentum. The pacing is excellent, the emotional stakes continue to build, and several moments are genuinely heartbreaking. By the final page, I knew I had read something special. I absolutely loved this one.

May 2026 Reads

May was another solid reading month, with nine books completed. Rather than recap everything I read, I wanted to highlight the three books that left the biggest impression on me.

The standout of the month was Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. This novel has become a favorite for many readers, and after finishing it, I can absolutely understand why. In terms of atmosphere, I would compare it to Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Both novels have a quiet, thoughtful pace, feature older protagonists, and gradually unravel long-held family secrets. If you loved one, I think there’s an excellent chance you’ll love the other. Theo of Golden is a gentle, deeply compassionate story that lingers long after you turn the final page.

Another standout was Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. In this memoir, Block reflects on the years he spent being homeschooled—or perhaps more accurately, "unschooled"—and attempts to make sense of the lasting impact those experiences had on his life. At its heart, the book explores his complicated relationship with his mother and the well-intentioned, but often misguided, decisions she made regarding his upbringing and education. If you're a parent or simply enjoy thoughtful nonfiction that examines parent-child relationships, I highly recommend this one.

Rebecca Serle is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Magical realism is not a genre I typically gravitate toward, yet her novels consistently resonate with me on a deeper emotional level. A couple of years ago, I read and loved One Italian Summer, and this month I finally picked up In Five Years.

The novel follows Dannie, a young woman whose life seems perfectly planned—until she has a vivid dream in which she shares an intense connection with a man she has never met. The dream leaves her deeply unsettled because she has just become engaged... and not to the man from the dream. More troubling still, the emotional connection she experiences in that brief glimpse of the future feels far stronger than anything she has felt with her fiancé. But that premise is only the beginning. What unfolds is a moving exploration of destiny, friendship, love, grief, and discovering your own purpose in life. And the ending is nothing like what I expected. I absolutely loved it.