My reading month in October was filled with thrillers, a middle grade, and even a memoir!
I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy 5 / 5 stars
This was one of the most raw and candid books I have ever read. In this we learn all about McCurdy’s intimate struggles throughout her young life. From being exploited in the entertainment industry at the age of eight years old, to her eating disorder, and the emotional and mental abuse she endured at the hands of her own mother. This book broadened my understanding as to why children in the entertainment industry usually go on to live harder lives once they are older- turning to drugs, alcohol, etc. in order to cope with what most didn’t have to at their age. Jennette also highlighted how abuse can come in many forms and can come from those who you may think love you the most. That it is okay to step away from what is bringing you mental exhaustion and emotional harm no matter who may be the source. Even if that person is your mother. I wasn’t expecting to walk away from this one with such a sense of heaviness and relief for McCurdy. I hope the topics in this book continue to be talked about. This one will stick with me for a very long time.
THESE FLEETING SHADOWS by Kate Alice Marshall 4 / 5 stars
Knives Out meets The Haunting of Hill House is the perfect way to describe this gothic story. I was so captivated by the setting and the atmosphere in this young adult novel. I could picture everything in perfect detail- which to me was half the fun. This thrilling young adult story brings together a haunted estate, witches, a cursed family and a large inheritance to create the perfect read for spooky season. The story line was extremely plot driven, although I could’ve done without the romance aspect in this- the storyline was great and captivating on its own, and I thought the addition of romance was just more so fluff for the young adult audience more so than progressing the plot forward. Regardless, I completely devoured this one.
IT STARTS WITH US by Colleen Hoover 3 / 5 stars
This was probably one of my most anticipated books of the year. Not so much in the sense that I absolutely loved the story of Lily but in the sense that I wanted to see where she ended up. I haven’t read too many of Colleen Hoover’s books, but It Ends With Us wasn’t my favorite book as it was for many others. Hoover’s writing style is very much just words on a page taken at face value. There isn’t much depth in either of these books, even though they take on very serious topics such as abuse, domestic violence, and divorce. With that being said, It Starts With Us gave me what I was looking for, a happy ending for our characters, but it did feel very bland in execution. Too much inner dialogue means not much for readers to figure out on their own, very much written like a conversation between friends and not something that drew me in every time I picked it up. So overall happy for our characters but still a just an “okay” read.
THE GLASS WITCH by Lindsay Puckett 3 / 5
Such a sweet one! This bewitching middle grade novel is about our 12 year old heroine Adelaide Good who has never felt quite good enough. Looking to break a family curse, Adelaide must try to defeat those who want her family’s magic erased which in turn erases all the magic from her family’s hometown of Cranberry Hollow. This one gave me all the Halloweentown vibes! A heartwarming story about self confidence, friendship, and family bonds. I also love the diversity in this as well as having our leading lady be plus size! While this was a cute read, there was a lot going on that at times felt very wordy and jumbled. I enjoyed the storyline, but it was easy to lose focus on what was going on.
