Books I Read during the months of September, October, and November

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Our fall season consisted of home adventures.
[Excuse me while I rifle through my digital memory to jog my brain about what we did this season. Aww Substack has photos. There we go!]

Wow! In September I started drafting my Leah Novel again. October and most of November saw some strong avoidance, but I dipped my toes back in the last week of November by taking notes to all the voice memos I’d recorded in September. Drafting might be on the horizon for December.

Ant and I went to our local county fair. We saw a handful of our niece’s and nephew’s soccer games. We had coffee and went to work. We won the campaign board game, Sleeping Gods; Distant Skies, with our friends Rob and Lauri. We Dad’s birthday and Gramps’ 90th (!!!) and Halloween in October. Oh! Mama and I flew to Los Angeles for a weekend at the beginning of October to see family and be tourists.

We kicked off November with a visit to the Sacramento Zoo, which is one of our favorite places to visit and it was a great one! My parents and Gramps joined me for the rainy Veteran’s Day Parade. Ant and I got new phones! I’m taking a social media break We ended the month celebrating Sawyerbean’s 5th birthday, Thanksgiving, and with colds haha. Oh! We also got watch a couple of football games 🙂

Reading-wise

Well, I continued in my Cozy YA at the beginning of the Fall season and then—PLOT TWIST! I read my first 7-book Fantasy series in like seven or eight years. Fun fact, that was The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik which is nine books long and I read during November 2017 to February 2018, and it’s Historical Fantasy.

Here’s what I read, minus two:

Now onto the deets and all the thoughts!

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I read 15 of books this season. Here they are in the order I read them:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell x2 – Yep, I legit read this twice. I counted it twice on Goodreads too.
• Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
• Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell
• Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• if i stay by Gayle Forman
• where she went by Gayle Forman
• Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
• Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J.
• Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas
• Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas
• Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
• Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Of the 15:

• Completed: 15
• Still Reading: N/A
• Did Not Finish (DNF): N/A

Books by the numbers:

• Owned: 3
• Library Books: 12
• Borrowed elsewhere: N/A
• Books published in 2023/2024: N/A
• Ant’s Shelves: N/A
• Rereads: 4
• eBooks: 1
• Audio: N/A
• ARCs: N/A

By Readership and Genre*:

• Fiction: 15
• Non-fiction: 0
• Contemporary: 8
• Anthologies: 1
• Poetry: 0
• Fantasy: 9
• MG: 0
• YA: 5
• NA: 12
• Thriller: 0
• Writing: 0
• Memoir/Biography: 0

*Some of these may be double counted

My favorites of the season:

• Fangirl, Throne of Glass, Tower of Dawn, Kingdom of Ash, if I stay and where she went

Spoiler warning: I’ve tried to give you a head’s up if there are spoilers within the thoughts themselves.

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#25-26/30 // Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I loved this book! I loved it so much, I read it immediately right away. (I’ve only ever done that with A Thousand Splendid Suns.) I loved it so much I bought my own copy.

Cath is 19 years old and she’s navigating her first year of college without her twin Wren, who wants to be her own person. Cath is introverted and methodical, shy, keeps things close, and writes the most popular fanfic about the Simon Snow series. Her roommate and roommate’s former boyfriend befriend Cath. Cath struggles with belonging and feeling safe and just how she fits into this new world of college and love with someone genuinely interested in her, without Wren, while also trying to take care of her both her dad and Wren, continue her fanfiction novel, and still do well in her classes.

I loved Cath’s big, caring, loyal heart and how anxiety was portrayed in this book. This novel reminded me to set scenes in my own book—where are the characters sitting, standing, doing with their hands, holding themselves? etc. And! It does montage scenes really well. It shows time passing and Cath and Levi’s relationship in a way that shows she’s trusting him and then it pops up in the middle of a conversation with them and it’s so cool! (I’m hoping to practice this in my current WIP.)

Content Courtesies: Mental health where a main side character ends up in the hospital, alcoholism where a main side character ends up in the hospital, cuss words (the f-word is used), slow burn spiciness, and fanfiction spiciness.

10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition | Meet the Author

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#27/30 // Pumpkinheads: A Graphic Novel by Rainbow Rowell, Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Apparently Cozy YA is a real sub-genre, and this book was on it! It’s a feel-good holiday book about two friends’ last year working at the local pumpkin patch together. Instead of working at the Succotash Hut together, they spend the night exploring the patch looking for the Fudge Girl, getting lost in the corn maze, trying to eat all the snacks, and reminiscing. A very sweet, easy read.

Content Courtesies: N/A

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#28/30 // Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell

THOUGHTS

– Rainbow Rowell has an anthology out of her own short stories. A lot of them are contemporary. A few are magical/Fantasy. I want to do this one day. And here’s the permission slip I didn’t know I needed to just put the stories of my heart in it and not all the same genre.

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#29/30 // Throne of Glass, #1 by Sarah J. Maas

My friend Brit recommended this series to me (even though I don’t love long series haha). I put it on hold right away, but wanted to read all the Rainbow Rowell books first in case I really liked the first book. And I did really enjoy it! I promptly put the rest of the series on hold at the library. Even though the final book, Kingdom of Ash, was first published in 2018 it’s very popular right now at the library. I don’t know if a lot readers are finding her through her newest series and going back to read the Throne of Glass and Crescent series

Sarah J. Maas was 16 when she started writing this book and it was published in 2012 when she was 26. I can tell it’s a first book, but it’s still a solid and strong first book.

*Spoiler!* (Skip to The Midnight Library’s entry if you want to avoid spoilers)

A couple of my favorite things:

• Crown Prince Dorian isn’t just the typical evil son of an evil king. He’s smart and kind and admits to Celaena that he wants to marry for love one day. He hates all the court shenanigans and is just trying to figure out how to play the Royal Court game.
• Also, Celaena’s love for pretty dresses is such a wonderful surprise of a trait for a trained assassin.

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#30/30 // The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

This book was really interesting. It had some pretty lines. The concept is really interesting with the main character, Nora Seed, being stuck in a limbo library, having been given the…opportunity? chance? to see herself in many different versions of Life. She gets to decide which one to stay in.

The writing is beautiful and the story was good, solid. It wasn’t my favorite book, but I enjoyed the contemplative nature of it.

Content Courtesies: The book opens with the main character contemplating suicide.

Buy the Book | Meet the Author

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#31/30 // if I stay by Gayle Forman

Oh man this book. I love it so much. I decided to reread it because I was in limbo after reading Throne of Glass and waiting for Book 2 to be ready at the library. And also, Ant was winding down on the fifth book of the series he was reading (The Malazan Book of the Fallen) and had decided to take a break and wanted to read one of my books. I reallyyyyy want him to read this book and its sequel, so I decided to reread them.

It’s about Mia, who’s a senior in high school I believe; she’s the cellist in her otherwise rock-n-roll family. Her boyfriend Adam is also in a rock band, or emo-core according to Mia’s best friend Kim.

On a snow day, Mia and her family pack up to go visit family in the area and a tragic accident happens on the way. The story is told from Mia’s perspective between life and death. We get to read about Mia watching everything happen at the hospital she’s at, alternated with memories of events in her life.

The storytelling is unique and beautiful and it’s one of my favorite

Content Courtesies: Language. An intimate scene between Mia and Adam recounted.

Buy the Book | The Special Edition | Meet the Author

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#32/30 // where she went by Gayle Forman

This book takes three years after the accident Mia and her family was involved in in if I stay. And it’s told from Adam’s perspective.

Adam has a night off from the band and goes to see Mia’s performance before her tour. They end up doing a tour of their own around New York City that night. This book completes the duology and it’s so good. I won’t share too much more because of spoilers.

Content courtesies: An intimate scene towards the end of the novel. Most likely an f-word or two. Slight/potential addiction.

Buy the Book | Boxed Set | Author Interview

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#33/30 // Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

This is such an interesting sequel! I love the Chaol and Celaena relationship. Chaol is one of my favorite characters in this book. I’m sad that his friendship with Dorian is distancing due to that relationship with Celanea. Dorian is still a surprising character.

This installment alternates between Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian’s perspectives. Mort the doorknocker was introduced, and he is a great minor character! Also, Dorian’s mom and his little brother completely fade from the series in this book. They’re mentioned here and there, but never make an appearance. However, the farther into the series we go, it’s understandable with how large the cast of characters is.

It definitely sets off the events of the rest of the series (and rips your heart out basically right in the middle!) and drops a surprise at the end!

Content courtesies: Sex and intimacy. Maybe language. Violence, killing.

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#34/30 // Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

This book was so different than I expected. Celaena winds up on the eastern continent across the sea, pretending to be there on the King of Adarlan’s orders, but also trying to find info from one of the fey queens (I might be misremembering that term). She meets Rowan, one of the fey soldiers apart of Queen Maeve’s court). They train together—for Celaena to prove herself to Maeve. This book is also told from Chaol and Dorian’s perspectives as well. It introduces Manon’s perspective, the witch who is heir to the Blackbeak clan. King of Adarlan’s gernal and the lost queen of Terrasen’s cousin, Aedion, is introduced and we see parts of the story from his perspective as well.

This installment also ended on a cliffhanger, good grief!

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#35/30 // Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

This is FULL of spoilers. I have thoughts and reliefs. Overall thoughts: I came to terms with this book. I gave it five stars because of the ending and some key moments throughout it, but I think I was halfway through it before I appreciated what this fourth book does for the characters and the story as a whole. And I’m looking forward to where Book 5 goes.

*Skip this paragraph if you don’t want some specific spoilers*

This installment was a wild, emotional ride. I cried toward the end when I thought everyone was dying. And then I cried from relief when everyone in danger was saved—not unscathed, but alive. I also had to grieve the ended relationship of Celaena and Chaol and fully embrace her as Aelin. I came to terms with Rowan. (I wasn’t particularly interested in him as the Main Male Character.) For Aelin and Aedion—for cousins to be reunited—I loved every second of their relationship Sarah J. Maas wrote into the book. I loved the perspective of Manon and the witches and Elide. I’m so excited to see Elide come home to Terrasen.

I think I’m in for a wilder ride with Book 5.

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#36/30 // Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

I enjoyed this more than Book 5, buuuuut I’ve gotta confess something…I am not super invested in Aelin and Rowan personally *peeking through my fingers* I cared more about Manon, Elide and Lochan, and Dorian. There, I said it!

I appreciated the conflict that Aelin couldn’t just walk back into Terrasen. I mean, it was frustrating, but hey, we’ve got two more books in this series; it can’t be easy. Regardless, Aelin probably would’ve been pushed to reach out to all the life debts, but by not being welcomed with open arms—I think it drove her to figure out the master plan sooner rather than later.

It’s still a 4 Star book for me because of the ending. What Aelin and Manon learn from the mirror, what Aelin orchestrated. The very ending of the book is heart-breaking, and I think that moment (IYKYK) really endeared me to Aelin since, well, since she’s fully embraced herself as Aelin.

I knew the last 100 pages or so would all clash into the epic ending, so I binged it into the wee hours of a Saturday to finish it. Still very much enjoying the series! It’s all coming together and I’m really looking forward to how Maas orchestrates the final book to pull it all off.

Content Courtesies: Violence/brutality at the end of the book. A sex scene right around the second half of the book. It’s getting spicier as tension and desires build between certain characters. Sarah J. Maas is finding her stride with that as the series continues; if it’s not your thing or you want to be able to skim/skip over, here’s your head’s up.

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#37/30 // Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

Wow! What a ride! Okay, so this penultimate book of the Throne of Glass series is a parallel novel to Empire of Storms. So, while Aelin and Rowan, Dorian, Manon and Abraxos, Elide and Locan all converge—Chaol and Nesryn arrive in Antica, the northern most city in the Southern Continent. They learn of “Perrington” overtaking Rifthold and that Dorian seems to have fled from the ruler of this continent, The Great Khagan, and his sons.

Based on my feelings around Aelin and Rowan, it was nice to have a break from that storyline and the Northern Continent and see exactly what Chaol and Nesryn were sent to do. (Also, for Chaol to be healed after the events of Book 4.) This book also gave so much more definition to Nesryn and Chaol. I teared up at the end of the book. As of right now, it feels like my favorite of the series.

Note: I finished this after work on 11/7/24 and I’ve had Book 7 on hold since I finished Book 1. It finally shipped to my library, so I’m hoping that means I can pick it up soon!

Content Courtesies: A fight scene/some violence at the end. A couple of sex scenes in the second half of the book. It’s also spicy, about on par with Book 5.

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#38/30 // Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

Initial thoughts om 11/9/24: I picked her up today at the library. Just two days after finishing book 6. 980 pages! She’s chonky!

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I’d forgotten what it’s like to be invested in a world, in the same characters, over seven books. I’d forgotten what’s it’s like to wawtch a character shift and grow over thousands of pages. The worldbuilding holds up. It’s been a really good tale. I’m so excited and a little anxious to see how it all comes together and wraps up.

At the very least, the series has reminded me the beauty of storytelling over a long series. It makes me want to read other series I haven’t finished yet, to be brave enough to pick up a book series loner than four books and see where the world takes me. For that, I’ll be grateful to Brit [who recommended this series to me] and this series.

Oh man, sooooo many tears! But I’m an emotional reader who gets easily attached to characters. I think Maas wrapped it up really well. Readers will always want more of someone; she wasn’t going to be able to please everyone. I would be happy with a story about revolving around the time of rebuilding and what that looks like in Oakwald, the Wastes, Rifthold, everywhere haha but it’s unrealistic.

The worldbuilding and the magic continue to hold up in this book. Seven books is a hefty investment; I’m not sure I’d read it again soon—maybe in like 10 years haha—but I think I’d like to own them. I really liked the characters of Chaol and Dorian, Manon, and Elide. And by the end of the entire series, I’d made peace with Celaena becoming Aelin, and I appreciated the characters of Aelin and Rowan.

For as many characters as were introduced and had their own plotlines—she did really well and I am content with the ending.

Content Courtesies: Violence. The battles with the Valg scattered throughout the book start to get pretty dark. Some torture scenes in the beginning. Spicy scenes.

**Skip to the links if you want to skip over specific moments that happen**

Favorite Moments

• Aelin’s friendship with Fenrys
• Dorain escaping Morath
• Dorian and Chaol being reunited
• Manon’s fight with the head witches/her grandmother
• Dorian learning how to shapeshift
• Elide finally forgiving Lochan and going out to save him when they fight at Anielle
• Lysandra being reunited with her uncle
• The goodbye scene between Aelin, Dorian, and Chaol—I thought it was done really well.
• Manon’s growth into the Queen of Witches
• Lysandra and Aedion making up
• Evangeline winning back Aelin’s kingdom for her by softening an old man’s heart
• Dorian’s father showing up and taking his place in the sacrifice
• Dorian learning his father’s name
• Just how much Manon’s Thirteen loved her and believed in her and her fate and the hope of home

Buy the Book | Meet the Author

An Interview with Sarah on the series concluding

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#39/30 // The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

You guuuyysss, this book. *happy sigh* I have never intentionally reread a book at a certain time of year and/or in the month/season it was written. And I have never reread a book one year (almost to the date) after initially reading it, but I did for The Scorpio Races, checking it back out of the library in time to read it, rounding out my Fall reading.

This story is about Kate “Puck” Connolly and Sean Kendrick. Both orphaned on the island of Thisby by the capaill uisce [copple ishka], dangerous, mystical water horses that, if you can get them out of the water, there is no faster horse. And so, every year on November 1st for centuries most likely, the people of Thisby have held a race with these water horses called The Scropio Races. The viewpoints alternate between Puck’s and Sean’s journeys to race day.

It is just as delightful and beautiful as it was the first time. I thought I would read it too fast or skim it because I’d read it so recently, but if anything, I savored it. And then, in the rush of the climax and resolution, it ended too quickly. I still wish I were on Thisby with Sean and Puck, Corr and Dove, Finn and Holly, just to see what the island does after the race.

I ended up with the paperback version from the library this time and were bonus things in the back—Maggie Stiefvater’s acceptance speech for a Michael L. Printz Honor for this book, an interview between Maggie and her editor David Levithan, a handful of scenes of Sean and Puck individually that didn’t make the final draft, and Maggie’s recipe for November cakes. All of these things helped ease the ache that comes with finishing a book like this. But I’d still love for Maggie Stiefvater to write something about what happened after, maybe a story about a year later. Oh the dreams of the reader’s heart.

I will be looking to buy a copy of this one in the next year, so I can underline all the beautiful sentences.

Buy the Book | Meet the Author

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What I’m looking forward to reading this next season:

Most definitely Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater—waiting for it to be ready at the library! I might also put the first Bosch novel on hold at the library (by Michael Connelly) once I’m done watching Bosch: Legacy on Prime. And Throne of Glass has worked is series magic on me and it might be time to read another series. We’ll see!

Closing question(s):

• How was your Fall?
• Favorite book you read?
• What are you looking forward to reading this Winter?

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See what else I’ve read this season?

Summer 2024

All the Books! post