September is coming to a close and my favorite month is about to begin. Cheers to all you fall lovers! I read 15 books this month, bringing my 2023 total to 201. I read 6 picture books (3 fiction, 3 nonfiction), 2 romances, 3 fiction, 2 thrillers, 1 kids fiction, 1 inspirational.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elontz Marshall and Elisa Chavarri is everything a kids picture book should be. A story set in modern day Guatemala about a little girl born of the Mayan weavers who finds a very timely and creative way to solve more than one problem. Based on what’s really happening. Gorgeous artwork and told in both English and Spanish.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay. I just finished this last night, with tears rolling down my cheeks, so I need time to process. I’ll write up a review later this week. Have you read it?
Following the Path: The Search for a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Joy by Joan Chittister. I loved it. I always get something I need out of Joan Chittister’s books and this one was perfect for me during this transitional time of Gage going back to school after 3 years of homeschooling. When you’re at a crossroads, or even at a place where you’re acknowledging that there’s something unfinished in you, this is a nice read. I read a chapter every morning for a few weeks and it was a nice way to start the day. Clink on the link to get some of my favorite thoughts from the book.
ALSO VERY GOOD
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood is very similar to The Love Hypothesis by the same author. It’s set in academia, has offbeat heroines and stoic heroes (unless there’s sex and then all bets are off), and an obvious attraction seen by the reader even though the heroine misses it. But, in all of the ways that TLH went over the top and sometimes missed the mark, this one didn’t. It’s a more mature story, complete with cats and near death experiences.
The Enchanted Hacienda by JC Cervantes. I’m a sucker for all things magical realism. This was the perfect book at the perfect time. I love when that happens! It was magical, romantic, and fun.
The Estrada women are tied to their Mexican flower farm. Each one of them, for generations, has been born with special powers and the ability to help others through spells, like erasing memories or bonding to another person. Harlow didn’t have any such gift and always felt like the odd one out. When she goes home to regroup after a breakup she finds the magic she’s been looking for her whole life.
Hello Stranger is the latest feel good novel by Katherine Center. Sadie is an artist in her 20s living in a not-fit-to-rent apartment on a dime. She’s just reached the finals of a prestigious portrait competition, when an accident and subsequent surgery cause prosopagnodia, an inability to ‘see’ faces.
Sadie’s family story was the most moving part of the story for me. Her mom was gone, and she had an evil stepmother and stepsister to make her miserable while her father looked away. Needless to say, I was rooting hard for Sadie.
Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stepahnie Marie Thronton. Another one I just finished yesterday so I need to write a proper review. If you have an interest in Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, or women’s issues of the 1700-1800s then this historical fiction is for you.
The Secret Life of the Flying Squirrel by Laurence Pringle. It’s the story of Volans and life with her 3 pups. There’s a lot of information in these 40 pages! Sure to please any animal loving kid.
Sundiata: Lion King of Mali. I’m a David Wisniewski fan. I always love the historical tale and the paper cut illustrations. If you see his books make sure to take a look!
ALSO GOOD
A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David A Adler and Karen Ritz handled the story of Anne and her family perfectly for the older elementary, early middle school kids.
Long Shadows (Amos Decker #7) by David Baldacci. I wrote about this series here.
The Sentinel (Jack Reacher #25) by Lee Child and Andrew Child. I’ve read this series from book 1 and love the character of Jack Reacher. This was the first that Lee wrote with his brother and another solid addition to the series.
Flying Colors: One Man’s Magical Journey to Find Fulfillment by Christopher Laney. John meets a mysterious man in an airport who opens his eyes to a different way to live, to new possibilities never dreamt of before. When John arrives back home to a job that is ready to serve up the life he’s always wanted on a silver platter, the memory of the man in the airport has him questioning what it is he really wants.
Mysterious and mystical and a great first novel.
Tia Fortuna’s New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey by Ruth Behar and Devon Holzwarth led to the most discussion in the house. A fictional story that teaches about the journey of the Sephardic Jews from Spain to Cuba and some of the traditions that went with them. Loved the whimsical illustrations.
Sometimes a book just doesn’t work for you. Such was the case with The Magician’s Visit: A Passover Tale by Barbara Diamond Goldin and IL Peretz.
Stacy's Books 
You had a fantastic reading month. I have read A Monster Calls and I also thought it was amazing. I’ve also read and loved Rainbow Weaver. I just read the new Katherine Center book this week—very fun.
I haven’t ever read Joan Chittister. I will see what else I can found out about this author.
Some of Chittister’s books are very biblical, some are not. This one is not. I love that your reading is all over the map too 🙂
A Monster Calls sounded familiar so I checked my Goodreads. I see that I attempted to read it after reading The Orangutan Librarian’s article on Unreliable Narrators. She named this book as an example of 3rd Person, saying “Yet arguably books like A Monster Calls, though more ambiguous in whether they’re unreliable or not, could be a more positive example of how third person unreliable narration in action.”
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book at all and it ended up on my “Bailed” shelf.
It’s different for sure. I think if you tried the illustrated version you’d have better luck.
I added Her Lost Words to my TBR. Thanks! Mary Shelley will feature in my British Isles Friday posts for October.
Yay! Glad to add to another’s book list 🙂
Loved Hello, Stranger too and I hope to read Amos Decker at some point. I’m a fan of David Baldacci. Have a great week!
There are always so many great series to start. Hopefully you’ll meet Amos one day 🙂
You had a great September. I hope October is a good month too. Enjoy your books and have a great week!
Thanks! You too.
I’m on the library line-up for The Enchanted Hacienda, it sounds like something I’d like. Thanks for the recommendation.
Oh, I hope you like it!
Sounds like a great reading month! I love fall weather and seeing the leaves change. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. I hope you are doing well!
Yes, the colors are beautiful right now. Things are good. October is crazy, but I’m hoping November brings some time to take a breath.
I can understand that!! We have been super busy with weird things, so looking for things to slow down, or at least get back to normal!
I’ve heard Ruth Behar talk about her family background, but I didn’t know she had published a picture book about her history.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
It’s a good book, with a lot of great information.
October is my favorite month, too! I’ve been meaning to read a Katherine Center novel for ages…
For pure fluffity fluff start with The Bodyguard 🙂
I read several by Chittister in my former life, loved her.
I really need to try Ness!!
I like that she writes a mix of books. This last one mentioned God only a few times, so I think it’s really accessible to everyone.