October’s Reading Challenge was to read a bestselling, highly recommended or highly rated novel.
The first book I selected is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens which has an astounding 414,614 ratings on Goodreads. The average rating comes out to 4.51 stars out of 5 (I gave it 4 out of 5 stars).
Where the Crawdads Sing is a very bittersweet novel that follows Kya “Marsh Girl” Clark’s life in in the marshes near the coastal town of Barkley Cove, NC. The novel spans several years of her life and culminates with Kya becoming a suspect in the death golden boy Chase Andrews in 1969.
Where the Crawdads Sing is well-written with an engrossing storyline and well-drawn characters. Some elements of the plot are a little implausible, but it is very easy to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. With a bit of an unexpected plot twist, the novel comes to a heart tugging conclusion.
Please click HERE to learn more about Where the Crawdads Sing.
My second selection is Autoboyography by Christina Lauren which has 18,801 ratings on Goodreads. The average ratings comes out to a 4.31 stars out of 5 (I rated it 4.5 stars out of 5).
Autoboyography is an emotionally compelling young adult novel about Tanner Scott’s romance with Sebastian Brother. Tanner is bisexual and following his family’s move from Palo Alta to Provo, he has to keep his sexuality a secret. His family is very supportive, but living in a Latter Day Saint community, they convince him to step back into the closet. After Tanner meets Sebastian, he struggles to keep his crush under wraps. When he discovers Sebastian is interested in him, they begin a secret romance that could break Tanner’s heart.
Tanner’s family is completely amazing as they wholeheartedly support their son yet at the same time try to caution him about the complications of dating a Mormon. Sebastian is a wonderful young man whose faith permeates every corner of his life. But the tenets of his faith are at odds with his sexuality and if he admits he is gay, he stands to lose everything he holds dear.
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren is a very captivating novel with vibrantly developed characters and an engaging storyline. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this very realistic young adult romance.
Please click HERE to learn more about Autoboyography.
Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?
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Check out November’s challenge HERE.
I read Thrown off ice by Taylor Fitzpatrick
One of those kick you in the guts reads, where you know what’s likely to happen (and it does, though in a way it’s done kindly).
At first the style, not sure what it is – first person narrative? – is a bit odd, it is describing whats going on by Mike, but at a remove – however, that becomes the norm quite quickly.
The story of Mike, grizzled disillusioned enforcer at the tail end of his career and Liam the exuberant rookie, rising star is a love story – thanks to Liam never giving up really and wearing Mike down.
It is a cautionary tale of the effects of repeated brain injury and from the authors words, she has direct experience with her brother so the issues Mike deals with are hard hitting and real.
Liam is portrayed, by Mike, as frivolous etc but he is deeply in love with Mike and willing to do what is needed. His epilogue, eulogy, is the tear jerker and that alone elevates from a v strong 4* to the 5* rating.
Suze, I had to buy Thrown off the Ice after reading your review. Then reading some more reviews on Goodreads. It looks like I have to block out time for reading this and immediately re-reading it.