October Reads

I have been having a really hard time focusing on reading lately. I mean, I had 2 DNFs, and I don't think that has happened to me all year. November doesn't seem to be going much better either. Also, October just seemed to fly by. Here is what I managed to get through. 

Upright Women Wanted - Sarah Gailey: 4 Stars

library e-book

I don't even remember requesting this Western novella, but it was great! Set in the near-future America, Esther is a stowaway who has "hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her—a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend," whom she was also in love with. She joins them to try to "fix" herself but finds that they are not at all what they seem. I don't think I've ever read a Western before, but I loved the character and world-building, the action shoot-em-up scenes (done by women), and the touch of romance. I also thought it was the perfect length. 

"Keep fighting. It will be hard, and it will be awful, and it will be worth it. Don’t give up, even when it feels like dying. Don’t give up. This is only the beginning."

The Rule Of One - Ashley and Lauren Saunders: 3.5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

This dystopian story was well written, but a little too realistic. In a not too distant future, the U.S. starts microchipping its inhabitants, building walls around the country (huh...) and enforcing the "Rule of One"- meaning one child per family. The Director of this initiative has twin girls, so he has developed an elaborate system: the one non-microchipped one follow the micro-chipped one's daily activities and they switch off daily until one day someone in an authoritative position finds out. The girls take off with their father's directions to safe houses all the way to Canada, where they will be safe. But will they make it? 

This fast paced novel kept me interested throughout, and I'll continue reading the series. This came recommended to me by Blue, and I agree with her when she said that the alternate narratives between the twins was superfluous- it added absolutely nothing to the story until the very end. 

Head Over Heels - Hannah Orenstein: 3 Stars

Netgalley

Once I started skimming the overly-technical gymnastics terminology, this got much easier for me to get into. I wanted a bit more from Jasmine and her relationship with Dmitri once they married. I hated how Ryan refused to listen to Avery about how she was treated as a young gymnast by this "superstar" trainer until he saw the one he treated his current gymnasts. I also didn't like how Avery yoy-yoed Ryan around during their budding relationship. While this gave a nod to a serious topic, I think it just barely skimmed the surface rather than fully delving into it head-on which seemed lame. All that aside I will admit that the relationship between Dimitri and Avery felt icy and completely realistic on all fronts. 

DNF:

Woman Last Seen In her Thirties - Camille Pagan: I couldn't connect, but this may have been a timing issue on my part vs. the actual story. I put it down for now, but may pick it back up. 

Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh: The latest from the author of Hyperbole and a Half (which I enjoyed), I just didn't find this graphic novel to be as funny as the first, and I was looking for funny. This just seemed a bit absurd and nonsensical. But again, may try giving it another shot. I placed it back on my holds list. 

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 47
Netgalley: 13 / 14
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 - no change
WOC: 10 / 11 - no change
Given Away: 29 / 37
 

Currently Reading: The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian

On Deck: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers and We Have Always Lived in the 
Castle by Shirley Jackson
What are you reading?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!