The Books I Read in October
Lots of goodies this month!
Heartstopper Volume 5
The first book I had the joy of reading this month was Heartstopper Volume 5. I picked up the most recent part in the Heartstopper series after watching (and loving) the third season that was released on Netflix earlier this month. The 5th installment follows the well-loved main characters, Nick and Charlie, as they navigate the next stages in their teenaged lives: Nick’s eminant departure to University and the challenges they will have to overcome when their relationships becomes long-distance. It includes all the typical lovely Heartstopper characters and storylines and I really liked how the growth of the characters comes through compared to volume one. Such a lovely series!
Lord of the Flies
This 1954 classic novel has been sat on my shelves for a little while, and admittedly I’ve been quite demotivated to read at the moment so it was quite random of me to pick up this well-loved classic on a Tuesday night. But thankfully, I absolutely loved it and devoured the novel in less than 24 hours. The story follows a group of young boys who are stranded on a desert island with no adults to look after them. The story begins with the appointment of their leader, Ralph, and the attempt to keep things in order - but quickly things go out of control. Rebellions begin, conflict arises and the reality sets in on what it would really be likely if humans were left alone with no law and order, no matter the age. I loved it!! And the ending was so good too. Definitely one to read if anyone wants to get into more classical literature but finds it daunting, this story is incredibly accessible and has definitely found itself on my favourite books of 2024 list.
The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster
What a joy it was to read this inspirational memior about Sandra Pankhurst - a woman of all trades. The story begins with the writer, Sarah Krasnosteinm, meeting the subject of the story at a conference where Sandra offers her cleaning services; which include clearing up crime scenes, gutting the houses subjected by extreme hoarding and bascially any job that others don’t seem to want to do. The initial reason for wanting to read this novel was admittedly pure fascination with a world I’d never come across before, but the memior quickly became something so much greater than that. Sandra Pankhurst was a transwoman in late 20th century Australia who continued to fight the endless battles that were thrown her way throughout her life. She shares stories of her abusive childhood, her experiences working as a sex worker all over Australia, her attempt to find love and belonging and her innate need to help others in any way she can. I loved the book so much and it really reminded me why memoirs continue to be my favourite genre of book to read, despite not having picked one up for a while recently. Definitely one I would recommend!
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Just like the first book in this duology, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, we follow the wholesome lives of our main character as she navigates her life alongside the owner of the Morisaki Bookshop, her uncle, and all the other mundanely beautiful things she has to deal with in her day-to-day life. It was very similar to the first book in that the characters were the same and the slower, plotless narrative remained, but it was still so wholesome and such a joy to read.
All In
The third installment of The Naturals series was arguably my favourite yet, as I flew through the book in a day and found that I quite literally didn’t want to do anything else whilst reading it. The story follows a group of highly intelligent teenagers who are scouted by the FBI to join their profiling team to help catch the countries most prolific serial killers. I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes writing style and despite the far-fetched plotline, she kept me on my toes and did a really good job of convincing me that these responsibilites were totally able to be handled by a group of 16 year olds. Not a safeguarding issue - at all. Definitely one I’d recommend for someone wanting to get into reading and is looking for something that will keep you wanting more. Can’t wait to read the final instalment at some point in November, I’m sure!
For anyone who reads my Pop Culture Dispatch series - I’ll have it uploaded by Sunday morning, I’ve been on a lovely holiday this week in Cornwall and have been slowly catching up with writing. See you then!