October Wrap Up
I somehow managed to finish 8 books in October. It felt like I read every book for 3 weeks. I did finish one on October first and one on October 31, so I definitely filled up the whole month. Let's discuss.
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones - This book barely even counts as an October book because I read all but the very end in September. It was really fun, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Blockers by Michael Lewis - I got this on audio from Libro.fm. I read it because Michael Lewis was one of the contributors to the Who Is Government? collection. For the HRCYED challenge, I need to read 6 other books by authors from that collection. This one made me so mad. The caucasity of Trump's administration removing government employees for refusing to break the law when the DOGE stooges came in demanding access to information they should not have. Enraging.
The State of Sequoyah: Indigenous Sovereignty and the Quest for an Indian State by Donald L. Fixico - This was interesting, if not particularly well-written. It wasn't chronological, so it was difficult to remember who was doing what and when. That said, I didn't know there had been a plan to make Oklahoma into two states, one of which was to be an Indian state. The discussion around this book was really interesting, so there's that.
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky - The concept of this book is really fascinating. A story can be both a fantasy story or a sci-fi story based entirely on who is telling it. The people who live on this planet believe the country is being targeted by a demon, and the wizard who lives on the top of the mountain can help them get rid of it. The wizard on top of the mountain is actually an Earthling who was left here when the planet was colonized. He is an anthropologist who was here to study the culture, but the other scientists were called back to Earth. He hasn't heard anything from them for several hundred years. The princess who goes to the wizard to get him to help them defeat the demon is telling a Fantasy story. The scientist who is stuck on this planet in outer space is telling a Sci-Fi story.
As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers - This book was interesting and well-written. The world is solidly built; I understood the complications of living on the planet; I liked the main characters. That being said, I didn't like this book very much. I listened to it on audio from Libro.fm. The voice of the rorquil, which is a make-believe space animal, was annoying. I mean, the thing didn't actually speak. It was supposed to denote that the animal and its handler were connected psychically and they could read each other's thoughts. It was really unpleasant.
The story is told in two timelines. One when the main characters are in their early 30s and then another one that's maybe 10 years later. In the later time, they live on a different planet that is completely different from the one they were on in the earlier time. The early time is spent on a planet with toxic air, under the constant threat that a volcano will erupt and spew toxic gas all over everyone. The outside is dangerous. The later planet is an idyll, where they have gardens and can walk to town to shop. The jump between the two at the end is really blurry. I think I understand what happened, but I don't know.
Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker - This was fun. It would probably be more fun if I had a more solid background in engineering and physics. Nevertheless, I could follow along enough to enjoy the practical ways the mistakes affected regular folks.
Circe by Madeline Miller - The last 60 pages were the best. I really enjoyed how the ending tied up all the loose ends. Circe herself was at least a relatable character, even if she wasn't particularly likeable. I need to re-read The Odyssey to really appreciate this story.
When Life Gives You Vampires by Gloria Duke - I finished this one on Halloween, which seems apropos. It was a paranormal rom-com with a focus on body image. It was funny and light, which was exactly what I needed. The main character was extremely anxious, which I guess is a common feature of people her age, so maybe a younger reader would identify with her more.
And there you have it. 3 audiobooks, 5 print books, 3 library books. Not a bad reading month.