Chapter 34 - The October Book

Happy October! It is crazy to think we are closer to the end of the year than to the start of 2025! Where did the year go?

We spent last week in New Hampshire with our oldest daughter and her family and had a great time. Everyday there were more leaves turning beautiful colors and cooler air. We had beautifully sunny weather until our last day when it was gray and rainy but, as they really need the rain, we enjoyed that too. Dave and I got to see our youngest granddaughter play soccer and her team won both times. I always love to visit but am happy to go home too!

In my downtime Dave and I went antiquing and found some really cool things. I'm into Mid Century Modern stuff now, probably a throwback to my childhood. I also did a little research into books recently published or coming out in October. Here's what sounds good to me.

Boudicca's Daughter by Elodie Harper - Boudicca is well known in British mythology as a warrior queen and leader of the British revolt against Rome. This book is Boudicca's story from the eyes of her daughter Solina who, after Boudicca's death, is seeking revenge against Rome. While I have heard of Boudicca, I have never learned anything about her so this is definitely of interest to me.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand - I hadn't realized that Elin Hilderbrand had another book out until my friend Betty told me she had a copy of it. Hilderbrand has written this book with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham. In this latest book, it is move in day at Tiffin Academy and America Today has just ranked the school as the number two boarding school in the country. Among the cheering and self congratulations, the students know that the school is falling apart, the sports teams never win, and the school is more social than academic. Suddenly students are being targeted as an app call ZipZap unveils everyone's secrets.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan - This book was my latest read. In small town Ohio, a passionate encounter celebrating the end of World War II leads to consequences which trickle down through the years. Spanning the late 1940's through the turbulent years of the 1960's, two families are impacted by that random encounter. At heart the book is about families, love, and goodness. I devoured this book in two days.

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison - Clio Louise Barnes is a lifestyle influencer. Underneath her great style and taste is a hidden secret, Clio grew up in a haunted house. Well, maybe not quite haunted but more like possessed. After her parents divorced, Clio's mom moved Clio and her sisters into a house occupied by a demon, or so her mother claimed. Years later Clio and her sisters inherit the home which Clio sees as a perfect opportunity for a complete home makeover. Will Clio's renovations reawaken something evil?

Twice by Mitch Albom - I am always a fan of Albom and his newest is right up my alley. At eight, Alfie Logan discovers he has the ability to do things over again. He grows up saving himself from teenage embarrassments by just going back and redoing the event. This works well until he falls in love with Gianna. As Alfie gets older, his eye starts to wander, and then he finds a caveat to his magic. Once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Alfie makes a choice which changes his life forever.

Any books on your October list? Please tell!