October Reading Wrap Up – Frighteningly Good Reads 2024

This post is long overdue – I got distracted by NonFiction November.

I look forward all year to October for the fun spooky reading that abounds at that time. While my reading tends to be fairly tame, if you are looking for scarier fare check out Ryan at Muse With Me who, as always, has some amazing selections that are wonderfully different (and often) scarier than the ones listed below.

FRIGHTENINGLY GOOD READS

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Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy was my first FGR for the month. This is Murphy’s first middle grade book and, like Dumplin’, it was just sweet and slightly spooky. Maggie thinks she is finally going to theater camp but her parents signed her up for fat camp instead. There, she has to fight her shyness and some suspicious happenings and learn to assert herself while keeping her friends safe.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot gave me everything I have always enjoyed from the author of The Princess Diaries. This book, described as a rom com, is more romantic comeuppance for the people of West Harbor. I loved it. This is supposed to be a series and I am excited for more.

It Came From the Trees by Ally Russel was my sole audiobook for this month and scared me deeply. I love camping and hiking and the idea that there is something in the woods creeping and killing people is a personal nightmare. I mean, you are sleeping in a structure made of fabric! Jenna, the main character, comes from a long line of Black wilderness lovers – her grandfather is the first Black ranger – and she loves hiking. Russel makes Jenna’s love of wilderness and loss shine through even when she is struggling with the other children and adults who don’t listen.

How Not to Murder Your Ex and Murder on the Dance Floor by Katie Marsh are sweet mysteries featuring three best friends; Clio, Amber, and Jeanie. At first, there were too many characters but Marsh manages to bring them all together in the end. These books kept me company at night when I couldn’t sleep.

The Obsession by Jessi Q Sutanto was WILD. A stalker, an abuser, and private high school students. I was on the edge of my seat.

Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety by Dr. John Duffy was my sole NonFiction book for the month. Teens are a scary subject for many, including the teens themselves. This book was fine, not a ton of substance unless you are completely ignorant about social media’s impact on these kids. The biggest take away for me is the self confidence crisis of youth. Dr. Duffy lost a chunk of credibility with me by saying that napping is a sign of depression – ummm, or fatigue sir. Some of us are just tired.

The Clackity by Lora Self was excellently spooky. It reminded me of the Witch Road from Agatha All Along and Small Spaces. This middle grade book will absolutely be one of my go to recommendations.

My month ended with a bang with Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis. I just could not put this one down. Gav, as he thinks of himself, wakes up in a Dark Lord Tower completely unaware of how he got there or who he is was or even why he has a Princess in the dungeon. I couldn’t put it down.

MY BINGO

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You would think since I made the Bingo card I would manage to read a Bingo but, not this year! I only read nine books but I crossed off everything that applied. There is always next year.

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Tell me, please! Did you read anything spooky this season?

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