what i read in october
feel good rom-coms to offset the election negativity
The election news cycle was taxing, especially living in Pennsylvania. Usually, I read more nonfiction. In October, I put my spin on Steve Bannon's infamous plan to "flood the zone with s***" and decided to flood my brain with fun and feel-good novels. The election coverage offered enough fodder for emotional tailspins; I needed a detox from Trump's toxicity. It sounds like I'll be reading a lot more rom-coms and beach reads for the next four years.
Here's what I read in October.
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
Before my brain exploded with election news, I read this book and provided a full review here. It's an interesting commentary on the power play from evangelicals. They got what they wanted in this election. Let's see how it plays out. Be careful what you wish for.
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
Shared community spaces bring us together and offer opportunities for lifelong and life-giving relationships. This story illuminates the lives of many people in one particular community who bonded over a community garden. It's an uplifting story that highlights nature's and the community's soul-filled and restorative power.
The Late Bloomers' Club by Louise Miller
In this heartwarming story about community and the importance of place, sisters Nora and Kit learn that they inherited a large piece of land from the beloved cake lady, Peggy, when she died. They waffle about what to do with the land as they weigh their decision's impact on the town. Of course, this feel-good story weaves a romantic element into the plot to keep the readers' hearts engaged.
The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert
Sanna Lund leads a peaceful and simple life on the orchard that's been in her family for generations. All is going well until financial troubles bubble up around the time her dad falls from a ladder and spends months recovering and unable to work. Several unexpected visitors to the orchard change Sanna's plans in more ways than she ever imagined.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Two writers stuck in ruts spend the summer living in neighboring beach houses. Despite being polar opposites and with careers writing in very different styles, they swap writer assignments to revive their writing energies. It's an Emily Henry book, so of course, they exchange fun banter and explore a little romantic tryst. I'm an Emily Henry fan when I'm in the mood for a feel-good book. You might like it too.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
It is a book about the power of words and their influence on society. I shared a full review here.
The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
After a mishap at her prestigious Boston job, pastry chef Olivia Rawlings ditches the city for a small town in Vermont. What she anticipates will be a short-lived stint as the pastry chef at a local inn turns into a more extended stay than expected. The story includes warmth, love, small-town charm, and, of course, a bit of romance.
** Links to books are affiliate links through Bookshop and Libro.fm. They have no impact on your purchase price. Thanks for supporting my work!