Photo by Thalia Ruiz on Unsplash
This month of October has been… a very busy one at work, and as a result, I didn’t spend nearly as much time reading as I usually do. Between all the additional stress and prep work required to handle some unexpected complications, I also managed to do a fair amount of writing, so something had to give.
When I wrapped up September, I said I wanted to read some scary books, maybe lean more into sci-fi and less into non-fiction, mostly because I felt like I needed a break from the real world. And if that was true in September, oh boy was it even more true in October.
My plan to read Edgar Allan Poe and some H.P. Lovecraft adaptations did not happen. Work got intense, days blurred together, and I felt like I was juggling a dozen spinning plates. I did the best I could… and somehow it still feels like it wasn’t enough.
Anyhow, enough moping around; here’s what I did manage to read:
Skinbreaker #1 by Robert Kirkman
I chose to ease my way into the month with a brand new graphic novel: Skinbreaker #1. One of the creators is also behind Invincible, which I loved earlier this year, so I was curious. I tried to buy a physical copy first, but apparently the hype machine beat me because it was nowhere to be found. Digital it was.
Skinbreaker gave me big Conan the Barbarian vibes — fun, bold, pulpy fantasy. My only “complaint” is that I wanted more pages. Just as I was getting into the story, it was over! It’s ~30ish pages, so it’s truly comic-book length, not a full volume. Still, I enjoyed it and subscribed for future issues.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorow
It’s been a while since I read Cory Doctorow, and I picked this up because I thought I needed something familiar and tech-moral-dilemma-adjacent to reset my brain. I guess I was looking for the equivalent of comfort food? Not that Doctorow is my go-to author for that—Steinbeck, Bradbury fit that category for me—but like I said, it had been a while and I wanted to see what he’d been up to. It’s the third in a series, but supposedly readable on its own.
Classic Doctorow themes: technology, ethics, resistance, social problems. It was fine — not amazing — but easy to read, and sometimes that’s all you need?
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
My first Barbara Kingsolver book. Three intertwining plots, each exploring growth, nature, resilience, and human connection. One storyline in particular — two elderly neighbors sniping at each other — had me chuckling often. Beautiful, warm, gentle prose. I needed this.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 and I’ll definitely read more of hers.
The Road: Graphic Novel Adaptation by Cormac McCarthy
I’ve read the book. I’ve seen the movie. In my opinion, this graphic novel adaptation stands on its own! Grim, sparse, haunting, and somehow still hopeful. I read it slowly to savor it.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Skinbreaker #2 by Robert Kirkman
Picked up the second issue as soon as it dropped. Good continuation, though slower and more emotional as it deals with a ritual transition of power between two people who care about each other. Interesting theme, but the pacing left me wanting a bit more meat, if you know what I mean? Still, I have high hopes for #3.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Exiles by Mason Coile
Three humans sent to Mars to join and manage a remote outpost built by robots. Sci-fi + psychological tension + horror undertones. Parts of it really pulled me in; other parts didn’t land as strongly as I hoped. Let’s just say that it was an “interesting” read and leave it at that.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (borderline 3.5+, but I’m being generous)
Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm by Charlie Mackesy
I love Mackesy’s work, and this one arrived at the perfect time. I must have read his other book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” a handful of times to my youngest. “Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm” is gentle, full of kindness, soft edges for tired days. A needed pause — an emotional little oasis amid a chaotic month.
I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
So yes… not as many books as I usually finish, but October still gave me good reading moments. I’ve also been writing a lot, which probably cannibalized some reading time (and that’s a trade I’ll gladly take).
My November goals might include the following aspirational goals:
- Finish at least 2 of the 3 books I’ve already started
- Be more willing to DNF books that aren’t doing it for me
- Keep writing (because it feels good)
- Read the graphic novel adaptation (and if you’re wondering: yes, I read the book) for “Lord of the Flies” which drops this November 7th!
If you’ve read anything great recently, drop your recommendations in the comments, would you? I’m always looking for the next book to fall into and I’d love to hear what you’re reading out there.
Thanks for reading, and happy November.