October 2017 Book Review

It’s the end of October already – time is flying!  With that, it’s time for my October Book Review where I rate the books I read and there were five this month.  Had some good ones in this set.  Here we go…

The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

I was excited to read another one by this author which happens to be book #2 in a 4-book series.  The Perfect Match is not as funny as The Best Man but the characters are lovable and you get to know more of the family at the center of the series.  A good, fun read for chick lit lovers, I gave it 3.5 stars.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

This is a new release and our book club read Everything I Never Told You last year, so I was excited when my library purchased it and I got my hands on it without having to be on a long wait list.  The storyline drew me in about a mysterious family and then separately about a custody battle for a child who was being adopted.  A story of uncovering pasts, it had me eager to see how all the character lines developed and to find out about the secrets that were being exposed.  I thought it was equally as good as Everything I Never Told You, and I gave it 4 stars.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This was also a choice in our book club because the author was being featured in the Las Vegas Book Festival that we attended which was fun.  I didn’t have expectations of the book, but the storyline about the main characters surprised me.  Always good to read a book about a unique and unbreakable friendship.  I gave it 3 stars.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

There was a long wait for this one, probably because it was recommended by Oprah.  I do have to say I was glad I read this in audio format because the music and the songs, and the accents really helped to set the scene.  This book centers around a family who immigrates to the United States in search of a better life.  They struggle with difficult choices and new experiences in their new home of Harlem, New York.  There’s hardly an immigration story that won’t touch me since I can relate and empathize.  I noticed myself nodding in agreement with some of the sentiments of the characters.  Important storyline that can help with cultural sensitivity around the issue of immigration and families living in a new country.  I gave it 3.5 stars.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

I am a late bloomer Jodi Picoult fan so I’m making up for lost time!  This latest read was recommended to me and since there is a coven in the story, I thought it was a good time to read it around Halloween.  As with all her books I’ve read (which I suppose is her thing), there’s somewhat of an ethical dilemma in the story and also a legal trial.  This one included some legal and scientific research too, and I always appreciate that.  I found myself wondering how things would resolve themselves.  I was unsettled on my opinion of the character on trial through to very late in the book.  Kept me curious and was definitely thought provoking.  Picoult rendered another 4 stars from me with this one.

So that’s it, everyone.  My reads for October.  The complete list of books I’ve read this year is on the Books tab of my blog.  You can also follow me on Goodreads.  I love getting recommendations from other readers, so please send those along.  Happy Reading!