It's officially fall. I'm calling it. I've spent the last week getting out all my fall stuff, planting the last of my bulbs for spring, and locating my best and most comfy sweaters. This month's reading list was a bit different for me, but I really loved the selections I made. I only went with one thriller this month. If you're new here, I only read horror in October, so I try and end September with character lead dramas or romance. You know, to help lighten the load of October. November is traditionally light reading as well. So, let's get into what I read this month!
"Girls Burn Brighter"- Shobha Rao 
When Poornima's mother died, she thought she would be alone and drifting forever. Her father only saw her as a burden to rid himself of; a daughter. And no one in India wants daughters. But when she meets Savitha, she realizes she may not have to be alone anymore. She may actually have a friend.
Savitha comes to work for Poornima's father making sari's to help buy food for her family. After a few weeks, she finds a friend and ally in Poornima. Soon after, something happens that derails Savitha's life forever. And she suddenly finds herself alone.
Follow the story of these two young women as they navigate the world around them, moving, searching, separated from each other, but unwilling to give up hope. Told from alternating perspectives, this story will be one you remember forever.
I always think it's important to read books written by and based around cultures that are outside my own. This story reminded me how grateful I am to have what I have and to live where I live. This book was heartbreakingly beautiful and I think everyone should read it.
"The Silent Patient"- Alex Michaelides 
Alicia Berenson is a bit of a legend. Once, she was recognized for her art, now because she's the prime suspect in her husband's death and refuses to talk. Not a single word. No one knows what happened the night Gabriel died and Alicia isn't giving an inch. After years in a psychiatric institute, she's still said nothing. Therapists have tried and failed, she's put in isolation multiple times after attempting to hurt herself and others, her medications are upped until eventually she's living in another world altogether. Forgotten. Handled.
Theo Faber remembers when Alicia was arrested. Remembers the trial and seeing a hurt woman refusing to speak about her pain. About what caused her to shoot her husband in the head five times. As a psychotherapist, Alicia was fascinating to Theo. And he wanted to be the one to get her to talk. Finally. When a job opens at the facility Alicia's in, Theo jumps on the opportunity to treat her. Will he be the one to finally get her to talk? To let everyone know what happened that night? Or will he gets sucked into the deep black hole that is Alicia's brain.
This book completely blew me away. It's one of the twistiest books I've read this year. And the end, wow!, the ending! I didn't see it coming. And I love that in a thriller.
"Felix Ever After"- Kacen Callender 
All Felix Love wants is to be in love. And to be accepted as a transgender man. And to completely understand his sexual identity. And to get into Brown with an awesome art scholarship. And to be worthy of love itself. Ok, so maybe Felix wants a lot, but who doesn't? And when someone puts up old pictures of Felix- from before, with his deadname- outing him, he begins to question everything about his life and whether he deserves happiness.
This is a remarkably beautiful story that I think everyone needs to read. The diversity in this book is astounding! We're not just talking about LGBTQ+ diversity (but, wow!), we're also talking about ethnic representation and even diversity within social classes. I feel like there's an amazing array of representation, to the point that even I (a straight cisgender woman) was able to relate to this story in some way. And that, to me, is simply amazing. This book captures, not only the struggle of understanding your sexual identity, but the pressure of deciding what to do with your life at the tender age of seventeen (which I think everyone can relate to). Overall, I absolutely loved this book and will continue to recommend it to everyone.
Overall, the books this month were dynamite. It's been a while since I've had a month of all winners, but this definitely was one! I also have a very special post going up this month highlighting a fave Indie author of mine. I'll put the link here. Promise you'll check it out, her books are absolutely amazing! Plus, she gave me a little interview about being an indie author, so if you're thinking of publishing your own book at some point, go check it out!
Do you have any recommendations for me? What have you been reading this month? Comment, like, subscribe, come back for all horror next month! Later, book nerds!
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