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October was a big reading month — 21 books finished, bringing my 2026 total to 128 of my 150-book goal. Here’s everything I read, organized by star rating, favorites first It wasn’t a month of great reads, but most of them at least entertained me.
5★ Favorites
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines — 5★
I’ve been wanting to read this book for years. I loved watching Fixer Upper and I brought my kids to Magnolia in 2020 as well. I loved hearing Chip and Joanna’s story.
The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower by P.J. Lynch — 5★
We are in the early explorers stage in history. This was a really good book that is easy for the kids to understand about the journey of the Mayflower. We read it in two days. It’s a lot of big illustrated pictures.
4★ Reads
Along the Mountainside by Shannen Yauger and Kelley Williams — 4★
Find it on The Good and the Beautiful
This is a cute book following four different animals through the four seasons. It was part of our science curriculum.
Absolutely Not in Love by Jenny Proctor — 4★
Part of the Appies Hockey Romance series from last month. It’s a romance and hockey and books and music. 🙂
Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws — 4★
Honeymoon Phase by Amy Daws — 4★
Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws — 4★
All of the above Amy Daws books are part of one series. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments in these books. They are ROMANCE books, though, if you get what I mean.
A Groom of One’s Own by Emma St. Clair — 4★
Also part of the Appies Hockey Romance series. I did not realize until just now that the books were written by two different authors! Just Don’t Fall is a small town, closed door hockey romcom in the Appies series with all the fake dating, brother’s best friend vibes. You’ll get smoking chemistry and characters to root for but NO spice. (Yes, you read that right–a low spice hockey romance.) Perfect for fans of sports romance who want less heat.
The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment — 4★
This is an inspiring homeschooling book that makes you want to get your kids outside and run around in nature; it’s such an important part of childhood!
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh — 4★
Quick homeschool read to my little boys that goes along with the settling part of history. They really enjoyed it and we read it in two days.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman — 4★
This book I was not prepared for! I was listening to it in the car while I was eating dinner and they described a car accident in full detail. Let’s just say I did not want to finish dinner. This is a heart wrenching book about death and finding out who’s still there for you.
3★ Reads
Bride by Ali Hazelwood — 3★
I gave it 3 stars.. it was okay. I was looking for some fall/Halloween reads. It wasn’t great
Book Lovers by Emily Henry — 3★
I didn’t really connect with the characters in this book. It was okay.
Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla — 3★
It was okay. I cried a little at the end, which is hard when you’re reading it out loud for school! It goes along with our explorers part of history. It is different than Disney’s version!
Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez — 3★
I like Abbey Jimenez books – she’s usually pretty funny. This one was okay – it reminds you to follow your dreams.
The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman — 3★
Very quick read. I just wanted something quick and easy that day.
Pumpkin Patch Promises by Gwen Millbourne — 3★
Cute, cozy, short fall read.
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood — 3★
It was okay. I won’t read the rest of the series. It’s about scientists, not my cup of tea.
Harvest After Dark by Kit Winterlyn — 3★
Another ROMANCE book. It was alright, again just looking for some cozy fall reads.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells — 3★
I was kind of lost/bored at the beginning. It got a little better, but I won’t finish the series.
1★ Read
Sleeping with Friends by Emily Schultz — 1★
This one was a slog, and I was glad to be done with it. It was supposed to be a quick read – 3.5 hours. It ended up taking over 6 hours of reading time. I had a hard time following the characters as it bounced around in the middle of the chapter who you were following. I will not finish this series.
Find it on Amazon
The Tally
21 books in October, 128 of 150 for the year — 22 to go, with two months left. November, let’s see what you’ve got.
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