So this past month I have read a bunch of books. Okay, okay.. I actually didn't read all of these books I listened to most of them. I have been subscribed to audible for about a half a year now and I love it! Since I have changed jobs and now have a way longer commute I can't imagine not having a new book to listen to on the ride to and from. I have to say that EVERY single book that I chose this month I enjoyed. Some of them I enjoyed a lot more than others but I enjoyed them all none the less.
In no particular order I give you my October reads:
I have heard the title of this book throughout the years but it wasn't until I was watching Oprah's Super soul sunday where Paulo Coelho was a guest that I knew I had to read it.
Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.
The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams.
Guys if you haven't read this book, please do so. It is an older book but don't let that deter you from reading this book. This book is often referred to as a self help book for a reason. It has a beautiful underlying message about life.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Print length: 192 pages
My Rating: 5/5
I came across this book by total accident. I was looking around on audible deciding what I should choose for my next book when I came this title. I thought that it sounded interesting and although it is a short book, it still resonated with me. Maybe its my forever internal wanderlust... oh how I love to travel.
At 25 years old Stephanie Yoder was already fed up with the monotony of 9-5 life. After much agonizing, she quit her stable desk job to backpack around Asia. During a year of travel through Japan, China and South East Asia she became a minor Chinese celebrity, was attacked by giant parrots and met the love of her life. In A Year Without Make-Up, Yoder chronicles some of her craziest adventures along with providing helpful tips and encouragement for others looking to make a life change.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: A Year Without Make-Up: Tales of a 20-Something Traveler by Stephanie Yoder
Print length: 63 pages
My Rating: 3.3/5
I came across Brain On Fire by total accident while in the Denver airport. We had a two hour layover before coming home, after eating a quick lunch I headed into the airport store. It was filled with cold drinks, delicious treats and an entire wall of the newest magazines books. I basically read through every title since I was in no rush. After coming across this book I knew this was it. I have always been a big lover of non fiction books and this one sounded especially interesting. I of course had to look on amazon to see if there was a major price difference via the kindle version. It was $10 cheaper! I left the book there and instantly bought it for my kindle app and began the descent into this amazing book.
When twenty-four-year-old Susannah Cahalan woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to move or speak, she had no memory of how she’d gotten there. Days earlier, she had been on the threshold of a new, adult life: at the beginning of her first serious relationship and a promising career at a major New York newspaper. Now she was labeled violent, psychotic, a flight risk. What happened?
In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Susannah tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family’s inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn’t happen. “A fascinating look at the disease that…could have cost this vibrant, vital young woman her life” (People), Brain on Fire is an unforgettable exploration of memory and identity, faith and love, and a profoundly compelling tale of survival and perseverance that is destined to become a classic.
Man I LOVED this book. It was seriously so interesting and took me so deeply inside the story I felt like I was actually her. I had to stop to take a breather a few times because of its intensity. I would definitely recommend this book!
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: Brain On Fire: My month of madness by Susannah Cahalan
Print length: 290 Pages
My Rating: 5/5
I saw the trailer for If I Stay a crap ton of times while watching different television shows. I always thought it looked interesting and when I finally got around to wanting to see it... it was out of theaters. Just my luck, I had an extra Audible credit from returning a book that I couldn't get into so I decided to listen to If I Stay on my way to work. After I finished reading that book I was browsing again on Audible and realized that Where She Went was the next book in that series. *Mind Blown* I didn't even know there were more than one.
If I Stay:
In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Print length: 213 pages
My Rating: 3.5 /5
Where She Went ( Sequel):
Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam's point of view. Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Print length: 306 pages
My Rating: 3.5 /5
I have to say that I really did enjoy these books. You can tell they are meant for YA readers, but they bring you on an interesting journey none the less. Each book is narrated by different characters which I found to be nice. It lets you inside more than one characters head, and shows you what they are thinking while they make their choices.
I have read John Green's amazing novel, The Fault in our Stars. Since I really enjoyed that book I decided to pick up another title from him.
Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.
I have to say there were parts of this book that I really enjoyed more than others. Overall it was a good read but I have to say I enjoyed his other book more. It did keep me pulled in trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I would recommend this book for a teenager or any YA readers in your life.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: Looking For Alaska by John Green
Print length: 254 pages
My Rating: 3.3 /5
My Final read of October was #GirlBoss. I saw that this book had been on the top of the most suggested reading list. I read what it was about and wasn't sure that it was going to hold my attention but decided after hearing a sample of it that I was wrong.
The first thing Sophia Amoruso sold online wasn’t fashion—it was a stolen book. She spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and dumpster diving. By twenty-two, Sophia had resigned herself to working a mediocre day job she’d taken for the health insurance. It was there that she decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay. Eight years later, she is the founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Nasty Gal. #GIRLBOSS includes Sophia’s story, yet is infinitely bigger than Sophia.
This book is hilarious, Sophia is super down to earth and tells it like it is. I was cracking up on my way to work while sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. It made my commute a lot easier and I have to say I loved this book. Any girl with a sense of humor would enjoy this book, I left it feeling inspired.
Overall Book Details:
Title/Author: #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso
Print length: 241 pages
My Rating: 4.5 /5
Let me know if you pick up any of these books and enjoy them like I have! I love hearing which books people loved out of my favorites. If anyone has a book suggestion for November please leave me a comment so I can check it out.
