In Review: October Reads

October was a big month for exciting releases and I found two of my absolute favourite reads for the year, Charlotte Wood’s harrowing The Natural Way of Things (Allen & Unwin) and Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s action-packed YA thrill-ride, Illuminae (Allen & Unwin) (and no, I’m not on the A&U payroll). For extra fist pumps, both of these books are Australian and it’s super exciting to see local authors kicking arse.

October is also that horrifying time when people start counting down the weeks until Christmas. I was at my local shopping centre on the weekend and they had Santa’s Cave set up amid the Halloween decorations. It was disturbing on a number of levels. But in the interest of being prepared, I spent some time scouring the interwebs for bookish gift ideas.

But perhaps the most exciting thing to happen this month was the arrival of Lectito’s new office manager, Stumpy. He’s a rescue dog from SAFE Perth with special skills in the art of sleep optimisation, treat consumption and cuddles. This is he:

Screen shot 2015-10-26 at 8.25.05 AM — Mr. Stumps

And here’s what he and I have been working on this month:

Feature

2015 Gift Guide for Book Lovers

Spoil your favourite word nerd.

Have a read.

Reviews


The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood A visceral, pulsing story of women held captive. Read the review.	Work Like Any Other by Virginia Reeves A slow-burning debut about guilt, penance, progress, family and atonement set in the American south. Read the review.

Beside Myself by Ann Morgan A compelling tale of mistaken identity and family secrets. Read the review.	The Lies We Tell by Meg Carter A sinister story of deception, privilege and long buried secrets. Read the review.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff An absolute thrill ride packed with action, romance, comedy, tragedy, moments of startling beauty, zombies and big philosophical questions to keep you wondering. Read the review.	Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Simon Snow is back, with a whole book to himself this time! Carry On is Rainbow Rowell’s answer to the Chosen One narrative. There’s magic and monsters, but also lots of kissing. Read the review.

Opinion

Suddenly 30… And Still Reading YA

Why do books for teens hold such appeal for adults, and should we be ashamed to read them?

Have a read.

Blacklisted: Thoughts on Banning Books

I talk banned books in schools and remember the time a teacher confiscated one of my favourite reads.

Have a read.

Recommendations


Bookstagram: 20 Instagram Accounts for Book Lovers Have a read.	Triple Threat: Three Thrillers Have a read.

Black Books: Seven Haunting Reads Have a read.	Books With Bite: 10 Fang-tastic Tales Have a read.

Lectito

In Review: October Reads