Best of the Bunch (September 2023)

Today I'm sharing the best book I read in September.

It was a slightly better reading month this month than the past few, with a couple of 4.5-star reads and one 5-star read out of the 7 books I read. The 5-star read is my Best of the Bunch!

I love Anita Kelly's Moonlighters novellas and can't believe it took me so long to read their second one! As with the first one, Our Favorite Songs revolves primarily around a single night at this fictional Portland (OR) karaoke bar, but with characters who have enough history and chemistry to jump-start something longer-term than a one-night stand. Kelly writes authentic dialogue with alternating perspective chapters that give you a sympathetic view into both characters' perspectives. I enjoyed this M/M romance set during a rare Portland snowstorm that had an enemies-to-lovers vibe without ever getting too deep into "enemies" territory. I've already started the third and final Moonlighters novella!

What is the best book you read this month? Let me know in comments, or write your own post and link up below!

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: The Disordered Cosmos, Matrix, and Zombies Ate My Homework
Five years ago I was reading: The Amber Spyglass and The Secret Place
Ten years ago I was reading: Room and The Righteous Mind

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Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for another Top Ten Tuesday.

It's time for another seasonal check-in! I finished nine of the ten books on my Summer TBR and I'm in the middle of the tenth now, so this is a totally fresh list going into fall!

1. Cultish by Amanda Montell
I've been interested in this exploration of cult-like groups every time I've heard about it since it came out in 2021, so I'm going to finally prioritize reading it this fall.

2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I'm very excited to fulfill a long-time dream to see Kingsolver in person when she comes here on her book tour next month. I don't think my hold on this book will come through before then, but I still want to read it, as it's received all kinds of praise. I'm glad that I read David Copperfield years ago so that I can recognize the parallels (one of the reasons I read classics!), though I hear it stands well on its own regardless.

3. Hazeldine, Volume One by Angie Bee
I don't know much about this one, but my best friend was at a friend's book signing when she saw Bee there doing a signing as well and thought I might like this queer Western story. I'm interested to give it a try!

4. Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
This is another one I've heard about repeatedly since it came out in 2021, and I can always use another mystery/thriller to pull me in.

5. Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly
I keep saying that I want to read the next Moonlighters novella. Now is the time!

6. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
Middle grade? Uplifting? That is what I need in my life right now.

7. Polysecure by Jessica Fern
This book has only been out for three years, but at this point it kind of feels like every other polyamorous person has read this book about attachment, trauma, and relationships. I've been on the holds list for a while now and should get to listen to it this fall.

8. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I was meh about Weir's first blockbuster, The Martian, but I keep hearing about this one from all corners. I've been working through some slower books lately so I'd love to read something faster paced, which I think this one is.

9. The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie
In my quest to read Christie's complete works, I've finished off all the works with recurring characters and am now on to her standalones. This is the first one!

10. This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan
I was just telling someone the other day about this book about the power of fandoms, but I still haven't actually read it! It sounds both interesting and fun, so I want to pick it up this fall.

What do you plan to read this fall?

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: The Dead and the Dark, A Queer History of the United States, and Zombies Ate My Homework
Five years ago I was reading: The Subtle Knife, Kindred, House of Leaves, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Ten years ago I was reading: How to Be a Woman

What I've Been Reading Lately (Quick Lit)

Today I'm linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit to bring you some short and sweet reviews of what I've read in the past month. For longer reviews, you can always find me on Goodreads.

It was another OK reading month, with mostly 3- and 4-star reads. Here's what I read this past month.

McDonald's: Behind the Arches by John F. Love: This history of McDonald's certainly comes across with some bias in favor of McDonald's, but at the same time the author doesn't shy away from airing the dirty laundry of behind-the-scenes conflicts and close calls. There are some elements that make the book feel dated, but on the whole, I found it an enjoyable and interesting read.

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris: This was fine, but it felt a little bit like a paint-by-numbers coming-of-age story, and I had a hard time finding the main character's voice to be authentic. I think there are definitely people who would find a valuable mirror in this book, but I'm not sure that I'd recommend it broadly.

The Bad Guys in Do-You-Think-He-Saurus?! by Aaron Blabey: This one had some funny moments but didn't have much in the way of a compelling plot. Mostly it was just a bunch of silliness played for laughs, which is fine, but the series feels like it's being stretched a bit thin.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain: This was a sweet story of an older man learning to open up and build community after keeping to himself for decades. Although Albert's search for his long-ago love is the catalyst for the plot, that becomes almost incidental as the search draws Albert out into the greater community around him. I found it an uplifting read.

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters: This book actually provides some valuable intra-trans community conversation, but it's unfortunately wrapped in the kind of pretentious literary fiction I can't stand, with self-destructive, self-obsessed characters who are all terrible to each other.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H.: Although it took me a bit to get into Lamya's writing style, I ended up really liking the way this book was structured, with each area of Lamya's own life finding reflection in a figure from the Quran. I'm glad this was recommended to me, and it's a valuable addition to the diverse queer stories out there.

Looking back:
One year ago I was reading: The Dead and the Dark, Platonic, and Zombies Ate My Homework
Five years ago I was reading: The Subtle Knife, Kindred, House of Leaves, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Ten years ago I was reading: How to Be a Woman