Only a couple of days until October! I can’t wait! My room may or may not be covered in pumpkins of various types and sizes, and my coffee may or may not be loaded with pumpkin spice syrup. I might have dug out all my favourite autumn sweaters from the back of my wardrobe and made a list of all the spooky stories I plan on reading.
Listen, October brings me more joy than you can imagine. It’s not hurting anyone (other than my bank balance, of course) so let me have this. Cool? Cool.
But while we wait for the best month, allow me to recount what I read this month.
Magical Boy Volume 1 by The Kao
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max—a high schooler chosen to become the next “Magical Girl.” There’s just one catch . . . he’s a trans boy!
How could I not read this graphic novel after seeing that description?
Max is going through a lot. Trying to transition is hard enough without the support of his family, but it gets weird. It turns out he is from a long line of Magical Girls. Now he has to figure out how to handle that with his best friend and a talking cat.
Magical Boy is rather sweet. I’m trying to get my hands on the second volume to see how this story plays out.
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
A good cup of coffee can remind you of simpler times, but what if it could really take you back there?
The third novel in an incredible series is about a time travelling cafe and the customers who take the risk to visit the past. For them, it is one last chance to see a beloved person one last time. It is such a cute book that both breaks and heals your heart. I cried so much while reading.
Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger and Sara Kipin
A new take on the origin of our favourite Eco-warrior/supervillain.
In this retelling, Pamala is dealing with a controlling father, and a creepy classmate while trying to fight back against plans to develop the parkland. I love the queer storyline and how she takes a lot more agency in her story compared to her older counterparts.
The Case Against Satan by Ray Russell
Before The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby, we had The Case Against Satan.
In this horror classic by Ray Russell, a young woman is starting to have violent fits that worry those around her. To the point that the local bishop and another priest step in to help her. Things prove to be in dire straights as they work to save her and her soul.
This novel really unsettled me in the best way. A perfect spooky read for the spooky season, especially if you love old-school psychological horror.
The Tiger Came to the Mountains (Trespass #1) by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This novel is the first in the Trespass series, written by several different authors I love. I absolutely had to read it.
In this novel, a young girl and her sick brother are trying to survive a nasty war that has destroyed her country. They have next to nothing but each other and a few family members the military hasn’t taken away yet.
A short but intense tale about family, survival and life and death situations. The Tiger Came to the Mountains is pretty good, so I have high hopes for the others in the series.
The Art of Hygge: How to Bring Danish Cosiness Into Your Life by Elias Larsen and Jonny Jackson
Since we are well into Autumn, I wanted to learn a few tips and tricks to add more cosy vibes to my routine and house.
Honestly, I was kind of disappointed. It was all stuff I read about online. Outside of some tasty-sounding recipes, I didn’t get much out of this book.
1984 by George Orwell
The most terrifying element of this novel is how relatable I found the dystopia. That’s not a good thing!
Jokes aside, this novel is brilliant. Simply no other way to say it, 1984 is an incredible book that I passionately advocate that everyone should read.
Currently Reading:
Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte
I hate the fact that I’m enjoying this.
This novel is a typical Hallmark-style Autumn romance. Something I would normally avoid like the plague. Hell, I tease my mum for being obsessed with Christmas ones.
So, why am I reading it? Simple. I am planning on reading a lot of dark content soon, so I wanted some feel-good tooth-rotting fluff beforehand. Plus, I saw the cute cover and decided to go for it.
It is the standard plot we all know and make memes of. A woman returns to her hometown to look after her grandfather and runs into her high school sweetheart after years apart. You all know exactly what is going to happen, but I love the autumnal vibes so screw it, I’m going to read it!
Nerd Rambles 
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