What I Read — September & October 2022
Apparently autumn is when I’m most apt to fall (get it—haha) heavy into spooky books with a generous side of betterment. I combined my reading review for the past two months since I spent a large chunk of both reading It, which essentially is the length of four average books.
In 2019, I inadvertently completed the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge and have decided to attempt the same challenge from here on out… mainly because my to-read list is out of control! Normally, I’ll have a physical book and audiobook going at the same time, so for review clarity, I will put either duration or pages for the stats based on how I completed the book.
Here’s everything I enjoyed this September and October:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Carol S. Dweck
Stats: Psychology, 10 hours and 23 minutes
Quick summary
Psychologist, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., explores the difference between a fixed mindset (believing that we are born with our talents and abilities and unable to develop them) and the growth mindset (believing abilities can be expanded) and how these mindsets either hinder or help us in every area of our life.
What I thought:
This has been on my to-read list forever, since many other psychology books reference Mindset. I found the case studies to be extremely helpful in understanding how to develop a growth mindset.
Who should read it:
Anyone interested in growing as a person, honestly.
Laziness Does Not Exist
Devon Price, Ph.D.
Stats: Psychology, 7 hours and 50 minutes
Quick summary
This book is all about the destructive habit of equating our self-worth with our productive output. It examines the origin of the “laziness lie” and how today’s modern tools have made it even easier to always be connected and reachable.
What I thought:
As a whole, we’re working more and longer than any other point in history, yet many of us (myself included) believe it isn’t enough. This book was fairly light on hard science, but I still think it was a worthwhile read in that it gave me permission to lean into my body and mind’s cries for a break.
Who should read it:
Anyone deep in the side hustle culture. Anyone who feels like they can’t ever be productive enough. Recovering perfectionists and overachievers.
Dracula
Bram Stoker
Stats: Classic, 15 hours and 27 minutes
Quick summary
Jonathan Harker is sent to Transylvania to aid Count Dracula in the purchase of an estate in London. During his time with the count, he has strange encounters and fears he may never leave the castle, which he notes in his journal to his wife Mina. Mina keeps a diary of her own and notes many strange occurrences in England: the curious state of her friend’s health and an unmanned shipwreck.
What I thought:
Out of all of the classic literature I’ve read over the past year, this has been my favorite. I could see how if you were physically reading the book it might feel repetitive, but as an audiobook it was quite enjoyable during my autumn strolls through the city.
Who should read it:
Anyone trying to get into the spooky season spirit.
Fail Until You Don’t
Bobby Bones
Stats: Nonfiction, 5 hours and 20 minutes
Quick summary
Fight, grind, repeat is the philosophy that got Bobby Bones, the youngest ever inductee into the National Radio Hall of Fame, where he is today. From humble beginnings, Bones realized that you would have to fight, grind and repeat for any goal worth having.
What I thought:
Definitely the polar opposite of my laziness lie reading, but I found this quasi self-help/memoir hybrid to be inspiring. According to other reviewers, this one felt more phoned in than his previous book, so I’ll have to give that one a try.
Who should read it:
Fans of the Bobby Bones show. People who need a motivational pep talk to achieve their dreams.
Practical Magic
Alice Hoffman
Stats: Fantasy, 304 pages
Quick summary
Sisters Gillian and Sally couldn’t be more different: Gillian, beautiful and reckless in love, and Sally, also beautiful but responsible. Gillian escapes her life in Massachusetts living with her elderly, witch aunts, while Sally stays behind and starts a family. Tragedy and circumstance bring the sisters back together.
What I thought:
I started this series with the prequels (The Rules of Magic and Magic Lessons, respectively), and this was my least favorite of the series. It moved quickly and was relatively short, but had a lot less magic and witchcraft in it than the prequels; this was definitely more of a light romance book.
Who should read it:
People who like the movie. People looking for a lighthearted, easier read.
Bones & All
Camille DeAngelis
Stats: Horror, 304 pages
Quick summary
Since infancy, Maren has had a problem with love. Mainly the fact that any time she has loved someone, she ate them whole…. bones and all. Tired of running and moving towns every time a boy “disappears,” Maren’s mother abandons her on her 16th birthday, leaving her to navigate this cruel world alone.
What I thought:
An interesting and unique concept, but it was definitely young adult leaning in terms of character development. I enjoyed that it was quick and an easy read.
Who should read it:
Read it before you watch the movie (which apparently is pretty good)!
It
Stephen King
Stats: Horror, 1116 pages
Quick summary
Something terrible happens in Derry, Maine every 27 years or so… children go missing. The Losers, a group of seven adolescents, are determined to stop It from happening… once and for all.
What I thought:
Wow. I have a lot of thoughts, and not mostly positive. SPOILERS AHEAD, if you care, here’s your warning. First, I think this monster of a novel (the paperback weighs two whole pounds) could have been condensed into the last 300-400 pages. Secondly, this did not age well. It felt like the lone black character in the book was only made black so that King had an excuse for flagrant racism. Thirdly, Beverly’s character was way more badass in the movie instead of just being a vessel for a gang bang like she was in the book. That’s right. There is a scene where a bunch of 11-year-old boys have sex one after the other with an 11-year-old girl. Lastly, there’s a gruesome description of a dog murder that added little to the plot and I wish I could unread. I also liked how the movie used Pennywise more than the book did. The clown plays a very small role in the book.
Who should read it:
Hate to say it, but the movies are better.