October Reading Challenge Adventures: What’s Your Next Book?
Hi there! I’m Jessica Evans, the Certified Reading specialist who runs the HHI monthly reading challenge. This series shares my honest thoughts on my September and October book choices.
Get inspired to pick up your next book soon!
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclaimer for more.
Last month I read….
For the September reading challenge, I read book two of the Dublin Murder Squad mysteries, The Likeness by Tana French.
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The hook of this story lies in a compelling twist of identity. Cassie, the detective, is a near-perfect double for Lexie, the murder victim. To solve the case, she goes undercover, assuming Lexie’s identity in a dangerous game of deception to expose the killer and uncover the truth.
Every character in this story is layered with intrigue, keeping you guessing who the murderer is right up to the end.
I recommend this series for thoughtful crime readers. (*Read In The Woods first!)
This month, I’ll be reading…
I love a suspenseful story. One that gets your heart pumping and makes you want to answer “whodunit” as quickly as possible.
October is the perfect time of year to read a thriller for our reading challenge. I am reading The Housemaid by Freida McFadden which is currently #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Amazon summary for The Housemaid: Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.
But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.
Get in the mood for suspense and grab one of my recommendations:
- Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
- The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
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My 2024 Monthly Reading Challenge Books and Ratings
January: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
February: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
March: The Women by Kristin Hannah
April: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals For A Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler
May: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
June: Atomic Habits by James Clear
July: Beach Read by Emily Henry
August: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
September: The Likeness by Tara French
Kids Reading Challenge
Eavesdropping, creeping outside after dark, searching for a villain…
Kids love to be intrigued (and spooked) by a good story.
And since it’s October, we’re reading a spooky OR non-spooky story for our kids’ reading challenge.
This is the perfect chance to grab your favorite Halloween books and enjoy them together. Our list has something for everyone—whether you’re looking for spooky tales or lighthearted fun!
- Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds
- Construction Site Gets a Fright! by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- The Good, The Bad, And the Spooky by Jory John
- Hocus Pocus by A.W. Jantha
*Bonus activity! Listen to a favorite Halloween read-aloud.
And use our book lists for each age to help pick award-winning and popular kids’ books. There are tons of series ideas on each list.
Enjoy reading GREAT books this month!
Jessica Evans
P.S. What have you been reading? Leave a comment below and let me know or email me for more book ideas!