October has officially come and gone, and somehow, I managed to read nine books!

Was that my original goal? Absolutely not. But October was October, and honestly, I’m feeling a little burnt out.

Between working 40 hours a week, parenting, writing, and trying to keep up with ARC deadlines, reading has started to feel a little more like an obligation than the escape it’s supposed to be. And I hate that.

I love receiving advanced reader copies and being part of street teams, but I’ve realized something about myself: I absolutely hate reading on a deadline. It kills my motivation, especially when I have so many other books I’m excited to pick up.

So I’m taking a little break from requesting new ARCs and focusing on finishing the ones I already have. Reading is supposed to be my happy place, and I’d very much like to keep it that way.

Thankfully, October wasn’t all reading slumps and existential exhaustion. I read some absolutely phenomenal books, discovered a few new favorites, and had one particularly magical reading experience that reminded me why I love books so much.

Of course, I also read a book that nearly put me to sleep on my morning commute. You win some, you lose some. 😂

Let’s get into my October 2026 reading wrap-up!

Hawk & Sparrow

I absolutely adore Ayana Gray, and Hawk & Sparrow was another fantastic addition to her bibliography! This Gilded Age urban fantasy follows Vesper, a journalist hired by wealthy industrialist Maximilian to investigate a murder and clear his name. While it feels very different from Gray’s previous novels, I loved the engaging mystery, slow-burn romance, excellent characterization, and fast pacing. Plus, that plot twist completely blindsided me, and I love when an author manages to surprise me! While I, Medusa remains my favorite of her books, Hawk & Sparrow was an incredibly enjoyable read that reminded me why Gray continues to be one of my favorite authors.

Magic Bites

Magic Bites was an entertaining fantasy read with excellent pacing, intriguing vampires, and a magic system that unfortunately needed more development. I flew through the story, but I was absolutely furious when one of my favorite characters was killed so gruesomely that I nearly threw my Kindle across the room. I’m still mad! My biggest disappointment, however, was Adelaide’s characterization. Her personality undergoes such a drastic shift toward the end that it doesn’t feel like natural character growth. I also wanted clearer explanations about who possesses magic and how it functions within society. Despite these frustrations, I enjoyed the story overall and already have an ARC of the sequel waiting for me.

Horseman

I’ve been meaning to read Horseman for years, and what better time than Halloween, especially since I was fully embracing my Sleepy Hollow era! Christina Henry remains one of my favorite horror authors, and while Horseman didn’t quite earn five stars, my appreciation for it actually grew after finishing it. Initially, I was leaning toward 3.75 stars, but the more I reflected on the story, the more I loved it. My biggest issues were the predictable first antagonist and the rushed resolution involving the second, especially after such excellent buildup. Nevertheless, I loved Henry’s exploration of the Horseman mythology and the atmospheric storytelling. It was a fantastic spooky-season read, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up!

The Bewitching

The Bewitching was our October Fantasy Fanatics Book Club selection, and while I couldn’t quite give it five stars, I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric gothic mystery. Following three women across different timelines, the story beautifully incorporates Mexican folklore, witchcraft, and some fascinating vampiric elements. As a Mexican reader, I especially loved how the folklore reminded me of stories my family has shared about Mexico. Unfortunately, certain characters and plot threads felt underdeveloped or completely forgotten, which frustrated both me and several members of my book club. However, the big reveal completely caught us off guard! While Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow remain my Moreno-Garcia favorites, this is still an excellent choice for readers who enjoy witchy mysteries and Mexican folklore.

Oblivion’s Hymn

Oblivion’s Hymn was another street-team ARC that ultimately left me feeling a little underwhelmed. While I enjoyed the dual-POV story and occasionally became completely invested in its characters, the pacing was inconsistent, making an already lengthy novel feel even longer. I also struggled with the world-building, particularly the unclear magic system and the lack of structure surrounding the gods and their hierarchy. I wanted to understand how magic functioned within society and how the pantheon influenced the world, but those elements never felt fully developed. There were genuinely compelling moments, but I think the story could have benefited from tighter pacing and more structured world-building. Unfortunately, it also contributed to my growing reading fatigue.

Overgrowth

OH. MY. GOD. I absolutely LOVED Overgrowth! Mira Grant, aka Seanan McGuire, is one of my favorite authors, and this novel reminded me exactly why. Inspired by the unsettling atmosphere of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this alien-invasion horror novel delivers incredible body horror, relentless tension, and phenomenal characterization. Despite being a chunky book, it never feels unnecessarily long because every scene serves a purpose and the momentum never lets up. I was completely hooked from beginning to end, to the point where I genuinely didn’t want anyone interrupting my reading time. The story was compelling, thoughtful, disturbing, and absolutely perfect for spooky season. I’m honestly annoyed it took me so long to read it. Five freaking stars!

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Another five-star read! Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was my October Read with Cyn’s Workshop book club selection, and I cannot express how much I loved this book. Grady Hendrix continues to impress me with the respect, compassion, and emotional depth he brings to his female characters. This novel was heartbreaking, powerful, realistic, and incredibly relatable, blending witchcraft with deeply human experiences. The pacing was fantastic, the characterization was phenomenal, and the emotional impact stayed with me long after I finished reading. I honestly cannot recommend this book enough, and I’m already planning my next Grady Hendrix read for Halloween. Maybe My Best Friend’s Exorcism? Apparently, I need to read everything he’s written because this man does not disappoint!

The Red Winter

And here we have the book that sent me straight into a reading slump. I read The Red Winter for my friend Jeff’s LFG Book Club, and while the premise was interesting, I found the storytelling incredibly dry. The transitions between past and present weren’t always clear, and the pacing made it difficult to stay invested. I even switched from my publisher ARC to the audiobook, hoping that would help, but unfortunately, it just made my morning bus commute feel even longer. When a book is putting me to sleep at eight in the morning, we have a problem! I enjoyed the succubus character and some of the supernatural elements, but ultimately, the story never managed to hold my attention. Unfortunately, this one completely killed my reading momentum.

The Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen

THIS BOOK SAVED MY READING MONTH! After struggling through The Red Winter, I picked up The Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen and devoured it in a single day. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down! Megan Shepherd does an incredible job continuing Sally’s journey, developing her character while expanding the wonderfully imaginative mythology of Halloween Town and its neighboring realms, including Fable Town, Dreamy Town, and Shadow Town. I loved the world-building, the character growth, and the sheer magic of returning to this universe. Initially, I gave it four stars, but considering how completely it captivated me and pulled me out of my reading slump, I bumped it up to five. Honestly, I might have enjoyed this installment even more than the second book. Five stars for the book that rescued my October!

October was an interesting reading month. I finished nine books, discovered several new favorites, and experienced one of the more frustrating reading slumps I’ve had in a while.

But I also learned something important: I need to stop putting so much pressure on myself to read.

Between work, parenting, writing, and everyday responsibilities, I already have enough deadlines in my life. I don’t need to turn my favorite hobby into another obligation.

That’s why I’m taking a step back from street teams and focusing on the books that genuinely excite me.

Looking at my October reading wrap-up, I’m reminded that quality matters so much more than quantity. I had some absolutely incredible reading experiences this month, especially with Overgrowth, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, and The Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen.

Those books reminded me why I love getting lost in fictional worlds.

Now November is here, and with it comes another challenge: finding time to write while continuing to make progress on my TBR.

It’s NaNoWriMo season, after all!

Will I somehow balance writing, reading, work, and everything else? We’ll see. 😂

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