My WAY Too Ambitious October TBR Challenge

I am on a mission to read my physical TBR after buying a few too many books during the Target “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” sales of 2024. I made this list based on that with a few digital books mixed in. Well, it’s the 31st and I’ve read 5 1/2 of the 12. Between just wanting a sappy romance book during a stressful week, getting my Libby holds quicker than expected, and starting a book club, I just did not fly through this list like I planned.

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi – Breezed through this novella in the Shatter Me universe! I didn’t love it though. The books in the series only give the main character, Juliette’s, POV, so the novellas give us a glimpse into other characters. However, this one was from my least favorite character’s, and I kind of hate him more now. 2/5
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi – These 400 pages felt like 40. I still hate Adam, but I am so cheering for Juliette and her new confidence. She is really becoming her own person, and now these books feel so Hunger Games-y because she is becoming a leader and challenging the patriarchy. 4/5
Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi – Again, such a quick read! Shatter Me was supposed to be a trilogy, but Mafi continued the story because fans begged. I thank her for that because I think I liked the second half more! This one is all about Juliette post-war and the politics of establishing a new everything. Love the characters so I am glad I read it. 3/5
Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home by Jessa Hastings- This series is truly unlike any other. It’s a British Gossip Girl kind of story and you hate to love these characters. This is the third book in the series and is around 600 pages. It felt a bit too long to be honest, but I am really cheering for these characters and want their happy ending so bad. Also, THE ENDING was heartbreaking… 4/5
Cruel Prince by Holly Black – One of my books from my 24 series in 2024 challenge – Thought it would be a fun YA escape from midterms, but I did not make it to this one.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli- Flew through this one! This was our book club’s first ever book, picked by me. The main character here is a ditzy socialite who is actually a brilliant, witchy version of Robin Hood. There’s romance, magic, politics, and lots of twists and turns. Such a unique concept and we all are pumped for the next one in February. 4.5/5
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – This one is a physical TBR book that I put on my 24 series in 2024. I did start it and I am really liking it so far! Basically, it’s a teenage version of Criminal Minds, with bright young adults recruited to help solve cold cases. So far, I’d say 3.5/5.
Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – This was supposed to be a magical read for spooky season, but I just did not get to it. I think I’m a bit nervous to read because so many people LOVE it.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – Borrowed from a friend and NEED to finish so I can return. Maybe in November? Worst habit is keeping books way longer than I should.
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney- This is a KU thriller that I did not make it to. I was trying to read a new genre for spooky season but I’m a chicken. I think I need to not be living alone when I read this genre for the first time.
Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office – This is a non-fiction book for my goal of 12 non-fiction books for the year. I am way behind on that goal too. Basically, I want to be a corporate boss, so I am really trying to read/listen to more educational pieces. I think the commonality here is me thinking I won’t need sleep or mindless TikTok time. Also didn’t make it to this one…
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone – Got this one for $1.99 on a Kindle daily deal! Just a fall romance read that I have heard great things about. It’s an accidental pregnancy mixed with best friend’s brother and the cover is BEAUTIFUL.

Now for books I read that weren’t originally on my radar…

All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi – This is the latest installment in Mafi’s Woven Kingdom series. I got it in from Libby (my library app), and I flew through it. I can’t say much since it’s the 3rd book, but the world this is set in is so magical and easy to understand. So captivating and I can’t wait for the next one! 4/5
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake- This book was literally miserable. It was endlessly long, nothing was happening, and it just felt condescending at times, leading to me quitting halfway in. Like am I not smart? This trilogy was on my 24 series in 2024, and I am glad to cross it off. I will say if you love brain teasers and to read really thought provoking literature, you may love this. I just read for a brain break, so… DNF
Daydream by Hannah Grace- ROM COM ON PAPER! This book was so simple yet complex. Both characters were so relatable and normal, rather than your usual romance stereotypes. He plays hockey and is struggling in a class. She just wants to read and bake, but she continues to overcommit herself. They were truly friends with their own lives the whole book. Their relationship wasn’t consuming, just a perfect amount to still be a romance book. 4/5
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams – This was a physical TBR book that was easy to cross off. This is a football, best friends, fake dating rom com that kept me smiling the whole time. It’s barely 300 pages, and I just needed a Sarah Adams book in my life during midterms. Adams is one of my favorite authors, and I would recommend her books to anyone who needs some happy in their week. 4/5
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole – This was our second book club pick, and I zoomed through it! I didn’t finish our first book on time, so I was determined to be ahead of the game on this one. This felt like Throne of Glass in the best way. Lots of adventure, a hint of romance, and a huge cliffhanger. Already started the next one! 4.5/5
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi – Totally meant to read this in September, but it got pushed. This is the second book in the Shatter Me universe, and the action really ramped up here. I don’t want to spoil anything, but finally Juliette stands up for herself! am so late to the Shatter Me hype, but my best friend is adamant that I catch up. I think this book was a great example of a quality second book, especially since lots of 2nd books by other authors lately have been kinda meh. 4.25/5
Don’t Trust Your Cut: Using Data… by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz – This is about as dull as it gets. Well written if you like research and data. Had to read this one for a class but I am counting it towards my non-fiction goal because I read the whole thing. 1.5/5
Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard – We watched a lot of TLC in my house growing up. 19 Kids and Counting, Extreme Couponers, etc. were all staples. I’ve kept up with many of the Duggar kids after the end of the show, but I just now got to Jill’s book. Wow it is so well written and so interesting to read as someone that just watched the show for fun. I listened to this one and she narrated it herself, making it like an expose podcast. 5/5
Shadow Me by Tahereh Mafi – This is another novella in the Shatter Me series, but this one is from Kenji’s perspective. Just a nice little bridge between books with some Kenji humor. 3/5
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi – This is the 5th book in the Shatter Me universe and I read this basically in one sitting. If you loved the politics of Mockingjay in Hunger Games, the second half of this series is perfect for you. I loved the pace of this and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. 4/5
Reveal Me by Tahereh Mafi – Novella! Just a cutie little read where Kenji finally finds some happiness and isn’t being shot at for like five minutes. 3/5
Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi – The last book! 😦 Can’t say much without spoiling but I was so worried that Mafi wasn’t going to give anyone a happy ending. She literally had me on the edge of my seat the entire book. This series is just so easy to immerse yourself in and to fall in love with these characters. 4.5/5
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears – DANG. This was a crazy story especially through audio. I was very carsick and needed something to focus on that wasn’t how bumpy the bus was. Definitely a great autobiography and helped me check off another non-fiction read for 2024!
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries – Another Libby read! This is just a cozy little read about a girl named Emily who maybe gets a little too lost in her research. She is determined to discover a new kind of faerie and gain academic recognition for it but how far will she go? Definitely a cute read and I will be reading the second one. Just took a minute to understand what was going on. 3.5/5