October 2023 Book Releases

and some links!

Hello readers! Today’s newsletter brings you some links of interest and the October releases I have read and enjoyed. PLUS, something new I’m trying out for paid subscribers ~ an October releases highlights magazine. Let’s dive in!

I’m changing up how I title my weekly newsletters ~ perhaps you noticed! I hope this will make the content clearer and more targeted for readers.

Links of Interest

• Did you see my Cozy Magical Realism seasonal bonus newsletter last weekend? It includes a PDF download that gives all subscribers a glimpse at what only paid subscribers would typically receive. If you enjoyed it, would you please consider sharing about my newsletter on your platform of choice? Spreading the word is one of the easiest ways to support your favorite creators!

• This New Yorker article by Jennifer Egan is near and dear to my heart ~ it’s about a supportive housing community in NYC that is providing a path out of homelessness for many city residents. It ties in wonderfully with one of the titles I am sharing about below, The Meth Lunches.

• I have been a long-time fan of Angela Watson and her 40 Hour Teacher Workweek program and her Truth for Teachers podcast, so when I got the email about her brand-new paid show Daily Encouragement for Teachers, I immediately subscribed. Each episode is less than 5 minutes long, but it shows up every single week day, is in Angela’s calm and reassuring tone, and is perfect for listening to on my commute as I prepare for the day. The $3.99/month costs dollars less than my favorite Starbucks drink and has already proven well worth the investment.

• I am now reviewing for School Library Journal again, and am SO excited to be back! And speaking of SLJ, they have a great roundup of picture books to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month (and beyond!).

• The news about Booktok + the Seattle Kraken + hockey romance is technically old news by now, but it’s newish to me and I’m absolutely appalled. How do ANY readers find it okay to sexually objectify and harass athletes based on a romance trope? Can you all even *imagine* if men were doing this to female athletes and the feminist outrage that would be exploding on the interwebs? I adore hockey romance, but I keep my fantasies firmly on the page thankyouverymuch.

• I finally found some work pants that actually perfectly fit my ever-changing body and are thick enough to keep me warm all Wisconsin-winter long, but cool enough to wear in the transitional seasons too. I ordered one pair direct from Everlane, and two more colors used from Poshmark.

• And finally, I bookmarked this roundup of fall 2023 release lists because I couldn’t possibly get through them all in one sitting ~ hat tip to

  Renee
  for putting together this amazing resource for us!

October Releases

I try my best to read at least 5 or 6 releases from each month pre-publication so I can share them with you, and it’s time for the October roundup! I’m proud of myself for getting to this many titles on a regular basis because damn, it’s not always easy to wade through them and pull out the gems while also navigating my reading whims. I have learned that it’s best to not try to read many more from each month ahead of time because it keeps me from my library and backlist reads. It can also get really frustrating to feel pressured to read something I might not be in the mood for.

The titles I am sharing about today range from stellar nonfiction to steamy romance to whimsical young adult, with many other October releases that I’m really excited to get to in the future. And I’m sharing them in a new, shiny format!!!

Please do consider becoming a paid subscriber ~ for only $30/year (or $5/month), you can show your support for my writing and help me keep offering the consistent, quality content so many readers have come to depend on. Paid subscribers also get bonus content throughout the month, like the monthly release magazines! If you would just like to support my work and contribute on a one-time basis, you can buy me a coffee ~ I will email you my latest PDF download when you do so. Thank you so much!