October 2026 Reading Recap
Here we are, nearly at the end of 2026, and I’m finally circling back to do a bit of a reading recap. My last one was a double recap for May and June. The rest of the summer and most of the fall flew past with barely a minute to breathe. I’m still scrambling to get caught up on books I promised to review, but I don’t have many new requests for November and December, so I’m hoping that will give me time to catch up.
This month was a busy one, reading-wise. I made some progress reading titles from the spring and summer that I missed. My littlest and I are reading the Witchlings series. The first two books are rereads for me, but we just started the third book, and we’re both really into it. I also read a book by one of my favorite authors– the amazing Leslie Vedder. Vedder writes both young adult and middle grade fantasy, and both are so cool. I absolutely love the way she pulls different fairy tales together into a fresh, delightful mashup. And her middle grade is so imaginative. I can’t wait to share that series with my daughter as well.
In sadder news, we had to say goodbye to Achilles, our cat. He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, so we knew we were on borrowed time with him. Achilles responded very well to treatment for about six months, and I’m so grateful for those extra days with him. He always took such good care of our family. I miss him deeply, especially every night when I sit down to read. I have never had a bond with a cat as I had with him, and I’m not sure I ever will again. I’m so grateful that he was a part of our family.
The first few days of November also brought some unwelcome news for me at work and as a member of a local Friends of the Library organization. We had an amendment on the ballot that will gut municipal funding, which will affect the organization I work for as well as our library system. We have little time before it takes effect, but I will be working hard to raise money for the library and ensure we can keep providing books and other resources to the community. I’ll be posting some ways you can help, if that’s something you’re interested in.
Let’s get into what I read in October.
October 2026 Reading Recap
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Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
My thoughts: This trilogy opener was first published in 2001. It does feel a bit dated, though I think that just lends more of a historical fiction vibe to the book. I like that it tells three parallel stories of boys wrestling with their identities. Definitely reminds readers that people are all different.
Published September 29, 2026 (Orig. 2001) | My Review
The Leaving Room by Amber McBride
What you need to know: I reread this one in order to write my review for Children’s Literature. And, actually, I think I got more out of this on a second read. The layering is incredible. I love how McBride uses different elements like family recipes to tell this complex story.
Published October 14, 2025 | My Review
Guardians of Dreamdark: Silksinger by Laini Taylor
My thoughts: I thought this was the second book in a series, but it appears to be a duology that ends with some big loose ends. Still, I enjoyed the luscious fae fantasy world and the unique characters. You won’t catch me complaining about reading Laini Taylor’s books.
Published September 22, 2026 | My Review
Dead Girls by Beck Kubrick
My thoughts: Lots of feminism and subverted tropes in this creepy slasher graphic novel. I love that the author uses costumed characters to blunt the violence a bit. This was a fun read perfect for the Halloween season.
Published September 22, 2026 | My Review
Just the Good Parts by Robbie Couch
My thoughts: I don’t want to spoil, but the reveal in this book was really tough for me. I love how wacky and offbeat the story is, though. Candle scents take the main character into the memories of a group of friends. Lots of exploration of feelings about family businesses and family divorce. Reminded me of 16 Forever.
Published September 29, 2026 | My Review
Under a Carnivore Sky by Brianna Jett
My thoughts: This eerie eco-horror held me captive start to finish, but some scenes were a little hard to interpret because of the spare descriptions. Still, I could see fans of Trang Thanh Tran enjoying this.
Published August 18, 2026 | My Review
Evamar by Margarita Engle
My thoughts: This was a book club read for me. I love the way that Engle uses words from multiple languages side by side here, creating a visual (auditory?) representation of a multi-cultural identity. Beautifully done.
Published September 8, 2026 | My Review
The Pools by E. Lockhart
My thoughts: This book is a little different than anything else by Lockhart that I’ve read before. I love that she experimented with some different poetry styles for some of the chapters. I also love the connections to the fairy tale about wild swans.
Published October 6, 2026 | My Review
The Wild Season by Dashka Slater
My thoughts: Another favorite author for me is Dashka Slater, so when I saw that she had a middle grade nonfiction about bunnies, I was all in. This is such a cool story that highlights interesting facts about rabbits but also celebrates how a community came together to rescue abandoned pets. If you need your faith in humanity restored, pick this one up now.
Published September 8, 2026 | My Review
Legally Yours, Violet Lopez by Elba Luz
My thoughts: So this book leans into a couple of romance tropes that aren’t my favorite. Despite that, I love that we have a romance here with a high-achieving protagonist interested in studying the law, and we even get a mock trial on the page.
Published October 20, 2026 | My Review to Come
Time-Traveling Chickens: Nugget & Tenders’s Eggcellent Adventure by Kaz Windness
My thoughts: Okay, weirdly, this isn’t the first time-traveling bird graphic novel series I’ve read? This time, chickens escape the science lab and save the world with their time-traveling chicken bucket. It’s a wacky, punny, fun time.
Published November 24, 2026 | My Review
Survival Show by Juno Dawson
My thoughts: This struck me as The Hunger Games meets American Idol. It tells a complete story, but also sets up for a sequel, so be on the lookout for that. I liked the main character and found the premise really fascinating.
Published August 4, 2026 | My Review
The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder
My thoughts: Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid but make it sapphic. I loved this book so much. All the best moments from both stories are reimagined into a fresh, new adventure here. Having this book to look forward to at the end of the day got me through a very hard week this year. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Published November 10, 2026 | My Review
What did you read in October 2026?
What have you been reading lately? Did you read any of the books on my reading list? Leave a comment and let me know what you read or something you’re looking forward to reading soon.
