September: What I Read & Autumn Chicken

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Decade of Reads. Let me just put this out there, Eleanor Oliphant is NOT completely fine lol Eleanor is a woman entering her 30s who lives in Glasgow, works at a nondescript office, doesn’t have a social life, and just lives a very routine, dull existence. After winning the office charity pool, she used her winning ticket to attend a concert and sees who she believes, will be the love of her life, on stage. Now that she has seen, “the one“ she begins to prepare for their eventual meeting. The first thing she does, a bikini wax, of course! Lol this book is funny but also quite serious. Loneliness is a serious topic and we tend to gravitate towards humour when we are uncomfortable. This is perfect because this book is uncomfortable, but with a great sense of humour. Eleanor sees the world very differently than I do so it was interesting to see what questions she asks, her observations of the world around her, and how she views herself within that world. Eleanor‘s life is very predictable. She had a tough childhood, ended up in foster care and it is alluded to that something very traumatic happened to her as a child. She goes to work all week, talks to her Mummy every Wednesday evening and on the weekend she drinks by herself. All of this changes when she meets Raymond the new IT guy at her office. Eleanor does not like Raymond. She doesn’t like how he looks, how he smells, his interests or really anything about him. He appears to be the complete opposite of her dreamy musician the stranger that she has set up on a pedestal as the love of her life. This is a very interesting book in that, we say everything is fine so quickly even when things really aren’t. When Raymond and Eleanor accidentally help an elderly man who has fallen in the street, Eleanor and Raymond form a bond. It was really sweet seeing Eleanor open up more by laughing with the shop ladies, getting a manicure, going into a fast food restaurant, and when she says yes to a party invitation. I also liked how she noticed small things that made her happy. I appreciated the helpful reminder to all of us that doing the small things can make others happy but they can also make you happy too. I also thought it was clever that Eleanor brought to light that the more makeup and unnatural she became the more naturally she fit in. The second part, the bad days, was hard to read. It’s a very open and honest account of the throes of depression. However, I loved that Eleanor began therapy. I loved that she realized that you can’t just put the work in on the outside, it has to be from within as well. I loved what a good friend Raymond was and a Black Dog reference before Black Dog!! IYKYK. What a beautiful book about a strong woman taking control of her mental health. I was very happy with the ending.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig Popular Book You’ve Never Read As the second book in this series was just released, I thought now is the time to check out this popular fantasy novel. Right away I can tell that this book is different. Told from the perspective of Sybil, a Diviner aka Six. When she draws the short straw, she must perform the ritual of drinking blood and then the water of the spring, drowning, and that’s when the dreams can begin. She can see what the signs hold for whoever’s blood she drinks, in this case the new young king. She and the other 5 Diviners are almost at the end of their 10 year tenure and anxious about life on the outside of the Cathedral when King Castor and his 2 knights Maude and Roderick or, Rory arrive. Soon after, the Diviners start disappearing and Six needs Rory’s help to find them. It turns out the king, Rory, and Maude need her too and the four of them plus her “pet” gargoyle begin a journey to all the different realms to meet and challenge each of the omens. As Six’s faith crumbles, and her future is uncertain, she finds something else to believe in, herself. I liked all the characters in this book, a found family is always one of my favourite tropes. I also like the quest. I really enjoyed the gargoyle and Bartholomew. I’m not sure about the slow burn. Every once in a while I caught some chemistry but not a lot. It was an interesting twist at the end and I was satisfied with how everything played out.

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley A book from a celebrity book club My 3 favourite YA tropes are, good girl/bad boy enemies to lovers, heists, and Academy games. This is a heist book and I do love me some teenage heist books lol. Seriously though, I do. Olivia is or was a very wealthy kid. Then, her dad kicked her and mom out of the mansion and gets remarried. Olivia has given up all of her designer wear for a uniform at the local department store. When the book starts, Olivia and her mom have been living under a mound of medical debt for two years. When Olivia’s dad invites her to his third wedding, she plans to steal millions of dollars from her controversial podcasting philandering father. Abe has a plan that includes a team she has put together of classmates from her old prep school, her new public school, and even an ex teacher! But, with a cute ex-boyfriend on the loose at the wedding things become tense and quite humourous lol. I like Olivia. I like how she explains herself, how she carries herself, and how even though she’s pretty and likes pink, she holds her intellect as her best asset. Also, a reference to The Giver is always a good thing. I also really enjoy the blatant calling out of the rich. Olivia is very self-aware to the point where she is brutally hard on herself. There are problems that arise throughout the heist, but the 17 year-old figures it out including Kevin lol who is funny but it’s sad that these kids are so conflicted with their feelings for their parents. They love them because of who they are but also despise them for what they do. Between ex-boyfriend‘s, ex-wives, an ex stepmother and a mystery person lol nothing goes right in Olivia‘s convoluted plan to get revenge on her father and the rest of the high class society that casted her and her mother out. It turns out that Olivia planned for everything except for her own feelings. I loved the twist and the cliff hanger! I can’t wait to read the next book to see what the Chess Club is up to!

Liberty Street by Heather Marshall 🇨🇦 About Injustice. I bought this book and quickly lent it to an elderly client of mine, that loved books about women in Canadian history. She wasn’t feeling well and I wanted to give her something to do. She passed away soon after and wasn’t finished reading it. When I picked it up, I saw her bookmark. Immediately this book has me interested in learning more about Chatelaine Magazine. When the book starts, it is in 1961 and told from the perspective of Emily, who is living in Toronto working at Chatelaine, a woman’s magazine (that is still publishing today) that is telling fluff and serious women’s stories, even if they are keeping them as hush-hush as possible from the men “upstairs“. Emily wants to be a “real“ journalist. When an anonymous note is thrown over the wall of the Mercer Women’s Prison, Emily and her boss, Doris begin to investigate. The investigation begin with the female refugees act of 1927 or the Incorrigible Act as it was also known as. I had no idea that this law existed in my own country. The story is also told from the perspective of Rachel who 35 years later is a detective working a case in 1996. As the story continues, Emily in 1961 is determined to get the scoop and manages to go undercover and become an inmate in the prison. Soon she realizes it’s much easier to get into the prison (which was shockingly easy), than it is to get out as her 6 month sentence for being “incorrigible” begins. Back in 1996 Rachel is uncovering a mystery at a nearby cemetery, one that holds memories for her own family, which we learn about through Rachel‘s flashbacks to the 1970s and ‘80s. Emily’s story about being a prisoner at Mercer, was horrifying. It was hard to read Emily’s story and every day she was in there, made me tense. It made me sad, angry, and heartbroken that women were treated that way, that women were experimented on like that, and that for some women, even under all those disgusting circumstances, the prison was better than home. There were so many interesting characters with crazy stories like Annie, June, Bernie, and Eliza. Even though parts of this book were emotionally hard to get through, I loved this book. I loved the characters and I wish there was a series with Rachel and Stevens lol. I loved how the ending answered all of the questions I had in the plot, but left me with so many questions about our Canadian justice system. What an interesting and new topic that was told in such a well done way.

Web of Vows and Vengeance by Aria Ashbrook Five-Star Read & CANCELLED! – A book with a morally grey/black character. One of my favourite bookstagrammers has been talking about this book for the last year. My library does not have it and it’s an expensive hardcover book. Then, another bookstagrammer that I enjoy mentioned that this was their favourite audiobook this year… Which got me thinking! So, I listened to this as an audiobook. I’ve never listened to a novel as an audiobook before, as I tend to listen to memoirs and biographies of people reading their own words. This was read by one female actor, and one male actor, taking on all the roles. And it was amazing! In fact, because this was another deadly games book I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed it as much. If I was reading it, it might have felt same same. Anyways, I like this trope, and I like the female main character as well as her two love interests (although one appears good and the other appears bad, I think we are going to find out it’s opposite) and the friends that she has made. Rose and her family were part of the elite class until Crown Prince Kyor lies about her mom and her family is stripped of their magic and kicked out of society. Almost 15 years later, Rose is back and wanting vengeance. She enters the deadly games in hopes of winning a reward at the end of it, her magic back and her family’s rightful place restored. The spice is spicy and the stakes are high, nobody is safe and awesome characters don’t make the second book. All of these factors really keep the tensions high while reading (or listening). I have never heard a fantasy read to me and the spicy sections made me blush lol. I didn’t love the cliffhanger but I still can’t wait to read it listen to the next one.

Bewilderment by Richard Powers Oprah’s Picks I don’t usually read the same author twice in the same year (unless I’m reading a series) because honestly, there’s way too many authors out there to read the same one twice lol however, Richard Powers book The Overstory was possibly one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. It made me think different thoughts than I have been “programmed“ to think my whole life. Just a few pages into this book and I can tell already, this book is going to do the same thing. Within the first 10 pages, I already have to put it down just to think about the beautiful words that I just read. Robin is a just turned nine year-old boy on the spectrum, but as his astrobiologist father says, aren’t we all on the spectrum. Robin has suffered a ton of loss in his short life and his questions to his father are thoughtful, endearing and clever. They also are questions that I have thought over the years as well. These questions of the universe were intriguing and thoughtful and innocent. Although the book made me think and I really liked Theo, Robin & Alyssa, I had trouble following the story and got lost in thought while reading. I was intrigued, but also scared of the scientific experiments that Robin did. There’s a whole world of science out there that I know nothing about, and it’s fascinating. I didn’t really understand it, kind of like AI, actually, I guess that’s what this is lol but I got it. I really enjoyed how global politics played out in this book. The author doesn’t use real names, or real events but the way humans have become numb to everything happening in the world is discussed in a new and interesting way and I loved that Robin saw himself in Inga and developed a mad crush. Just reading Robin’s dismay at the way the world is, and how apathetic humans are was frustrating, disturbing, scary, and sad. I felt like the science is dense and the concept is hard to wrap your mind around, but the actual book is a beautifully written warning, similar to 1984.

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom 🇨🇦 A book about an unung hero Part 1 begins in 1863, 28 years before the prologue as we go back to see what happened to get to that point in 1891. Goes First is a young girl of 7 recounting the loving moments and tragic events of her short life within her large Crow family. She is the Chief’s daughter and more than anything she wants to be brave, in a very scary time in history for her people. Two years later, she becomes a big sister to her little brother, Strong Bull. Part 1 ends when she is just shy of 16 and in mourning as she comes to a crossroads in her future path. In Part 2 a white trader comes to her camp looking for a wife. I found it interesting to learn about the Crow way of life and the enemies that they had in the late 19th century. I also found it interesting seeing how the Forts and trading worked during that time. In 1873 Goes First marries Abe Farwell and leaves all that she know to travel with him to his trading post up in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. I liked how Farwell understood the need for patience and introduced Mary to her new life slowly. I really enjoyed how Crow Mary saw the world. Her horror of a buffalo being killed for choice parts while wasting the rest of the life-giving animal as well as her views on alcohol and using it for trade. It was interesting reading how these items as well as guns impacted the First Nation tribes. I also liked that she was a woman of few words, but when she spoke, it was wise and often quite funny. Crow Mary meets many friends along the way and suffers lots of hardships, it is almost unbelievable that she is a real person and this story is based on her. It made me sad to read how much liquor affected well, everything. The Massacre was devastating and Crow Mary’s bravery was remarkable. Part 3 begins 2 years after they leave Saskatchewan and return to Montana. From there they begin their long journey to get justice for the Nakoda people. The description of Winnipeg in 1876 was fascinating as I grew up there and know that the modern law court building was built more than 30 years after this. In Part 4 Crow Mary and her family settle onto land on the Crow Reserve to begin learning how to make a life of cattle ranching. This part was sad but the reality of the time and the First Nations People was sad. I enjoyed Crow Mary’s story and was satisfied with the ending.

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley Reread a favourite book. I’m not big on rereading books because, life is too short, but I do reread favourite authors, and Angeline Boulley is at the top of that list. This is the third book that I have read from her, and I’ve waited to read it so I could save it in the warm, autumn sun, my favourite time to read. Also, can I just say all three books in this series so far have had absolutely beautiful cover art! This is the third book in the FireKeepers’s Daughter series and I am so excited to see Jamie and Daunis again. Just a few pages in and I remember why I love her so much, she writes compelling stories that are relatable. I was a server and just the way she writes the opening of this book is so descriptive it makes me feel, comfortable, even though I know the topics discussed in this book are going to be very uncomfortable. You can tell that Lucy lives in defence mode, she has been hurt and she knows what to look for in a world of predators where she is the prey. I love how they recap what happened in the first book because it’s been a while. I love how this book teaches everyone words in a easy way rather than a textbook way, especially when it comes to native laws and history that have become so distorted by who’s telling the story overtime. In this book, Lucy is an 18 year-old fresh out of foster care. Through chapters set as flashbacks, we learn about her father, stepmother, and her traumatic experiences in the foster care system. There is also a mystery surrounding Lucy‘s story. Someone is after her and after a failed attempt at her life, she meets Daunis and Jamie who have discovered that Lucy is the biological sister of someone very close to Daunis, a character from the first book. Unfortunately, Lucy takes a while to want to understand her biological mother’s side and get to know her Indigenous family. Every book in this series is completely different with different mysteries and different challenges, and I loved each storyline and their uniqueness. I really hope there is another book in the series because I would love to read more about Daunis and what happens to all the characters that I have come to love.

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard 🇨🇦 Time in the Title Yay this is my first fall read of the season. This book was short listed for Canada Reads 2026 so I was excited to dig in. Cool Rider from Grease 2 and all of the theatre mentions, made realize early on that this book was going to be right up my alley! I mean, I bought the four disc Les Mis CD set with my first paycheck because On My Own of course lol. June and Adam’s first meeting in 5 years was pretty funny in an honest sort of way. This is the story of strangers turned roommates, June and Adam. June and Adam spent six years living together in a brownstone in Brooklyn, New York. The story is told from the perspective of when they live together over five years ago, and now. In “the now”, June is a working actress in LA and Adam is a hot chef and restauranteur New York. When a financial windfall brings them back together, they find them themselves back in the brownstone facing difficult memories. The setting, the season, the humour, and the, can men and women be friends question, all very much has a When Harry Met Sally vibe, which I loved! I lost my Mom from lung cancer 13 years ago but I feel it every day. The cancer storyline was written thoughtfully and I related to it. Taylor Swift wrote a song and in it her advice is to ruin the friendship and take a chance and they didn’t. Can they get over the past and take a chance this time? I liked this cosy fall romance and enjoyed the characters, it was an easy book to enjoy.