October Roundup

Kate’s Library

It’s hard to believe October is at a close and we’re starting to get into Thanksgiving mode. The fall is my absolute favorite season, and October turned out to be a fairly decent reading month.

Here’s a list of the books I’ve read this month and affiliate links if you’d like to pick anything up!

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
This won a Pulitzer and I’m not surprised in the least. I really enjoyed this, my first Colson Whitehead, and I look forward to reading more of his work!
Click here for my thoughts and here to get your own copy.

Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough
This was a thriller – not my absolute favorite, but it was really fast paced and that’s exactly what I needed at the time!
Click here for my thoughts and here to get your own copy.

And here is a list of the comics I enjoyed this month. I have a handful of comics I read as single issues (I have a subscription box at my local comic shop – they’re great, and although I don’t live quite as local anymore I still make the trip every few weeks because I just couldn’t bear to stop shopping there!). In addition to the single issue comics, I have a few titles I prefer to read as trade paperbacks (mainly because I first started reading them in trade after starting the series a little late). I’ve included affiliate links to many of these titles on Amazon, but it really can’t beat finding your own shop.

Lumberjanes Vol. 9
This is a great series about a group of girls at summer camp – it’s a lot of fun, they have adventures, they encounter supernatural and mythological creatures and people, and the characters are really diverse. One of my favorite comics! If you’re interested, here’s a link to pick up Volume 1 and start at the beginning!

Ms. Marvel #33, 34, and 35
Ms. Marvel is one of the only “superhero” comic series I subscribe to. She’s a really great character – trying to figure out the balance between being Ms. Marvel and being herself – Kamala Khan. Kamala has a lot of heart, she’s nerdy, she’s deeply connected to her Muslim family and traditions, and she loves her friends and family. Click here to grab Volume 1 – it’s one of the first comics I got into and I’m really glad I did!

Rat Queens #11 and 12
A group of lady mercenaries who are badass, have horrible language, and like to party. This is a fun comic. There was a little controversy surrounding the artist a couple of years ago, but I ultimately stuck with the series because I really enjoyed the characters. If you’re interested, click here to get Volume 1.

Oblivion Song #6, 7, and 8
A section of Philadelphia was sucked into Oblivion and hundreds of thousands of people were lost. A decade later, Nathan Cole continues to risk his life to go to “the other side” and search for survivors, namely his brother. This is a new series and you can get a trade of issues 1-6 by clicking here.

The Seeds #1 and 2
This is a new series that someone from my awesome comic shop recommended. The art is really neat – black and white and and light green. The land seems to be divided in half, one of which is called Zone B and is tech-free. There are aliens who are trying to collect seeds of humans for some kind of embryo storage, and there’s a reporter who wants to go to Zone B to get her big story. I am glad I picked this one up. Click here and try to get a paper copy, or you can get a digital copy.

Blackbird #1
Another recommendation from my local comic shop. Nina survives an earthquake when she was a girl – an earthquake she knew was going to happen. As an adult, she’s convinced that in LA there is a secret underground magic world. Everyone thinks she’s crazy, but she’s not. I loved this. Great story and great art. I picked up #1 on a recommendation and texted the shop later that afternoon to ask them to add it to my subscription list! Click here to try and snag a paper copy or get it digitally.

Stranger Things #1
I’m a big fan of the Netflix series, so I added this to my subscription right away. This issue was great – you get more from Will Byers’ perspective. Can’t wait for #2! It looks like paper editions are sold out (at least on Amazon) but you can get it for Kindle!

Aside from reading, we’ve had a great month. The biggest news is that we’re going to move to our new house in 5 days!!!!!! We’ve been at an extended stay hotel since the first of August and we are more than ready to get to our home. The first picture was a few weeks ago and the second picture is inside – almost done, just a few minor things they’re pulling together before our closing this Friday!

Dominic is still loving Kindergarten. We’re working with him on figuring out that he can’t just not do his work because he’s too tired or doesn’t feel like it. It’s been a process but he adores his teacher and he’s happy going to school every day. He suddenly wants to write everything and is sounding out road signs. His question asking has increased by about 1,000%, and we love it. He can’t wait to get to the new house, be only a short drive from his school, and finally see all his old toys and bedroom decor that’s been in storage for almost 6 months!

Zach is doing so well at his new daycare. They’re doing amazing things with those kids! His new thing is the alphabet and it’s adorable. His language has exploded these past couple of months and he’s got such a cute little personality!

The big thing for us has been the house and getting into the routine of school. The time change has thrown us all for a loop (4:22 wake-up for Zach this morning, turning on all the lights). We try not to “wish the time away” but we can’t wait to get through this week and finally move to our dream home. But first, I need to get to bed because I’m presenting at a conference tomorrow! See you at the end of November, readers.

Kate’s Library www.kateslibrary.blogspot.com