Your girl has done 40 books this year out of my desired goal of 50, and I still have a month to catch up. Whether I’ll be able to stuff ten books into December remains to be seen but I have to say I am very proud of myself – and looking back have devoured some absolute bangers.

I thought I’d share a few updates like I did back in March before this horrible year really took hold and changed everything forever. At least you can always depend on books, lovely lovely books.

Here’s what I’ve read so far:

(I’m going to keep this a little more succinct that last time as there’s so much more to cover)

Horrorstor: A Novel by Grady Hendrix

Grady has a very distinct YA/Point Horror-y style that I appreciate. There’s something about his vibe that takes you right back to a simpler time, even if there are always spooky goings-on. This one centers around an IKEA-esque store apparently being haunted at night. I’ve put his next one firmly on my Christmas wish list and was lucky enough to be gifted Paperbacks from Hell for my birthday so Hendrix has got me covered for a while yet. 3/5

You Let Me In by Lucy Clarke

I read a lot of female penned thrillers and sometimes they’re really easy to forgot. While this was really enjoyable, six months on I have little to no memory of how it ended and that’s a shame. I did appreciate the mystique at the time though, the writer questioning her own imagination and the rather luxe setting. 3/5

Spare Room by Dreda Say Mitchell

This is another one that has blurred slightly into the one before it and probably the one after it, but it was good. I really like that it made me feel so tense, like I didn’t belong as much as the protagonist of the story doesn’t belong in the house she’s found herself occupying. It’s very creepy with a satisfying outcome. 3/5

3/5 by the way is my average rating. I give it out a lot as you will see.

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

This was a satisfying read, a tale of triumph over horrific trauma and although it’s been done before I preferred this book. It’s not exactly a fluffy read but there’s hope here for the main character Lily and I loved that for her. A real page turner. 4/5

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I am madly in love with Eleanor and I don’t care who knows it. Full review here. 5/5

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

This wonderfully atmospheric book gave me solid Rosemary’s Baby vibes and I was into it. More here. 4/5

Normal People by Sally Rooney

This Summer I think most of us devoured the BBC adaptation of NP which was a deeply sexy treat for all. It definitely brought this amazing book firmly to life. I absolutely love it and would sell my entire soul to be able to spin a yarn like Rooney. I did a bigger review here if you’re into it. 5/5

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Obsessed. More here. 5/5

Bone China by Laura Purcell

I’m a massive Purcell fan girl and have been left satisfied by every one of her novels so far (or at least of the three I’ve read). The Silent Companions was exceptional, while The Corset was a gripping Gothic yarn that kept me guessing until the bitter end. Bone China is gloriously atmospheric, fresh and creepy AF, and I like it a lot. I gave it a 3 on Goodreads because you can’t do half points but I think it actually deserves that little extra boost. 3.5/5

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

I put all my thoughts here but this isn’t the easiest book. It’s beautiful and extremely well-written but is seriously uncomfortable (and supposed to be). A very important read. 5/5

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

I think about this book often, it was absolutely stunning and so immersive. I think it helped that I knew so much about the Lizzie Borden murders too, so I could pick out the fictionalised parts. I reviewed it here in more depth. 5/5

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold

Uh. This was brilliant, vivid, stunningly written and such a rich read. I’m not usually one for historic biography/fiction but this hit the spot nicely and really taught me a few things. My full review here. 5/5

The Other Wife by Claire McGowan

I can’t remember many of the details of this one but at one point I must have, ‘cos I wrote a review. 3/5

No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister

This is a very out together courtroom (ish) drama that really fucks with your heartstrings. Honestly, Gillian always has such awful central dilemmas in her novels and it stresses me out. I love them though. 4/5

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I review the SP here but remember enjoying bit but hating the central character and the his tone of voice. I love a psychiatric hospital setting and this is a really dark and interesting tale though. 3.5/5

I’ll share Part 2 of the 30 soon!

What are you reading?