October 2019 Book Releases

From the author of Me Before You, one of my top sob-worthy books, comes a new October 2019 book release that will charm you. Set during the Great Depression, Englishwoman Alice Wright marries a handsome American and finds herself transplanted to rural Kentucky. To escape her unhappy home life with her withdrawn husband and overbearing father-in-law, Alice agrees to become a traveling librarian, riding around the countryside bringing books to local residents. In her new job, she meets other fierce women and gains lasting friendships. Add in plenty of drama, love stories, corrupt businessmen, and even murder, and you have the perfect light historical fiction for anyone who wants a Hallmark Channel style novel to read this fall. Read more →

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Penguin Random House. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Already snagged by Universal to become a major motion picture, The Grace Year is this fall’s hottest new young adult novel. This The Handmaid’s Tale meets Lord of the Flies story’s setting is the male-dominated oppressive Garner county. Every year, all 16-year-old girls spend their “grace year” in seclusion so that their magic burns out of them. Before they go, eligible bachelors select brides. Tierney James knows she will never be a chosen wife, nor does she want to be, and dreams of someday changing this dystopian society. Yet in her grace year, Tierney begins to wonder: Do women even have magic? I loved how thought-provoking Tierney is as she contemplates her society. With plenty of action that moves the plot along quickly, I devoured this novel in a night and can’t wait to see the movie! Read more →

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In the sequel to her highly successful novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris takes on another remarkable true story. After surviving Auschwitz, sixteen-year-old Cilka finds herself convicted for collaborating with the enemy. Consequently, she is sentenced to a Siberian gulag where the horrors start all over again. Yet there she meets a doctor who helps her find a purpose in her suffering by caring for the injured of the camp. A tale of love and hope even in the most desperate circumstances, Cilka’s Journey is a fictional work based on a true story.Although technically a sequel, you can easily read Cilka’s Journey as a standalone novel. While the details of Cilka’s story are more fictional, since Heather Morris wasn’t able to ever meet her, the story itself is inspiring. At first, I struggled with the story, since it’s depressing to think of someone surviving the Holocaust just to be thrown into a Siberian labor camp. But the story perfectly hits all the correct emotional notes – not overly depressing or emotional, but still conveying the remarkable nature of Cilka’s life. A great story that makes me desperate to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Read more →

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In his latest thriller, John Grisham takes on the case of a wrongfully convicted man. Over two decades ago, a jury convicted Quincy Miller for the murder of his lawyer Keith Russo. However, someone framed Miller, and Cullen Post, the founder of innocence group Guardian Ministries, takes up his case. As Post works to overturn Miller’s conviction, he realizes much more is going on. Powerful people do not want the truth of Russo’s murderer revealed, and they are willing to do anything to keep their secrets.

Best known as the host of the tv show Dirty Jobs, Mike Row charms with this collection of entertaining short stories. Each story showcases Rowe’s signature wit as he recalls anecdotes from his life and from interesting historical figures. Each tale is very short, just 3-5 pages generally, and leaves you guessing who the story is about until the very end. If you are looking for a lighthearted nonfiction pick, be sure to pick up this October 2019 book release.Update: See my full review on my March Reading List.

I’ve seen Stephen Chboksy’s new book all over the book blogging community, but I’m not afraid to admit that I am too scared to pick up a copy. After escaping her abusive husband, Kate Reese settles in out-of-the-way Mill Grove, Pennsylvania, with her 7-year-old son Christopher. Just as they are starting to get settled, Christopher vanishes without a trace, only to appear six days later in the woods. Now Christopher has an imaginary friend and a mission – to build a treehouse in the woods before something horrible happens. If you love horror or just want to see if Chbosky can repeat the success of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this new book release is for you. Read more →

For the second time this year, writing duo Christina Lauren has a new romance book out. During a whirlwind vacation, Tate Jones falls hard for her very first love, Sam Brandis. For the first time, she feels completely comfortable sharing her hopes and dreams and darkest secrets. Thus, Sam’s betrayal shatters her world. Now a dozen years later, Tate unexpectedly meets Sam on the set of her first big break in acting. Tate must confront all those old feelings and find out if she can ever forgive him. Can love strike twice in a blue moon?

One of the most anticipated October 2019 book releases would have to be the illustrated version of the fourth Harry Potter book. With gorgeous images by Jim Kay, you’ll fall in love with the Harry Potter books all over again. My youngest kids love seeing the pictures even though they can’t read the words. The best book in the series, in my opinion, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire takes you into Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts where he must face thrilling new challenges in the Triwizard Tournament.

Another highly anticipated nonfiction entrant in the October 2019 book releases is Bill Bryson’s The Body. Similar to his bestselling A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bryson uses his brilliant writing to enlighten readers on his latest subject. In his newest work, Bryson explores the human body – the amazing physical and neurological functions that make us who we are. A great read for science lovers or anyone wanting books that make you smarter, Bryson is sure to entertain just as much as he educates.