Goal= Accomplished

You know that saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well that’s not always true. In fact, I pick most of my books based on the cover art. It has not failed me yet— even when I start the book by saying, “I don’t know if I like the way this author writes,” I end up loving the book!

At the beginning of 2023, I made a resolution to read more and set a goal for myself. My goal was to read 10 books before the end of the year and here we are, October 9th and I accomplished my goal yesterday! Below, you will read brief reviews of the 10 books that I have finished reading thus far.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

This book I started reading in 2022 so I have a hard time counting it as a book that I read in 2023, but I finished it in 2023 so it counts…right? This was a really slow read for me, but if you love all things Wizard of Oz then this is a great pick for you. This book is the start of a series by Maguire that explores the personalities of the characters and how they became to be what they are known as. 7/10

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton

This autobiography, written by Slytherin’s very own Draco Malfoy, Tom Felton, was extremely personable. After reading this, I felt like I had known Tom for my entire life— which, I mean, I guess I have since I grew up watching the Harry Potter movies. Felton dives in to what it was like growing up in show business and gives you your very own behind the scenes peek at his life as a child actor and beyond. 100% recommend to all of my Harry Potter lovers out there. 10/10

When We Were Them by Laura Taylor Namey

Book Number 3 was another slow read for me. This one took me a few months to get through. I remember starting this book and a few chapters in I thought to myself, “I don’t know if I like the way this author writes,” but I was determined to finish it instead of throw it to the side. After all, books are not cheap. What really drew me to this book initially was not only the cover art, but also the title. When I read the summary on the book jacket, I found out that the book is about a group of 3 high school girls that need to find their way back to each other after something tears them apart. BOOM! Done deal. I can partially relate to this story line so I am going to buy it and read it. While it may have been a slow start, once I got further along in the book, I did end up enjoying it more than I thought I would. 7/10

When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord

I loved everything about this book! Set in New York City, Millie Price, has a dream to become a Broadway star. Throughout Millie’s journey to become a star, you will feel her highs and lows and her signature “Millie Moods”. This book is a personal journey to chasing dreams and creating relationships in the middle of a big city. 10/10 would read again.

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

I wanted to read this book as soon as I bought it, but I waited…and I’m glad I did. Friends is my all time favorite TV show. I watch it whenever I can. So when I heard that Matthew Perry was writing a book, I knew I was going to have to add it to my TBR. Perry’s opening line of the autobiography is, “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.” If that doesn’t leave you wanting more, I don’t know what will. Perry takes us on a journey through his childhood, his balance between acting and addiction, and his life in recovery after suffering a near death experience in classic Chandler Bing comedy. I remember finishing this book and thinking “I can’t believe he’s still alive, but I’m so glad that he is.” 10/10

As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr

I came across this book in a rather fun way. Barnes and Noble offers something called A Blind Date with A Book. The book sellers wrap up books so you cannot see the cover, and they write descriptions on the wrapping so that you pick the book solely based on those descriptions. The wrapping on this book was so cute and the descriptions included something along the lines of “Gilmore Girl vibes” and “For Hallmark movie lovers.” I ended up loving the story line of this book so much that I email Meredith Schorr to tell her how much I loved the book and how much I was hoping for a sequel to the story of Adina and Finn. As Seen on TV is a book that you cannot put down! The way the relationship between Adina and Finn develops throughout the story leaves you on the edge of your seat, wanting more with each turn of the page. I was truly obsessed with this book by the time I was done reading it. 10/10

The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel

Poeppel lets us observe as four women cross paths in the most absurd ways possible in the middle of New York’s Greenwich Village. Will they all receive their happily ever afters that they seek? The character development in The Sweet Spot is strong and really helps to develop the story line that I enjoyed so much! 10/10

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

While this book is based in the UK and the vocabulary can be a bit challenging, Hibbert includes a glossary where you will find the explanation behind each phrase that she realizes may be a bit tricky for those of us in the US. This story follows a “quirky content creator” and “a clean cut athlete” trying to survive the great outdoors and each other. This book will leave you laughing out loud and have you in your feelings all at once. 10/10

Going Dark by Melissa de la Cruz

This thriller is about all the missing girls who fall off the radar, told through a mixture of social media posts, diary entries and first-hand accounts. This is the book with the plot twist you’ll never see coming! 10/10

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

This was the perfect way to kick off Spooky Season! I couldn’t put it down—it was my fastest read book all year. If you’re a fan of slasher films from the 80s and 90s like I am, you’ll know that the Final Girl is the sole survivor of a massacre. She’s watched the monster slay all of her friends and she herself has slayed her monster…or so she thinks. This story follows a group of Final Girls as they struggle to live their daily lives post their traumatic events and band together to defeat one final monster. 10/10

I hope that you allow at least one of these books to take you on your next literary journey. Stay tuned for a review on 2023’s first Bonus Book!