October turned out to be the perfect mix of cozy nights, suspenseful plots, and heartfelt reflections. From twisty thrillers to honest essays, my reading list this month had a bit of everything. Here’s what I picked up in October:
1. Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler
This one pulled me right in with its dark, twisty storyline and morally gray characters. It’s psychological suspense at its best—layered, unsettling, and hard to put down. Perfect for spooky season.
2. The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand (with Shelby Cunningham)
Hilderbrand takes her signature Nantucket charm to prep school territory in this one. It’s a fun blend of gossip, secrets, and emotional depth—ideal if you love academia-set stories with a touch of scandal.
3. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
After First Lie Wins, I couldn’t wait to see what Elston did next. This one didn’t disappoint—another fast-paced, clever thriller full of deception and perfectly timed reveals.
4. Does Anyone Else Feel This Way? by Eli Rallo
Eli’s collection of essays felt like talking to a brutally honest, funny, and wise friend about the chaos of your twenties. It’s vulnerable, smart, and relatable in all the right ways.
5. Liar’s Dice by Juliet FitzGerald
To end the month, I dove into Liar’s Dice, a colorful and sharply written novel full of secrets and self-discovery. It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you emotionally while keeping you hooked on every page.
From thrillers to reflections on modern life, October’s reads reminded me how many ways books can surprise and comfort us. Now the question is: how will November top this lineup.
The Bookish Ashley 
Leave a comment