September was a great month for reading! Mainly because I spent six days at a digital detox retreat in Cambodia.
The downtime with no laptop, phone or Kindle made a lot of space for reading and utilising the retreat’s very expansive library.
But not only was it great quantity-wise, it was also great quality-wise. I read quite a few five-star reads in September which made a very welcome change after the last few months!
If you want to keep up with my reading in realtime, you can follow my Goodreads profile here.
Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in September 2024
1. Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
In Small Worlds, Stephen finds solace in dance, whether worshipping at Church, jamming with friends, or spinning records at home. As his father speaks of shame and sacrifice, Stephen grapples with his identity and the loss of freedom. Spanning three summers between London and Ghana, the novel explores the spaces we create for love, joy, and self-discovery amidst life’s challenges.
My Rating: ★★★★★
I will read absolutely anything Caleb Azumah Nelson writes. This is only his second book, but it’s as good if not better than Open Water. He has such a poetic way of writing that evokes every emotion you can think of. Heartbreaking yet funny, but also deeply moving and intense. An incredibly story about immigration, loss, hopelessness and faith.
2. Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
After a difficult childhood, Beyah Grim is set to escape her past with a full scholarship to Penn State. But when an unexpected death leaves her homeless, she’s forced to spend the summer with her estranged father in Texas. There, she meets Samson, her brooding, wealthy neighbour. Despite their intentions to keep things casual, their intense connection grows, unaware that their lives are about to be upended.
My Rating: ★★★
This is Colleen Hoover’s most recent novel. I had seen many five-star reviews for this, so had high hopes. There were so many trigger warnings in this book, which is the main theme across many of Colleen Hoover’s books. I felt like a lot of the trigger themes were unnecessary and because there were so many, made the storyline a little unrealistic. I guessed the plot twist at the end quite early as I think most people would have. Not my favourite Colleen Hoover book.
Related blog post to read: The Colleen Hoover Books You Need to Read Right Now
3. In Memoriam by Alice Winn
In 1914, Henry Gaunt secretly loves his best friend, Sidney Ellwood, unaware that the feelings are mutual. Pressured by family, Gaunt enlists in the army, and Ellwood soon follows. Amid the horrors of trench warfare, they find fleeting solace in each other, even as death surrounds them.
My Rating: ★★★★★
Wow. I’m not usually one for historical fiction, but this was incredible. A raw, real story of love, loss and the horrors of war and its aftermath. This was so incredibly written and I can see this being made into a movie in the future. I’ll be first in line at the cinema if it does.
Related blog post to read: 10 Books On My Next-To-Buy List
4. Twenty Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds
In this quirky, heartfelt story, Neon reflects on key moments from the past two years with his girlfriend, Aria—starting with their awkward first meeting when he was chased by a dog. Now, their relationship has deepened, and they’re on the verge of taking a major step. However, as Neon finds himself locked in Aria’s bathroom, his insecurities and anxieties threaten to derail the moment, making him question everything as the clock ticks down to a life-changing event.
My Rating: ★★★★
This was a quick and comical young adult story about growing up and important moments in a young person’s life. From relationships between family, friends, and partners. It was a great story told in a funny, sweet way and it made a nice change reading a vulnerable romance book from the perspective of a male.
5. Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing by Jessa Hastings
Daisy thought she’d escaped her past of crime, family ties, and lost love, but when her safety is threatened, she’s pulled back into the world of her gang-lord brother Julian and ex-boyfriend Christian. Complications arise when socialite Magnolia Parks enters the picture, and Julian’s dangerous attraction to her could put everyone at risk.
My Rating: ★★★★
I’ve said it so many times that I’m obsessed with this series. This is book number four and I couldn’t put it down, once again. I will say that I didn’t enjoy it as much as the others, but I think it’s because I prefer Magnolia and BJ’s love story over Daisy and Christian’s. I’m excited to read book number five, but also not because it’s the last instalment that’s published.
Related blog post to read: 10 Obsessively Addictive Book Series to Read This Year
6. Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated, recounts her journey from growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, with no formal schooling or medical care, to educating herself and eventually attending Brigham Young University, Harvard, and Cambridge. Raised in isolation, with a violent brother and a father who distrusted institutions, Tara’s pursuit of knowledge transformed her life. The book is a powerful story of self-invention, family loyalty, and the difficult process of breaking free to see life from a new perspective.
My Rating: ★★★★
I’ve been wanting to read this book for the longest time, but always kept my eye out for it in the library. So when it was 99p on Kindle Deals, I snapped it up. It’s the memoir of Tara Westover and growing up within an eccentric/deranged family that are prepared for the World’s End, along with Mormon beliefs. It’s an incredible story of how she escaped, everything she went through and how she came out the other side. A remarkable life story that makes you realise just how much luck has to do with where you’re born and the family you’re born into.
Related blog post to read: Best 100 Books of the 21st Century: How Many Have You Read?
7. Good Material by Dolly Alderton
In Dolly Alderton’s novel, Andy, a 35-year-old comedian, is reeling from a breakup while struggling with his career and friendships. Living in his friends’ spare room, he reflects on his failed relationship and starts to understand his ex’s perspective. Warm, funny, and relatable, the novel explores love, friendship, and the challenges of growing up.
My Rating: ★★★★★
I recently spend six days at a digital detox, yoga and meditation retreat in Cambodia. The digital detox part meant no phone, no laptop, no TV and worst of all, no Kindle. But thankfully, they had an extensive library that I could peruse during the downtime. I’ve read Dolly Alderton’s other novels and didn’t love them. However, this was five out of five, and I couldn’t put it down. A break-up told from the guy’s perspective, and made me laugh out loud so many times. I can see this being made into a TV series soon.
8. The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami’s short novel follows a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a sheep man as they attempt to escape a nightmarish library. Richly imaginative and unlike anything else Murakami has written, the story is brought to life with vivid illustrations by Chip Kidd, making this 96-page book a captivating experience for readers of all ages.
My Rating: ★★★
Another pick-up from the retreat library and my first Murakami book! This was very short, less than 100 pages in total. It was very strange which I imagine is a theme across Murakami’s other work. Enjoyable for some escapism.
9. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
From the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, this novel follows Eddie, an 83-year-old war veteran who feels his life has been uninspired. After dying while saving a girl at an amusement park, he learns that heaven is a place of understanding, guided by five people who reveal the meaning of his life and answer the question, “Why was I here?”
My Rating: ★★★★★
The third book I read during the retreat, and one more tied to the spirituality theme of the six days. I loved the five stories in this book and the hidden messages in each. It really teaches you how you can impact other people’s lives without even knowing and how to make the most of life and those that are on it with you.
Related blog post to read: My 12 Favourite Self-Help Books
