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Dear reader,
I have not read any of the books I mentioned last post AHAHAHAH. I 100% got distracted but I read 4 other books in October.

Firstly, I read a play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’ by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Recently, I downloaded TikTok. I know, I know, I’m reeeaaallyyy late to the party. But obviously, I found myself in booktok and surprisingly enough, Christian tiktok. (I don’t know if it’s actually a term but you get what I mean) I saw this amazing quote from the play, “Why … didn’t you make me good enough … so that you could’ve loved me?” and decided to pick it up. I honestly didn’t even enjoy it that much, nor did I necessarily agree with some of the portrayals and content of the play, but it was certainly an experience.

I also read ‘Forever after All’ by Christina Henry and I can’t tell you a single thing that happened from memory. It was a guilty pleasure read, the same way I would watch Love Island just to *feel* something. After reading The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, I needed a mindless read- and this pretty much fits the bill. I definitely enjoyed this more than TLDJI.

The third book of the month was The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid. Now this, this is a banger. I became a huge fan of Ava Reid after A Study in Drowning, but she really just writes hit after hit. What really got me was the slow-burn romance. Ava Reid writes slow-burn romance so masterfully, and I get invested every time. The world-building was fantastic, the romance and politics were done with intention and a real understanding of human nature. Fun fact, I actually read this book during one of my 4-hour classes and finished it in one go- it was just that gripping.

The last book of the month was Eric LaRocca’s The Trees Grew Because I Bled There: Collected Stories. What a way to end the month! This book was masterfully written with vivid gorey imagery. The stories are so short but so impactful. My favorite one is probably ‘You’re not supposed to be here’, but I also really enjoyed others like ‘The strange thing we become’ and ‘Please leave or I’m going to hurt you’. Also, can we talk about those titles? Insane.

Anyway, I’ve been really stressed with school now- it has been extremely taxing but I still try to read whenever I can. Right now I am reading The Maidens by Alex Michaelides, and it alright so far. Hopefully, I get lucky again and read gold!

See you in a week for November’s booklist!
Love, Jo

Hello world, it’s me again.
Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Hozier, his new album that dropped. Spiritual. I’ve been craving something moving, transcending and Unreal Unearth has been that for me. I think I’m going to release a ‘Pairing books with Unreal Unearth’ at some point, though I’m trying to decide how I want to do it. Maybe through an Instagram Reel or maybe through a video. Though I apologize for subjecting you to my face and voice.

Have I read any books since October’s booklist, no. However, I have read half of The Maidens by Alex Michaelides. I’ll admit, I didn’t really like his debut novel, The Silent Patient. There is also no review because my friend took my copy with annotations and hasn’t returned it. Yes, it’s been a slow month. School just started and I’m already overwhelmed with work and reading has been pushed to the back of my mind. When the world slows a little more, I’ll get back to what I love.

I’ve also begun to pick up writing again. It is therapeutic, putting ink to paper the voice that nags me in my head. There is always something so beautiful about creation, especially when you are the creator. I’m only four chapters in, and I keep going back to rewrite and rewrite- it should seem tedious and awful but I enjoy it. Rereading words that a mind before the present day Jo has written. Why is it so difficult to write the mundane though? I’m struggling with writing about the quiet moments, but hopefully, with time and more peace in my heart, it’ll get easier. Here is one of my favorite lines I’ve written so far, ‘I loved her but my intention didn’t soften the violence of it.’

Anyway, I hope to get through the next few weeks with a little more joy, more writing, and more books. I think of Henry Winter and his obsession with studying and I wish that life for myself too. It’s a kind thing, you’re doing for me- reading my words. Thank you for reading, hope to see you soon.

Love, Jo

Dear Reader,

I’m kind of in a rush to read right now, since school is starting soon. But for now, I want to complete at least 3 books in the month of October? 

The holidays have been really hectic, school camps, podcasts and work! But I’ve tried to complete all my work, so this first half of October, I’ve been trying to catch up on reading!

 

I intend to finally complete ‘The Hundred Loves of Juliet’ by Evelyn Skye. 

It has been sitting on my bookshelf for weeks. Not that it wasn’t enjoyable, but I kept getting distracted with other books ie ‘Thirst for Salt’ by Madeline Lucas (which by the way is BOMB).

 

I also want to read ‘The Starless Sea’ by Erin Morgenstern.

WHEW it is a chonky boy with 498 pages, but I don’t see another time where I can read this. Once the semester starts, I’m going to get swamped, so I’d like to read this before I lose the chance to. 

Last semester was super hectic, I was filming, producing and writing so much, I had to go to the eye doctor to get my eyes checked since my vision begun deteriorating. It was not ideal, but hey- I got As HAHAHAH. This sem, I’m hoping, praying and begging its a little bit more relaxed, because if I get reader’s block while reading ‘The Starless Sea’, that book is never going to be finished.

 

Another book on my TBR is ‘Strange Unearthly Things’ by Kelly Creagh.

LET ME TELL YOU, I’ve been waiting for this to be released since the beginning of the year after seeing its cover on Pinterest of all places. Firstly, stellar title. It’s giving goth, dark academia. And recently, I’ve been craving some romance, so hopefully this quenches that desire. 

 

Okay, I’m not sure if I’ll actually get to all of that, because I’m unreliable and get distracted by shiny things (other books I see in Kinokuniya when I ‘window shop’). I also have an unrealistic desire to read ‘Crime and Punishment‘ by Fyodor Dostoevsky, but that’s a pipe dream HAHAHA.  I’ll update you again if my self restraint kicks in.

 

Love, Jo.