Magical Realism Archives

It’s hard to believe October is already over. It’s one of my favorite months, both for reading and otherwise. I have been planning my spooky month TBR since May, and while I didn’t get to everything on the list, it was a great reading month overall. October reads are the best.

I think I really read a diverse assortment of books here- everything from classics to thrillers to magical realism and even some sci-fi and horror. Some of these genres are definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I’m glad I made the choices I did.

There are thirteen books here overall, so let’s jump in and look at the books I loved, the ones I liked, and the ones that ultimately were not for me.

October Reads I Loved

Ring Shout

This book was probably the furthest out of my comfort zone, yet offered the biggest reward. I’ve seen Ring Shout on many must-read lists this year and hope from this review you can see why it earned a spot there. This is my first read from award-winner Clark and I’m eager to check out his earlier works.

You can read my full review of Ring Shout here.

Don’t Look for Me

This one is up there as being one of my favorite reads in one of my favorite genres- thrillers- this year. Don’t Look For me is the story of a woman who disappears. The signs all point to her walking away from or life and family willingly- but did she?

You can read my full review of Don’t Look For Me here.

Rebecca

This was my first time reading this Gothic classic all the way through and I’m so glad I finally did. The book is atmospheric and chilling- the perfect classic read for October. I loved everything Du Maurier achieved in writing this. For those interested in the film adaptations of Rebecca, check out my guide to three different versions here.

Magic Lessons

Pratical Magic is one of my favorite books, so this prequel was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. It did not disappoint. Magic Lessons is a beautiful story that takes us back to the Salem Witch Trials and the beginning of the Owens line. It’s filled with the magical wisdom and ethereal prose readers have come to love from Hoffman’s books and it’s sure to be loved by old fans as well as those just discovering the series.

October Reads I Really Liked

Sia Martinez and the Moonlight Beginning of Everything

Sia Martinez and the Moonlight Beginning of Everything is a great YA story that has a little something for everyone. It’s a coming of age story, there’s a mystery element, a love story, family drama, a bit of sci-fi and magical realism, and discussion of important topics such as immigration, ICE, and sexual assault.

It’s a great story and perfect to listen on audio.

Safe

Safe is a wild ride. When a missing girl returns home after many years it should be a wonderful reunion. But it quickly becomes clear that everything is not as it seems- who is fooling whom in this wild, mysterious thriller?

My Sister the Serial Killer

I really enjoyed this short, smart novel about a young woman whose younger sister has a nasty habit of killing her boyfriends. I loved the story, characters, and satire- my only complaint here is that I would have liked more.

The Request

Another twisty, edge of your seat thriller, this one featuring old friends bound by a dark secret. I did guess a couple of the surprises, but there were so many and things were changing so fast it’s hard to guess how everything comes together.

Home Before Dark

I loved the latest from Riley Sager and the fun, creepy ghost story set in a haunted house in a small town that we get in Home Before Dark. It was a fast read- I loved the multiple timelines and the book within the book.

Coraline

I’ve loved the story of Coraline since the movie was released, but this was my first time reading the Gaiman novel it was based on. I found them to be very close in plot and characters and enjoyed reading the book and the eerie world that the author creates.

Hallowe’en Party

This Poirot novel takes place after a party on Halloween- where a little girl says she’s witnessed a murder and then ends up a murder victim that same night. Fans of Christie’s other works may recognize another character- Ariadne Oliver who also makes an appearance in other books like Elephants Can Remember.

October Reads That Weren’t For Me

Mexican Gothic

This book has been getting a lot of buzz, but I think ultimately it wasn’t a book for me. I really enjoyed Noemí’s character and the creepy atmosphere of the house. Ultimately, though, the pacing of the novel made it hard to get into and I would have liked the book to be a little more developed and for the focus to be more on the scary than the bizarre.

Nancy Drew The Secret of the Old Clock

I really wanted to enjoy Nancy Drew for my first time reading as an adult, but ultimately found the writing stiff and the characters a little too idealistic for my taste. I was having a hard time getting into it, but eventually, it got interesting enough for me to finish. Of course, everything worked out perfectly for everyone. I didn’t hate it, but I’m not in any rush to read more of the series.

Alright, there’s a quick take on each of the books I read in October. Have you read any of these ones?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and your favorite book of Spooky month.

I picked up Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore on what turned out to be my last trip to the book store before the quarantine. I’m so glad I did because I could not think of a more delightful read to get me out of-a self-isolation reading slump.

Oona has the unique experience of aging unchronologically.

She is a girl who could definitely relate to this time-warp we are all finding ourselves in. I may have no clue what day it is because I haven’t left the house of weeks, but Oona has to figure out what year it is because every year on her New Year’s birthday she wakes up in a completely different year and form of her body.

I don’t typically think of myself as a time travel reader, but I am quickly proving myself wrong. If you love books that include time travel elements you will likely adore Oona… and, if you are not yet sold, this will hopefully convince you to be a fan.

Synopsis:

The clock is nearing midnight, and when it strikes it will be 1983– and Oona’s nineteenth birthday. At a time when she should be carefree and excited, she finds herself at a crossroads. Torn between the choice to pursue her passion with her band or leave everything behind to study abroad with her best friend, she can feel the pressure of the clock ticking against her.

Her fate, however, is something else entirely. When the ball drops Oona is whisked away to another time and place– which happens to be New York City in 2015. The most alarming part is that she’s aged more than 3 decades overnight; She’s in the body of her 51-year-old self and her mind hasn’t had time to catch up.

After the initial shock, Oona starts coming to terms with her new reality. She struggles to adjust to the world around her and herself, but with the help of Future Oona’s assistant Kenzie she catches up to speed just in time to take another leap back at the start of the next year.

This time it’s 1991. Oona’s body is a little closer to matching her mental age, but there are a whole new set of difficulties waiting for her in the next phase of her life.

This is how it is for Oona, every year going to a different place and time in her life; sometimes knowing too little and sometimes knowing too much.

Living out of order makes everything harder, from maintaining relationships to having peace of mind, but Oona tries her best to live a full life in all the ways she can.

Analysis:

If this book sounds like a fun ride, you are absolutely right. The pop-culture references through the years were loads of fun and Montimore’s musical taste shone through in the characters’ conversations.

I enjoyed a number of the characters here as well. Kenzie, especially, was warm and bright and the years where he was in the story were especially a joy to read. Oona’s relationship with her mother went through a number of challenges over the years, but even without the complications of aging out of order, coming into your own as a young adult can often mean not seeing eye to eye with your parents.

It’s easy to forget that Oona is mentally only a teenager at the start of the book and still in her early twenties throughout. I’ve heard criticism of Oona’s maturity and handling of a couple of key situations in the book selfishly. Personally, I considered this a part of the coming-of-age element in the book. Oona is a deeply human character. She makes mistakes, messes up, makes outright bad choices. She struggles, both internally and with the circumstances that make up her life.

This didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the novel or Oona’s character at all but rather made her even more endearing to me. The time travel element certainly complicates things for Oona, but I find that it also opens the door to a number of heart-wrenching and character-defining moments. When Oona finally learns to lean into her annual leaps and be present in whatever moment she finds herself in she opens in it is a beautiful moment. I laughed, cringed, and cried along with her through the journey as she tried to make sense of her unique life.

Montimore’s writing was fresh, modern, and kept the story moving at a pace that gave us the sense of going through this whirlwind with Oona. She created quite a few emotional moments and did so while keeping a unique perspective and not giving into cliches. I was surprised by a number of elements in the plot and the way she was able to go above genres. Whatever you see this novel categorized as it’s not going to fit in the box. The book is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Takeaway:

Oona Out of Order is everything. This book got my “all the stars” rating. This means it not only got a five-star rating but also stands out by presenting important themes for contemplation and taking me through the full spectrum of emotions.

The book was one of my top favorites from last month, and is currently shaping up to be on my favorite books from 2020 lists, and I’m sure you’ll see it on many book award lists as well.

March 2020 Reads

Oona Out Of Order was one of my favorite reads of March 2020. Check what else I was loving that month here.

The story and characters are ones that will stay in your heart, and if you’re anything like me you’ll want to listen to the music referenced in the book, staying in Oona’s wild world even after you’ve finished reading.

It’s definitely one of my top recommendations so far this year, and provides an escape right now that many will welcome, so take a leap with Oona and enjoy the ride!