What's Dawn Devouring Lately?
October 2026
October is here, bringing all the cozy fall vibes! š From crisp autumn days and seasonal treats to curling up with a good book, this is one of my favorite times of the year. In this monthās newsletter, Iām sharing what Iāve been reading, watching, and loving lately, along with a few fall favorites that are making the season even sweeter. So grab your favorite cozy drink, settle in, and letās see what October has been bringing my way!
Until Next Month!
Happy Reading! ššš
The Frozen River By: Ariel Lawhon. (Audio Book)
I know I was a little late to the party with this one, but I finally got around to listening to The Frozen River and itās no surprise that I can now see what all the buzz was about. Going into it, all I really knew was that it was based on the true story of a midwife named Martha Ballard. After reading it, I can say she has officially become one of my heroines from history.
Martha is a badass woman who is not only exceptional at her job (not one woman died under her care), but also a devoted mother, wife, and friend. I especially loved that her own diary became an important piece of the story, helping expose the truth and preserving womenās experiences at a time when they were often ignored or erased.
If youāre one of the few who hasnāt read this one yet and you enjoy historical fiction, a little mystery, and a good dose of justice, then this is a book for you. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤©š« on the devour scale.
The Thoroughbreds By: Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham
This is the second book in the duology by Elin Hilderbrand and her teenage daughter, and I was glad this follow-up came out just a year after The Academy (see my review below), which I read last fall. The story picks up right where the first book left off, with the main characters now seniors at New Englandās Tiffin Academy boarding school.
Just like the first book, this one features multiple POVs, a third-person omniscient narrative, and short, fast paced chapters that keep the story moving. While it has the feel of a teen drama, there are some fun plot twists and plenty of characters to root for. I found it thoroughly entertaining and a perfect read for this time of year!
If you enjoy stories about friendship, ambition, and the ups and downs of growing up, at any age, then this one is a book for you. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤©š« on the devour scale.
To All Those I've Killed Before By: J.L. Hyde
If you got away with murder, would you spend your final moments confessing your sins or let the truth die with you? At just 41 years old, Rachel Marless is given only months to live. Faced with this devastating news, she decides to spend her remaining days sharing wisdom, offering advice, and confessing a long list of misdeeds to her only niece, Linnea. Heartbroken at the thought of losing her favorite aunt before theyāve had the chance to travel the world together, Linnea vows to spend every Tuesday afternoon with Rachel. Week after week, she uncovers shocking secrets about the woman she thought she knew better than anyone. Aunt Rachel has done some truly awful things, but nothing could prepare Linnea for her final confession!
If you enjoy stories filled with revenge, secrets, and a few twists along the way, then this is a book for you. At under 200 pages, itās a quick read, but I devoured it in just two days not only because of its length, but also because I needed to know what would happen next. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤© on the devour scale. This was the book club pick for my in person bookclub, and I am looking forward to meeting the author next month at Calliope Books.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe By: Laurie Gilmore (Audio Book)
After winning a copy of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store at a Book Bingo event, I realized it was actually the second book in the series. I was glad to discover that The Pumpkin Spice CafƩ was available on my Hoopla app, so I could listen to the first book before diving into my prize!
The Pumpkin Spice CafƩ is a cozy, spicy romance set in the fictional small town of Dream Harbor, featuring a classic grumpy meets sunshine dynamic. Jeanie inherits the cafƩ from her Aunt Dot, who decides to retire, and the opportunity seems to come at just the right time after Jeanie unexpectedly loses her own job. Not long after arriving in town, she catches the eye of Logan, a local farmer who is more than a little grumpy.
When strange noises and mysterious happenings begin at the cafĆ©, Logan agrees to stake out the place with Jeanie. As they spend more time together, their connection grows, and because this is a romance ,we know where things are headed! Their relationship eventually heats up, while the mystery of who is sabotaging the cafĆ© adds a little intrigue to the story.If you enjoy steamy romances, charming small-town settings, a grumpy meets sunshine couple, and a little found family thrown into the mix, then this is a book for you. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤© on the devour scale. A quick heads-up: Don't let the cute cover fool you. This is an open door romance with a high spice level.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store By: Laurie Gilmore
This is the second book in the Dream Harbor series, and I think I enjoyed it even a tad bit more than the first! This story follows Hazel, the bookstore manager, and Noah, the townās local fisherman and resident player. As Hazel approaches her 30th birthday, she decides itās time to shake up her quiet daily routine and add a little more adventure to her life. When mysterious clues begin appearing in different books throughout the bookstore, they lead Hazel on a series of fun adventures and encourage her to step outside her comfort zone.
Noah has been crushing on Hazel for a while but isnāt quite sure how to approach someone he sees as so much more mature than himself. When he learns about the clues and Hazelās plans for an adventurous summer, she enlists his help in making it all happen. What begins as a friendship filled with fun adventures eventually turns into something more, and the two discover that love may have been right in front of them all along.
A little warning: This is another spicy romance, so donāt let the adorable cover fool you. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers romances, charming small town settings, and characters discovering new things about themselves while stepping outside their comfort zones, then this is a book for you. I gave it
š¤©š¤©š¤©š« on the devour scale.
Hollow Bones By: Jodi Picoulton the
I always enjoy Jodi Picoultās books because of the extensive research she brings to her writing, especially when exploring relevant and complex topics. Hollow Bones was no exception, and I have a feeling it will land on my Top 10 list of the year!
With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 last month, this novel explores how a single historical catastrophe can ripple through the decades, shaping individual lives in ways we may not fully understand until years later. Picoult also tackles the difficult and often misunderstood topic of postpartum psychosis (PPP), making this story especially timely as the Lindsay Clancy trial continues to unfold. This was a topic I knew very little about before reading the book, and I appreciate how Picoult uses her storytelling to bring greater awareness and understanding to a condition that deserves more compassion. Itās a reminder that books can do more than entertain us; they can also deepen our understanding of complicated human experiences and encourage us to look at difficult topics with greater empathy.
The storyline moves between past and present, with alternating viewpoints from Eloise and her daughter, Molly, gradually revealing the complexities of their relationship and the events that have shaped their lives.
Without giving too much of the plot away, if you enjoy emotionally layered stories about mother-daughter relationships, family dynamics, and complex themes that stay with you long after you finish reading, then this is a book for you. As a book I couldn't put down, I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤© on the devour scale.I've linked an author interview with Jodi Picoult below. Beware there are spoilers, so be sure to read the book before listening.
The Words Between Us By: Erin Bartels
I picked up this book because Iāll be meeting the author and hearing her speak next month in Traverse City. I went in knowing very little about the story, other than the fact that itās set in my home state of Michigan. From the very first page, I was swept up in the story and especially enjoyed the āthenā and ānowā format, which alternates between the past and present to gradually reveal the pieces of the mystery.
Hereās the setup: Robin Windsor has spent most of her life living under an assumed name, trying to escape her familyās infamous past. She thought she had finally found peace running a rather unremarkable used bookstore near the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling, and the past is catching up with her. On the morning her father is scheduled to be executed, Robin receives an eerily familiar book in the mail, transporting her back to the summer nearly twenty years ago when she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. The book is a first edition of The Catcher in the Rye, and itās soon followed by other books she and Peter once shared, with a new one arriving in the mail each day.
If you like books about books, themes of forgiveness, and healing power of words, then this is a book for you. I devoured this book in four days because I couldn't wait for the past and present to finally collide at the end. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤©š¤©š« on the devour scale.
The Academy By: Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
Iāve read many of Elin Hilderbrandās novels set in Nantucket, so I was especially excited to pick up her latest that was co-written with her daughter. This story takes place at Tiffin Academy, a fictional college prep boarding school, where drama runs high among both students and faculty. A mysterious app begins revealing everyoneās secrets, and a new junior transfer student finds herself caught right in the middle of it all.
The book wraps up with a few lingering questions, but fans will be happy to know a sequel is already confirmed, following many of the same characters into their senior year. If you enjoy campus settings, juicy secrets, and all the newest lingo of teenage life, then this is a book for you. I gave it š¤©š¤©š¤© 1/2 on the devourscale.
New Star Rating on Goodreads App
Every reader has their own opinions about rating: Your personal philosophy for when to award 5 stars. Rounding up or down when you were stuck in between ratings (our community was split almost evenly on this one). Whether youāve wanted more nuance in your ratings or have always loved the simplicity of whole stars. Now you donāt have to choose.
How It Works
ā¢ Select your rating and slide to fine-tune. Give a book 4.5, 3.25, or a classic whole-star rating. Whatever your bookish heart desires.
ā¢ Your existing ratings won't change... unless you want them to. Update your ratings anytime.
ā¢ If you rate on your Kindle device, you can always pop over to Goodreads to refine it.
Mike and Molly - Netflix
Mike & Molly is a sitcom that follows Chicago police officer Mike Biggs and fourth-grade teacher-turned-writer Molly Flynn as they meet at an Overeaters Anonymous group and navigate life, love, and family together.Watch Trailer Here
Widow's Bay - Apple TV
Widow's Bay is an American comedy horror television series. The Supernatural series is set in the fictional New England island town of Widow's Bay, which happens to be afflicted with a centuries-old curse that brings various supernatural evils upon the island.
The series premiered on April 29, 2026, to critical acclaim. For its first season, it received a record 14 wins at the Emmy Awards. The series has been already renewed for a second season.
Nobody Wants This (Season 3) Netflix
An agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi fall in love; they discover if their relationship survives their wildly different lives and meddling families.Watch Trailer Here
Verity - Movie at Theaters Only
Hired to be a ghostwriter for renowned author Verity Crawford, Lowen Ashleigh's assignment takes a dark turn when she discovers chilling autobiographical notes. As she wrestles with disturbing and twisted confessions about Verity's husband, she soon finds it hard to separate fiction from reality, manipulation from attraction, and opportunity from obsession.
