October Reads: As Noted By Me

Three books, three very different stories, and a little bit of everything this October. I had some airplane time and these were exactly what I needed.

Dolly All The Time

by Annabel Monaghan

4/5

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Annabel Monaghan knows how to write a good beach read, and Dolly All the Time is no exception. I flew through this one!

It’s light, witty, and entertaining, with just enough serious moments mixed in to keep it from being all fluff. I love a book that can make me smile while still having a little something to say. And this one strikes a nice balance without getting too heavy.

My final pour? Four martinis! A little humor, a little heart, and a story that kept me turning the pages. Exactly what I want from a good beach read, even when there’s no beach in sight!

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Mad Mabel

by Sally Hepworth

5/5

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I absolutely loved this one. Sally Hepworth has such a way of writing complicated, wonderfully flawed characters, and Mabel was no exception.

A little dark, a little funny, and full of secrets, Mad Mabel kept me questioning what I thought I knew. I especially loved how the story plays with perception, reputation, and how quickly we can decide who someone is without ever really knowing them. Easy to do, huh?

It’s clever, entertaining, and has just enough heart to make it more than your typical thriller. One of those books that reminds me why I love a good mystery.

My final pour? Five martinis for a story that kept me guessing and a character I won’t soon forget. And was she ever really “mad” at all?

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Yesteryear

by Caro Claire Burke

3/5

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An intriguing premise, a timely topic, and plenty of potential. Yesteryear takes on some big (and timely) cultural ideals, but I found myself wishing it had explored them a little further.

There’s a big difference between a woman who genuinely finds joy in a traditional, family-centered life and a “trad wife” influencer who monetizes a perfectly curated lifestyle. I appreciated the parody, but at times felt the story leaned a little too heavily into the idea that stay-at-home wives must secretly be miserable.

As someone considered a trad wife herself, I enjoyed the satire without feeling the least bit offended. It’s really not that serious!

My final pour? An entertaining, timely read with a clever concept. Three martinis for a story I enjoyed, even if I wanted a little more depth.

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October gave me a little of everything. Now on to November, with a few holiday reads just around the corner!

Happy reading (with a warm mug of tea),

As Noted By Me 🩷