Here are the titles I gave five stars this month. A list of all the titles I read this month is at the end of this post. This month I read 17 books in total, including 9 on audio. I’ve worked on not rushing through my reading this month and even slowed down my audiobook speed and have found this relaxing. While I consumed less books than previous months, I enjoyed so much of what I read. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

Murder at Hambledon Hall (Cleopatra Fox Book 10) by C.J. Archer

Sometimes it’s hard to write about the 10th book in a series without giving too much away. Here’s a plug for this wonderful historical mystery series – especially on audio. Set in London in 1899 and featuring the brave and independent Cleopatra Fox. The mysteries are always solid and interesting and there’s great character development over the entire series. Archer’s writing brings the historical setting to life and I find myself completely transported each time I put this series in my ears. And this entry was especially good – with a little romance mixed in!

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie AND The Peach Pit by Erin Soderberg Downing – (Books One and Two in The Great Peach Experiment) 

Absolutely loveable middle grade books. If you loved the Vanderbeekers, grab this series. I wanted to hug them all (ok, not the mice) and sometimes shake the dad, but gosh it is just delightful. So many thoughtful details (and the booklists and the letters – be still my heart) I love the Peach family so much. Each character is so real and unique and loveable in their own way. This is funny and thoughtful and full of so much heart. I love a house rehab story and it’s even better when characters grow and change too. So much love for this wonderful series.

Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein

Here it is! You’re next favorite middle grade mystery! I inhaled this in two days, loving not just the puzzles at the center of the story, but also the story of brothers reconnecting – Benjamin and Ethan Broderick. Ben is 12 and into arcade games and Ethan is an athlete ready to head off to college. The last thing either of them wants to do is spend part of their summer together on a cross country road trip, but here they are. Their first stop, though, is a quirky diner and the two brothers are given a clue leading to a giant puzzle race with a million-dollar prize! Along with five other families, the Brodericks are thrust into a high-stakes competition along the famous Route 66.

The Wishing Spell AND The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer (Books One and Two in The Land of Stories series) 

Gahhh! I love this middle grade fantasy series with all my whole heart. If you love books, wish you could drop into fairy tales (literally), and love to see siblings sticking together against the odds, run, don’t walk. It gave me the same vibes as Tilly and the Bookwanders!

All Books Read In October 2025:

The Empress of Cooke County Elizabeth Bass Parman

Murder Two Doors Down Chuck Storla

Death By Mistake Abigail Keam

Cold Clay Juneau Black

Ghost in Trouble Carolyn G. Hart

Something Whiskered Miranda James

An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder K. Valentin

Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke James Patterson

The Library of Unruly Treasures Jeanne Birdsall

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library Amanda Chapman

Whiskey Business Adrian Andover

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie Erin Soderberg Downing

Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest Chris Grabenstein

Murder at Hambledon Hall C.J. Archer

The Peach Pit Erin Soderberg Downing

The Wishing Spell Chris Colfer

The Enchantress Returns Chris Colfer