Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
What I Read & Loved in October 2025
9
items This month overflowed with stellar stories — from richly imagined historical fiction to moving reflections and can’t-put-down suspense. Each book offered something different: beauty, insight, or simply the joy of being transported into another world.
Sections
3
Art, History & Humanity
Reflections & Real Life
A Little Mystery & Escape
Art, History & Humanity
Stories that lingered — rich in character, emotion, and artistry. These novels reminded me why I love literature: they explore what it means to be human, to create, and to persevere.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book. The reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective was both powerful and poignant. Jim/James captured my heart—his intelligence, wit, and humanity stayed with me long after I finished.
James by Percival Everett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This novel moved me deeply. Inspired by the real-life Grimké sisters, it’s a story of courage, conviction, and the fight for freedom. It also inspired my upcoming Charleston retreat, which explores many of the same themes of history, art, ...
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a long and sometimes heavy read, with themes of loss and addiction, but I could hardly put it down. As a former interior designer, I was drawn to the art and antique world woven throughout the story. I found myself rooting for The...
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a tragically beautiful story. Violette’s life unfolds with quiet grace — a meditation on grief, love, and the redemptive power of human connection. Just when I thought I understood her story, an unexpected revelation made it even more...
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin
Reflections & Real Life
From essays to motivation, these books offered perspective and grounded me in the present — gentle reminders to slow down, stay prepared, and focus on what truly matters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I typically don’t enjoy essay collections, but I adored this one. Renkl’s observations about nature, aging, and the quiet beauty of daily life felt like poetry. It’s a reminder to slow down and really see the world around us.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve used this method before and found it motivating to revisit. I accomplished more in the two days after reading it than I had in weeks—a quick, practical read when you need a productivity reset.
Eat That Frog!, Fourth Edition: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
⭐️⭐️ This one wasn’t for me. It felt too military and doomsday, though I did come away with a few practical preparedness tips. Otherwise, a bit more intensity than I needed.
Prepared: A Manual for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios by Mike Glover
A Little Mystery & Escape
Sometimes the perfect book is one that keeps you turning pages late into the night. These suspenseful reads offered just the right amount of tension, atmosphere, and entertainment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one hooked me right from the start. Fast-paced, twisty, and hard to put down — I kept turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next. A perfect pick when you’re in the mood for a suspenseful escape.
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon & Harlan Coben
⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good escape read. I enjoyed the premise and pacing, even if it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth of my favorites this month.
The Unwedding by Ally Condie