What I read in October!

So I surprised myself by reading 5 books last month!  WOOO.  I love reading so much, but it is hard to carve some time to really get into a book.  Once I am invested, it is no problem.  However, I usually feel like I need 50 pages to decided if this is going to be good book or a struggle (I hardly ever NOT finish a book.  Even when I absolutely despise it.  I should change that habit).

Here is what I read in October:

1. The Last Anniversary.  This book is by the same author of My Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies, both of which I quite enjoyed.  This is an earlier book of hers and it is just not that good.  I am happy that this author continued to write and find success (a great lesson here- keep on swimming) but you could skip this one!

2. The Silkworm .  This is the second book of this series, the first being Cuckoo's Calling.  This is the same author of the Harry Potter books but she writes under a pseudonym for these.  It does take some time to connect to these books.  They take place in London and it is sometimes hard to understand some of the English slang, but once you are in it becomes a fast read and you are left wondering what happens until the last pages.

3. What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love.  Because I love trashy TV, I thought it would be only right to read this memoir from a Real Housewife of New York, Carole Radziwill.  The author's husband is dying of cancer very quickly after they marry.  Their best friends John F. Kennedy Jr and his wife Carolyn Bissett die in a plane crash 3 weeks before the death of Carole's husband.  It is depressing, yet optimistic and illustrates the value of friendship!

4. Accidents of Marriage .  This is also a pretty easy read, about a marriage and specifically an angry husband.  The husband and wife get into a car accident that almost erases the wife's memory and forces her to rebuild her speech and motor skills.  I gave this book 3 stars.  Interesting enough but not going to blow your socks off!

5. Brain on Fire.  This one was the biggest surprise for me! This is a memoir about a woman who develops what initially is a medical mystery.  She was violent, had major outbursts, labeled psychotic and strapped down to a hospital bed.  However with her family's incredible diligence to their daughter and some luck to connect with the right doctors, she is able to find the correct diagnosis and heal.  I read this book in two days and LOVED it!!

Any great books you have read lately?  I love recommendations!!  

October Goals

I was teaching yoga last night and for the first time in awhile it was DARK when class ended at 6:45. Fall is here.  Oh and it was so freezing last night  I even wore my UGGS.  You know we are seriously when the UGGS are broken out.

Here are my little goals for the month of October: 

1. Read 2 books
- now this should be no problem but lately I have been reading TWO pages and falling asleep.  The struggle is real.  Perhaps less TV and more book time?

2. Carve pumpkins
- I think we meant to do this last year but never got around to it.  Paul is excited about any holiday so he will think this is special! 

3. Deal with the light situation in the dining room
- Who is tired of hearing about the light situation in my dining room?  Me!!!  But I need to deal with this in OCTOBER! 

4. Figure out Halloween costumes
- I am pretty sure Charlie is going to be whatever Paul was when he was Charlie's age (sorry 2nd child) but Paul's request changes every 10 seconds.  

5. Finish Season 3 of Scandal
- Doesn't really go with #1, but I am sure everyone is also sick of me discuss this obsession so it will be good to be caught up! 

6. Bake something
- Nothing says fall like a chocolate something baking in your oven!  YUM

Anything you are dying to do in October?

Fall Guily Pleasures

Happy October my friends!  There is definitely a shift in the weather.  Colder in the morning and evenings and getting a bit darker earlier.  Here are my FALL guilty pleasures! 

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I haven't even had one of these yet, and I don't think I am one of those crazy people who DIE for anything pumpkin, but there is something comforting about this latte.  And maybe because it is not available all year,  it tastes better?

2. Candles- I love burning a cinnamon candle all day long.  Makes the house smell so good!

3. Chili/dips/beer- Although I have a love/hate relationship with football because it is possible my husband could be depressed for DAYS after a game, there is something to sitting on the couch when it is cold outside, eating dips (yum) and drinking a beer. Go Broncos.

4. Boots.  I love flip-flops, I really do.  My pair from this summer are BEAT UP, but there is also something quite special about my favorite pair of boots.

5. Dark nail polish- it is fun to splurge on a manicure and pick a deep, rich color to celebrate the turn of the leaves!

6. Couch relaxing with blankets.  I have a hard time sitting down and doing nothing.  The TV could be on and I am reading, or cleaning, or grading, or whatever.  But sometimes Ryan MAKES me do nothing, and although it is hard it is nice to lay down, snuggle with a cozy blanket and do nothing.

7. Scarves- A perfect scarves is a great pop to a fall outfit!

8. Red Wine- Hello lover.  Lets be honest, I try to drink red wine ALL YEAR LONG, but it really feels right in October.

9. Honey Crisp Apples.  I never knew I would get so excited about a damn apple.  But I do.  They are simply the best.

10. Holiday Shopping.  I am slowly turning into my mother, but I love shopping early for Christmas.  I actually have quite a bit done already and it is all upstairs in boxes ready to be wrapped.

What are your fall pleasures?