October Favorites: 10 Things I Loved + Your Favorites Too!

October has been such a weird month, y'all. I can't really even pinpoint why exactly it was so weird. I just have rather ambivalent feelings about the whole experience, and I'm ending the month so dang exhausted.

The first full week of the month was fall break for us. We didn't have any real plans for the week this year, but we did make it out to our local botanical garden for their annual Scarecrows in the Garden event. It didn't feel as big or impressive as in years past, but we still enjoyed our stroll through the grounds. Alexis spent a few days camping with my parents, and I used that time to have some time just for me, which I spent mostly sleeping.

We spent lots of time at the barn this month. In addition to working with Bonnie and Clyde, we welcomed new baby goats and continued making friends with Frank the Donkey. I regularly post about our adventures at the farm on my TikTok, so follow me there to see all the cute animal videos.

We did three different trick-or-treat events this year. First, we checked out BooFest in downtown (I have no pictures from this one) and were pleasantly surprised; we've been let down by downtown events in the past. Then we did our annual campground trick or treat which hasn't disappointed yet. Finally, on Halloween we headed to our old neighborhood for some after dark trick-or-treating. This was our first year going door-to-door after sundown, but it was worth it for some of the over-the-top decorated yards.

In my classroom, we're diving deeper into writing. We started the quarter with descriptive writing. Students designed haunted houses, then they had to write a descriptive real estate listing for their house. We're currently working on research, which is going a bit slower than I anticipated (thanks for the added headache, Google AI Overview). Students have been learning about different monsters throughout history and are creating infographics. They're having fun with this, but I'm learning that although they're on their devices all the time, they really don't know how to use them. As a result, I've had to slow this process down and have spent a lot of one-on-one time with nearly every student I teach ensuring that they're searching for information the right way.

Whew! I think that's got you caught up on this truly exhausting month that's gone by. Now, let's focus on the good stuff. Here are the top 10 things I loved this month (it was surprisingly hard to narrow it down this month), plus the top 10 things I shared that y'all loved.

My Favorites (in no particular order)

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - This book! It was a great read for October and is a contender for my best books of 2025 list. It completely sucked me in and had me second-guessing everything. It's a murder mystery but also a story of self-discovery and forgiveness. Also, I now want to be a ghostwriter.

Continuous Spray Bottle - I finally bought one of these for myself, and I get it. I've known about them for a long time but always thought they were over-hyped. Also, I really couldn't bring myself to spend $10 on a spray bottle. You know what I'm saying? On a random trip to Five Below, I saw this exact one for, you guessed it, $5. I use this pretty much every day, y'all. It's so much better than my old, not-continuous spray bottle. So if you're like me and been snubbing your nose at these, do yourself a favor and buy one.

Function of Beauty Wavy Hair Shampoo & Conditioner - I talked about this shampoo and conditioner a few weeks ago when I shared my current wavy hair routine. I've been using them for a little over a month now, and the results really are worth sharing. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this shampoo and conditioner are saving my hair sanity right now. Seriously, I'm getting very similar results to when I was using Monat's products a few years ago. Best part? You can get both the shampoo and conditioner for about $20 total.

Dr. Teal's Black Cherry & Vanilla Foaming Bath - Y'all already know I love me some Dr. Teal's bubble bath. It's an integral part of my self-care routine. This cherry-scented one is a new flavor that will sadly not be available for all time, but it should be. It smells so good.

Publix Rich & Creamy Premium Chocolate Cherish Passion Ice Cream - I guess cherry is just my flavor this month. But this ice cream is amazing. It tastes just like a chocolate-covered cherry. Does it make my lactose-intolerant stomach hurt? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes.

Yellow Pants & Striped Sweater Outfit - This is one of my favorite looks top-to-bottom from this past month. It all just worked so nicely together. I do feel the need to tell you that I'm going to have to replace the button on the pants; it was not sewn on very well, so by the end of the day it was gone, but it will be a simple fix. Otherwise, these pants are everything I hoped they would be, and I'm seriously considering buying them in multiple colors. I wear my regular size in these (29). This short-sleeve sweater is great quality, by the way. Nice and thick and a good length. The colors are beautiful in person.

Rust Colored Long-Sleeve Knit Dress - This dress was like wearing a blanket all day long. It is so soft! It's the outfit I got the most compliments on this month, including from my students, which is a big deal considering they're middle schoolers who generally don't like anything. I ordered this in a medium. It's a bit more fitted than I was anticipating, so I'm not going to dry it.

Red Sweater Vest Outfit - I think this might be my favorite outfit from the month. I didn't get a single comment or compliment for it, but I just felt so comfortable in it all day long. This vest is really amazing, y'all, and comes in quite a few colors. I really like the light blue.

The Weather by All Time Low - This is one of my favorite bands from when I was in college, and I love the new music they're putting out. This song has been playing on repeat in my head for weeks now.

Dang by Rainbow Kitten Surprise - This song is so much fun. It's got this level of nonsense and whimsy to it that I just love.

Your Favorites

Skeleton Earrings - These definitely make sense for the month, and they really are so cute. They're also surprisingly light and did not irritate my ears.

Mesh Tops - It seems y'all are following my advice when it comes to layering tops. Mesh tops help create seasonal looks without heating you up. These are the ones you liked best: Brown and Black Floral Mesh Top, Green Leafy Butterfly Mesh Top, and Dark Floral. I own the dark floral one, which has been really popular on social media lately. You can see how I styled it earlier this month here.

Taupe Sandals - This one baffles me a little bit since October doesn't seem like the time of year to be sandal shopping, but here ya go.

Yellow Cropped Pants - I guess y'all like these cropped pants, too.

Time & True Short Sleeve Green Cardigan - This is such a cute half-sleeve cardigan, and it's really good quality. It sold out really fast, but it's still listed on the website so maybe they'll restock? At any rate, here's one that's similar for you.

Ankle Boots - These are a nice pair of neutral ankle boots by a shoe brand that I generally trust. I have several pairs of their shoes in my own closet.

Blue Striped Pants - I can't personally vouch for these pants, but they are a decent alternative to my favorite pair from Old Navy. They come in several color options, too.

Halloween Tulle Skirt - This is another one that makes sense for October, and one that I can vouch for. This skirt is so cute and was a lot of fun to wear. See how I styled it for Halloween here.

Long-Sleeve Knit Dress - This is the same dress I shared in my favorites. It really is very good, and it comes in several colors.

Cream Floral Chiffon Maxi Skirt - It's not really any wonder that this skirt made the list. Its darker floral alternative went viral on social media not too long ago, and this one is just as pretty...and can be worn all year long. See how I wore it earlier this month here.

Real Outfit Roundup: When Fall Still Feels Like Summer

Another two weeks has come and gone, which means it's time for another episode of Real Outfit Roundup. For those of you new to the game, this is a post in which I share the outfits I wore in real life over the last two weeks along with brief explanations for each and links to shop exact or similar items.

I've been trying to have more of a fall vibe with my outfits, but it definitely still feels like summer in these parts. The humidity hasn't been as bad lately, but our temps have still been in the upper 80s and low 90s. So still no sweaters or thicker layers to share with y'all yet.

Sizing Info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 140 lbs. I typically wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Dress (similar) | Cardigan (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar) | Earrings

The week before a break is always hectic, but this particular week felt even more so. There were so many monkey wrenches and curve balls thrown into my plans for the week. Monday was really the only normal day.

This dress has been in my closet for a few years now. It's one of my favorites to wear for fall. The color palate is perfect for this time of the year. I wish it was still available!

My cardigan is from Walmart, and is a fairly recent purchase for me. It shows as completely sold out online, and my local store no longer has it, but I'm still going to link to it because it's really not been out long enough for it to be completely unavailable everywhere! Maybe they'll restock it? Anyway, it's a really nice short-sleeve sweater. The material is thick and soft with kind of an open weave to it. The buttons are that kind of faux wood look. It was a perfect match for this dress, and I know I'll wear it a ton. I'm also linking to a really similar option I found on Amazon.

Top | Pants (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar) | Necklace | Bracelet

This is one of my favorite looks from the week. It felt very chic and professional while still having a lot of personality. These pants are such a statement piece -- I love them so much, but they can be tricky for me to style. I really do enjoy the way this pairing turned out. The navy blue blouse and flats complimented the pants while still letting them shine.

This blouse is one of my absolute favorites and one of the best things I've ever bought from Amazon. It's such a good staple but so much better than a basic. It has a bit of lace crochet around the neckline, button detailing, and flounce sleeves (y'all know I love a good statement sleeve). It's a good neutral navy color, too, so it goes with almost everything.

Shirt | Vest (similar, similar) | Skirt | Shoes (similar, similar) | Earrings

This is my favorite outfit from the week. Y'all know that dark floral skirt that's gone viral? This is the same skirt but in a cream floral. It's been on my radar for awhile -- long before it went viral on social. Now that I finally bought it for myself, I must say that it is worth the hype. It's fully lined, so even this lighter colored one isn't see-through. The top layer is a delicate chiffon, which just gives it a step up. It's tiered and pleated, which somehow works, and the waistband is elastic. It comes in a ton of colors and patterns. I really like the dusty pink floral and the green floral b ones.

I wanted to kind of lean into a 90s feel with this skirt, so I layered my boxy denim vest over the top. I felt like I needed sleeves but didn't want to add bulk, so I added my beige-colored lace undershirt. These are great for giving the illusion of layers without the risk of heat stroke.

Dress (similar) | Sweater (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar) | Necklace | Bracelet

This was a planning day for ELA teachers, so while I was at school, I wasn't in my classroom. I wanted to be comfortable but still look put together, and I think this works...maybe. I don't know. I struggle with loose, oversized layers.

Anyway, this is that racerback, drop-waist dress I picked up at Target over the summer and then proceeded to wear anytime I didn't know what to wear. I've been trying to find ways to layer this dress that don't make the drop waist look weird so that I can keep wearing it for most of the year. Enter this open-stitch short-sleeve sweater...that I have no idea where it came from. I seriously can't remember where I bought it! But it's a perfect match to the blue in the flowers on the dress, and it's the right length to completely cover the dropped waist.

I think what I don't love about this look are the flats. They're so dang comfortable and theoretically should work with this color scheme, but they just don't for me...at least in this picture. And honestly, I have no idea what shoes I would have worn otherwise.

T-shirt | Sweater Vest | Jeans (similar) | Boots (similar) | Earrings

The Friday before Fall Break was crazy. The kids had a reward day, which meant they were wild. Then we had an unexpected tug-of-war competition between grades, and the teachers got ambushed into competing. It was fun, but I was not mentally prepared for it at all, y'all.

Anyway, I wanted to embrace October properly, so I pulled out my just-acquired dancing skeleton graphic tee. He's so much fun! I paired him with my Liverpool gray skinnies, layered my new black sweater vest over the top, and finished the look with the black buckle boots that my mother still hates.

Shirt | Jeans (similar) | Belt (similar) | Converse

This was the first Saturday of the break. We did a few things around town but nothing to write home about. I threw on a pair of jeans and this groovy ghost tee. This tee is actually from Rural King, and it's still available. It's also less than $10, so it's a steal.

My jeans are old and not a brand name, and since they're no longer available, I can't link to them at all. I did find a pair that look similar, although they're cropped...which these might actually be, too, and just fit me like regular length jeans. It happens.

Dress | Shoes (similar, similar)

I'm trying to remember what we did on Sunday, but I'm drawing a blank. We must have done something, though, since I felt the need to put on a dress. And what a dress it is! I love this baby-doll style from Old Navy. Of course, that's not what they call it, but that's essentially what it is. I also have this in the red plaid, and I can confirm that it does shrink a bit in the wash, so I'm glad I ordered a size up.

Dress (similar) | Vest (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar, similar) | Earrings

We're skipping from Sunday to Monday here. I did get dressed on Monday and Tuesday, but we just hung out at the house so I didn't actually take any photographic evidence of my daily outfits.

This is one of the oldest dresses in my closet. It's perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. Usually, Old Navy has this exact style of dress in updated colors/patterns, but it looks like they opted to do something different this year.

Anyway, I layered my boxy denim vest over the top. I liked the darker denim and the more square shape with this dark floral pattern than my waistcoat-style, light-wash denim vest. The square cut of this one was the better choice to create the right proportions with this particular style of dress.

Dress (similar, similar, similar) | Top (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar)

On Thursday, we made a spur-of-the-moment decision to ride to a neighboring town to eat lunch at a 50s-style restaurant. Then that afternoon I had a hair appointment to get my hair reshaped (basically, I needed to get it trimmed and thinned back out). That evening, we went to see this year's scarecrow exhibit at our local botanical garden.

I was determined to make this outfit work, but I don't think it did. Mostly because I just wasn't fully comfortable with the proportions and color matches. In hindsight, I should have swapped out the t-shirt for a vest over the top. Like I said, though, I was determined to wear this outfit. But by the end of the day, I had decided that the blue of the tee was not the right shade to really match the blue in the dress's pattern. It's not as obvious in this picture, and truly no one was looking at me funny throughout the day, but I just couldn't get it out of my head that it didn't match, which left me feeling awkward and unsure about the entire look. Oh well. We live and learn.

Shirt (similar, similar) | Shorts | Shoes

On Friday, we needed to go to the barn to check on the pigs before I took Alexis up to the lake where she's spending a couple nights camping with my parents. Like I said at the beginning of this post, it's still very warm here, and the barn is always at least 10 degrees warmer than outside, so I decided to wear shorts.

My t-shirt is an old Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert tee that I got from Walmart and became an instant favorite. I wear this sucker all the time. It's no longer available, but I have seen it pop up on Poshmark, so I'm linking to one of those listings above, as well as some others that I like.

Shirt (similar, similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes

That evening, I changed from the shorts into these favorite striped linen pants from Old Navy. They're still available in limited sizes, but I'm also linking to a pair that have a similar feel even if they're not quite the same shade. It's still summer-like during the daytime, but our evening temps are dipping down into the 60s and 50s, so I knew I would want more than shorts, especially in an air-conditioned restaurant.

Anyway, lots of loose layers together aren't usually my preferred style, but I don't hate the way this all pulled together. I even kept my leopard-print sneakers, which provided just the right amount of print-mixing to keep things interesting. This is a look I'll be repeating.

5 Wavy Hair Wash Day Favorites

It's been over a year since I shared anything about my wavy hair routine with you guys, and there have been quite a few changes since that post went live.

As most of you know, I decided to cut my hair short over the summer. I do not regret that decision at all; I am really enjoying my hair being this length! However, not long after the big chop, I noticed a change in my hair texture in terms of dryness, frizz, and way less definition. Thank you, perimenopause. It's been incredibly frustrating to go from easy, mostly effortless, naturally voluminous waves to what can only be described as helmet hair.

I've been struggling to adjust my routine to adapt to these changes for the past several months. I'm finally starting to see some progress, which felt like a great time to share an updated routine with y'all. My results are not perfect by any means, but I have gotten back to a point where I don't feel like I need to pull out my curling iron every day, a.k.a. I've been wearing it natural more often the last few weeks.

Before I jump into my full wash day routine, there are a few things you need to know. First, my hair is wavy, not curly. In terms of patterns, my hair is a mix of 2b and 2c waves with a handful of 3a curls thrown in on a good day (that's rare, though). As such, I do not follow the curly girl method, so if that's what you're here for, you've come to the wrong place.

The second thing you should know is that I have a lot of hair, but it's very fine. That means I need products with good hold but that aren't heavy. It's a tough balance to find, and even when I do find it, it's easy to use too much because it doesn't feel like enough, and I end up with straight, flat hair anyway because I've weighed it down.

The last thing you should know is that I don't always rock natural waves and/or curls. At the start of the school year, I started using a Conair Double Ceramic 1/2 inch Curling Iron, and I really like the results, so I'm still using it every so often to give my hair a little extra oomph. The good thing about my hair, though, is that it wants to be wavy, so once I've used my curling iron, it will hold that pattern for days with very little touch-up needed.

Now, let's talk about my wash day favorites. I have two types of wash days: a full wash day, which includes a clarifying shampoo, and in-between wash days which do not. This post is covering the products I use for a full wash day. For me, full wash days only happen about once a week, with one-to-two in-between washes mixed in. At the most, I wash my hair every other day, but some weeks I can go four-to-five days between shampoos. Right now, I'm doing one full wash day every weekend with an in-between wash about mid-week.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to influence your hair decisions or guarantee certain results from specific products. What works for me might not work for you, and that's okay. Your wavy/curly hair journey is your own.

Suave Daily Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo

A full wash day starts with a clarifying shampoo, specifically Suave Daily Clarifying. I have been using this clarifying shampoo for years. It's great for removing product and/or environmental buildup. We spend a lot of time at the barn these days, so just imagine the dust and sweat from that.

I only use this once a week at the most, but it creates a nice clean slate for my normal shampoo and conditioner to work so much better. Bonus - it only costs about $2 a bottle.

There's also a matching conditioner, but it's harder to find in local stores for whatever reason. Some wash days, I use just this shampoo and the matching conditioner, let me hair air dry with no product, then follow up with the regular shampoo and conditioner the next day.

Function of Beauty Wavy Hair Shampoo & Conditioner

This is a recent change in my routine. As previously mentioned, my hair has gone through some changes. From a haircut to hormones and not being able to find the shampoo and conditioner I had been using, it just wasn't it's usual naturally wavy self. So I started researching possible solutions that didn't include having to order in something that claims it's custom-made and charges $30-40 per bottle.

This duo has good reviews online and is available at Target for just under $10 a bottle. Unless I'm using it following the clarifying shampoo, I shampoo my hair twice as directed on the bottle and then let the conditioner sit for 2-5 minutes depending on what else I'm doing in the shower. I only need about a quarter size amount of the shampoo, and I don't have to completely fill my hand with the conditioner to see results. The conditioner has a really nice slip to it, and I like that the scent is subtle.

This brand does have a wavy-specific mousse, but I've not had much luck with mousse over the years, so I skipped out on trying it for now. If I change my mind, I'll let you know.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Detangler

This leave-in/detangler is one that I've seen several people with wavy hair recommend, but it's been one that I've struggled to find in my local stores. When I did find it, I balked at the price -- $16 seems a little extreme for an 8 oz. bottle. But I decided to give it a try regardless, and I'm glad that I did.

Here's what I like about this product. It's super light, which is exactly what my hair needs, and it has an incredible slip. Better than any other leave-ins I've tried recently. Some days, this is the only after-shower product I put in my hair. Finally, the scent is really nice. I can't pinpoint what exactly it reminds me of, but it's not overpowering at all.

Basically, this is the leave-in product I've been missing in my routine. Finally.

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Cream

This has long been a favorite curl cream of mine, but I got away from it for awhile. It started back when I was using Monat, then I just never actually picked up another bottle. I don't even know why since it really is probably the best drugstore brand curl cream out there and is available pretty much everywhere I shop.

It's not heavy, and it doesn't dry crunchy. It's got plenty of hold to use on its own, but if you need something a little stronger, it does mix beautifully with my favorite gel (I've never tried NYM's flash freeze gel, so I can't speak to its effectiveness versus the Aussie brand I've used for years). I use the fragrance free version of this cream when I can find it, but the scented one doesn't bother me.

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Activating Mousse

I do not use mousse very often. I struggle to use just the right amount. I either use too much and my hair becomes a crunchy, stringy mess, or I don't use enough and have no definition whatsoever. In fact, when I originally started this post, I had no intention of including a mousse product at all, but then I decided to use mousse one day instead of cream...and got the best results I've seen in months.

When I do use mousse, Not Your Mother's is my go-to. In fact, NYM is my favorite drugstore brand for wavy hair styling products, hands down. Anyway, this mousse is lightweight, doesn't tend to dry crunchy, and the scent is pretty subtle. It's good for one, maybe two, days, but the hold doesn't have much staying power over multiple days. A lot of people recommend adding a layer of gel after the mousse for that very reason.

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What I've Read So Far This School Year

I mentioned back in my summer reading roundup that my reading habits shift this time of year. With school back in session and hog show season having begun, my schedule doesn't have as much down time, and I don't have as much mental capacity for heavy reads. What this translates into is me not reading as much or as quickly and often diving back into books or series that I've already read.

Like my summer reviews, this roundup will only cover two months of reading - August and September, the first two months of school. As always, it does not include the books or series that I've been rereading, although if you're interested I've started rereading the Haret Chronicles by Laurel Chase and am restarting the Happily Never After series by H.P. Mallory (I read the first three books years ago and stopped when I realized the series was incomplete).

Three of the books featured in this brief round-up are from my recent reading lists, and at least one book in this post will more than likely make my end-of-the-year best books list. Let's dive in.

Veins of Gold

Author: Charlie Holmberg

I was really excited to read my August book club pick. This historical fiction book was written by one of my favorite authors, but I have to admit that I felt like it could have been so much more than what it was. Set during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, this book follows the Andrews siblings as they try to survive in the middle-of-nowhere Utah after their father abandons them for California. Gentry, the eldest, feels the weight of her responsibilities keenly and finds herself having to choose between the one who holds her heart and the one who can offer her family a stable future. Read my full review here.

One Italian Summer

Author: Rebecca Serle

I wanted to like this book, but the main character was just so unlikeable for me. After her mother dies, Katy decides to follow through on the Italian vacation they had planned. When in Positano, Katy is somehow transported 30 years into the past to the summer her mother spent there. Katy does not waste the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with her younger mother, but she soon learns things about her mother that changes everything she though she knew about the woman she relied upon so heavily. Meanwhile, Katy has put her own marriage on hold, telling her husband before she left that she didn't know if she could stay married to him. In Positano, she meets another man and has a brief affair, barely pausing to remember that she's still married.

Educated

Author: Tara Westover

I should start this review by admitting that I rarely read memoirs. They're just really not my thing, but this one piqued my interest the very first time I saw it, and I do not regret reading it. It was incredibly different from anything I've read in recent years, except maybe Red Scarf Girl but only in that both are memoirs. Otherwise, there's really no comparison. This is the story of Tara Westover's path to educating herself despite the incredible obstacles she faced from her family. The time frame of this story was unbelievable to me -- it all happened during my lifetime! I can't even imagine growing up the way that she did.

The Language of Flowers

Author: Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I really enjoyed this book, even though it was tough and the main character was not all that likeable. Most of the book is told in a dual timeline: present day and ten years earlier. Given up as a baby, Victoria has spent her life bouncing from foster family to group home and finally emancipation. She has always been unwanted except for the fifteen months she spent with Elizabeth who had plans to adopt her. But when Elizabeth decides to move back to her childhood home to care for her ailing and estranged sister, Victoria does something terrible in a misguided attempt to keep it just the two of them, and she is taken away by the court. Now, ten years later, she is one step away from being homeless when she takes a part-time job as florist's assistant. This job opens up many doors for Victoria, including ones to reunification and forgiveness, but is she too broken by her past to go through them?

The Hope Legacy trilogy

Author: Adaline Winters

This is an interesting mythology retelling of Pandora's box featuring reincarnation and gods and goddesses from various belief systems. Pandora has been reincarnated as Natia, a badass warrior who protects mankind from monsters who has no memory of her past lives. When she's discovered by a group of gods trying to prevent the release of the 'final evil,' it looks as if history may repeat itself, except Natia is the soulmate of one of the original, ancient, primordial gods and has gathered around herself a fierce group of protectors determined to not only save the world but also Natia. It's a bit impossible for me to give you a more detailed summary than that without spoiling some of the best parts of the series. I will, however, give you a preview of some of the gods and goddesses you can expect: Eros, Themis, Zeus, Ares, Chronus, Erebus, Lucifer, Poseidon.

Heir Academy series (books 1-4)

Author: K.C. Kean

Addi is the fae heir to the kingdom of Floodborn. Her family was ousted when she was just a child after her mother betrayed them to the wolves. Now, the kingdom is in ruin and the council has created an academy to choose the next heir. Naturally, Addi enrolls, keeping her true identity a secret for as long as possible. I've read the first four books in this series, and I have the fifth one downloaded, but honestly haven't decided if I want to keep going. I was good with how things were going until the completely unnecessary twist thrown in at the end of book 4. I was already wanting the books to reach a conclusion, and then this development came out of left field with pretty much zero context, which increased my frustration. I'll be honest -- I've not finished a single series by this author, always due to reasons like this. I was hopeful this one would change that.

How to Buy A Planet

Author: D.A. Holdsworth

This was my book club pick for September, and it certainly doesn't fall into my usual genres. While this book won't make my end-of-the-year list for best books of 2025, I did enjoy it. I found it to be quirky and witty and filled with British humor. It also reminded me a lot of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which I read and watched (a lot) back in college. Here's the basic premise: after several financial crises back to back, the leaders of Earth have sold the planet to a group of aliens who, unbeknownst to them, plan to wreck the atmosphere in order to turn Earth into their newest vacation planet. A group of unlikely heroes - Toby, Paranoid Dave, Charlie, the professor, and Mrs. B - set out to stop that from happening. You can read my full summary and review here.

We Don't Talk About Carol

Author: Kristen L. Berry

We're ending this quick roundup with the best book I've read since the school year started. The twist!! I was not expecting it at all. I stayed up way too late reading this one, but it was worth it. While helping her mom and sister clean out her recently-passed grandmother's home, Sydney discovers a photograph hidden in the bottom of a drawer. Turns out, the little girl in the photo is of her Aunt Carol, who disappeared in 1965 but whom no one in her family has ever mentioned. Wanting to learn more about this mysterious relative, Sydney uncovers a series of unsolved disappearances -- all of young black girls in the '60s. Working with relatives of the missing, Sydney puts her investigative journalism skills to work to find out what happened to these six girls, but she never could have imagined what she would uncover.

Halloween Outfit Inspiration From My Own Closet

One of my favorite things about teaching is all the opportunities to dress up...and Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday to dress up for! As a middle school teacher, I'm stuck between the whimsy of younger kids and the seriousness of older kids, so sometimes finding the right balance can be tricky.

In years past, I've put together a Halloween-themed outfit shopping guide. This year, I decided to change things up and give you some inspiration from my own closet. I will confess that everything I'm sharing in this post is newer. After cleaning out my closet over the summer, I needed to replenish my Halloween dress-up supply. Everything is under $30.

Tulle Skirt - Let's start with the skirt that's been in my Amazon wish list for years: a orange-and-black, bat print, tulle skirt. I finally ordered it for myself this year, and I am so glad that I did. This is one of those quirky pieces that can mix-and-match with a ton of other things I already own. This brings my collection of tulle skirts up to six, and I don't regret a single one.

Dancing Skeleton Tee - This skeleton is so full of joy. I've already worn this shirt once (you can see that outfit here), and I plan on wearing it at least one more time this month...maybe with the skirt I just shared. The bats flying around the skeleton would be a nice tie-in with the skirt's bat print, I think. Or I might pair it with my solid black tulle skirt that I've had forever.

Skeleton Earrings - Speaking of skeletons, how cute are these earrings?! I wore them with the skeleton tee, of course, but I plan on wearing them a lot this month. There are several other styles to choose from.

Halloweentown Graphic Tee - This is one of my favorite Halloween movies, so I couldn't resist this tee when I saw it. I've got a few things in my closet that I can pair this shirt with, but I think it also would be great with the bat-print skirt.

Salem Sweatshirt - Visiting Salem, Massachusetts, is high on my bucket list. Books about witches have always been my favorite, and one my favorite ongoing series (The Coven saga by Chandelle LaVaun) is based there. This sweatshirt is cropped, which actually works well for my petite frame, and it comes in a few other colors and prints.

Spooky Season Tee - Would you believe I found this cute tee at Lowe's? I've already worn it, too. You can see that look here. Lowe's has a lot of cute Halloween and fall-themed graphic tees. You can see them all here.

Team Spirit Tee - I got this cute graphic tee from Old Navy back at the start of the school year. It's a more fitted t-shirt, and I can't wait to wear it.

Halloween Groovy Ghost Tee - I picked up this t-shirt from Rural King over the summer and have been patiently waiting to wear it. Just like Lowe's, Rural King also has a bunch of fall and Halloween-themed graphic tees. Check those out here.

Another TBR Update: 20 Books I've Recently Discovered

I just can't seem to stop myself from adding books to my TBR pile!

I know, I know. It hasn't been long at all since I shared my Fall Reading List of twenty books I'd like to read over the next few months, but if you think those are the only titles I've added to my list recently, you clearly don't know me very well.

I currently have 264 samples in my Kindle library and have borrowed 15 of the allowable 20 KU titles. My digital library holds are currently maxed out, and my wish list there is steadily growing.

It's not even that I'm always actively looking for new things to read. Every day I get emails about books and ads about books in my social feeds, and I just can't help myself. If it sounds interesting, I download a sample or add it to my wish list.

I think I've said it before, but it definitely bears repeating. Reading books and looking for books are two completely separate hobbies, and there is simply not enough time to read all the books in the world that are worth reading.

So here are 20 books I've recently discovered and added to my never-ending, always growing TBR list.

The First Witch of Boston

Author: Andrea Catalano

This is a historical fiction book based on the true story of the first woman to be found guilty of witchcraft in Massachusetts. Margaret Jones and her husband, Thomas, arrive in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1646 ready to start a new life, but Margaret's bold and unguarded nature soon draws unwanted attention in the strict and suspicious Puritan community.

Call of the Camino

Author: Suzanne Redfearn

Reina Watkins and Isabelle Vidal are each walking the ancient 500-mile Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. Reina is following in her late father's footsteps as she comes to terms with her past, while Isabelle is fleeing her boarding school in search of a promising new life.

Goodnight from Paris

Author: Jane Healey

This is another historical fiction book based on a true story. Y'all know I love these! Drue Leyton is an American film star living in Paris during World War II. When her husband is dispatched to Brittany, Drue accepts an opportunity with the French Resistance to broadcast radio programs to the U.S. in an attempt to rally America to action.

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

Author: Barbara O'Neal

Barbara O'Neal is one of my favorite authors, so I'm excited to read this one. Fresh from her divorce, Veronica Barrington accepts a position as travel companion to Mariah Ellsworth, whose Olympic career has just come to a halt due to injury. Grieving the death of her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, Mariah wants to trace the steps of her mother's final, unfinished project by following clues in Rachel's letters.

The Midnight Bookshop

Author: Amanda James

This book has really good reviews but a really brief blurb. I don't actually remember what made me add it to my TBR list -- probably an ad on one of my socials. Jo, Adelaide, and Kye are part of a midnight book club that shows them a single book can change everything.

American Sky

Author: Carolyn Dasher

During World War II, Georgeanne "George" Ector and Vivan Shaw take to the skies with the nearly-launched WASP program. But when the war ends, George and Vivian are expected to return to a traditional woman's life of marriage and children.

The Last Secret of Lily Adams

Author: Sara Blaydes

Seventy years after she disappeared from the Hollywood spotlight, Lily Adams has died, and her granddaughter, Carolyn, is sifting through the memorabilia of Lily's career. Carolyn finds a letter from her grandmother admitting a secret dealing with the murder of Lily's archrival, Stella Lane.

Summer of '69

Author: Elin Hilderbrand

The Levin siblings have spent every summer at their grandmother's historic Nantucket home, but in 1969, nothing is as expected. The oldest sister, Blaire, is stuck in Boston; middle sister, Kirby, is working at Martha's Vineyard while also participating in Civil Rights protests; only-son, Tiger, is deployed to Vietnam; and the youngest, 13-year-old Jessie, feels like an only child. Just like the Levin family, the nation is going through major changes.

One Dark Window

Author: Rachel Gillig

Elspeth sets out on a quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Her partner is none other than the king's nephew, Captain of the Destriers and guilty of high treason. The duo have until the Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards, but Elspeth is battling an internal Nightmare, a monster that is slowly taking over her mind.

The Phoenix Pencil Company

Author: Allison King

Monica Tsai's grandmother, Yun, survived two wars in China before moving to the United States. Now, her memory is fading, and Monica is determined to find Yun's long-lost cousin, Meng. During World War II, Yun and Meng worked for the Phoenix Pencil Company, where they learned of the special power women in their family possess: the ability to reforge a pencil's words. When the government learned their secret, they were forced into a life of espionage.

The Bookshop of Yesterdays

Author: Amy Meyerson

When her Uncle Billy dies, Miranda inherits his bookstore, Prospero Books. It's where she spent her childhood until she was 12, solving scavenger hunts her uncle designed just for her. Now, Miranda has returned home to Los Angeles and Prospero Books, determined to save the store and solve her uncle's final scavenger hunt.

The Art of Catching Feelings

Author: Alicia Thompson

Fresh off her divorce, Daphne heads to the baseball park where one too many beers results in her heckling one of the players until he cries. Horrified, Daphne reaches out to Chris on social media to apologize but forgets to identify herself as the heckler. Chris impulsively messages back, and the two start to develop a relationship...except Daphne still hasn't come clean about who she is.

The Winds from Further West

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Dr. Neil Anderson's life is going great. He's got a new job at the University of Edinburgh, and he's moved in with his girlfriend, Chrissie. Then he's accused of making insensitive comments and discovers a troubling secret about his relationship. So, he packs everything up and moves to the Isle of Mull off the coast of Scotland. Not long after Neil's arrival, two wolf cubs are brought to the island, stirring up controversy and leading Neil to the possibility of new beginnings.

Little Fires Everywhere

Author: Celeste Ng

When Mia and her teenage daughter, Pearl, move to Shaker Heights, Mia's mysterious past and disregard for the status quo threaten to upend the carefully ordered community. When one of the neighbors try to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle dramatically divides the town, leading Mia's landlord to obsessively try to uncover her secrets.

Assistant to the Villain

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

What's interesting about this one, to me, is the fact that it started as a TikTok series, so I'm interested to see what all the buzz is about. Evie Sage is desperate for a job to support her ailing family, so when Rennedawn's most infamous villain makes an offer, she accepts. Pretty soon, Evie's falling for her boss, and when it becomes clear someone is sabotaging his work, she sets out to get to the bottom of it.

Under the Neon Lights

Author: Arriel Vinson

The roller rink is Jae's escape from reality. Her best friend has been distant, and her estranged father has shown back up in her life. Then, she meets Trey, and the summer seems to be changing for the better...until she learns that the rink is shutting down.

Booked for Murder

Author: P.J. Nelson

Madeline Brimley's life on the stage hasn't turned out as successful as she dreamed, so when her aunt leaves Madeline her bookstore, she heads back home to Georgia to restart her life. When she gets there, she faces unexpected challenges. Someone burns down the gazebo in the back yard, and she's getting late-night calls from someone threatening to burn down the entire store if she doesn't leave immediately. Determined not to be intimidated, Madeline ignores the threats. Then there's another fire and someone is killed inside the store.

Something in the Walls

Author: Daisy Pearce

Mina is a child psychologist with no experience, so when a journalist approaches her with a proposition, she says yes. Alice is a 13-year-old girl who claims she's being haunted by a witch. The town she lives in has a history of superstition and witchcraft. Not only is Mina trying to uncover the truth of Alice's condition, she also wants to understand the town's sinister traditions.

Nightbitch

Author: Rachel Yoder

Two years after putting her career on hold to be a stay-at-home mom, a woman discovers she's no longer altogether human. Seeking a cure for her canine-like condition at the library, she discovers A Field Guide to Magical Women: A Mythical Ethnography. She also meets a group of marketing-scheme moms who may be more than they seem.

The Ex Hex

Author: Erin Sterling

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones put a curse on her horrible boyfriend. She wasn't worried it would do more than give Rhys a bad day or two, but then he returns home and faces one calamity after another. Suddenly, the town is under attack from toys, a ghost, and a talking cat, and Vivienne realizes her little curse wasn't as harmless as she thought.