Monthly Wrap-Up – October 2025
On the surface, I didn’t have as productive a reading month as September. However, as today’s monthly wrap-up post has shown me, it’s still been decent. I wouldn’t have said that before this post. Honestly, I’d forgotten about some earlier progress in the month. After a bit of a lull and a push to meet some deadlines at the last minute, I’d have said it wasn’t the best.
That said, I’ve actually picked up a few books! Granted, I didn’t get to EVERYTHING on my list. But, frankly, how often does that happen?!
Let’s recap what I did read and make progress with in today’s monthly wrap-up for October!
Books Read
Among the Burning Flowers
As of the beginning of October, I was 40% of the way through the audiobook Among the Burning Flowers.
To be fair, I made good progress with this audio, finishing it mid-month. It helps that I was motivated to continue this series whilst it was fresh in my mind. I’ve read all three of the books in this series in the last 12 months. It’s a completely different experience from my usual habit of waiting 2/3 years before returning to an ongoing series. Hazard of the ‘job’ when I have so many on the go, I suppose 😅
It’s been a refreshing change keeping up, and I’ve loved the stories and wider world of the books. It really appeals to my fantasy-loving, feminist heart!
HR Disrupted
In last month’s monthly wrap-up, I confided that I’d only just started HR Disrupted. I think my worlds were, “it’s barely worth a mention, but…”.
Needless to say, most of my progress fell in the month of October, and this was an interesting read. Would I like to see some of the changes to HR practices suggested in this book? Absolutely. Who likes appraisals as they are? If anyone puts their hand up, I’m calling you a liar!
Shield of Mercia
An early book I needed to prioritise on my October Monthly TBR was Shield of Mercia. As of my last monthly wrap-up post, I’d made a cursory start and read the first 13%.
With my review of the book due on 4th October, I had to get my skates on. Even still, it was a close thing! I was sat up pretty late drafting my post after finishing the book the night before. It’s definitely a key contributor to my overall feelings of not having it together this month. It’s not the only example where I’ve had to rush either. If I had to pick one word to describe October in this monthly wrap-up, it would be ‘oversubscribed’.
Despite the circumstances, I genuinely enjoyed this latest instalment of M. J. Porter’s Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. I’m not going to rehash my thoughts here. Instead, if you want to find out more about this action-filled historical adventure, here’s a link to my full review!
Woden’s Storm
My repeat performance of rushing a read for a blog tour happened again on the 22nd of the month. I blitzed reading Woden’s Storm between the 19th and 22nd October, with another late (but not AS late) night getting everything ready for that obligation.
This is no reflection on the book. Again, I really enjoyed this second book in Donovan Cook’s The First Kingdom historical adventure. By this point, I’d had a bit of a slump in reading and I was firefighting to keep up.
Again, if you want to see more on this book, here’s a link to my review.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
Last month, I was well ahead reading A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison. It’s where I wanted to be, and I’d sorted out my library loan to be able to start this early.
Alas, it didn’t happen. On the contrary, I had to extend my library loan on the last day before it was due back. I’d tried to read the last half of the book in one sitting, to no avail.
Technically at the end of the month I had around 100 pages left. However, I finished it on the 1st November. I’ll include in this monthly wrap-up post as it’s not worth mention in my November reading stats given the timing.
It can also make me feel better about reading progress last month, right?!
The Shadow of What Was Lost
Finally, the last book to feature in my October monthly wrap-up is my audiobook listen of The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington. I started this audiobook after finishing Among the Burning Flowers.
Progress has been slow but steady. I’m enjoying the book and the world, magic and setting that’s unfurling. As of this monthly wrap-up post, I’m about 30% or eight hours into the audio. It’s a long one! Needless to say, this will be carried forward and be my majority listen throughout November too.
Summary
In the end, progress was better than I expected. Even if there were some last minute reads to meet deadlines, progress was good overall.
As of this monthly wrap-up, I’m also in a healthy place with my Goodreads reading challenge. I’m currently set to finish the challenge about a month early. That’s if I keep up current reading progress.
I wished for that last month and didn’t quite deliver. However, I have a new release in the post coming that I’m excited to pick up, and generally less in terms of obligations. With more time for ‘fun’ reading next month, I’m optimistic for some good news!
Thanks for reading today’s monthly wrap-up post.
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