October was a month of much excitement; filled with stress over midterms and finding the perfect Halloweekend costumes. I found myself in a load of new experiences, while equally finding a quiet peace through my more typical daily routine. I attended four concerts, read two books, spent three nights out in corsets, tutus, and glittery makeup, and found that October had quickly turned into a favorite month of mine.
That being said, I wanted a fun and exciting way to share the things that made these past weeks so special. With that, this is my October monthly R.E.P.O.R.T!
Reading: After many months of almost strictly reading plays, I was grateful to find I finally had the time to pick up a novel again. The first book I read was Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.
I became interested in reading a Jodi Picoult story after coming across her TikTok page. I quickly became fascinated with the sheer number of books she has published (30) and the incredibly interesting research she puts into each one. Mad Honey had been described as having intense and heartbreaking plot twists, and did not disappoint.
Mad Honey follows Olivia, a beekeeper and single mother of 18year old Asher. When Asher’s girlfriend, Lily, winds up dead at the bottom of her stairs, Asher is blamed for her death and arrested. We are told the story through the perspective of both Olivia and Lily, with the order of stories told in varying moments of their lives.
I’d rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, and would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a quick, but exciting read sure to keep you at the edge of your seat.
The second book I read was the very lovely, yet gruesome, The Lamb by Lucy Rose. I had previously bought this book as a recommendation for my mom, which she then poured over and completed in a single day. She kept raving about the story to me, and insisted I too had to read it. I take my mom’s book recommendations very seriously, and was more than excited to dive into it.
The Lamb follows 11 year old Margot and her mother, and the odd diet they live off of — that is, a diet consisting of humans, or “strays,” as they call them. Margot has never known a life other than that of her mother’s coddled care and intense appetite for other people.
This was one of my favorite books I’ve read all year, and receives a sure 5 out of 5 stars. The language is gory and gruesome but equally captivating and beautiful. Reading such a horrific story through the eyes of such a young girl makes for such an interesting POV, and I could not get enough of it.
Eating: One of my highlights of October was Parent’s Weekend, and I took full advantage of my dad being in town. We ate out almost every meal, and devoured some delicious foods. We had a beautiful sushi dinner at Pearl Street’s Japango (if you’re also as sushi obsessed as I am, this is a must to check out!), and I ate some of the best east-coast oysters at Pearl Street’s Steakhouse 316. We ended my dad’s trip with a full New Orleans-style brunch at the most adorable restaurant — Lucilles.
Playing: This past month, my best friend and I decided we wanted to pick up a sport. Tennis felt like the most obvious choice as we both have many people in our lives who are very good tennis players. We wanted a chance to learn something new and get outside more, all with the added benefit of being able to play with our family and friends! I had previously only played a few times as a kid, but found so much joy in picking it back up again.
Obsessing: If you’ve been around me at all while getting ready in the month of October, chances are I was playing The Beatles. This band has been a forever favorite of mine, since I was in eighth grade, and the obsession has recently found its way back to me. I’m the type of girl who goes through phases with my music, where every few months I’ll be consumed by a specific artist or album (some of my past monthly obsessions included Gracie Abram’s The Secret Of Us, Joan Baez’s entire discography, and The Smith’s). October became the month of The Beatles. Every shower, dorm-cleaning, and get ready time was accompanied by the sweet sound of John, Paul, Ringo, and George. Some of my favorite’s by them include: “For No One,” “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” and “Girl.”
Recommending: Lately, I’ve found myself re-watching one of my favorite shows, Gossip Girl, and just falling in love with it all over again. Specifically, I find the first season to be just genuine perfection. Usually, the first few seasons of a show as long as one like Gossip Girl can be a pain to get through, but this show proves that trend wrong. It has the perfect mix of NYC aesthetics, juicy romance, and cozy family drama.
I am such a sucker for Serena and Dan’s early love story and the juiciness of Blair and Chuck fighting their own feelings, and love watching the early stages of their stories. Not a night of October went by without at least an episode, or two re-watched. I will always recommend this show, and if you’ve already watched it, I guarantee the second watch will be even better!
Treating: In the whirlwind that was this month, I found self-care to be of utmost importance. When possible, I treated myself to quiet nights filled by lit candles, reading, and soft instrumental background music. When my eyes were too heavy for reading, and I truly needed to turn my brain off, I continued my nightly binge-watch of Gossip Girl or poured over The Dropout with my best friend. Sometimes all it really took to de-stress was a quiet step away from homework, setting the perfect fall vibes, and having a TV show with your best friend to chat over.
October was a month of fun nights out, as well as many cozy nights in, giving it the perfect balance. I tried my best to prioritize myself, and self-care during such a hectic month, and feel I succeeded in the best ways I could. These simple favorites of mine throughout the month were definitely a big help in that, and I can’t recommend them enough!