Ash | Book Recommender! 📔

📆 BEST READS OF OCTOBER

A slightly slower reading month for me but quality definitely made up for quantity with FOUR standout 5 ⭐️ reads!

October was a fun mix of kindly gifted sneak peeks, independent authors, books ticking off my 26 in 2026 challenge and some fantastic library reads.

And in absolutely no surprise to anyone who knows my reading taste… crime took out most of the top spots 🔪😂

A few series favourites made the list too and there’s honestly nothing better than finding a series that just keeps getting better with every book. More please!

Now with a week off work, I’m hoping to kick November off with a bang and squeeze in a few more reads before the end of year chaos begins. 🤞🏼

My fave books for October were:
• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (the most heartwarming, beautiful book I’ve read this year. I’m still thinking about Theo!)
• The Cross by Ronni Salt (a brilliant follow up to Gunnawah packed with gritty Aussie crime in the ‘70’s - out late November!)
• We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman (honestly this man could write about watching paint fry and I’d probably give it 5 stars. Love his books!)
• The Switch by PA Thomas (a brilliant final installment in this coastal crime series - out in December)
• Black Lies by Mercedes Mercier (the twisty crime thrills continue in this great psychological series)
• Whistler by Ann Patchett (a heartfelt reflective story that completely won me over)
• Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin (a gripping crime story that was brought to life on audio)
• The Swindle by Stuart McLean (a dazzling independent debut that had me invested in running, swindling and mateship)