The best authors are those who read extensively. Here is what I’ve been reading lately.

If you're interested in learning more about the non-fiction books I've read and the insights gained from them, be sure to listen to the Two Booked Up podcast.

September was a full month with many celebrations, including my birthday, wedding anniversary, music concerts, and high school graduation events.

Additionally, I completed the structural and first round of copy edits for the next Single In Sydney book, No More Simon Says. I also published a new short story, Murder In Our Midst, which is available as an ebook on Amazon.

That’s to say, I feel like I read less this month than any other month in 2024, but I still read some great books!

Fiction Reads

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

This was a lovely young adult rom-com read. In February, I’d listened to one of Lynn’s stories with my son, and when I saw the premise for The Do-Over, I thought it would be fun. And it was! High school junior Emilie Hornby experiences a time loop where she keeps reliving Valentine's Day, witnessing her boyfriend's infidelity and encountering an enigmatic person named Nick in unfortunate ways. This was a very enjoyable escapist read with laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of teen drama and romance (but nothing beyond a kiss or two). I’m now adding Lynn Painter’s popular book, Better Than The Movies, to my to-be-read list!

In Our Likeness by Bryan VanDyke

It's not the style of book I would typically read; nevertheless, I couldn’t put this one down. The wonders and chaos of AI converge in a powerful and thrilling novel about rewriting history, identity, love, and what it means to be human. The story follows Graham, a tech start-up leader, who uses a powerful algorithm that was designed to detect lies on the internet to make changes in the real world, including altering his coworker Nessie's life after making a small edit to her online profile. And it progresses from there!

When We Were Friends: A Short Story by Jane Green

I read another short story because I’ve been working on my own and thought it would be good to read similar works. The story revolves around Lucy, a recent divorcee who forms a close friendship with Elle. However, as she introduces Elle to her friends, she starts to see a different side of her. Lucy begins questioning Elle's true identity and wonders if their friendship can endure closer scrutiny—a quick read at less than 40 minutes.

Non-Fiction Reads

Island Home: A Landscape Memoir by Tim Winton

I was looking for something engaging but not fiction. Island Home delivered. Tim Winton's deep connection with the natural world has shaped his perception of landscape as a living entity. Through sharing personal experiences and environmental history, Tim Winton vividly portrays the impact of this landscape on the nation's identity and art. It is a fascinating, enjoyable read.

Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship by Dolly Alderton

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, read by the author, which made it extra enjoyable. Starting in 2020, Dolly writes and responds to reader questions in her Dear Dolly agony aunt column in The Sunday Times Style weekly magazine. The questions range from relatable to the occasionally bizarre. Without judgment and with deep empathy informed by her own, much-chronicled adventures in love, friendship, and dating, we are led through the various labyrinths of life, proving that a problem shared is indeed a problem halved. I enjoyed this book much more than 4 AM, which I read earlier this year in a similar style.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Francesca Cavallo & Elena Favilli

I wanted some inspiration, and having enjoyed the first edition, I chose to listen to this fully crowd-sourced edition. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 showcases 100 brand-new bedtime stories of incredible women throughout history and around the world. Each one is inspiring, and listening to these stories in bite-size format was just what I needed.

What have you been reading lately? Do you have a recommendation for a book you read and loved?

*Please note that while I enjoy supporting local bookstores and libraries, I also recognise and appreciate the convenience of purchasing books online. This post includes affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase using one of these links.