Good Morning Reader,

We are back from Sonoma and about to get hit with the remnants of Florida's tropical storm, Helene. I thought we escaped having to move all of our patio furniture inside from Florida. I'm triggered. We are most concerned about our mountain trees and losing power.

I'll try to share more of our Sonoma trip soon, but first: I cannot believe it is time for a new bingo card.

Fall Uncorked Bingo

Our next Uncorked Bingo card is for October through December; download cards from this email, head over to our Facebook group's pinned/featured posts, or use this shared Canva template (1000px x 1500px).

Find the full Uncorked Reading Challenge here. The best way to enjoy this reading challenge is by being a member of our Facebook group, Uncorked Readers.

While we are no longer posting "share threads" in the group per theme or individual book review cards (only a handful of people used them), please feel free to post what you are reading to the group wall at any time.

Reading Lists & Theme Explanations For This Challenge

October through December topics include:

• Coffee - We've done wine and beer; now, it's time for coffee! Read a book with coffee on the cover, about coffee, or with a character who loves coffee.
• Outer Space - Travel to outer space with this reading challenge theme. Get started with our extraterrestrial reading list.
• Serial Killers or Con Artists - Read fiction and nonfiction books about serial killers. However, if you find that topic triggering or it's just not for you, select a book about a con artist. I am a bit shocked that Dancing with the Stars hosted Anna Delvey.
• Historical Fiction - Travel back in time with these books. The sub-genres and topics are truly endless here. We have a popular list with women in historical fiction and this WWII historical fiction book list.
• Weather Event/Natural Disaster - Whether through fiction or nonfiction, read about a weather event such as a tropical cyclone, tornado, flood, freeze, or heat wave. Or, read a book about a natural disaster including an earthquake, wildfire, tsunami, or landslide.
• New England - From Connecticut and Massachusetts to New Hampshire and Maine, travel to New England (in America/United States). To get you started, head over to our 50 States book list or our MA-based reading list. Or, read more about the Salem Witches.
• Diaspora - Diaspora is defined as a group of people who have been dispersed across the globe from their homeland. Read diasporic authors and books for this theme.
• Favorite Holiday/Season - Celebrate your favorite holiday or season across the globe. While we don't have much on the site for any holiday yet, Tori did write this adult Christmas book list.

Bonus Fall Card

By request, we also have a fun bonus bingo card. In Uncorked Readers, "candy corn" is a hit theme - and someone pointed out that while this can be candy corn on the cover, it may also be a book that everyone loves but you think you will hate or vice versa.

Get Buzzed With These Current Reads

Disclosure: You may find affiliate links to products I love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I loved Kevin Kwan's newest, Lies and Weddings. Although the sequel to Sex & Vanity, you don't need to read the first to follow the second. Readers head to Hawaii and around the world for another ritzy wedding and parents meddling with their children's love lives. Enjoy Kwan's signature dry humor and extravagant foot notes. The page length on this one worried me, but I never grew bored. You'll cheer for Eden Tong too.

It hurts me to write this, but I DNF'd (did not finish) The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. A favorite author of mine - I loved One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue - I literally couldn't stand the immaturity and repetitive horniness of Kit and Theo. This foodie book started strong with a great European tour that made me both pretty darn hungry and thirsty. It's quite atmospheric. However, at some point, it just went absolutely nowhere. I tried three times to pick it back up, wanting to love it.

I was all in for Ruth Ware's One Perfect Couple. This had total Reckless Girls vibes. Nico and Lyla head to a remote Indonesian island for a couples' reality TV show. The first challenge and an overnight storm change everything, and soon, contestants start dying. Thrilling, fun, and a bit horrifying, I didn't want to put it down. I also appreciate women supporting women versus always competing. (The new season of Emily in Paris makes me SO mad for this... among other things.)

Even though I'm in a massive reading slump - I cannot even focus on a book a week lately - I am enjoying The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella. It has minor Empire Falls and Marrying The Ketchups feels, if I'm remembering those correctly. I love books about the restaurant industry and relationships. Jack is such a sweet guy as he navigates the drama around his employees and own love life - or lack thereof. It's also set around Thanksgiving, if you want a holiday book.

Upcoming

From my personal ulcerative colitis health (what a roller coaster) to Google and AI literally obliterating websites and businesses like mine, it's been a tough year.

I will be hosting a 2025 Uncorked Reading Challenge - and asking for recs soon.