The weather is taking a turn (and threatening a full-blown hurricane if you’re on the East Coast), but there’s no shortage of books offering up the same dose of comfort as a warm blanket or bowl of hot soup. These juicy plotlines will have you happily holed up inside. From novels about 20-somethings trying to make it — boy drama and dead-end jobs be damned — to a new twist on a classic fairytale, there’s plenty to get lost in this fall.
1. Bliss by Shay Mitchell and Michaela Blaney ($18): Yep, you read that right. Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell is coming out with her own novel, and it’s as juicy as her hit show. Written with her best friend, vlogger Michaela Blaney, the book is about three girls in their early 20s trying to conquer Hollywood life while also dealing with terrible jobs, friend drama and guys. (out October 6)
2. Popular by Lauren Urasek ($9): As the most popular girl on OKCupid — literally — author Lauren Urasek has been on more than her fair share of bad dates. In her debut memoir, she dishes all the dirt about dating in New York City. Not only will you be recounting these tales to your friends, but you’ll also score some tips on how to spice up your own online dating profile. (out October 6)
3. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell ($11): Eleanor and Park and Fangirl author Rainbow Rowell is back with a new YA novel. Part fantasy, part romance, it’s about Simon Snow (Fangirl readers will already know him) who is really just your typical teenage boy, except he has been “chosen” to fight a battle he seems ill-suited for. It will make you think about the roles others may have assigned you, and what it means to rebel against those expectations. (out October 6)
4. M Train by Patti Smith ($14): If you’ve ever wished you could hole up with Patti Smith in a little Greenwich Village cafe and listen to her ruminate about life, this is your chance. These essays are straight from her journal and take readers all around the world, from Mexico to Berlin. She shares her experiences, what inspires her and stories about some of the people she loves most. (out October 6)
5. Weird Girl and What’s His Name by Meagan Brothers ($13): This new LGBT YA novel is as gripping as it is heartfelt. It’s about Lula and her best guy friend, Rory, who’s gay. They’re as close as can be until Lula discovers a string of secrets that not only have her at odds with Rory, but also has her questioning her own sexual identity. (out October 13)
6. Copygirl by Anna Mitchael and Michelle Sassa ($11): Imagine a Mad Men-esque advertising agency, only run by women and set in present times. That’s pretty much the premise of Copygirl, a salacious novel best read with a cocktail by your side. It’s about a woman who wants to make it in the ad biz, but she’s tested to see just how far she’s willing to go to get there. (out October 6)
7. The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max White Stone ($15): It’s a little funny how one decision can literally change everything. Dahlia Moss is living in St. Louis and dead broke until she takes an interesting-sounding job. Suddenly, she’s in the middle of a murder case. This thriller will keep you guessing and giggling until the very end. (out October 20)
8. You Blew It! by Josh Gondelman and Joe Berkowitz ($11): Comedian Josh Gondelman offers up his commentary on everything from passive-aggressive roommate notes to texting faux pas in the same hilarious way that made his “Modern Seinfeld” Twitter account go viral. You’ll 100 percent be able to relate to this dissection of modern culture. (out October 6)
9. The Pleasure of Reading by Antonia Fraser ($14): In this anthology, over 40 celebrated writers put into words exactly what it is about reading that they love so much. With essays by Margaret Atwood, Tom Stoppard, Sue Townsend and many, many more, you’ll feel a kinship with these seriously talented writers. (out October 20)
10. See Me by Nicholas Sparks ($16): Blockbuster-author Nicholas Sparks is at it again, making us cry with his new novel, See Me. This love story brings together Maria, a second-generation Mexican who, despite the odds, graduates from Duke Law School and has a successful career as a lawyer. Maria falls for Colin, a guy with a rough past who isn’t exactly looking for a relationship. (out October 13)
11. Binge by Tyler Oakley ($13): YouTube sensation Tyler Oakley gets more honest than ever before in his memoir, Binge. The title doesn’t just refer from the act of binging all his thoughts; Oakley reveals his struggles with an eating disorder, something he has kept hidden for a long time. Luckily, he’s in a much better place now, but he hasn’t forgotten his past and he’s sharing his experiences as a way to help others. (out October 20)
12. After Alice by Gregory McGuire ($15): 150 years after Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland comes a new twist on the classic story. Gregory McGuire wrote Wicked, so you know this one’s going to be good. In After Alice, readers discover the world Alice left behind when she went tumbling down the rabbit hole. Hooked yet? (out October 27)
What’s on your October reading list? Tell us in the comments.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.