The X President

 Book 97 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 28 - 30

The X President

by Philip Baruth

published 2003

4 stars

When I saw this at an used book sale I had to get it.  An elusive 'X' title for my A-Z challenge and the summary actually sounded decent - win win!

I had hesitations as I started to read it.  First, it was written in 2003; what would be considered "satirical" and "shocking" back then and would it just make me sadder about our current political climate?  Second, it referenced thinly veiled actual people (including the former president "BC") and I was worried it would be outdated or too preachy depending on the author's leanings.

So I was a little unsettled as I started reading but fortunately, my concerns were not validated and it was a good read.  Basing characters on somewhat familiar figures actually helped give some grounding and backstory and aided the book in an unexpected way.  And the plot was outlandish even by today's standards (although maybe not from a technological standpoint) so it was interesting as long as you don't overthink it.

I did think the end before the wrap-up (the parts in the house) went off the rails a little but the ending itself was nice.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 97th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'X' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

- A book I purchased in 2026 (my goal is to read any books I buy within 6 months of purchasing them)

- A book I own that is leaving my house for a new reader to find (my goal is to declutter and make progress on whittling down my shelves/boxes of books in my house)

Zen Dogs

 Book 96 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read on October 29

Zen Dogs

by Alex Cearns

3 stars

Books like these are why I'm thankful for libraries.  It was a cute 10 minutes of looking at pictures but not something I'd pay money for.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 96th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'Z' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

My Grandfather, the Master Detective

 Book 95 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 25 - 28

My Grandfather, the Master Detective

by Masateru Konishi

published 2023 (translation 2025)

3 stars

This novel is an okay way to pass some time.  It kept my interest without generating a lot of excitement.  It took me a minute to settle in because I didn't realize how much fantasy would play into it but once I knew the "rules" of the book, I was able to stay grounded.

I almost went down to 2 stars out of frustration in her keeping secrets but it ended fine so I decided to do a low 3.  I do wish there wasn't a love triangle aspect and that it had been resolved differently since there was.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 95th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

The Royal Insider

 Book 94 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 22 - 26

The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen,

the King and Princess Diana

by Paul Burrell

published 2025

3 stars

First of all, I'm not British so I'm not familiar at all with the day-to-day tabloids, tv appearances, etc. meaning my knowledge of Paul Burrell is pretty slim. He seems to want to be/remain famous just based on my opinions of those who go on reality tv shows, as well as one of his main gripes about The Crown being that there wasn't a character representing him. 

I felt a little icky reading this because it felt like telling tales out of school but admittedly, I was also very curious. He definitely spills tea and names names but I'll take the advice that he says the Queen gave him and read it with a grain of salt.

 

Without any other information about the veracity of his words, I'll go off the writing of the book itself.  He cuts no slack for those he doesn't like (Prince Harry in particular) and seems to have a bit of a 'hero' complex for himself.  It's hard to believe he was involved in so many pivotal moments (such as saying he chose the 'revenge dress') but never had anything negative to say about himself or his interactions.  It comes off a bit pompous, like when someone says their biggest flaw is "working too hard" in a job interview.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 94th book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

A Rage to Kill

 Book 93 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 16 - 24

A Rage to Kill 

and Other True Cases

by Ann Rule

4 stars

Before true crime podcasts and social media sleuths, there was Ann Rule.  I loved reading her books in middle/high school so when I saw this at a used book sale I had to grab it.  

Although the criminals would've been caught much easier through today's technology, the crimes themselves didn't feel dated.  Rage is timeless.

It also has been long enough since this book was printed that some of the projected parole dates have passed.  Looking everyone up to see if they'd died/been paroled/reoffended/etc. sent me down a different rabbit hole.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 93rd book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- A book I purchased in 2026 (my goal is to read any books I buy within 6 months of purchasing them)

The Astral Library

 Book 92 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 12 - 22

The Astral Library

by Kate Quinn

published 2026

2 stars

Great idea, disappointing execution.  It felt like too many books (haha, apt for a book about books) in one.  I think either the concept of discovering the Astral Library with less of a conflict or someone already established in the library experiencing the big conflict would've flowed better.  By doing both, it felt rushed and there wasn't time to breathe during reveals.  My choice would've been the first; I loved the traveling between books and all the different Patrons.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 92nd book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)

- Title starting with 'A' (I'm doing an A-Z title challenge)

Pageboy

 Book 91 of my 2026 Reading Challenge

read from October 12 - 15

Pageboy

by Elliot Page

published 2023

3 stars

It was an interesting perspective to read so much of the turmoil of fighting against feelings of sexuality and gender without much about life after transition.  It could be because it's still somewhat new or it could be because he wants to keep the more recent aspects of his life private but the result is lots of sadness without seeing the rainbow at the end (to use a cliche).  We're not owed anything as readers but I am glad he's famous so I know he is continuing to find success and can be less worried about his current well-being than I would've been based on the book alone.

When reading, some sentences trailed off like I think they would've if he'd been speaking, like when people end their sentences with a question mark.  I hope he's found more confidence in his voice.

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Ways This Book Met my 2026 Reading Goals:

- 91st book read in 2026 (my goal is 100)