Monthly Reads: October 2025

How fitting that the scariest month of the year happens to be the first month I recommend some books! My taste in reading is most definitely scary, but probably not in the way you're thinking. Here are three reads I think you should check out this month!

1. When McKinsey Comes to Town

Now you might be thinking, "What is so scary about the world's largest consulting firm? Sounds boring!" but you would be surprised what real horrors lurk behind McKinsey's bottomless budget and staffing. From the opioid crisis, to the offshoring or jobs, to the importing of garbage products made by slave labor, McKinsey has played an essential role in the deregulation of the US and had their finger in just about every pie, including one you more than likely have taken a bite out of at some point. By the end of this book, you'll be wondering how this country is so obsessed with immigrants and trans people when the real criminals are fused to every corporation and regulatory body like a relentless tumor on a lab rat. As scary as it sounds, ignorance is not always bliss. When it comes to bodies like the FDA, regulators we blindly turn to and follow for their expertise, knowing what consultants are telling who what exactly will only serve to increase your awareness and critical thought. Consultants are usually evil. Find out about it by getting the book here!

2. The Sociopath Next Door

Have you ever met someone who seemed completely void of any kind of fear, empathy, or generally speaking, emotions? If you haven't met one in person, if you've watched CSPAN or the news in any capacity since birth, you've seen one through the screen. Sometimes I think the word "sociopath" gets thrown around very casually, which dilutes the weight of its meaning when applied to an actual sociopath. So how does one preserve the meaning of the word (and preserve one's self)? Knowing how to identify a sociopath, and quickly. The Sociopath Next Door is one of the most interesting non-fictions I've read, primarily because the psychology of world leaders, celebrities, and influencer personalities is very intriguing to me. Seeing their origin stories and, thanks to this book, being able to pinpoint what actions they took when point to them being a sociopath, is a genuine skill that applies to our society now more than ever. I love thinking about how others think, and similar to my #1 book recommendation this month, seeing what lies beneath the surface is key to survival. Is your neighbor a sociopath? Find out here!

3. Suddenly, a Knock on the Door

The name is more spooky than the contents, but I thought it was fitting regardless. When I first heard a short story out of this collection, I was genuinely enthralled and inspired. I'm no writer of short stories or long ones, but the way Keret's mind somehow told a narrative that was so believable, so random, and so relatable, made me feel like I had to read the rest of the stories in this book and then go write one myself. One story is about mistaken identity, the other about a zipper in one's mouth, some about dreams, and so on and so forth, all of which were the perfect length and the perfect amount of detail to get you teary eyed or laughing by the end. If I am not reading non-fiction, I think short stories are my favorite reads. Toilet time books are unbeatable, and short stories are made for the toilet. When they evoke real emotion like this book, I now think crying in the bathroom is a sensation everyone should experience at some point or another, especially if it's not for your own life, and even more so if they are tears of joy or laughter. I've purchases and given out 2 copies of this book, in addition to my own, so I truly stand behind my love for it. It's hard to get into the content of a bunch of short stories without giving it all away, so I'll just say "trust me" and share a link for you to find out for yourself here.

I have to say, after compiling this short list, I feel like a true academic. Just kidding. But I do enjoy recalling my time reading each of these, and reminding myself of the content I so rarely get to share with people. If you end up reading any of these, send me a message with your thoughts - I genuinely would love to hear them!

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