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So my November reading count is WAY lower than last month. Like a third of the amount of books I read last month. Want to know why? Just read my last post and that’s why. I’m pouring my energy into other things (namely taking care of myself) and that means less downtime during the day and pure exhaustion by bedtime. I’m unable to keep my eyes open to even read a chapter. And that’s okay. Any reading at all brings me joy!
I’d characterize this as a pretty meh reading month. Lots of okay but not much “knock my socks off”. But there’s always next month and the month after that. Hooray for books, they never go away!
Moving on, here’s what I read for November. As always you can keep up with my real-time reading on Goodreads and Instagram.
The Alice Network // Kate Quinn
This was a solid four maybe 4 1/2 stars for me. At times I wanted it to be a five star read but it just wasn’t quite there. I loved loved loved the story of Eve even though parts of her story were so difficult to read. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the story of Charlie as much and I felt like it kind of detracted from the storyline. I have to admit that I did love Finn though, so I guess I was hot and cold when it came to Charlie’s story.
☆☆☆☆
What Remains of Me // Allison Gaylin
I just never fully got into this one. It seemed so disjointed and had wayyyyy too many coincidences. I really dislike it when an author tries too hard to add surprise twists.
☆☆
The Dry // Jane Harper
This book was really intriguing to me although honestly it dragged a bit. Maybe dragged isn’t the right word. A slow burn? No pun intended. The setting is as much a character as Aaron is and I was completely fascinated by it. I wasn’t FULLY engaged or engrossed but I found it highly enjoyable and suspenseful (and sad!) and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
☆☆☆☆
What to Say Next // Julie Buxbaum
I LOVE Julie Buxbaum. Tell Me Three Things was one of my favorite YA reads of 2017. I suspected I’d adore this one too, and my suspicion was correct. This story was quirky and big-hearted and sweet. I felt so much empathy for both main characters and I loved learning more about them. I also adore the fact that the “mean kids” didn’t win in the end.
☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore // Matthew Sullivan
Okay, warning. This one is a little jarring. I don’t know what I expected from the cover. A bookish mystery? Nope. The bookstore actually plays a very small role in this story. What DOES happen? I don’t want to give it away but let’s just say it starts with a suicide. And contains a scene so gruesome that I literally had trouble sleeping after reading it. And I still think about that scene every night before I go to sleep. This book was pretty dark. But I was completely sucked into Lydia’s dark world. I thought at time the characters weren’t quite developed…I can always tell this is the case when I can’t “picture” them, if that makes sense. Also, I got really annoyed at the author’s overuse of the word “comrades”.
solid ☆☆☆☆
December Book Selections
❃ Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – I didn’t order this one because I own it on Audible but GO ORDER IT NOW. NOW. Don’t spend any time waffling, just choose this one. It’s been in my heart every single day since I read it. It was a 5 star book for me, if you’d like to see my review click HERE
❃ The English Wife by Lauren Willig – this one is on the way to me
❃ The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen – this one is on the way to me
❃ The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Deals:
Gift a subscription to Book of the Month and get a free book for yourself
Small Admissions // The Forgetting Time // The Women in the Castle // The Atlas of Forgotten Places // The Reason You’re Alive
Now tell ME- what did you read in November and do you recommend anything? My TBR pile would be nothing without y’all!
Happy Friday-
xoxo
S
I am just about to finish The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan and I love it so much I want to crawl inside it. You know, metaphorically. Ha. It’s mainly about a bookish young woman getting brave enough to make big changes in her life, with a couple of hunky guys mixed in. I think you would like it.
The Forgetting Time is so so good! I still think about it and I read it months ago.
I finished in November-
Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig so so good. I felt so sorry for little Ginny
The Clancy’s of Queens by Tara Clancy so funny, a great memoir
Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand fun, palate cleanser
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy Willow has my heart!
Small Great Things typical Jodi Picoult, I had so many high hopes for it then the ending was way too tidy and unrealistic.
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny Inspector Gamache is at it again
The Black Book by James Patterson a fluffy read, I figured it out but a fun read
The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Warnier heartbreaking
It didn’t seem like I read a lot in November but I guess that I did!
I just finished Origin by Dan Brown. I’m a big fan of his books although this one didn’t suck me in like the others. Still worth a read.
I feel the same about Elinore Oliphant!! Haven’t stopped thinking about since I finished listening. Probably my favorite of this year. Just finished The girl with all the gifts – And I’m in the middle of My Grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry. So sweet!