November went fast! I read some good books, as usual a mix of genres: non-fiction, literary fiction, even a fun romance!
Here’s what I read this past month. If you’re looking for some good books to read, I think you’ll find some inspiration here.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. I heard about this book on several podcasts, and it’s about how and why women experience burnout. In a year that’s been particularly stressful, this was high on my list to read. It was fascinating and eye-opening, and I loved the writing style. Also–I listened on audio, and the way they said “ugh,” every time they mentioned the patriarchy made me laugh out loud. I recommend this to any woman who has experienced stress or burnout… so, all women. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang. I’m not one for a lot of magical realism typically, but in this book it is done so well; nothing was over-the-top, but magic still pulsed quietly in the background. It reminded me of the book Peace Like a River, but more upbeat. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore. Sometimes you just need something fun, and during election week this year, this book was the best medicine. It’s a historical romance that’s nothing like I pictured a historical romance to be–it was funny, smart, and completely engrossing. If you haven’t read much romance but are thinking about giving it a try, this would be a great pick. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
When We Were Worthy by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen. This is about a tragedy in a small town: three cheerleaders die in a car crash, and the boy in the other car survived and is thought to be at fault. Told through the eyes of the mother of one of the cheerleaders, the mother of the boy who survived, the friend who was supposed to be in the car but wasn’t, and a substitute teacher at the school they all attend, it is the story of tragedy, relationships, secrets, and forgiveness. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
American Royals by Katharine McGee. What if George Washington had become our King instead of our President, and America had a royal family? That premise drew me right in. The story of Princess Beatrice, next in line for the throne, and her twin brother and sister grabbed me from the start and I loved reading this. My one gripe is that nothing is resolved in this book, so you have to read the next (Majesty) to find out what happens. I don’t need my endings wrapped up in a bow, but it’s annoying when you have to read a sequel to get resolution. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink. Written by a doctor and investigative reporter, Five Days at Memorial is the story of what happened at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It was a fascinating and heartbreaking look at how unprepared the hospital was for this level of destruction, and the choices that some doctors and nurses made me think hard about what it means to do the right thing in an impossible situation. The first half to three-quarters solidly held my attention, but my eyes glazed over a bit in the last part which was a deep dive into medical ethics. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. I read this for the December book club for Bliss Books & Wine. This was a suspense novel that I found both infuriating and hard to put down. The main character made unbelievably terrible choices and I wanted to throw the book across the room multiple times. That did make for a fun book club discussion though. My rating: 3/5 stars.
Have you read anything good lately?
Linking with Show Us Your Books.
