For me, November was filled with Christmas shopping, kid birthday parties, time with family, and of course, reading. As is the (unintentional) theme for this year, I read a lot of fiction last month. I managed only one nonfiction for Nonfiction November.
Here’s my reading recap for November.
Gritty, Dark Friendship Story
Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby. Two men from different worlds develop a friendship after their sons are murdered. Ike is a Black business owner who has rebuilt his life after his time in prison. Buddy Lee is a white man who struggles with alcoholism and lives in a trailer park. Neither one was happy to learn that their sons were gay and in love with each other, but when they are found murdered, they decide to work together to avenge their deaths. This book is extremely violent, which made it difficult for me to read at times. However, the story was gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking. I loved it. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Heartwarming Literary Love Story
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Let’s take a sharp turn from the gritty and violent, shall we? This is the story of a retired British Major who develops a friendship with a British-Pakistani shop-owner. They bond over their love of literature, grief over losing their spouses, and the family and town drama they try but fail to avoid. This was a sweet and heartwarming story, perfect to read with a warm blanket and a cup of tea. My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Handbook on Being a Better Human
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. This is one I’ve had on my TBR for a while, but put it off because I feared it would be dry and overly scholarly. I should have known better—so many people recommended this one that I’m not sure why I thought that. I like the way Kendi mixes research with anecdotes. I learned a lot but it never felt slow. My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Spooky Mystery
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. This mystery meets ghost story was the perfect escape during a busy season. It alternates between the current-day story of Carly Kirk and the 1982 story of her aunt Viv, who disappeared without a trace before Carly was born. The last anyone saw of her was at her night shift at the Sun Down Motel, and Carly goes there herself to try to solve the mystery. It was thrilling but not too scary (I’m a weenie) and I loved it. My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Story of a Town Through its People
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Olive Kitteridge feels more like a collection of short stories than a novel, with stories about the people of Crosby, Maine. However, it’s Olive Kitteridge herself who is the thread that weaves together the otherwise marginally-related characters; she plays a part, small or large, in every story. I appreciated how this is a portrait of a town through its people, and the way that Olive loomed large despite not being a main character in every story. The writing is beautiful without being flowery, and I think it is quiet in a way that is fitting for this time of year. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Love Story Meets Dog Story
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez. Sloan is still deep in grief two years after her fiance’s death, but Tucker—a lost dog—wanders into her life and changes everything. She eventually learns that Tucker’s owner is a musician touring in Australia and they hit it off in their long distance texts and phone calls discussing Tucker’s care. This was a fun romance and such a fun read during a jam-packed month. I did feel like Jason, the musician, seemed a little too good to be true, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need in a romance. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
An Atmospheric Mystery
The Long Way Home (Inspector Gamache #10) by Louise Penny. This is the tenth in the Chief Inspector Gamache series, a mystery series beloved by many. I read the ninth installment last month and adored it; so far it is my favorite in the series. I admit I was a little let down by this one. While Penny’s writing was excellent as always, and I do adore her characters, I just couldn’t get into it the same way I did How the Light Gets In, the previous book. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
A Cheesy Christmas Romance
A Magical New York Christmas by Anita Hughes. This book reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie, well, what I imagine one to be like, since I don’t really watch them. It did make for a relaxing read, but I didn’t end up loving it. I found myself rolling my eyes at the characters’ bad choices and I couldn’t get invested in their stories. My rating: 3/5 stars.
Did you read anything good last month?
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