Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. Here are the books I completed in the month of November:
- A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther - Technically I finished this one on Halloween, but my October recap already went live, so November it'll have to be ;) I had listened to some of this author's books before and found them cute so snagged this one while waiting for more of my Libby holds to become available. I'd say this one was cute too. A coming-of-age story where Mads has a lot of firsts (if you couldn't guess from the title of the book). She hadn't ever had a boyfriend, kissed a boy, gone on a date, etc, so when her future sister-in-law asks her to be one of her bridesmaids, the wedding party decides it's a great time to start setting Mads up with guys. There were plenty of dating disasters, but also some moments that made the crowd go 'awwwww'. I'd say this is probably for the older age range in the YA genre, since the main character does eventually have sex, but as like most YA books, it wasn't the main focus (or even much of one). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Cousins by Karen M McManus - While waiting for any of my waitlist books to become available on my Libby app I saw that a book from this author was newly added. I've listened to a few of them thus far and although they haven't always been amazing, they've at least been entertaining. This one was another YA mystery around the Story family. You see, 24 years ago the matriarch of the family banished her four children and hadn't made contact since. That is, until the children of those now adults were mailed a letter and invited to the family's island resort to work for the summer and get to know their grandmother. As with most of this author's books, there were twists and turns around every corner that kept you on the edge of your seat. I was impressed that I hadn't figured them all out before they were revealed (sometimes this type of book can be a little too predictable). Another story that proves money doesn't solve everything. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth - I'd be lying if I said I didn't think this was going to be about a high schooler falling in love with an AI type robot ;) but thankfully I was wrong. I guess I should've looked at the picture a little more closely (or read the synopsis). It was actually about two (human) high schoolers in a robotics club who fell for each other - much more believable! It was a cute, nerdy YA romance that had me smiling, even if I didn't know some of the technical terms they had been talking about. I may be a self proclaimed "math nerd", but you don't have to be dorky to fall for this book. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Let's just say that every time this author releases a book (or one hits the audiobook apps I use) I am in line for it almost immediately. I thought I was pretty fast with this one, but it still look me about 20 weeks for it to become available. I'll be honest and say space isn't normally an area of fascination for me. Even still, I knew I would gobble this book up because the author has a way of dragging me in and never letting me go. This is the story of women astronauts (or astronaut candidates), friendship, forbidden love, and so much more. Not only is it of the struggle made women in the 80s went through, but also the love some of them found along the way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't teary eyed for the last third or so of the book. TJR always seems to know how to pull at my heartstrings for sure. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez - Another book I got in line for on my Libby app many moons ago. This author is one of my faves for the rom-com genre. The story is about a long distance relationship and making it work (or at least trying your darnedest). Abby had me smiling, laughing, shaking my head, tearing up and #AllTheFeels in between. And I know Hank played such a small role, but he may have been my favorite character of the whole shebang. And OMGEEEE! When I was on Amazon to get the link for the book I saw it was a two part series - WHOOO HOOO! The next installment won't be released till March, but you better bet your bottom dollar that I'll be in line as soon as it pops up on my audiobook app! I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow - While I was scrolling through the 'what's available now in the YA genre' section of my Libby app I came across this book. It looked holiday-esque so I thought I'd grab it. Come to find out it was a cute little rom-com set in DC over the winter season. You know I enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers trope, so this was right up my alley. It was like a Hallmark movie with a Jewish (and LGBTQIA+) twist. Nothing too earth shattering, but a sweet, quick read. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- All About Love by bell hooks - I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, other than I've always loved whatever I've read from this author. I've had this title in my "for later" list on my Hoopla app for a while, but only now got around to checking it out. I really enjoyed it, as I suspected I would. It's about all of the different aspects of love. Each chapter touches on different facets - from true love to community, connection to forgiveness. There were little nuggets through its entirety. It's written in a straightforward and thought-provoking way. This is one I wish I had read in physical book form, so I could've underlined portions and made notes throughout (maybe I'll just have to buy it and reread it in the future). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey - While I was waiting for some of my books to become available on my Libby app, I clicked the "random" tab to see what might come up. I saw this one and it made me smile right away so I knew I needed to give it a download. I loved The Office and I thought a book about the ins and outs of it written by two of the people there would be great... And I was right. Not only was it written by two of the actors from the show, but those two had become best friends over the course of filming and you could hear the love they had for one another in the audiobook (I loved that they read it themselves). I didn't realize that they had started a podcast about the show a few years back, but since learning that it would make sense that they would read their own audiobook - people love them, so you might as well capitalize. The book wasn't super long and it didn't give away any super juicy secrets, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I actually told the hubby that we needed to rewatch the series once I finished the book (and he was down, so I guess we know what we will be watching in the evenings for the next few months). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley - I clicked on the 'recently added' section of my Libby app and saw that an AMAZING author had released a third book (I have her first two in my personal library already) and I needed it immediately. All of her books are stand alone stories, but there are recurring characters (or at least their names) that make appearances throughout which makes me smile. I also love that the books are set in Michigan and I get to hear city names like Petoskey, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie. There is always an element of surprise or suspense that keeps you at the edge of your seat - and with the timeline jumping around as it did in this story you never have time to fully figure out where everything is going or how things will end up. I also appreciate that these books are teaching tools to non-Natives about the Indigenous cultures - I feel like I always walk away with knowledge or a deeper understanding. I will read anything that this author puts out (you should too) and hope more is in the works soon. I would give it a 10 out of 10.
- Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - I had been in line on my Libby app for this book for a couple months. The original book, Tipping Point, was written 25 years ago, so the author thought he would revisit some of the ideas put forth in that book and see how they held a quarter century later. I haven't read the original book, but found this one incredibly interesting. He talked about how overstories, superspreaders and the division of groups impacted social epidemics. Everything he discussed made total sense, it just wasn't things I had thought of or about before. The "magic third" as a tipping point was very intriguing and how some entities (think Harvard University) socially engineer these phenomenons. I appreciate all of the examples the author uses - from bank robbers to the spread of the opioid epidemic. Although there are 'big' ideas discussed throughout the book, he breaks them down for the layman to understand. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Stuck Up and Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice - I saw the "Reese" sticker on the front cover and thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately, at least for me, the sticker didn't mean much. There was nothing too special about this book for me. The traditional enemies to lovers trope with a lot of not super important stuff in between. It was your standard small town girl and big wig actor that started on bad terms and eventually realized maybe the banter was out of love instead of hate. It was like the two didn't get together until the last chapter, so you were left with this big build up and very little reward. Apparently this was supposed to be a modern take on Pride and Prejudice, but since I've never read it, it just felt boring. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
- Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll - While I was waiting for any of my hold books to become available on my Libby app I came across this title on the 'page to screen' list so figured I'd give it a try. It was a novel about Ani, a young woman who was trying to put together the "perfect" life. She thought she had it all - the job, the clothes, the man, the body, the zip code, the handbags, the haircut, etc. The one glaring imperfection was her past... the fact that she was part of a tragic school shooting. I'll be honest and say this was a bit predictable for me. With all the rave reviews I was expecting it to keep me on the edge of my seat, but it was just 'okay'. It was entertaining, but nothing too special to write home about in my opinion. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
With that, November is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
