November Reading Round-Up
As November comes to a close, it’s time to wrap up the month with a look back at all the books we’ve read. From page-turning mysteries to cozy romances and inspiring nonfiction, this month’s reading list was a mix of genres that kept us hooked from start to finish. Whether you’re searching for your next gripping read or just looking for inspiration to add to your TBR, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick roundup of everything we read in November, along with our thoughts on each title!
Killers of a Certain Age
Ashley read this book a few months ago and really liked it, so I decided to give it a try! She was right! This book is amazing. I loved the storytelling and how fast paced the story was, and I appreciated the way the story bounced between the present and the past. The characters were also interesting as well. If you don’t know, this book is about older assisins who are ready to retire. I thought this was a fresh and interesting angle compared to the majority of the novels I have read involving younger assissins!
II. Silver in the Bone
I have followed Alexandra Bracken on social media for a very long time, but, for some reason, have read only one of her books other than this one (Lore). I really enjoyed that book and wanted to get more into Alexandra Brackens books, so I decided to pick up Silver in the Bone becasue the premise of the book sounded very interesting to me. I am a fan of the Legant of King Arthur (mainly fueled by my love of the tv show Merlin). So, I was really looking forward to loving this book as much as I loved Lore and Merlin. But, I found myself to be a little disappointed in the book. The concept is fantastic and very interesting! But, I found the storytelling to be a little slow and the characters to be a little boring, to be honest. I almost put the book down a few times, but decided to power through it and see if it got better. Honestly, I’m not sure it really did get better to me. Maybe it was just me because people seem to really like the book. I just couldn’t get into it, which was really disappointing to me because I was really excited about the concept of the book and the story that could come out of it. I just think this wasn’t the book for me, but maybe you will like it!!
III. A Perilous Undertaking
A Perilous Undertaking is the second book in Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series. Just like the first one, this book is a perfect blend of mystery and wit. This book picks up where A Curious Beginning left off and thrusts us right back in to Veronica Speedwell’s adventurous world.
The banter between Speedwell and Stoker continued to be one of the highlights of this series so far. Raybourn does such a great job of capturing the dynamic between these two characters and I can’t wait to read more about them and their adventures. Not only are the characters great, but the plot is just as compelling! Veronica and Stoker are recruited by a mysterious aristocrat to prove the innocence of a man accused of murder. This has them diving in to the scandalous side of Aristocratic society. I felt like the mystery was weaved together with twists and surprises that kept me guessing until the end of the book (which is honestly what I love in a mystery)
A Perilous Undertaking is a fast paced book thats perfect for fans of historical fiction, clever mysteries, or strong female protagonists. If you’re looking for a mystery book, this is the perfect series for you!
IV. In Order to Live
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park is a memoir of her fight for freedom. She recounts her childhood in North Korea, her escape, and the perils she’s faced in her quest for a better life. I did find this book a little hard to read in large chunks. There was so much to digest and hear about that I found I had to listen to a little at a time in order to be able to fully engage with the story.
But I do think that that was one of the things I liked about the story. Yeonmi park didn’t flinch from telling her story, bringing light to not only her journey but everyone else who has lived a similar story. While I found the story compelling, I did feel like the pacing was a little uneven. The earlier sections of her life in North Korea were deeply detailed, but the later chapters covering her adjustment to life in the West felt a little rushed. I felt like I would have loved to hear more about how she adjusted to her new life and her continuing advocacy.
I’ve been on a journey to read more from voices and opinions that are different from my own and this was one that I picked up in that journey. I think it’s important to not get stuck in an echo chamber of my own thoughts and beliefs! If you’re looking to hear, learn, and understand others journey’s and life experiences, I think this book is perfect for you!
V. Wreck the Halls
Tessa Bailey’s Wreck the Halls is a festive romance full of humor and charm, making it a fun holiday read! The story centers on Melody and Beat and their journey to reunite their moms for a Christmas concert. Melody and Beat have an opposites attract dynamic full of banter and the Christmas backdrop creates a festive and cozy vibe (perfect for the upcoming holiday season!).
If I had to say one negative thing about this book, it would be about Beat’s character. I feel like he didn’t have as strong of a character as Melody. Melody is relatable and layered and feels like someone I could meet in Brooklyn any day. Beat doesn’t feel like he has as much depth as Melody and he honestly felt like a book character, not someone who was relatable. It left me wanting a bit more character development to understand his perspective/motives and his relationship with Melody. I also did feel like the plot of the story took a back seat to their relationship and the entire livestream/Christmas reunion felt like an excuse for Melody and Beat to get together instead of a part of their storyline/life.
That being said, I’m not looking for a perfectly written story when I’m reading a rom-com book, just something entertaining. This book was definitely entertaining and I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good holiday read!
Thank you for reading our reviews! If you have any thoughts to share or book recommendations, drop them below! We would love to hear from you!