November 2024 Reading Wrap-Up
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Can you believe that it is already December?
It’s been freezing and snowing here nonstop, which is an overnight change and one I’m not prepared for. November parted in haste and I feel as though I’m still waving goodbye from the driveway.
I was feeling like it wasn’t a good reading month, not totally sure why but after reflecting (and looking at my StoryGraph stats) I’m feeling like it was much better than I thought.
My top reading moods were: dark, emotional, tense, reflective, and sad. This wasn’t a surprise to me because I tend to gravitate toward morose and reflective books but I thought it was funny my fable account (I just joined!) said I was a “Sorrow Seeker.”
Hope you all had a good month!
Here’s my playlist for the month.
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
When a young woman’s father is obsessed with the past and on a historical reenactment, he forces his family to play at the past, to become it in escalating ways. I loved listening to this. The author creates such a vibrant setting and characters. I was immediately drawn in and couldn’t stop listening. Reading this and comparing it to how women are precieved and treated currently created such a strong feeling in me.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
A man sees something he shouldn’t, something that the people of his town know about but don’t mention. Should he act and help or continue on with his life without rocking the boat? After the high of reading Foster, I was a tiny bit disappointed. This wasn’t bad, and I liked the majority of it but I think just comparing it didn’t give me all the feels Foster did. I’m also trying to write a review but can’t quite formulate my words.
Hard Mother, Spider Mother, Soft Mother by Hal Y. Zhang
A look at memories, growing up, and how your relationship changes with your mother as you do. A sort of strange and uncanny look at growing up. I liked this fantastical look at how your memory informs your relationships. A short story that is to the point and packs a punch.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Bulter
As I said in a reading update about Talents, I really liked this book. Lauren is forced to go on the run when raiders destroy her home. That’s a very paired-down summary but I feel like the emotional impact is worth not knowing too much. This was a great book. There’s tension, emotion, and, like many people have said, it rings so true with the events of today. All of this compacts into an epic tale of trying to find footing in a world where not a lot makes sense.
Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley
Ariel and Tomah live in a city’s intertribal housing complex and as they grow up they’re forced to face grief, their identities and connection to people of their past, and find their purpose in life. I loved this middle-grade novel. It felt like a song. Listening to these children explore these new things to them was like the best of coming-of-age stories. I really enjoyed this and highly suggest listening to it via audiobook!
Bright Hearts by Kaaron Warren
“A florist becomes obsessed with the strange, haunting red flowers she buys from an equally strange old lady…” This was such a strange story that I’m not sure quite landed on its feet. I wanted more from it.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Two people meet at a pub in London and connect instantly. Life, though, isn’t as easy and they explore their relationship through ups and downs. I can’t say enough good things about this. I wrote “heartbreaking and heartwarming” in my little blurb about it. Lyrical and raw, this book packs a punch and when it seems at first straightforward, becomes a complex and nuanced look at romantic relationships, relationships with your country, your race, others, and yourself.
Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
Talents is a sequel to Parable of the Sower, this book expands and continues Lauren and Earthseed’s story. I liked Sower, this is not a lie but I loved Talents. Here, our group is situated in their community Acorn, and the events begin here and splinter off. While a lot of what’s happening in Sower feels farther removed from our characters, here they are directed into the path of huge impacts. This sequel really expands and changes from Sower. I also liked the form and framing narrative of this, I enjoyed seeing POV’s from Lauren, Bankole, and Ashe!
Read! Read! (check TW!)