Oh friends, it’s been a stressful month of wedding planning and managing my anxiety manifesting into physical symptoms. I will have to keep this wrap up short, but will say I’m thankful for the supports in my life to get through the harder seasons.
I’m really looking forward to Christmas and the break from work. But until then, let’s look back at November which came and went in a rather quick manner.
What did I read this month?
Most surprising: I’ve been trying to delve into more memoirs this year (not the biggest fan of nonfiction works) but Jennette McCurdy’s book was by far the most surprising. I’m Glad My Mom Died was truly a journey to take with this young star who chronicles so much of her hardships since she was a child.
New author alert: A Cosmic Kind of Love takes this one this month. I loved the angst, sometimes the miscommunications, and most importantly, the feel good moments. I think Samantha Young is definitely an author to keep an eye on for future books.
Not as expected: Not to be super critical but Karen McManus sets such a high bar for herself that Nothing More to Tell was a little underwhelming from a mystery standpoint. It’s definitely an average mystery with those telltale twists that characterizes McManus’ writing but it’s honestly nothing much to rave about.
Guilty pleasures: Yes, I’ve been in need of cute romances to help de-stress and rest more this month. Maggie Dallen’s books are just the fit, featuring geeks who end up finding their person in someone who is, well, higher in the social school ladder. Loads of silliness and nothing that has to be taken too seriously, all of her books were welcome reads that made November a bit better.
Currently reading
- The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
- Love the school vibes still and El is as fierce as ever!
- Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco
- Is it getting steamy or is the temperature of my room going up??
- The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
- Digging the first love romance so far
TBR list
- Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
- Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
- Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
How’s your month been? Looking forward to the end of 2022?
Next time, we will wrap up the year. Until then, look forward to some end of the year reflections on the blog!
Down the Rabbit Hole 
i hope your wedding planning is going well and you have a wonderful break from it during Christmas! i’m glad my mom died is such a startling, powerful memoir and definitely one of the best books i’ve read all year! hope you have a great december💜
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🥹🥹
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good luck with the wedding planning! i really hope that the anxiety becomes manageable. i’m starting to see Nine Liars around and that cover is tempting… have a great december!
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Thanks Sha! I’m trying to be on top of things but may have to do it at my own pace for now. Just finished Nine Liars and it was an interesting foray back into YA mystery
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congrats on wedding planning Andge! 🤗💞 great mix of reads from the month, I’ve been trying to read Sarah Henning’s book for some time, maybe I’ll pick it up during December too, hope your enjoying it.
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Thank you 🥹 it’s been a busy time on top of work for sure. Just trying to meet my reading goals haha
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7 BOOKS IN NOVEMBER?? You’ve put me to shame. I’ve added Cosmic Love to my TBR pile – thank you! Do you find that different seasons have you reading different genres? (since you’re currently trying to read more memoirs?). I find that in the colder months I tend to get into tear-jerkers. I want to feel all of my feelings (lol). I love strong female leads and add in some dramady for a winning combination. I know you have an epic TBR pile, but I have to recommend my favorite November find “The Placeholder” by Lynda Wolters(https://www.lyndawolters.com/). I do want to preface this by saying it’s a great book for non-romance and romance fans alike. The main character, Sera, loses everything in a nasty divorce with her ex who ends up with a younger, more fertile option- gross. She finds herself in her 40s, in a motel, swiping on dating apps. Luckily, she has a wonderful friend (and boss) Carolyn who helps her on her journey and encourages her to find a “placeholder” to have fun with while she looks for Mr. Right. Zac is a gorgeous, ex-marine, booty call that is definitely a fun distraction until she starts falling for him. Unfortunately, he still loves his ex-wife and things get complicated. I know this seems like it could almost be a “romantic comedy” but…. there are some serious twists and turns that I did not see coming. I also love the friendship between Carolyn and Sera. It’s genuine and snarky and they do end up going through a lot together…. I feel like this is a deep piece of contemporary women’s fiction in disguise as a romance read. Does that make sense? I don’t want to give too much away but this is a fantastic book and a great gift for any woman. Happy Holidays
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Thanks Deborah for the rec. I do find i read different things each season, or at least lean towards specific genres at different times. I’m very much a mood reader. I think I’m currently leaning towards mysteries/thrillers. Perhaps some dark academia lol. Matching the early dark days in the winter
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