I will fully admit that I am incredibly behind on all of my blog stuff but I am here to finally catch up. First on the docket is my November haul and wrap up. November was a busy month for me because it was report card time and I was also taking a course which really took up a lot of my extra time. So let’s just get into it.
Books hauled in November:
- Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone
- The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
- Seasparrow by Kristen Cashore
- The Luminaries by Susan Dennard (x2)
- Charm by Tracy Wolff
- These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall
- Gleanings by Neal Shusterman
- The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling
- The Push by Ashley Audrain
Books read in November:
1. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I was really intrigued by this story. I loved the audiobook and that it was narrated by the author. It makes it feel like she is personally telling me the story, which is a neat kind of feeling. I felt that it was well-written, and I appreciate how vulnerable she was able to be with the audience who was reading the book. I enjoyed hearing the stories that she was telling and hearing more about the behind the scenes at Nickelodeon. I’m glad that she got to tell her story.
2. Brave New World (Graphic Novel) by Fred Fordham
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Brave New World. However, I still wanted to check out the graphic novel because I’m a big fan of most graphic novel adaptations. It was a well adapted story. I loved the art style and the use of colour to really emphasise the bright over-consumption of the world that the story is set in. I still didn’t super love the storyline, but the art in this graphic novel is so fantastic.
3. Violent Ends by Shaun David Hutchinson
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this a really intriguing collection of short stories. I liked how all the stories were interconnected around this one event and how we got to see all the different perspectives on this one thing that happened and how it affected all of these different characters. It was really interesting to see how the other characters perceived Kirby and the thing that he did. I also appreciated that even though the school shooting happened, it wasn’t necessarily the heart of the story. It was more the reason for the stories exsitence. I also liked reading all these stories from well known young adult authors.
4. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: It was another re-read with a class, and I ultimately continued to enjoy it.
5. When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This book was realy interesting. I’ve read things with similar vibes but nothing just like this. I really liked the feminist vibes of the story. The whole concept of ‘dragoning’ was really unique and intriguing. There were parts of this book that made me really mad because of the way the men were treating the main character. I loved the strong depiction of sisterly relationships, and the complicated nuance of other female/female relationships.
6. Himawari House by Harmony Becker
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really enjoyed this graphic novel and seeing the dynamics of the main character and her friends that she made while staying in the house. I really enjoyed the way the cultural and language differences were shown. It was well written and well drawn. I also enjoyed the inclusion of all the different languages. It was very well done.
7. Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: There is a full review of this up on the blog here.
8. A Fire Story by Brian Fies
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this memoir deeply moving. It was heart breaking to read about the Fies family losing all their family history in the items they lost in the fire. I can’t even imagine what that would be like for the family. I loved the art depicting their story and seeing how their journey went. There were some parts that I skipped over, but on the whole it was a very well done story.
9. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I’m so glad I finally read this series. I think Laini Taylor built a fantastic world and I love the different fantastical elements that she included, especially the travelling between worlds. I really got invested in the characters, and I was impressed with how high the stakes were in the book. There were some real twists that really got me in this one. Karou is just such an interesting character.
10. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I enjoyed comparing this book to the show, which I did admittedly watch first. The details matched up in some ways, but not so much in others. It was interesting to see them setting the stage for the characters, but I will admit that I kind of expected more out of the first book when compared to the first season of the show.
11. These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really enjoyed this book and I think that Kate Alice Marshall supernatural books have become an autobuy for me. I really liked the premise of this story. There was a really ominous atmosphere, and it was super fun to read about. There were some really good twists and turns. I don’t want to spoil it but it really kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. The characters were well written, and the plot was well developed. She does some really great worldbuilding that I really enjoy.
12. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I felt I was due for a reread of Speak. It was very good. I find Melinda very realistic and I really feel for her as she copes with her trauma. I don’t have much else to say, but I just really suggest looking into trigger warnings before you read it.
13. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: Here’s another re-read for work. I still really enjoy this book.
14. Go Hunt Me by Kelly DeVos
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this story interesting in the premise and build up. It set a certain expectation of the main character and then you were caught out of the blue at the end, which I didn’t super love. I like there to be hints towards my twist ending and I didn’t really feel like I got that here. However, I overall had fun reading this book so I ended up giving it four stars.
15. Adachi and Shimamura, Volume 1 by Moke Yuzuhara
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I don’t have a lot of experience with manga, but I did have a lot of fun reading this one. It was definitely an adjustment in how I read it, but I got used to it. I liked the development of the friendship between Adachi and Shimamura. The characters were really interesting and well written. I do think I will continue with the story to see how much of a slow burn it will be.
16. All the Rage by Courtney Summers
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I enjoyed this novel a lot, and I think it has cemented Courtney Summers as a favourite author. I liked the way the protagonist armed herself with her lipstick and nail polish. I also appreciated how she was trying her best to cope with her trauma in a society that was set up to not believe her. It was also interesting to see her trying to figure out what happened to her ex best friend. It was very well plotted.
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