Book Reviews: My November Reading List

November was a crazy month for me. I wrapped up my final full month of college, I turned 22, and I kinda fell down a “How I Met Your Mother” rabbit hole. With that being said, I read a bit less than I usually do.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone – Like I said last month, the cover on this is beautiful and I got it on a Kindle deal! What more could a girl ask for? So, I read this book two days too late for my October TBR, but I am still glad I read it. It’s accidental pregnancy and best friend’s brother but unlike you’ve ever seen it before. The book was a rom-com in all ways but also tacked tough topics, like losing your parents, your job not being what you thought, and how maybe friendship is the most important part of loving someone. I would 100% recommend. 4.5/5

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace – This was the conclusion to the Belladonna trilogy, and I think it was wrapped up nicely. Belladonna, Foxglove, and Wisteria are considered “gothic fantasy” which I interpret as a fantasy in the Bridgerton era where death is somehow a human/a character. Wisteria follows our main character Blythe through many almost-deaths and lots of situations that could have gone a lot smoother if everyone had just communicated. This was a good final book to the trilogy, and the ending definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I just think sometimes the author thinks up something she wants to add to the magic system and just does it without setting it up. 3/5

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune – Uh what a cute sequel to a cute first book! The House Beyond the Cerulean Sea is one I will be recommending forever simply because of the coziness, love, and magic it exudes. The first book is about an orphanage of magical kids being investigated by the government. The Department in Charge of Magical Youth sends Linus Baker to simply inspect and gather information. Linus struggles to find what is wrong with the kids outside of their lack of normality. The second book takes us back to the orphanage, but now there’s a new kid, a yeti. It’s just the perfect amount of family love, chaos, and adventure. 4.5/5

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Overlands by Heather Fawcett – This darn near sent me into a slump to be so honest. It was a fine book, but nothing really happened and it was 400 pages of that. The first 300 pages were just them wandering around in the woods yet the last 100 were so much fun and adventure. I just foresaw this book going really differently, but it was a whole lot of faerie research and writing about that research. 2.5/5

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama – I read Becoming, Michelle’s first book, a few years ago and I just really loved her story. Regardless of your political beliefs, she is a strong woman who has overcome a lot of obstacles. Her first book was a biography, focusing on the lead up to the White House while this one focuses on the mental obstacles and building a strong mindset to accomplish your goals. I listened to this one (thanks Louisville Free Public Library!) and Michelle narrates herself. It’s a quality and uplifting book, especially now as it gets colder and my mental health dips with the temperatures. 4/5

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh – Why in the world did I like this so much? This is so very much a Wattpad style book, but I just couldn’t put it down. It follows Johnny, a rugby star, and Shannon, a transfer to Tommen as well as their ever-growing group of friends. It’s a character narration book like Magnolia Parks and the Addicted series. 4/5

Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh – Again… why did I like this so much? I moved slower in this one because it was pretty sad, but I still really liked it. Here, we’re following Johnny and Shannon again. Shannon’s problems from the first book have only worsened and Johnny’s rugby career is questionable. I just love these characters and I want them to be happy. I’m definitely excited for Saving 6! 4/5

Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole – This book did NOT suffer from second book syndrome at all. Our main character Diem kept me so entertained and the magic system just kept getting more interesting. These books remind me so much of Throne of Glass in the best way. The ending was a bit confusing yet also predictable. Still excited to see what happens in the next one. 3/5

8 books total for the month! I did hit my Goodreads goal this month, so that was a great feeling.However, I failed big time on the TBR for the month. Below are the books on my TBR I did not quite get to.