It’s odd to say, but for the most part November felt like a normal month. So, either I’m acclimating to chaos or my memory has blanked out the month. What I do know is that it was a Wild West rodeo for my reading. There was the fun of getting to read whatever I felt like and the not-so-fun inability to settle down into books I’d expected to love. Instead I was repeatedly surprised by what I loved and what didn’t work at all.
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline
Published by William Morrow
Publication date: February 7, 2023
Bookshop
VenCo takes something as small as a silver spoon and turns it into the talisman needed to bring a diverse group of women together before the patriarchy destroys the planet. Set in Salem, MA this is a clever repudiation of the Salem witch trials as each of the women have talents they’ve never explored, but need to awaken now as they try and find the last woman to close the circle. A definite feminist slant, always fun for me, but it faltered a bit by the end.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir: Review to come
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters: My review
The Passage (The Passage, #1) by Justin Cronin
Published by Ballantine Books
Publication date: June 8, 2010
Bookshop
The Passage is a highly rated sci-fi/fantasy series, but while I was pulled in, by the end of Part I I thought I was re-reading Stephen King’s The Stand. You have man messing around where he shouldn’t, trying to weaponize deadly disease, and (surprise!) it goes horribly wrong. I realize there are only so many apocalyptic themes to choose from, but this read like ground covered by King back in 1978. Not fresh enough to stay with for 760 pages.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett: My review
Strange the Dreamer and The Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor: Fabulous fantasy, reviews to come
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Published by Scribner
Publication date: October 24, 2023
Bookshop
If you’re a fan of Jesmyn Ward then Let Us Descend is likely to cement your appreciation of her. I’d never read her before and this story of a young slave whose mother is sold away from her and who is then sold herself is brutally realistic and the kind of reading I often seek out, but this is unremitting in its pain. I finished the book because Ward’s writing is stunning, but this story, the magical realism, and its pace—the slow tortuous march on foot into the Deep South requires head space that I didn’t have.
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen: A backlist novel about domestic abuse. Review to follow
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary: Light satisfying rom-com set in London. My review
That’s all for my November. I hope everyone had a quiet Thanksgiving and can celebrate the holidays with a minimum of stress. And lots of great reading!
This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com which means if you click on a link and make a purchase of any kind, I get a small commission (at no cost to you).
*I received a free copy of Let Us Descend from Scribner in exchange for an honest review.*
Hmm. I wonder if I have the head space either for Let Us Descend. I have read a good share of slavery novels over the years but maybe I will pause in picking up another. It sounds like The Berry Pickers might have been your winner for the month. I’m on the wait list for it. Wishing you very Happy Holidays & reading.
Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with Descend. The magical realism element overwhelms the realities of the story.
Happy holidays to you too. Sad to say, but I feel nothing but dread about 2024. Any advice on getting Canadian citizenship?
Ha. I know what you mean. Next election looks dreadful. I believe in what the 14th amendment says …. and don’t believe that loser should be on any ballot in any state. It’s a disgrace! Everyday I fret. and I don’t even live in the U.S.
It’s part of why I’m taking a break this week. I’m going to have to actively map a new routine for myself. Sitting down at my computer first thing will be a recipe for disaster for my mental health and won’t change what’s going to happen.