I know, I know. I say this every month, but how is November already almost over? Next week is Thanksgiving, and of course my favorite shopping day of the year, Black Friday! I’m excited, but it’s all coming too fast for me. I still haven’t even figured out what I’m making to take to Thanksgiving yet! Eek.
But anyways, since it’s that time of month, I thought I’d update on my reading progress (or lack thereof!) If you remember, I’m trying to read 100 books this year, and that’s not looking so good for me right now. I’m hoping I can kick my reading up a notch over the holidays though. We shall see. But without further ado, here’s What I Read in November:
Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz – ★★★ – Honestly, this was pretty boring. I really loved the pilot episode of the TV show which aired on Lifetime a few years ago, so I thought for sure I’d love the book. Meh. Not my favorite, but if you’re really into the show, I’d say reading the book isn’t a bad idea.
How To Tell Toledo from the Night Sky by Lydia Netzer -★★ – So I can’t say this was bad, because I don’t think it was necessarily, but it was just not for me. There was some really awkward sex scenes that had me feeling a little squeamish and I just wasn’t really into the writing style of this one. Give it a shot if you think the plot sounds interesting, otherwise I can’t say I recommend it.
c/o Netgalley
I Love You More by Jennifer Murphy – ★★★★ (3.5) – Kind of a bizarre tale, a young girl’s father is murdered and her mother is the main suspect… until her father’s second and third wives are discovered. Detective Kyle Kennedy is left trying to make sense of it all, while Picasso, the young girl, recounts some of her past spying on what was really going on in her father’s life. I appreciated the interesting story line, though I did find some parts were a little slow.
c/o Netgalley
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham – ★★★★ – Apparently this was a controversial choice this month. If you haven’t heard about this book, Lena details an “incident” as a child where she inappropriately touched her younger sister. Lots of scandal ensued, mostly around how she described the situation, regardless of her and her sister’s age at the time. While personally this did make me feel a bit weird, I never had siblings so I can’t say one way or the other how I feel about it. Beyond that, I enjoyed the book. I think Lena is sarcastic and is famous for being off-beat. Love her or hate her, it’s a decently entertaining read.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – ★★★ – While I’m sure to the right person, this book is beautifully written…. to me it was not. It just didn’t float my boat and I was pleased to be done reading it. You’ll see from other reviews that it’s kind of a love-it-or-hate-it book. The nice thing is, it’s not long, so if you don’t like it, it’s not the end of the world.
c/o Netgalley
The Fever by Megan Abbott – ★★★ – I suppose I read this at a good time, a thriller/horror novel around Halloween was a timely choice, though I can’t say I loved this one. One reviewer described it as a lesser Mean Girls, and I can see that. Definitely a lot of high school drama to be had in this one, but I think the problem was there was no “good” or likable character.
c/o Netgalley
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain – ★★★★★ – Can I just tell everyone to do yourself a favor and read this? Seriously, it was really, really good. It deals with a lot of really interesting social, political, and women’s rights issues in the 60s, and I really loved the way the story was woven into it.
My Reading Updates
Total Books this month: 7
Total Books read this year: 80 / 100
Total Books read for the Reading Pile Challenge: 40 / 40 Completed in October!
Total Books read for the Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge: 1 / 13
YES! I love your book review posts! I always write down the ones that you highly suggest and look them up and usually add them to my never-ending list of reads. One of my friends loved We Were Liars and my other friend is currently reading it and HATES it. lol!
Yay, so glad you like them! How funny about We Were Liars – it really seems like a polarizing book! I definitely recommend checking out Necessary Lies out of all of the books I read this month, it’s the best book I’ve read in awhile. :)
I will definitely write that one down on my list!! Thanks!
Anytime, Julie! :)
Whoa! 100 books a year? You go Glen Coco. I try for 50 with varying levels of success. I also read We Were Liars…what a weird book that was. Excited to try some of your suggestions.
Haha, thanks Tina! It was weird! Glad I’m not the only one who thought so. :)
Ahh, I love Diane Chamberlain! Have you read Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes? It is so good!
I haven’t! I will have to add that to my list. Thanks, Olya!
wow! What an ambitious goal! 100 books in a year! I haven’t been reading lately bc I was on a gilmore girls Netflix binge and that took up all my time! Haha but now hopefully I can get back into it!
I did that too… now I’m onto Gossip Girl. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been reading as much, haha! :)
Congrats on getting so close to your goal! I’m just getting back into reading for fun after years of super exciting college textbook reading. Currently on Yes Please by Amy Poehler! :)
Thanks Ashley! I’m crossing my fingers I make it all the way :) Yes Please is on my list – I think I’m going to pick up the audiobook version from Audible! :)
20 books left? you can totally do it!
I have heard of Lena Dunham but never watched her show or anything, and when I heard about the incident.. well that was enough for me personally not to want to read it.
Adding Necessary Lies to my list!
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m sure hoping I can do it!
I know what you mean. I hadn’t watched her show, just had heard the book was good, and I had finished it before the “scandal”. Honestly, it was a little weird and I’m not sure if I would have read it had I known.
I think you’ll love Necessary Lies! :)
Necessary Lies has been on my list for a while and now I want to read it even more! I felt the same way about We Were Liars– the twist was a total surprise to me but I couldn’t stand the writing style! As always, love your book posts!
Thanks Carly! I had high hopes for We Were Liars but was bummed to not enjoy it much. Oh well! Hope you love Necessary Lies – it’s really different and a good read.
I’m so impressed with the amount of books you are reading! Sadly I’ve resorted to my first audio book in lieu of being able to find the time and peace and quiet needed to read a book properly!
On day…
V
Life+1
Haha, I pretty much only have time to listen to audio books these days! I listen to them at work and while driving. I can’t get enough time to sit down and read a “real” book anymore either!
I read Not That Kind Of Girl a week ago, it’s a humorous book and I think people took what she wrote too literal. I mean we’ve all had embarrassing moments and yeeeah.
Yeah, I agree with that for the most part, I guess the only thing I had an issue with is how she described it – kind of seemed like she was seeking the negative attention, but I also think that’s how she tends to be in general. Regardless, I liked the book, but there were a few :/ moments.
I totally forgot about Treat Yo Self Thursdays! Dangit! I need to hop back on that train! So obviously your Thursdays are pretty full already but I included you in a #ThankfulThursday link-up if you’d like to join! Take care and enjoy your weekend!
Aw, thank you! I will check it out (even though I am a bit late, oops!)
Wow… seven books! I need to get on your level!!
xo,
Marissa
http://www.makinitwithmarissa.com
Haha, It’s about to be 20 books in the next month or so. Eek! ;)
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Wow, that is some goal!! Good for you! I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the show Witches Of East End, but I actually loved it! I heard that it just got cancelled, but there’s a big petition to change that, so we shall see. I’ll have to give the book a try!
I stopped watching it pretty quickly, and we don’t have cable anymore, but I definitely would love to catch up on it! I think watching the show first kind of tainted my appreciation for the book, but let me know what you think! :)
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