A November Wrap-Up and December Reading Possibilities

Hello, friends, and happy December! November turned out to be a busy month for us. It was packed with family events, celebrations, and milestones. It started on November first with our nephew's wedding in central New York. From there we moved on to my husband's birthday dinner here in CT, and then back to central New York for a combined 90th birthday celebration for both of my parents. The long Thanksgiving weekend was a blur of activity. Our daughter and son-in-law hosted for the first time (a delicious dinner for 12!) in their new home. It all ended on the 30th as we marked our 40th wedding anniversary. Whew!

As you might have guessed, there wasn't much reading. I did finish four books -  all were on the shorter side, two were rereads, and one was a slow group read that actually began last summer.

 

BOOKS READ/FINISHED IN NOVEMBER

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

This was a long term, real-time reading project that began back in May and concluded in early November. I hadn't realize Dracula consisted of a series of journal entires. The novel itself was not at all what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Promise by Damon Galgut

I  reread this 2021 Booker Prize winner for my World Lit book club. It was a 2022 favorite and, since I was already familiar with the plot, I was able to focus more on the structure and writing this time. Still a solid 4-star read.⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 3 by Beth Brower

I continue to enjoy this delightful series, reading one volume per month with a small group of friends from the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. These books are the perfect light read after a more serious literary fiction or nonfiction title. I may end up reading both volumes 4 and 5 in December! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

This novella is the December/holiday selection at MMD book club. It was also a reread of an old favorite. It may not have been quite as magical or funny this time around, but still a very enjoyable reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DECEMBER READING POSSIBILITIES

• The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler (in progress)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 4 by Beth Brower (in progress)
• Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 5 by Beth Brower
• Sipsworth by Simon Von Booy (reread - MMD January selection)

My basic plan for December is to abandon the tbr list and read whatever strikes my fancy. The books listed above are either in progress, borrowed from the library, or currently on my nightstand. But we'll see where my mood takes me!

Also in December, we have plenty of holiday activities, concerts, and parties. At the end of the month we'll be closing up here and preparing for our annual trek to Florida. There will be one more visit with my parents around New Years, and we'll head south from there.

How was your November? What was your favorite book?