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?
JoAnn, such a beautiful picture to begin this post! Loved it! You guys have certainly been busy and so happy you had all the fun with your family. I'm sure December will be just as full of events and I hope those go well too. And then you'll head down to warmer places - right? Take care and hope you have a wonderful weekend! Plus some fun reading!
ReplyDeleteKay - Glad you like the photo. Fall is my favorite season and since we're heading to FL after the holidays, I get to enjoy all of it. I will definitely be ready to escape the cold by January though! Have a great weekend and happy December!
DeleteHappy anniversary! I'm so glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving. November was definitely my worst reading month. Too much going on! Happy reading and have a wonderful December!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katherine. Hard to believe it's been 40 years! November and December are always slow reading months for me, too, but I usually settle back into a routine in January. Happy December!
DeleteWow you did have a lot of events & milestones in November! What joy that your parents are 90 - do they live in their own place still? It's wonderful that you get to spend time with them. I really miss that. And what a pretty picture up top. Lovely trees. I still need to read Damon Galgut -- I went to a book talk with him once and I still haven't gotten to any of his books. I wonder if he'll be putting out something new? I have my eye on Buckeye too. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Yes, my parents still live on their own in the house where I grew up. Two of my sisters live in the same town and visit almost daily. I keep their freezer stocked with meals, but they frequently bring meals, too. I talk to them twice a day and we have someone clean weekly. We are fortunate they are doing so well! I previewed Buckeye today, but I'm not quite hooked yet.
DeleteI'm glad they are doing so well and you have siblings in town to help and you keep in touch so closely. It's awesome.
DeleteSounds like November was a whirlwind of activity and I'm sure December will be, too. Have a wonderful holiday season with family!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. November was a lot! We will stay put for most of this month, so at least there won't be as much travel in December.
DeleteLovely photo of the leaves and that twisted tree trunk! You have had quite a busy fall, haven't you? Congrats on your parents' 90th birthdays! And how nice that your daughter and her husband hosted Thanksgiving. It's a big event and it sounds like they did great. Happy anniversary to you and your hubby! We're right behind you by a three years. Despite not reading a ton of books, it looks like you still had a good month with regard to quality reads. I should re-read The Uncommon Reader this month. I loved it the first time around, and my mom just read it again. I think I've forgotten enough about it that it might still feel magical and funny. We'll see. Reading with freedom this month sounds perfect. Sipsworth is one that I know I'll read again. I have Buckeye on my shelf for 2026. Our month is somewhat busy, but I feel like I will have plenty of time to concentrate on finishing up my Elizabeth Strout journey. Maybe. I have three to read, plus one re-read. And, I'm buried deep in The Marriage Portrait, which is soooo good, but fairly long. You'll be back in Florida before you know it! Enjoy the holidays! To echo Susan, "Cheers!"
ReplyDeleteLes - Glad to hear The Marriage Portrait is so good. I have a feeling that will be one I'll enjoy, too. The holidays will be fun with everyone around, but it'll be good to get back to FL next month. I can't wait to see all the additional progress in person. It's been very cold here and there's more Arctic air on the way... at least we don't have snow! Hope you have a very happy holiday season!
DeleteFantastic month of events and celebrations! I just emailed you but I wills ay I sure loved Sipsworth and am hoping to get a copy of Buckeye as it sounds great. My list had a wrench thrown in when a load of library books arrived all at once. At least it's the extended checkout period of 6 weeks for books insteda of 3 weeks during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteTina - I really loved Sipsworth, too, and am happy to reread it for next month's book club. I previewed Buckeye today, but need to read a little more before deciding if now is the time to read it. Must be nice to have that extended checkout period, my libraries only offer two weeks!
DeleteSingle all the Way by Kate Watson was my favorite read of November. I really enjoyed the Selected Journals as well...now just waiting on book 9 to release ;) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCindy - I have since finished the 4th Emma Lion and LOVED it - 5 stars! Now I'm thinking about reading Volume 5 the week between Christmas and New Years.
DeleteIt's great that you were able to celebrate your parents' 90th birthdays. It's a joy for me to have my dad. He'll turn 99 in a month.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
I have Buckeye here. I'm just waiting for the right time to read it.
Deb - How amazing that your father is turning 99. Still having our parents around is such a blessing. I sampled the first few pages of Buckeye a couple of days ago and hope to read it soon.
DeleteHow lovely to have both your parents live to be 90! My Dad almost made it - he was 89 years + when he passed in September.
ReplyDeleteJodie - I was sorry to hear about your father's passing in September. Sending you a hug as you make your way through this holiday season.
DeleteI loved The Uncommon Reader. I thought it was very funny. And then I watched the series The Crown on TV and realized the Queen was probably pretty lonely.
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday Salon this week is really my 2025 Best Books Round-Up. I'm excited to share it. I'm been completely focused on it for the past two weeks.
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-top-50-books-of-2025-best-books.html
Anne - I really loved The Uncommon Reader all over again, and have enjoyed at least a couple of Alan Bennett's other short works. (The Lady in the Van and The Clothes They Stood Up In)
DeleteI'm glad that you enjoyed Dracula Daily. I did that a few years ago and thought it was the perfect way to enjoy the story.
ReplyDeleteI remember enjoying The Uncommon Reader many years ago, but don't remember much about it. I'm glad that it worked for you as a re-read.
Joy - I don't read any horror, so was surprised by how much I enjoyed Dracula. I'm sure reading it with others over such a long period of time added to the experience. Now I'm considering trying Frankenstein next year!
DeleteSuch a busy but fun month for you!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy reading week
Yes, Shelleyrae... really busy, but so many wonderful occasions!
DeleteThe Promise sounds promising! I've put it on my library request list.
ReplyDeleteClaudia - I hope you enjoy The Promise, too!
DeleteYou had a busy November and it sounds like December will be busy too. Good luck with your December reading. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Thank you. I've already finished the two books in progress, so December is off to a good start reading-wise.
DeleteSounds like a very fun and memorable November, and a good preview for December!
ReplyDeleteI'm also in the mode of finishing up books started earlier in the year, and, of course, reading where the wind blows.
I felt the same about Dracula when I read it years ago--surprised at the format, but I found it very enjoyable to read.
JaneGS - November was certainly heavy on family events, but December is shaping up to be a surprisingly good reading month. I was so encouraged by my experience with Dracula that I may tackle Frankenstein next fall... I've never read it!
DeleteSounds like a full and fun November! I loved that Uncommon Reader book. Very cute.
ReplyDelete