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What I Read in November!

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November has flown by and has been full of fun things and lots of reading. I’ve read 12 books throughout November which is the most I’ve read in a while. So, I’m back with another what I’ve read this month post! I have some thoughts I wanted to share on the books I read throughout November. Here is a bunch of mini reviews for the books I read in November!

When Shadows Fall by Sita Bramachari

Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future – until Kai’s family suffers a huge loss.

Trying to cope with his own grief, as well as watching it tear his family apart, Kai is drawn into a new and more dangerous crowd, until his dreams for the future are a distant memory. Excluded from school and retreating from his loved ones, it seems as though his path is set, his story foretold. Orla, Zak and new classmate Om are determined to help him find his way back. But are they too late? 

I read this absoutely beautiful book at the beginning of the month and it blew me away. It is heart-breaking, heart-warming and a very raw read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot recommend it enough. I posted a full review of this book which you can find here. Also, I had the amazing opportunity to interview the author which you can find here.

★★★★


The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding… six-pack abs.

I picked this book up because it was so big on TikTok but was worried it would let me down. It did not! This book is incredible and blew me away. It is adorable and addictive. I read it in one sitting. Believe the hype with this one because it is incredible and I cannot wait for more books by Ali Hazelwood.

★★★★


The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg

Aaron and Tillie don’t know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn’t sure what her problem is — only that she will never be good enough.

On the bridge, there are four things that could happen:

Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn’t.

Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn’t.

They both jump.

Neither of them jumps.

This book is incredible! I picked it up based on a recommendation and I am so glad that I did. It is stunningly written and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I was not reading it. Please check the trigger warnings for this one before reading it but if you are ok with those I cannot recommend this one enough.

★★★★


Snapshot Books!

Here is a little snapshot of 6 of the books that I’ve read this month along with the rating I gave them. I enjoyed them all and definitely recommend them!

  • Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey – ★★★
  • You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao – ★★★
  • White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson – ★★★★
  • Every Line of You by Naomi Gibson – ★★★
  • It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey – ★★★
  • The Roommate by Rosie Danan – ★★★

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

Eliza Quan is the perfect candidate for editor in chief of her school paper. That is, until ex-jock Len DiMartile decides on a whim to run against her. Suddenly her vast qualifications mean squat because inexperienced Len—who is tall, handsome, and male—just seems more like a leader.

When Eliza’s frustration spills out in a viral essay, she finds herself inspiring a feminist movement she never meant to start, caught between those who believe she’s a gender equality champion and others who think she’s simply crying misogyny.

Amid this growing tension, the school asks Eliza and Len to work side by side to demonstrate civility. But as they get to know one another, Eliza feels increasingly trapped by a horrifying realization—she just might be falling for the face of the patriarchy himself. 

I’ve been so excited to read this one for a while now. It is such a wonderful book. It is one that I think all teenagers should read because it will open their eyes. The things that are covered in this book are important topics and it is added to a very cute storyline! I’ve wrote a full review for this book which you can find here.

★★★★


You’d Be Home By Now by Kathleen Glasgow

For all of Emory’s life she’s been told who she is. In town she’s the rich one–the great-great-granddaughter of the mill’s founder. At school she’s hot Maddie Ward’s younger sister. And at home, she’s the good one, her stoner older brother Joey’s babysitter. Everything was turned on its head, though, when she and Joey were in the car accident that killed Candy MontClaire. The car accident that revealed just how bad Joey’s drug habit was.

Four months later, Emmy’s junior year is starting, Joey is home from rehab, and the entire town of Mill Haven is still reeling from the accident. Everyone’s telling Emmy who she is, but so much has changed, how can she be the same person? Or was she ever that person at all?

Mill Haven wants everyone to live one story, but Emmy’s beginning to see that people are more than they appear. Her brother, who might not be cured, the popular guy who lives next door, and most of all, many ghostie addicts who haunt the edges of the town. People spend so much time telling her who she is–it might be time to decide for herself.

I absolutely adored Kathleen Glasgow’s books even though they break my heart all the time. She writes eye-opening, raw and heart-breaking stories that aways blow me away. This one is no different and I cannoy recommend it enough. Please, as always, check the trigger warnings.

★★★★


You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be close. Back in middle school they were best friends. So, when Cal pulls into campus late for class, and runs into Ivy and Mateo, it seems like the perfect opportunity to turn a bad day around. They’ll ditch school and go into the city. Just the three of them, like old times. Why did they stop hanging out, anyway?

As soon as they pull out of the parking lot Cal knows why. Ivy’s already freaking out about missing class, and heartthrob Mateo is asleep in the backseat, too cool to even pretend like he wants to be there. The truth is they have nothing in common anymore.

At least they don’t until they run into the fourth student ditching school that day. Brian “Boney” Mahoney is supposed to be accepting his newly won office of class president. Which is why Ivy follows him into an empty building, only to walk into the middle of a murder scene. Cal, Ivy, and Mateo all know the person lying on the ground of that building, and now they need to come clean. They’re all hiding something. And maybe their chance reconnection wasn’t by chance after all.

I love Karen M. McManus’ books and I was so excited to read another. Although this isn’t one of my favourite books by her it is still shocking, thrilling and a lot of fun to read. I would highly recommend this one if you are looking for something fast-paced. I wrote a full review of this one which you can find here.

★★★★


Statistics

Books read this month: 12

Pages read this month: 4,509

Books read this year: 102

Pages read this year: 35,439

There you have it, that is everything I read in November! What have you read in November and what are you looking forward to reading in December? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Reading

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