Happy November! I really love this month. I’m back in my favorite sweaters and boots, we’re quickly approaching my two favorite holidays, and the cooler weather makes it feel extra cozy to snuggle up with a book under a blanket.
I’m in the midst of preparing for the annual Christmas Book Guide that will release next week (you can find past guides here). That means I’ve been cramming to try to fit in just a couple more good holiday novels for you guys, which is the best kind of “work” I can think of. Unless someone wants to pay me to be a taste-tester at a coffee shop/bakery, in which case I accept and my blogging days are over.
Anyway, there are several holiday books on my list today, but also a few other things as well, inlcuding a celebrity memoir and a classic mystery. I try to keep some variety, even when I’m working through a focused reading list. What are you reading this month? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
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Just Finished:
This sobering study on how pressure affects kids has given me a lot to think about. It’s so hard to strike a balance between encouraging your kids to live up to their potential and making them feel like they are never enough. I felt like the first half of the book was kind of discouraging as she laid out the research and findings she had on this topic. But I walked away at the end feeling more informed and empowered by a few things that parents and other guardians/important adults can do to help our kids succeed outside the pressure-cooker of our race-to-the-top culture. I would 10/10 recommend this book for all parents.
I have done an unusual amount of re-reading this fall, and this book is on that list. I loved it when I read it last year, so I was excited to revisit it when it was selected for my book club this month. I wrote an entire review last year that you can read if you want more details, so here I’ll just say that this is such a captivating story with a unique premise that leaves you guessing until the end. I love the characters, I love the ending, I love the raw, realistic emotions that this book will give you. If you like a hint of fantasy solidly grounded in the real world, pick this one up.
In Progress:
Every time I read an Agatha Christie novel, I always ask myself, “Why don’t I read these more often?” I’m particularly fond, as I know many people are, of her Hercule Poirot novels. I just think he’s such a cool character with his wisdom and intelligence mixed with good humor and compassion. Death on the Nile is somewhat of a locked room mystery since the murder hinted at in the title takes place on a boat that keeps the characters pretty well contained. It’s a layered mystery that is perfectly paced. I’m almost done and I can’t wait to see if my prediction of whodunit is correct.
I’m squarely in the middle of this collection of three Christmas stories and I’m very much enjoying it. I like that there is enough variety in the style and tone of these stories, as well as the setting, characters, and plots, that they are all very distinct. I feel like sometimes the stories in collections like these kind of run together, but that’s not the case with this one. Looking forward to finishing the second half!
This is basically the definition of a Hallmark Christmas story as a workaholic young woman is forced to go to “Christmas Camp” at a charming inn in order to find her Christmas spirit and be considered for a promotion. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was adapted to a movie but I haven’t watched it, so no comments. I do think it’s a fun story that is a low stakes relaxing read and I’ll almost certainly be including it in the guide next week unless the ending is super disappointing (which I don’t expect to be the case, but you never know).
Up Next:
I’ve heard of Fredrik Backman, of course. I know he’s super popular, but I’ve never read any of his work. That is about to change, thanks to a recommendation by a book club friend that was heartily co-signed by a few other attendees. I got it from the library and it is literally at the top of my TBR pile waiting to be picked up as soon as I finish Death on the Nile. I know next to nothing about it, but I’m really excited to read it and report back.
Have I mentioned that I’m in my celebrity memoir era? I was a little resistant to it at first because it seems like I should be reading meatier, more informative or transformative nonfiction. But at this point, I’ve decided to lean into it. I love seeing how famous people got where they are, internalizing the cautionary parts of their stories, and looking for larger patterns. I’m excited about Prince Harry’s story because he’s a bit different from other “celebrities” in that it’s something he was born into, not something he achieved. In fact, he’s stepped away from his position of influence in a lot of ways, so I’m interested to hear more about his perspective and likely be reminded that things are not always as they seem from the outside.
As always, you can fin dmore great book recommendations at Anne Bogel’s Modern Mrs. Darcy Quick Lit post, where she shares what she’s been reading and invites others to do the same in the comments.
I’m so glad you’ve sprinkled some Christmas cheer into your reading life. I finished my first Christmas fiction in ages and it was so satisfying: Christmas with the Queen. Holiday romance meets royal history.