I posted my wrap up stats over a WEEK ago and never got back to write my mini-reviews for my November reads. In fact, it's taken me a full three days to get this written bit by bit. Ridiculous. Since I really need to get my TBR posted, I suppose I should get this one rolling. So...let's get at it.
Books I Read in November
I've been a fan of Fredrik Backman for a while now and I'm pretty sure I'll read just about anything he feels the desire to write. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a novella Backman wrote about a grandfather with dementia as well as his interactions with his son and grandson. A majority of the book takes place inside the grandfather's mind and it is both beautiful and heartbreaking. There is such a high emotional component to Backman's writing.
The entire book takes place in a short 97 pages, yet Backman still has such a keen way of developing strong characters with dynamic souls. There is so much packed in such a small space and the words honestly tore at me, creating such clear imagery and pure contemplation. The emotional nature of the disease is very poignantly explored. The thing holding me back from a 5-star rating? Honestly, it was the length. I needed there to be more to this. I wanted more. That is, in a way, a good thing that shows how wonderful the writing really is, but this short novella just didn't feel like the complete exploration I would expect from a Backman book.
I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris back in October. I kicked off my November with her sequel, Cilka's Journey. This historical fiction novel follows a minor character from the original book, Cilka, as she experiences the horrors of the Russian Gulags following World War II. This is another gut-wrenching read (apparently I was in a mood at the end of October/first of November).
I was unfamiliar with the Gulags until this book. Discovering a new piece of history was intriguing and I was lucky enough to be introduced to the topic with a very well-written read. Though this book did not feel as in-depth as that of The Tattooist of Auschwitz (likely owing to the personal connection Morris had with Lale, the primary character), I was still very much moved by the story and found it to be a good follow up. Morris's writing is moving and full of both historical fact and emotional components.
The ending was a little less than I had hoped for, being a little quick on the wrap up and leaving me feeling a lack of closure. I'm pretty picky about my endings, so this isn't a huge detraction, but it did prevent a 5-star rating.
The ending was a little less than I had hoped for, being a little quick on the wrap up and leaving me feeling a lack of closure. I'm pretty picky about my endings, so this isn't a huge detraction, but it did prevent a 5-star rating.
From here forward there are a lot of middle school reads for the month. That's because, as I've mentioned a few times, I participated in Gavin Hetherington's Believe in the Impossible Readathon (Believathon) for the month of November. This may have been one of the most fun times I've had participating in a readathon. But...I digress.
I'm not sure how I managed to leave my formative years without reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Honestly, I probably thought of it as a boy book at the time...though I will admit that some of my favorite novels in middle grade were aimed at boys...I was obsessed with the Adventure series by Willard Price. Regardless, this was a really good read. I enjoy Paulsen's style and I love how realistic he made his plot. I loved that there were learning curves to Brian's experiences and that things didn't always just snap right into place.
Hatchet is an incredibly good middle grade read, though it still read very well as an adult. Granted, the writing is age appropriate to the intended audience, but it is still a fantastic narrative and great story full of useful information regarding wilderness survival. Highly recommend this for any middle grade readers.
I wish I had gotten to Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon in my October reads, as this is a fantastically spooky book. I really enjoyed it. It was a solid ARC and something just a little different that I needed in my reading for the month.
Set in a world similar to ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, this fantasy tale revolves around the Gravemaidens, young girls chosen to accompany a ruler to the afterworld following his death. In a means of human sacrifice, these "chosen ones" are sealed in the tomb with the deceased leader. In this tale, Kammani is attempting to save her younger sister Nanaea from a gravemaiden's fate.
I was drawn to this one by both spooky premise and cool cover. The world building was fun and different, blending existing cultures with bits of imagination. It was an entertaining read though I will admit that some of the pacing did move inconsistently. Overall though, the plot moved well and I was interested in the plot from start to finish. Gravemaidens was a good and quick read that kept my attention and I am looking forward to reading the upcoming sequel.
Set in a world similar to ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, this fantasy tale revolves around the Gravemaidens, young girls chosen to accompany a ruler to the afterworld following his death. In a means of human sacrifice, these "chosen ones" are sealed in the tomb with the deceased leader. In this tale, Kammani is attempting to save her younger sister Nanaea from a gravemaiden's fate.
I was drawn to this one by both spooky premise and cool cover. The world building was fun and different, blending existing cultures with bits of imagination. It was an entertaining read though I will admit that some of the pacing did move inconsistently. Overall though, the plot moved well and I was interested in the plot from start to finish. Gravemaidens was a good and quick read that kept my attention and I am looking forward to reading the upcoming sequel.
Though it was a reread, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was my clear favorite of the month. It was one of two five-star reads, both of which were middle grade choices. This is a true children's classic and I will love it forever. I listened to the author narrated audiobook and found it truly charming. It is one of the best tales of friendship out there and it is so deeply touching. E.B. White's writing is just perfect for middle graders, mixing in some more complicated vocabulary while allowing the characters to provide definitions in the context of the story. It's done in such a clever way that educates the young reader without talking down to them. I find this just wonderful. I will admit that the ending destroyed me nearly as thoroughly as it did my younger self. Charlotte's Web will always be one of my all-time favorites.
Roald Dahl was an author I was never really familiar with as a child. I became aware of him as I grew older, but never picked up any of his novels. And so, The BFG was my first foray into his works beyond my exposure to the movie adaptations of his works. The writing was cute and quirky and the narrative was a whimsical tale that is well-suited for its intended audience. I was slightly spoiled by already knowing the plot from the movie, but it was still entertaining. I love the creative speech patterns of the BFG and the way the fantastical is woven with reality. Both of these pieces of Roald Dahl genius gave the tale an added layer of complexity and depth. Though it didn't rank as high as some of my favorite middle grade reads, The BFG was still an enjoyable, quick read. I will be picking up more of his books in the future.
The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith was the only book I've managed to complete a full review for thus far on the blog and I've actually adjusted its rating up to a 4.5 from the posted 4 after further consideration. That's what happens when I do a review too quickly and don't let the full effect of the narrative settle.
Like The Gravemaidens, this one started off interesting right away, with a different style of world and one heck of an interesting introduction. No one quite expects the protagonist to start off transfigured into a toad. This is another book perfect for the spooky season, with a high atmospheric feel and creepy plot.
I loved the detail to the narrative. The writing was full of sensory bits and painted a very full picture from beginning to end. Luanne G. Smith has one heck of an imagination. The magical elements were fun and didn't feel out of place with the rest of the story, they felt like a natural extension of something authentic.
I wanted more from the characters, but hope that this continues to develop and flesh out through the release of the projected sequel. Additionally, there were some awkward pieces -- particularly with the romantic plot -- that kept me from having it as a 5-star read. I will say though, despite its minor faults, this book was very much worth the read.
Like The Gravemaidens, this one started off interesting right away, with a different style of world and one heck of an interesting introduction. No one quite expects the protagonist to start off transfigured into a toad. This is another book perfect for the spooky season, with a high atmospheric feel and creepy plot.
I loved the detail to the narrative. The writing was full of sensory bits and painted a very full picture from beginning to end. Luanne G. Smith has one heck of an imagination. The magical elements were fun and didn't feel out of place with the rest of the story, they felt like a natural extension of something authentic.
I wanted more from the characters, but hope that this continues to develop and flesh out through the release of the projected sequel. Additionally, there were some awkward pieces -- particularly with the romantic plot -- that kept me from having it as a 5-star read. I will say though, despite its minor faults, this book was very much worth the read.
And then I returned to the gut punch section of my reading. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry was my second 5-star read of the month and it was something that far exceeded my expectations. The writing is so incredibly beautiful, with such great attention to how the mind of a middle grader would have perceived the events surrounding the Holocaust in WWII. Lowry tells this tell so impeccably. It is worded just right for the intended audience, with the use of a protagonist who is experiencing things in bits and pieces, interpreting them in an age-appropriate way. Though it is such a difficult tale to tell, it is not overly graphic or violent for the age group. And yet Number the Stars still delivers the message needed, demonstrating the prejudice of the time in all its ugliness. Created so masterfully, I am still in awe of this book and it has become a new favorite.
Darian loved reading Rick Riordan's books when he was younger. He talked them up all the time, but I never got around to reading one myself. Somehow convincing myself that it was just a poor-man's Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson series just languished on my TBR shelf. So...when Believathon came along and I found that my library had the series in audio, I knew it was time. I grabbed The Lightning Thief and hit play. And guys, I am so glad.
This book was so much fun. It stands completely apart from Harry Potter and really just exists as another series that lovers of that kind of book can enjoy. The Greek mythology component is awesome. Had these been around when I was in middle school, I'm sure I would have devoured them. Yes, I will admit that the writing is a little immature, but that's part of what makes it so enjoyable. As you'll see further down this list, I couldn't wait to continue on with the series.
This book was so much fun. It stands completely apart from Harry Potter and really just exists as another series that lovers of that kind of book can enjoy. The Greek mythology component is awesome. Had these been around when I was in middle school, I'm sure I would have devoured them. Yes, I will admit that the writing is a little immature, but that's part of what makes it so enjoyable. As you'll see further down this list, I couldn't wait to continue on with the series.
I pretty often confuse Black Beauty with The Black Stallion, so I had it in my mind that I had maybe read this one already. I hadn't. The autobiography of a horse in this way wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was interesting. My first impression of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is how well it has held up with the passage of time. Yes, it's about a horse, but it also contains such great insight into human nature. There are a lot of little tidbits that still stand relevant as social lessons that are applicable to both middle graders and adults. The language of the tale, though it is an older one, is still easy to read (despite a few outdated terms and commonplaces) and the book moves smoothly. There is a good batch of lessons in this one and I think it is a great reminder about the importance of kindness, integrity, and gratitude, despite one's circumstances.
I told you Percy Jackson would be back. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan was both my final middle grade read and my final audiobook of the month and I finished it in a single day. I've totally been sucked into this series. In fact, I should finish the third installment later today.
Sequels often fall flat, but I found that this was a good follow up to The Lightning Thief. It reintroduces the characters and gives some background for those who have either not read the first book or simply need a refresher. The little bits of humor and sarcasm that are sprinkled into these books is fantastic and have brought a smile to my face on more than one occasion. In addition to the entertainment factor and education in Greek mythology, there are some little moral lessons along the way.
I'm very much enjoying this series. Once again, so glad I finally gave in and picked it up.
Sequels often fall flat, but I found that this was a good follow up to The Lightning Thief. It reintroduces the characters and gives some background for those who have either not read the first book or simply need a refresher. The little bits of humor and sarcasm that are sprinkled into these books is fantastic and have brought a smile to my face on more than one occasion. In addition to the entertainment factor and education in Greek mythology, there are some little moral lessons along the way.
I'm very much enjoying this series. Once again, so glad I finally gave in and picked it up.
We've finally made it to my final read of the month. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a disappointment. After a month full of reads that ranked 4 stars and above, Swede Hollow by Ola Larsmo had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, I was maybe not in the right place for reading it. A story about the historical movement of immigrants from Sweden to the area of Minneapolis that became known as Swede Hollow, the book is a slow burn family drama that is very character driven. I sometimes struggle with that approach.
There is some wonderful story and the writing is good, but there were a few problems with the plot and the POV alterations that detracted me and made me lose some momentum with the book. It was an interesting part of history, especially given how close it is to where I live, but things moved a little slower than I wanted and I just struggled. It's just one of those cases where it is a decent book, but not really one for me.
There is some wonderful story and the writing is good, but there were a few problems with the plot and the POV alterations that detracted me and made me lose some momentum with the book. It was an interesting part of history, especially given how close it is to where I live, but things moved a little slower than I wanted and I just struggled. It's just one of those cases where it is a decent book, but not really one for me.
And there you have it. I finally made it through this post. I'll be taking a couple of days for family and then I'll get back here to get my TBR up for the month (hopefully before it's already half over). In the meantime, check out some of these reads and see what you think. Disagree with any of my ratings? What did you think?
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