The reading crunch is on! Has anyone else overestimated their reading goal for 2019? I was on par with my goal of reading 50 books this year until September hit. At the start of November, I had read 35 of the 50 books I wanted to. I needed to surpass my usual book-a-week pace to meet my goal for the end of the year. I have set myself a lofty goal of reading 50 books a year until I am 50 years old, at which point I will have read 1000 books. Here is a quick overview of what I read in November. I won't have a chance to do full reviews on all the books from this month, but here is a look at how they shaped up.
The Next Person You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
Rating: 4 Stars
This book in 3 words: Heartwarming, Thoughtful & Reflective.
Thoughts: The sequel to The Five People You Meet In Heaven. When Annie gets to meet the 5 people waiting for her in heaven, she is taught some hard but life-changing lessons. This book reminds us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, that mistakes are not always what they seem, and helps us realize how much impact we have on others.
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Rating: 4 Stars
This book in 3 words: Loveable, Quirky & Refreshing.
Thoughts: The two flatmates that haven't met, Leon and Tiffy, are here to steal your heart. The Flatshare took a minute to get used to with the various writing styles across narrators, it certainly threw me for a loop initially, but it is worth your patience. What stands out about this romantic storyline compared to others was how un-stereotypical the characters were. It was an absolutely refreshing book for the genre and reminds us all of the power of a good love note.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Rating: 3 Stars
This book in 3 words: Raw, Honest, & Dynamic.
Thoughts: Sally Rooney managed to capture what it feels like to be both young and weighed down by the world. The two main characters, Marianne and Connell, navigate their ever-changing power dynamics, mental health, and relationship over a 4-year timespan. Despite the lack of quotation marks used in this book, the conversation and developing the relationship between Marianne and Connell was an interesting one. There were so many layers and dynamics at play in this novel, it reminds us how difficult growing up can be.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Rating: 5 stars
Book in 3 words: Youthful, Charming & Wonderful.
Thoughts: Anne perfectly captures what it feels like to be young. Through her imagination and creativity, Anne of Green Gables reminds us to be grateful and stop and smell the roses. This book made me chuckle, smile, and stop to appreciate a turn of phrase. There is a reason this story has withstood time and become a classic.
The Christmas Party by Karen Swan
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Book in 3 words: Secrets, Family, & Passion.
Thoughts: This book was a perfect example of Karen Swan doing what she does best. There was an incredible number of juicy secrets and plot twists embedded in this family drama. The story follows three sisters, each with their own separate storylines, dealing with the aftermath of their father's death. There was enough romance and layers to make this story highly engaging, with just enough Christmas magic sprinkled in there, too.
Although November brought some great books into my life, I still have a long way to go until I reach my goal. I need to read 9 more books in December! Hopefully ( with Christmas break on my side) I will be able to make this happen. I am starting off December by digging into Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal, has anyone else read this one before? Wish me luck.
Yours Literarily,
Lauren.
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