Reading Wrap-Up: November 2024
An interesting blend of outrage and uplift in the 10 books I read this month.
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Oh, November. What a month you have been!
Looking back, much of my November reading either outraged or uplifted me - or both. And to be honest, this reflects my feelings in general throughout November as well.
Fortunately, most of what I picked up seemed to ‘meet me where I was’ and really worked for me. I believe at least two of these will show up on my favorites of the year lists - and those lists will also be coming your way soon! If you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe so you’ll see my 10 Nonfiction Favorites, 10 Fiction Favorites, a fun superlatives list, and more. I’m currently reading book #119 of the year so the choosing will be difficult (but fun!) in December!
Alright, let’s dig into my November reads. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these and what you thought!
James by Percival Everett
“I considered running…but in which direction does one run from lightning?” - James by Percival Everett
This book is everywhere - including recently winning the National Book Award for fiction and also being named Barnes & Noble’s Book Of The Year - and for worthy reason: It is a powerhouse of a story, all at once compelling, terrifying, funny, heartbreaking, difficult, eye-opening, touching. I have never read Huckleberry Finn so I wasn’t sure I would grasp this one fully (it is a reimagining of that classic from the character Jim’s perspective), but I needn’t have worried - James fully and firmly stands on its own. I particularly loved the clever notes on language and how James altered his depending on his audience, as well as the power of literacy demonstrated throughout the story. This was a hard read, too - not at all in its accessibility, but in the reminders of the realities of slavery. Hard, but important, and so much more.
Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond
The two words that first came to mind (and to my book journal) after reading this powerful resource: Eye-opening and infuriating. Desmond offers a profound look into poverty and addresses the issue from a wide variety of angles, including minimum wage, healthcare, racism, government involvement or lack thereof, and more. This is incredibly well-written and well-researched, and Desmond - who won the Pulitzer for his earlier book, Evicted - does an excellent job sharing where we’re falling short and ways we could actually eliminate poverty in our country. While systemic and policy changes play a significant role, as individuals we can also make our difference:
“Movements need people to march, but they also need graphic designers and cooks and marketing professionals and teachers and faith leaders and lawyers. We can all direct our obsessions and talents toward abolishing poverty.” - Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond
Read Dangerously by Azar Nafisi
Subtitled ‘The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times,’ I found this an incredibly thought-provoking (and, again, eye-opening and infuriating!) read. Nafisi moved to the U.S. from Iran and earned her degree in English Literature; she has since become an educator as well as a prolific and award-winning author. Her breadth of knowledge in literature is evident throughout the pages of Read Dangerously, where she deftly connects current events with the works of such authors as Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Margaret Atwood, Zora Neale Hurston, and others. Her love for literature shines through this book, as does her desire for strengthening our knowledge, activism, communities, and overall life experience through, in large part, the power of books. I resonated with her frustration as well as her hope, and I appreciated how she connected it all to the undeniable power of literacy.
“We cannot lose hope in a world that creates a Rumi or a Shakespeare.” - Read Dangerously by Azar Nafisi
Heartstopper, v4 by Alice Oseman
At this point in the month I needed a bit of lightness in my reading life and was hopeful that volume 4 of this lovely graphic novel series would deliver - and it most certainly did. I loved being back in the world of Nick, Charlie, and their families and friends. I don’t tend to read much young adult literature but I am always delighted when I come across an example like Heartstopper - I appreciate how it addresses important topics like relationships, family dynamics, and mental health; doesn’t shy away from challenges (nor does it make everything magically and instantly perfect); and provides a setting for readers to explore themes they may have encountered many times in their lives - or may be encountering for the first time through the pages of these books. This series feels heartening, safe, lovely, and real. I need to get to volume 5 soon!
Consider This by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Glover Tawwab’s earlier book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace, made it into my top ten the year I read it, so I was happy to spot a new release from her while walking through my library recently. Consider This takes quite a different approach from her previous book, offering a number of ‘quick hits’ (stemming from her posts on Instagram throughout the year) on a variety of topics ranging from forgiveness to communication to self-compassion. Similar to an essay collection, this would be an easy book to dip in and out of, perhaps even reading an entry a day. I wasn’t sure at first if I was in the mood for such an approach, but by the end I had tabbed quite a few poignant lines and messages. An example of one sentiment that will stick with me:
“When we see videos of babies learning to walk, the adults in the background are usually encouraging. ‘You can do it! Good job! Yay!’ They don’t say, ‘Hurry up! Walk faster!’ Be gentle with yourself as you implement new practices… Progress does not look like mastery. It looks like slow growth.” - Consider This by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Agatha Raisin #27 and #28 by M.C. Beaton
I am almost caught up with the series! I don’t think I’ll be able to tell many of these books apart from one another, especially since I’ve read them all within the past couple of years rather than pacing them out a bit more, but it’s enjoyable to have this little village of familiar characters to revisit. I have seven or so remaining to fully catch up with the series, which I believe still continues to release new installments.
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
Earlier this fall I had the great pleasure of visiting Louise Erdrich’s bookstore, Birchbark Books, in Minneapolis, MN. What a gem of a store with a beautifully curated collection!
And this month I read her new release, The Mighty Red, and loved it. I must admit the synopsis didn’t really grab me, but I trust Erdrich as a writer - and I adore Marin Ireland as an audiobook narrator - so when this became available on Libby I took immediate advantage. One skill that amazes me in fiction writing: When I can be so frustrated with the characters but still love the story! Which was definitely the case with The Mighty Red - I often wanted characters to choose differently, but also appreciated the messiness and challenges in life that we all try to navigate as best we can. I loved the exploration of relationships, perseverance, decisions and their consequences, righting past wrongs (or not), and having a strong work ethic (or not). This book was so much more - and so different - than I expected, and I’m glad I jumped right in.
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
I only discovered the beloved Inspector Gamache series a few years ago but quickly became a fan and read the first 18 books in the series rather swiftly…then had to wait two years, like the rest of the vast fan base, for this most recent installment! I found The Grey Wolf to be well worth the wait, however. I loved revisiting the characters (and croissants) of Three Pines; enjoying the problem-solving and witty banter between Gamache, LaCoste, and Beauvoir; and joining in the adventure that they attempt to tackle throughout the story. I felt more invested in - and more stressed by - the mystery than I usually do, which only added to the propulsive nature of the story. I’m already looking forward to #20!
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I never expected to become fully immersed in nonfiction stories about sweetgrass and moss, but Wall Kimmerer made that happen for me with her two earlier releases; it’s no surprise that she’s done it again, this time with serviceberries. This was an absolutely gorgeous book to wrap up my November nonfiction! Based on the theme that ‘All flourishing is mutual,’ this lovely, peaceful, call-to-action book provides us with the insight and inspiration to become better stewards of our land and of each other. At only 112 pages and interspersed with beautiful illustrations by John Burgoyne, you could read this in a sitting; I spread it out over a few sessions and, despite its brevity, took pages of notes. I love her storytelling, her wisdom, and her gentle yet firm approach to making our world better in all ways. Connecting the subject matter to gift economies is brilliant - and this book itself would make a lovely gift this holiday season.
“What if our motives for well-being included birdsong, the crescendo of crickets on a summer evening, and neighbors calling to each other across the road?” - The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
There we have it, the ten varied books that fueled my November reading! What book did you love in November? Is there a book you really want to read before 2024 wraps up? Let me know in the comments!
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