What I Read in November 2022
Once again, I don’t know how the months pass by so quickly. November was BUSY. Like, probably busier than any other month of 2022. I am exhausted and so ready to slow now and get cozy this December. But I did manage to read 14 books while also making time to write 80,000 words worth of a first draft of a new novel. Safe to say, I am tired. I think my favorite of the month was Tis the Season for Revenge! I plan on reading alllllll the holiday rom coms next month and dip into a few 2023 ARCs. I can’t believe December is already here!
White Out by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
I thought this was a really sweet little anthology! I really enjoyed this group of authors’ other work, Black Out, plus their individual work. It was great on audio.
Kiss Her Once for Me by Allison Cochrun
This book pack a festive punch! Plus, it’s really sweet and heartwarming, while also addressing real and relevant issues. I loved it even more than The Charm Offensive!
The Wind at My Back by Misty Copeland
I really appreciated Copeland’s critique’s and stories of racial inequity in the ballet world. Growing up in the ballet world as the daughter of a professional ballerina, I knew all too well the realities of the industry.
A Christmas Caroline by Camilla Isley
I’m really unsure about this book. It was entertaining but there’s something about a workaholic woman who doesn’t want children being portrayed as the Scrooge character that rubs me the wrong way…there is a lot of nuance to the book and the end explains all the reasoning behind it, but still, I feel quite conflicted.
Happenstance by Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey’s first foray into “why choose” romances and it was everything you can expect from a Tessa Bailey novel. While I didn’t it and it hasn’t replaced any of my favorites from her, it was a wild ride (literally) and entertaining. Shockingly, I wanted more from the mystery plot!
Have I Told You This Already? by Lauren Graham
I love Lauren Graham and enjoyed her first nonfiction book as well as her novel, Someday Someday Maybe, but I didn’t really enjoy this collection of essays. Some were quite touching but I didn’t connect to it as much as I thought. It’s still fun!
Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne
This was such a fun holiday rom com with some spice! It’s a brother’s best friend/enemies to lovers romance.
The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park
If you’re looking for something super Christmassy, I don’t think you’ll find it in this book, but I did really enjoy what it explored. The “death” of malls is something that fascinates me. Plus, I really liked the two different portrayals of kids trying to make their parents proud. It’s a sweet YA book with a little romance that spans Halloween through Christmas.
The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish
The plot of this book is a lot like The Holiday, aka one of my favorite movies of all time, but with a much more diverse cast of characters. While there was a lot going on, I did enjoy it!
The Naughty or Nice Clause by Kate Callaghan
I wanted to love this book, but it didn’t do it for me. I did love that it was more on the fantasy side than super cheesy side when it came to the magic of the North Pole. It was a breath of fresh air!
Token Black Girl by Danielle Prescod
There is a A LOT of nuance to this book. For my fellow white readers, I think it’s important to understand how white supremacy infiltrates everything.
One Forked Up Thanksgiving by Claire Raye
This was cute and fun but I definitely wish it had been a novella.
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
A Christmassy rom com based on Legally Blonde? Yes please. I had so much reading this book! It’s also very spicy so if that’s not your thing, I wouldn’t read it.
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton
I haven’t touched anything HP related in years because I am disgusted by JKR’s anti-trans rhetoric, which is dangerous and heartbreaking. I can only imagine how the cast and crew of the films feel after devoting so much of their lives to the franchise. I was moved by Felton’s memoir and a lot of things he mentioned. It was great on audio.