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TBR: November 2024

 


Happy November, friends!

I'm still working on reviewing my October books but wanted to get this TBR out straight away. Only one is a reread (but an all-time favorite) and it's exciting to have a stack of books that I have been anticipating for a long time. Finally the cool weather is here and I'm ready to fall headlong into these!

Have a look and let me know what you think. As usual, you can click on the cover image of each book to be taken to its Goodreads page.




Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.

Our in-person book club chose this for our November pick and I'm thrilled! This will be the third fall in a row that I've celebrated with a cozy blanket and this captivating novel. 

Jane Eyre is a moody coming of age classic. As the kids would say, it's a total vibe. I can't wait to talk about this book with my friends! 

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel.

This is the Close Reads book scheduled for podcasts from October 28 - November 25.  I read (and really enjoyed) the first chapter. Because the beginning didn't match what I read in the book blurb, I anticipate a large plot twist on the horizon! A great start with compelling writing so far! 


The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis.

One of the top-rated novels of 2023, I've had this one sitting in my Kindle library since last December, just waiting for the right time to dig in. While I'm not a big fantasy reader, I try to find one or two to read each year. It feels good to peel away from my comfort zone to intentionally appreciate different types of stories. Plus, Jeff and the kids like talking about fantasy books and I can recommend them when they're good. This book won't be the boys' cup of tea but it's a potential rec for the girls.


James by Percival Everett.

I'm looking forward to reading this book for three reasons:

1. It's a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn. 

2. It's praised by nearly every Booktuber, Bookstagrammer, and book blogger that I follow.

3. I waited 4 months to get it from the library. I've been chomping at the bit and the time has finally arrived!



One by One, by Ruth Ware.

This book came on my radar via a recommendation and I believe it's a literary-mystery in the vein of The Woman in the Window. I don't tend to reach for mystery novels in spring or summer, but come fall I'm ready! This month I'm hoping to get to two mysteries.


We Solve Murders by Richard Osman.

The second mystery novel I'm hoping to read is the new one by Richard Osman. I enjoyed his wit and twists in The Thursday Murder Club and while this book is not part of that world, I have heard good things and look forward to it!



The Netanyahu's by Joshua Cohen.

This is my current audio book and is another story that has been sitting on my virtual shelves for a long time! I think I purchased it a year ago but missed my mood-reading window and decided to save it until the cold returned. 

So far all I can say is that this seems different from the kinds of books that I normally read, and I love that! The audio version has background sound effects and music to accompany the reading, giving the whole experience a feel of listening to a play. Original and interesting so far!


Other things in November:

This year I haven't much enjoyed all of the chores blocking the path to our slower cold-weather pace. For whatever reason they have been more involved and taking longer than usual. I just want things to be done already! (If you read that last sentence and heard a whiny teenager then you had it kinda' right. I'm working on my attitude. I’m coming off of three months on steroids and feeling awful, which makes each task harder. Possibly another cup of coffee is in order.) 

Most of the tear-down and clean-up work of fall is done but we still need to put up the plastic sheeting for the chicken run, mow one last time, and prep the chicken yard for winter. We also need to stock enough chicken feed and scratch mix items to get us through the winter and trim the chickens' wings so they can't get any bright ideas and try to escape. (We don't want to be chasing chickens around the field behind our house when it's minus-nine with the windchill.)

We also need to mulch the garlic and strawberries then turn and water the compost pile one more time. Finally, we'll clean the garage so the girls' car can be warm and cozy over winter. 

I'm grateful for all of these things. I'm grateful for my strong body, for my husband who I get to work beside, and for the opportunity to prepare our sweet animals and beautiful garden for the winter. I'm also grateful that I have the option of a slower season once all this outdoor work is done. I keep telling myself, "You're nearly there! Finish well!" 

What's on your November to-do list and TBR?


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