I’m not sure how we’re already several days into the last month of the year, but here we are again. I had a decent reading month in November and I’m feeling more confident that I can hit my 2023 Goodreads reading goal before the end of the year (currently sitting at 47/52 books complete).
I read 6 books in November and I enjoyed all of them.
*All links will take you to the book’s Goodreads page*
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
322 pages, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #4, published in 2008 originally.
Rating: 4 stars
My thoughts: *contains light spoilers*. The first book in this series that is not set predominantly in Three Pines. We don’t get any progression of the corruption subplot from previous books. We do get more of Armand and Reine-Marie’s background, which I really enjoyed.
Genre: Mystery
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
352 pages, published in 2023, first in a series
Rating: 5 stars
My thoughts: A lot of people talk about the romance in this story, but I thought it was more of a comedy. Sassy in the best way. I will definitely continue with this series.
Genre: Fantasy
City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong
412 pages, published in 2016, first in a series
Rating: 4 stars
My thoughts: A mythical/real city in the rugged Canadian wilderness where people who need to disappear can apply to do so. This is a really intriguing premise and I flew through this first book. I’ve already got the second one from the library.
Genre: Mystery
Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook
313 pages, published in 2021, Haunted Library Mysteries #5
Rating: 3 stars
My thoughts: Really bizarre plotlines in this one made it harder to follow. The ending didn’t feel as satisfying to me. Parts have already faded from my memory. I’m still loyal to this series, but I hope the next entry has a little more substance. I’ve already got it from the library, and I’ll be almost caught up with this series at that point.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Murder in the Books Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams
304 pages, published in 2023, Book Retreat Mystery #9
Rating: 3 stars
My thoughts: *Minor spoilers* It’s time for this series to conclude. The blending of Adams’ former series was nice for long-time fans, but the plots of these are really flimsy now that the library is gone. It’s like she tied up the ending really well several books back but for some reason we are still going. There were some character developments that could point to an impending wrap-up, but I’m hoping it comes in the next book. At a certain point, I think we just all want the characters that we love to get their happy endings. I still love Ellery Adams’ writing and will read anything she writes.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
312 pages, published in 2019
Rating: 5 stars
My thoughts: This was a book club pick and I went into it not knowing anything, which I think is best. This was one of my favorite books of the year. I’m not sure, even days later, if the main theme of this book leans more towards love or more towards grief, but it is beautiful. It will also make you crave Persian food. The author has a new book that is projected to come out in July of 2024, and I will be on the lookout for it. Also, the cover is stunningly gorgeous. The picture here does not do it justice.
Genre: Historical/Literary Fiction
Total Books Read: 6
Total Pages Read: 2,015
Average Number of Pages per Book: 336
5 Star Ratings: 2
4 Star Ratings: 2
3 Star Ratings: 2
Average Rating for November: 4 Stars
Books Dani Likes 