November Reads | Wrap Up

Alright, alright, I know I’ve been pretty slack on the review front lately, but I’m making up for it by giving you mini reviews of ALL the books I read in November in one bite-sized post. Hooray!

If you need some gift inspiration for the bookworm in your life, you might just find some gems below…

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The Yield – Tara June Winch

This one was a slow start for me, but after I hit the halfway point I couldn’t put it down. I’m so glad to see more indigenous stories and authors coming to the fore in Australian literature, and this beautifully written novel was a fabulous way for me to learn more about the culture and struggles of Indigenous Australians. I definitely recommend picking this one up, especially Aussies!

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Island on the Edge of the World  – Deborah Rodriguez

What a colourful book, inside and out! Though it didn’t captivate me to the same extent as Rodriguez’s ‘The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul‘, I enjoyed the romp through Haiti and learning of the problems that can arise with foreign aid efforts. It was eye-opening, funny, and emotional all at once.

You can read my full review of this here.

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Wayward Son – Rainbow Rowell

SUCH a satisfying follow up to Rowell’s hit YA fantasy novel, Carry On. Wayward Son tells the story of what happens to the hero AFTER the bad guy’s been defeated. It’s not a story we often get to see, and given the ending of Carry On, I’m so glad Rowell wrote this one.

Plus, we have the added benefit of more Penny sass, more SnowBaz love, and an awesome new character, Shepherd! Yes yes yes.

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The Diary of a Bookseller – Shaun Bythell

The only non fiction I read for #nonfictionnovember – oops. It was a BEAUTY though. I took my time with this one and savoured every entry, often chuckling to myself in bed and reading parts aloud to CK after eliciting strange looks from my laughter. SUCH a fun read, and definitely a great pick for any readers in your life as it was great to read about the ‘behind the scenes’ of book selling in today’s market.

I’m already excited to read the follow up book, ‘Confessions of a Bookseller‘ (written in the same diary format!)

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Saving Missy – Beth Morrey (US Title: The Love Story of Missy Carmichael)

This book was touted as being for lovers of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and boy it did NOT disappoint. Though the books are very different, the thread of emotion running through both is similar. I absolutely adored the characters in Saving Missy, and was laughing, cheering, and crying right along with them all throughout the story.

It’s not out until next year but OH BOY you should be very excited because this was an easy 5 stars from me.

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So that was my month in reading! A pretty great group of books if I do say so myself, with a mix of genres & themes. I loved each of them in their own right, but Saving Missy & Diary of a Bookseller were for sure my standouts!

What was your standout read of the month? As always, I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading & if you’ve read any of the above books too!

Until next time,
M xx