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Best Books of November 2022
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Title: Be the Serpent (October Daye #16)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Hardcover
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) By the time I read it, I was already done the challenge.
Brief reason why it was the best: So about every 4 books in this series, McGuire manages to have a big reveal that changes everything, and this was another one of those. It was heartbreaking, and exciting and even though it's clear that it was all planned, I did not see it coming. The only downside was it ended on a big cliffhanger and the next book won't be out until next September.
- Title: Speak - Author: Louisa Hall
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best: This book asks many pertinent questions regarding artificial intelligence, and the effects of technology, and is based on current research as well as observed phenomena. The storylines are intricately connected. They examine memory, identity, and what it means to achieve “being.” It is a touching and engaging speculative novel that spans centuries. It features interesting characters rising to the challenges of their times. I loved it and look forward to reading more from Louisa Hall.
My Review
- Title: Dinosaurs
- Author: Lydia Millet
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best: The prose is sparse but elegant. Themes include human interactions with nature, political strife we have seen in recent years, and the uses (and abuses) we experience at the hands of selfish individuals. I found it different and refreshing. It will appeal to those who enjoy character studies, reflective stories, and realistic writing. If you live in Arizona or a high desert region, don't miss it!
My Review
- Title: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon- Author: Kimberly Lemming
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): N/A as I had finished the challenge but would work for #3 (A book with 22 or more letters in the title), #40 (A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards (Devil)), #41 (A book with a theme of food or drink), #46 (A book with a non-human as one of the main characters), or (view spoiler).
- Brief reason why it was the best - a fun fantasy romance between a reluctant heroine and a demon who team up to save the world from an evil lich.
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Answer the following questions:
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Thank you Kendra! I also forgot about this thread
The books I chose to read this month accidentally (mostly) coincided with Non-Fiction November, and I liked all of them, so I'll just list those here and leave out my fiction books (which I also liked, but not as much):Title: Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism
Author: Laura E. Gómez
Rating: 4 star
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Hardcover
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 38. A book by a Latin American author
Brief reason why it was the best: You'd think, having always lived in southern California, that I would know more about Latinos than I apparently did. I learned a lot about identity (indigenous, Spanish — colonizers, Black — slaves, or some combination), and how/why someone might choose to identify themselves based on how they see themselves, how others see them, or how it affects their place in community. It's not always clear, and can change in different situations. I also learned a LOT about how Americans (and Europeans) affected Latin American countries in a negative way which makes it necessary for citizens of those countries to leave and head to the US. Lots of Americans complain about immigrants from the south, but we caused the problems that made that necessary for a lot of those people, so...
Title: Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting
Author: Lisa Genova
Rating: 5 star
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Hardcover
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 7. A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind
Brief reason why it was the best: I worry about my memory (which I can see is changing as I age - I'm 58) and Alzheimer's (because my father and HIS father had it). This book did a great job of explaining the different sorts of memory, why it's actually helpful to forget some things, and about how regular memory changes differ from Alzheimer's. I feel relieved and educated. The next book I read was Lisa Genova's Still Alice, a novel about a Harvard professor who has Early-Onset Alzheimer's, and it was also very interesting to see how the knowledge from her non-fiction book played out in this fiction, but also interesting to see Alzheimer's from "the inside".
Title: Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol
Author: Mallory O'Meara
Rating: 5 star
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Hardcover
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 12. A book related to glass
Brief reason why it was the best: Unexpectedly very interesting. A history of women, with the guiding connection being alcohol - the making, selling, and drinking of it - and how women participated in all parts, and often were forbidden from participating. I didn't know how much women participated in drink culture throughout history (goes back to pre-Cleopatra), or about how and why we were often prevented from participating. I unconsciously have been affected by the attitudes about women and alcohol that came from centuries of these exclusion laws.
- Title: Demon Copperhead - Author: Barbara Kingsolver
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Published in 2022
- Brief reason why it was the best - It was “not put downable”… Just needed to find out what was going to happen to the main character.
Mod
- Author: Barbara Kingsolver
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Published in 2022
- Brief reaso..."
Glad to hear you liked it, I have it on audio because I thought the accent would help establish the sense of place.
- Title Hench- Author Natalie Zina Walschots
- Rating 4 and a half stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) Ironically, A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2021 or 2022
- Brief reason why it was the best: It was such an interesting take on all the superhero tropes.
- TitleProject Hail Mary
- Author
Andy Weir
- Rating
5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio)
Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable)
Non human character
- Brief reason why it was the best
Super fun, positive, exciting. Lots of love for science. Great characters
I read a lot this month, but most of them were rereads/not that great so I only had one clear favourite!- Title: Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots
- Author: Cat Sebastian
- Rating: 5/5
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a (could fit for next year: 5. A book with 4 or more colors on the cover, 11. A book about a person/character with a disability, 12. A book connected to birds, bees, or bunnies, 18. A book related to science, 19. A book related to the arts, 26. A book related to pride, 29. A book that is light, 40. A book with a full name in the title, 45. A book whose author has published more than 7 books, 52. A book with an unusual or surprising title)
- Brief reason why it was the best: It was a book where technically nothing happened besides these two characters getting together (and even then, they technically ARE together at the beginning of the story) and I loved it. The definition of a light book, that just really cheered me up.
- Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
- Author: Seanan McGuire
- Rating: 5
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Prompt 23. A book that features loving LGBTQIA+ relationship
- Brief reason why it was the best:
It was just so beautifully written. I really like fairytales, and this had a fairytale vibe, but the horror version. The other world was so intriguing.
- If We Were Villains- M.L. Rio
- 5 stars
- ATY Prompt you used it for: handwriting on the cover
- Have I ever rated a murder mystery 5 stars before?? I can't think of any. This book has so many things going for it - academic setting (a very small arts college), suspense, interesting and complex characters, excerpts of Shakespeare plays, unexpected plot twists. I'm usually disappointed by newer books with high ratings, but this one lives up to the hype!
Kelly Sj wrote: "- If We Were Villains- M.L. Rio
- 5 stars
- ATY Prompt you used it for: handwriting on the cover
- Have I ever rated a murder mystery 5 stars before?? I can't think of any...."
I felt the same way about If We Were Villains when I read it a few years ago! Mysteries are not usually my favorite, but I loved the setting and found the way the author described the characters interacting with each other to be really compelling.
Title: Red DotAuthor: Mike Karpa
Rating: 5 STARS!
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): N/A, I'm done with ATY
Brief reason why it was the best: This was a random find in a "Hopepunk Storybundle" of indie books. How could I not love this book? Hopeful, hopepunk, San Francisco, queer, art, thoughtful and philosophical while also an engaging story. The book explores some of my favorite topics. Plus, my heart was in my throat for the last part of the book, and the ending did not disappoint.
Title: Pachinko
Author: Min Jin Lee
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 45. A book related to a game
Brief reason why it was the best Beautiful character-driven saga. All the feels after finishing this book. Tragically sad things continually happen to this family, but themes of resilience, sacrifice, and loyalty is so inspiring and heartwarming.
My Best November Reads:
Title:The Adventures of China Iron
Author: Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: ebook
Reason: This is an exuberant queer retelling of the 1872 poem about gaucho Martín Fierro starring his young wife China Iron who runs away across the pampas with red headed Scottish Liz on a series of adventures. Here is my review
Title: Once, Only the Swallows Were Free
Author: Gabrielle Gouch
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: ebook
Reason This is a gripping memoir of life in a Jewish family living in Transylvania, Romania under Communist rule and their struggle to escape to Israel and begun again there. Here is my review
Title: The Orange Girl
Author: Jostein Gaarder
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: ebook
Reason: This is a short and sweet, enchanting tale set in Oslo about a 15 year old boy who discovers a letter from his deceased father. His father writes the story of his meeting the mysterious and captivating Orange Girl on a tram. It is a beautiful and moving read. Here is my review
Title: Echoes of the Runes
Author: Christina Courtenay
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reason: This is a dual timeline historical romance involving archaeologists in contemporary Sweden and 9th Century Vikings and Celts. Here is my review
Title:Interpreter of Maladies
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: ebook
Reason: This is a beautiful, award-winning collection of short stories set in India or Bangladesh, or involving Bengali immigrants to the US. It is poignant, insightful, full of loss and longing. Here is my review.
Mod
(It would be helpful to me if everyone went and voted on the listopia so I could clear up some of my posts and add more!)
I didn't have any 5 Star books in November, but two that I really enjoyed are:Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Audio version
Reason: A story about a missing person, this suspenseful novel has more twists and turns than you can foresee. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Audio version
Reason: This nonfiction book is written by a self-proclaimed grump who sets out to visit the places that have been shown to have the highest percentage of happy people. He takes us on an interesting journey, meets happy and unhappy people, and tells the story with a hefty dose of humor.
Title: The Book of KoliAuthor: MR Carey
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a because I am done the challenge
Brief reason why it was the best: Excellent far-post-apocalyptic world building and strong characters
- Title The Last Human- Author Lee Bacon
- Rating 4 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) NA
- Brief reason why it was the best - This was a cute little MG sci-fi book. If you are looking for a break from heavier stuff, give this a try.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Last Human (other topics)The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World (other topics)
Two Nights in Lisbon (other topics)
Interpreter of Maladies (other topics)
Echoes of the Runes (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Lee Bacon (other topics)Eric Weiner (other topics)
Chris Pavone (other topics)
Jhumpa Lahiri (other topics)
Christina Courtenay (other topics)
More...
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Listopia link
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