All About Books discussion

As the nights draw in and the pace of the year slows, November feels like the perfect time to curl up with a book that stirs reflection, curiosity, or simply offers a great escape. This month, we’d love everyone to share their own pick for November 2025 — whether it’s something comforting, thought-provoking, or completely unexpected. To get the ideas flowing, here’s a mix of fiction and non-fiction suggestions that suit a range of moods and readers.

📖 Fiction

All Fours by Miranda July – A witty, introspective novel about a woman’s midlife road trip and the search for freedom and self-reinvention.
Perfect for November: a reminder that change and discovery can happen at any age — even as the year winds down.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden – A tense and atmospheric story set in 1960s Netherlands, exploring guilt, repression, and buried secrets.
Perfect for November: moody, intimate, and full of quiet suspense — ideal for dark evenings.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey – Set aboard the International Space Station, this lyrical novel contemplates human connection and fragility.
Perfect for November: a big-picture story that helps you see Earth — and life — from a calmer distance.

James by Percival Everett – A bold reimagining of Huckleberry Finn told through Jim’s perspective, exploring race, freedom, and truth.
Perfect for November: rich, layered storytelling that encourages reflection and discussion.

Rental House by Weike Wang – A delicate exploration of marriage, identity, and quiet disconnection, told through two tense holiday stays.
Perfect for November: subtle, observant, and ideal for readers who enjoy quiet character studies.

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon – Set in ancient Syracuse, this debut blends humour, friendship, and art as prisoners stage a Greek tragedy.
Perfect for November: a lively yet profound tale about creativity, resilience, and finding meaning in dark times.

📚 Non-Fiction

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates – A blend of memoir and travel writing, reflecting on identity, conflict, and the power of storytelling.
Perfect for November: thoughtful and questioning — great for reflective reading before the year’s end.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – An urgent, research-based exploration of how digital life has reshaped childhood and wellbeing.
Perfect for November: sparks meaningful conversation about society, education, and the next generation.

Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman – A wise and grounded book about embracing limits and prioritising what matters most.
Perfect for November: gentle motivation for slowing down, simplifying, and looking ahead to a mindful new year.

Good Reasonable People by Keith Payne – A fascinating dive into how biases and moral reasoning shape modern divides.
Perfect for November: encourages empathy and understanding — ideal for thoughtful discussion.

A Little History of Psychology by Nicky Hayes – A concise and engaging overview of psychology’s key thinkers and ideas.
Perfect for November: accessible, insightful, and ideal for readers interested in understanding human behaviour.

The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush – A beautifully written memoir about motherhood, science, and survival during an Antarctic expedition.
Perfect for November: meditative and elemental — a reminder of both the vastness and intimacy of life.

Here is my tentative plan:

Finish Up From Last Month:
in progress 11% Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac
in progress 47% Half Bad by Sally Green
✔ Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey ★★★★ (4.0)

Definitely:
in progress 59% The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
in progress 62% The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Probably:
The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau
The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
✔ Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes ★★★ (3.5)

Possibly:
When the Sparrow Falls by Neil Sharpson
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

This Month or Other Coming Months:
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (re-read) by Susanna Clarke
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds by Brandon Sanderson

Unplanned:

Alannah wrote: "📖 Fiction

All Fours by Miranda July – A witty, introspective novel about a woman’s midlife road trip and the search for freedom and self-reinvention.
Perfect for November: a reminder that change a..."

Several of these I have been wanting to read myself Alannah, like Orbital and James. Hope you have a great reading month!

I've got a lot of things to do in my new office, and little time to read; still I hope to finish some of the following books:

Arnold Zable Scraps of Heaven
Ellis Peters  An Excellent Mystery
Mazo de la Roche The Whiteoak Brothers
Norman Lindsay The Magic Pudding
George Gissing Eve's Ransom

Allen Eskens The Life We Bury Reading now
Penelope Lively Life in the Garden Reading now
Rosa Teruzzi Il segreto del giardiniere Reading now
Anna Foa Il suicidio di Israele Reading now

After that some of these:
Rosa Teruzzi Il prezzo della bellezza
Roberto Rossi La regola del tre
Diana Gabaldon  A Fugitive Green
Rebecca Kauffman I'll Come to You
Arnold Zable Cafe Scheherazade
Penelope Lively Family Album
Marilynne Robinson Jack 4
Elizabeth Jane Howard Something in Disguise

I’m planning to read The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers in January. If anyone wants to do a buddy read, that would be great. Right now I’m reading The Souls of Black Folk by Du Bois.