November panned out to be a another great reading month for me! Not only was I able to tackle and finish an epic classic masterpiece, but I was also able to read a handful of novellas that ended up all being enjoyable reads. Here’s what I read during the month of November.
I managed to get War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy read this month. I thought I might end up needing to carry it over into December but I finished it! This is a phenomenal book, despite my aggravation with the epilogue. This book can feel intimidating but it truly is very readable and written well. You can read my full review of it HERE.
War and Peace was my major focused read for November. But I also decided to participate in Novellas in November hosted by Cathy at 746Books and Rebecca at Bookish Beck. I really enjoyed participating in this challenge and enjoyed all the novellas I read. Here are the ones I read:
I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel was a re-read for me. It’s such a fun book and perfect for any time of the year! Anne’s writing is so personable. It’s like you’re sitting down having a cup of coffee with a bookish chum discussing all things literary. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift idea for your book-loving friends/family, this book is a great option! You can read my review HERE.
I was put on to The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald from Arti at Ripple Effects. I immediately checked my library to see if they had a copy. They only had it in audiobook, which is not my preferred format for fiction. But I went with it anyway as I do try to continue to work on my audiobook skills. I tend to get distracted very easily when listening to fiction on audiobook and end up missing stuff. I know I missed things when I listened to The Bookshop; but what I did pick up was lovely and I knew I wanted to read it in print. So I ordered the book and it is now sitting happily on my bookshelf for me to read. I will do a proper review of it once I read it in print.
I am a big Backman fan! So when I saw this novella, I immediately decided to read it for Literature in Translation week. This novella did not disappoint. The Deal of a Lifetime is a story about what is important in life. A story between a father and his son. A story about a girl who is fighting for her life. A story about love, forgiveness, and redemption. You can read the rest of my review HERE.
This was my second Edith Wharton title I’ve read. And to me, Ethan Frome had a similar tone to it as the other book I read The House of Mirth. As the novella begins, Ethan is giving a person a ride in his sleigh. The individual riding in Frome’s sleigh ends up taking us back in time and recounts Ethan’s story. We learn what has happened in his life and why he is where he is. It is a story of unfilled dreams; the struggle to eke out an existence when wrestling with loveless duty and forbidden emotions. Wharton’s prose in this novella is magnificent! You can read the rest of my review HERE.
I really enjoyed participating in Novellas in November and look forward to participating again next year!
Highlights from My Instagram
Simply click on the link to visit my Instagram post.
In Which I Shared About My Latest Book Haul
In Which I Talk About Tolstoy’s Digressions in War and Peace
I Shared Opening Lines from a Variety Books
I’m Linking My Post Up With….
Wow, when you say you’re back, you’re BACK! Great to read what you’ve been up to. Keep up that reading!!!
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LOL – I am probably posting much more right now because I am trying to catch up posting reviews here on the blog of books I read and wrote about on IG. Also, trying to do some organizational things on my blog as well. I really have missed it. 🙂
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One of these day I’m going to read War and Peace. Glad you have a great reading month.
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It really is an amazing book! And it’s so accessible. Not hard to read at all. Just very long. 🙂
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Thanks so much for all your enthusiasm for Novellas in November Karen!
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I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much to you and Rebecca for hosting it. I look forward to joining in again next year!
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Just to echo Cathy’s thanks for your participation. I’m glad you enjoyed the novellas you read, including one of our buddy reads.
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Great reading month and now I am thinking I want to read The Deal of a Lifetime. Always a danger when visiting blogs!!
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LOL yes! The TBR continues to grow when reading all the bookish blog posts! Backman does not disappoint. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by him so far. I am planning to read another Backman book in January, Beartown. I’ve read so many good reviews of it, which of course does not surprise me. 🙂
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Yes I read Beartown and thought it very good.
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You had a great reading month! Finishing War and Peace is quite an accomplishment.
I have also read and loved Anne Bogel’s I’d Rather Be Reading. I have not read the Bachman book you mentioned, but read Beartown last year.
Have a blessed December!
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I am planning to read Beartown in January! I went ahead and ordered it and the sequel in print because I have a feeling I will want to read the sequel too! 😉 Hope you have a blessed December as well! 🙂
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Congrats on finishing War and Peace! Someday I want to read that one, as well. Ethan Frome is the book that ignited my love of reading, and I’m a big fan of Edith Wharton. My favorites of hers are The Age of Innocence and The Custom of the Country. 🙂 Happy reading in December!
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I haven’t read The Age of Innocence or The Custom of the Country. I’ll have to add those to my TBR! Have you read The House of Mirth?
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Congrats on finishing War and Peace. I love Russian literature, but mad the mistake of trying this one in audio, and had to stop. One day, I’ll try again in print. Here is my November wrap-up: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/12/01/2021-november-wrap-up/
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I’ve never read War and Peace, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Backman is an author I’ve read great reviews about his work. I hope your December is going well. Happy holidays!
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Thank you Danielle! I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Backman. I’m getting ready to read another one of his books in January called Beartown.
Happy Holidays to you as well!
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