Books read:
*The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
*The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
*Us by David Nicholls (Review to come)
*The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes
*Alphabetique by Molly Peacock
*To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Not pictured because I completely forgot I had re-read it when taking this picture, but mentioned here.)
*Mrs. Hemingway by Naomi Wood (Not pictured because I had to return it to the library.)
I spent the nerdiest Sunday today watching Jeopardy! episodes on Youtube and then geeking out by reading Arthur Chu’s wife’s blog about the experience and learning an unexpected amount about Jeopardy! game theory and the whole taping process. I don’t know if you know this about me but I love playing games: board games, trivia games, card games, you name it. I also love learning about strategies and figuring them out for myself, so I guess I really admired Chu’s gameplay, even though my googling tells me it made a lot of Jeopardy! fans mad. It’s been a really good Sunday on the internet, I have to say.
Anyway, this month felt like a slow reading month, but looking back it looks like I managed to read quite a few books. I finally finished reading The Bell Jar after putting it down to read other things, and was charmed by The Strange Library and officially jumped on the Murakami bandwagon. I also developed a huge crush on Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird, so there’s that. Of the books I haven’t reviewed, I can’t wait to write about Us. It was compelling and so human that it kept me up late at night unable to put it down.
I don’t have too much personal news this month; work has been keeping me busy, as have the upcoming holidays. I can’t wait to get a Christmas tree and start Christmas baking!
How was your November, friends? What are you looking forward to the most (bookish or otherwise) in December?
7 books in a month is really good, especially with being pretty darn busy. Good for you! I really want to read The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes. I haven’t read a book by her in years!!
This was my first book by her and I was pleasantly surprised! If you enjoyed her other work I’d definitely suggest it!
Great set of books that you read! I have been meaning to read The Bell Jar forever. š
Thank you – me too! I really wanted to read Meg Wolitzer’s Belzhar as well, which really pushed me to read it sooner rather than later because I NEEDED to read the “source material” before diving into an “adaptation.”
I am really looking forward to reading Us. And, Mrs. Hemmingway has been on my list since it came out.
Me too! I’m so happy I finally got around to reading it (Mrs. Hemingway), though I may have to take a break from reading about Hemingway and his wives for a bit…
Us is definitely on my Christmas list – I can’t wait to read it. One Day was my book club’s first book! And someone better get me that Marian Keyes book too. I’m so demanding!
Hahaha! Well, Christmas is a great time for bookworms š I actually never read One Day – I cheated and watched the movie!
It looks like you did some good reading!
I’m really looking forward to Strange Library. I told my boyfriend I might break my book-buying ban to get it, and he reminded me that Christmas is coming up. So it looks like I’ll have to wait!
Oh, Christmas, what a wonderful time! Hehe. How long is your book buying ban going for? I still haven’t gone on one, even though i really should…
The ban is on until I find a new job, so I have no idea! (Hopefully not long.)
I LOVED To Kill A Mockingbird. š
Happy December reading!
Me too! It had been a while since I read it last and I was happy to see that it was just as good as I remembered (maybe even better)! Happy December reading to you too!
I’m ready To Kill a Mocking Bird right now (first time… loving it). I’m dying to know what you thought of The Bell Jar.
I want to read Us. So. Bad. Looking forward to you review.
Oh… I bow my head in shame. ERRORS! Take two.
I’m reading To Kill a Mockingbird at the moment (First time. Loving it.) Iām dying to know what you thought of The Bell Jar.
I want to read Us. So. Bad. Looking forward to reading your review.
Haha! It’s too bad we can’t edit comments, eh? No judgement though, typos happen all the time! I’m glad I read The Bell Jar; it’s not the happiest story but I appreciate the writing and I’m happy to finally know what everyone is raving about when they talk about it!
Sounds like you had a pretty good month there – a nice balance of lighter and more serious. Us is on my list to read, along with Alphabetique and The Woman Who Stole My Life. I loved Mockingbird – though I barely remember it! Probably time for a re-read!
Re-reads are always good! And yeah, looking back it was a great month! I guess I just didn’t notice it at the time š
I just read The Bell Jar a couple of weeks ago. I loveeeed it! I want to read Ariel now. And I’ve also jumped on the Murakami bandwagon– reading Norwegian Wood. To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic, along with the film.
Looks like you’ve read some great books this past November!
Ooh, how is/was Norwegian Wood? I think my next Murakami is going to be Kafka on the Shore! Can you believe that I’ve never seen the To Kill a Mockingbird movie?
I loved Norwegian Wood and I think I’m going to read Kafka on the Shore next too.
To Kill a Mockingbird movie is sooo good!