November 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

So, November has got to be one of the worst reading months for me … ever! I only ended up reading 7 books (sigh). If you follow me on instagram you’ll know I complained about a major reading slump and nothing was grabbing my attention. But! There are some definite winners in the stack so let’s get into it.

[Note: For my monthly round ups I just provide a couple sentences of my thoughts and link to my full review, check those out if you’re interested in more details. In cases where I haven’t reviewed the book, I’ll provide more information here.]

Malamander

Written by Thomas Taylor

Published by Walker Books

(5 Stars) Has to be the sweetest, most imaginative, middle grade fantasy I’ve read this year! Adorable characters, heart, and a fast paced, action packed plot all wrapped up in a cozy, wintery sea-side town. Perfect read for November/December.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Fawkes

Written by Nadine Brandes

Published by Thomas Nelson

(3.5 Stars) This is such a unique read – a magical medieval London where people posses colour magic through individual masks? Yes, please. A war between Igniters (those who posses all colour magic) and the Keepers (those who believe one should control only one colour) is resulting in the stone plague (people literally turn to stone). Our main character, Thomas, is thrust into a plot to kill the King and hopefully bring an end to the suffering. Loosely based on real events, this was a very interesting read – however it is very religious, quite heavy-handedly so. Unfortunately religious based plots are just not my cup of tea.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living

Written by Louise Miller

Published by Penguin Books

(4 Stars) This was such a sweet, comforting story and exactly what I needed to get me into the holiday spirit. It wasn’t demanding and just an overall easy, light read – set in a tiny town in Vermont through the fall and Christmas season, curl up with a hot drink and enjoy!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

COG

Written by Greg Van Eekhout

Published by HarperCollins

(5 Stars) What a great month for middle grade reads! COG is a wonderful, hilarious story centring around a 12 year old robot boy. It gives great insight to the rights of artificial intelligences and the caution we need to be exercising in our digital/technology driven world.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

A Treason of Thorns

Written by Laura E. Weymouth

Published by Harper Teen

(3.75 Stars) Such a great concept – sentient, magical, ancient houses in 19th century London but I feel fell short in pacing and character development. Still an enjoyable read, but could have been so much more.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Check, Please

Written by Ngozi Ukazu

Published by First Second

(4 Stars) Many people have loved and recommended this cute, contemporary YA graphic novel centring around a petite male hockey player on a sports scholarship. He is an excellent baker, terrific figure skater, terrified of getting hit, and happens to have an annoying big crush on his captain. It is just a sweet, delightful read, that is genuinely funny to boot.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Call Down the Hawk

Written by Maggie Stiefvater

Published by Scholastic Press

(4 Stars) That’s the only word that I could think of – not in the way you’re thinking … brutal in a good (?) way. It was gritty, dark, violent, kinda bloody. Still taking it all in honestly and it did take it’s time to build but one thing is unquestionable … Maggie is a heck of storyteller.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

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