Blogmas Day 1 | November Wrap Up: Nonfic November and I Actually Read??

Hello again honeybees! Sidenote on Blogmas before we jump into the wrap up. I haven’t been consistently blogging this year so I wanted to participate in Blogmas–where you post on your blog everyday until Christmas–to catch up on reviews and things heading into the new year! So expect a lot of content from me this month (and more regular posts next year I promise) and don’t forget to subscribe/follow to stay updated on my posts!

Okay okay, so November is such a busy month and I didn’t have high expectations for myself at all, but I read way more than I thought I would? So proud. I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction this year so I figured I would jump onto the Nonfiction November reading challenge. Of course, there are a few different genres mixed in between. I average like three books a month so the fact that I read so much during my birthday month, finals month, the holidays, etc. is wild.

Books Read

★★★★½

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

I listened to this on audio and I loved it! This is my first Holly Jackson book but not my last. I love how quickly I was able to get interested in the characters and invested in the plot. It was action-packed and I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire way. I listen to audiobooks at 2x speed but it didn’t feel fast enough, I just needed to speed through this story and absolutely couldn’t put it down.

Thanks Penguin Random House for the complimentary audio ❤

★★★

Influenced: The Impact of Social Media on Our Perception by Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler

This was definitely not what I was expecting from the synopsis. It’s definitely aimed more toward an older, non-media literate audience. If you’re an influencer and/or Gen-Zer then there really isn’t any new info here, which was disappointing for me. This is my favorite area of study (I’m a Communications major) but there isn’t a ton of new info out there (that I’ve read, at least). Everything is super repetitive and I just didn’t find anything super revolutionary or enlightening here. I did enjoy listening to his journey to becoming an influencer, though.

Thanks again PRH Audio for approving my request for this. Love you besties <333

★★★★

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

This was so cute!!! I didn’t expect it to be so heavy as far as themes, but the art and message were beautiful. A really cute graphic novel that I highly recommend to MG and above readers.

★★★★

American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Melicious Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan

I’ve been getting into true crime recently and I came across this on Libby. It was very long (9 hours ish) but it didn’t feel that long because there was a ton of information and a pretty stretching storyline that with the pacing didn’t feel too long. It was definitely a disturbing case and I really can’t believe I haven’t heard of him? There was so much shady shit on the government side that made this case so wild.

★★★★

Between Spaces: An Anthology of Disabled Writers edited by Rebecca Burke

I’m so so grateful that Rebecca Burke reached out to me and sent a copy of this anthology my way to review. This anthology was different from others I’ve read as it was a mix of creative and literary pieces. There were so many stories and essays I loved and related to and I’m so happy to have added another work to my disability lit collection.

★★★½

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

This was a cozy and low stakes sapphic fantasy that’s perfect to cuddle up with as it gets colder and colder outside. When I first started it, I was total head empty, no thoughts and it wasn’t until the next day that I realized the coffee storyline was a bit problematic, as it follows the historic colonization trends that brought coffee to the masses of Europe and North America.

I read another review by a BIPOC reviewer that summed it up so much better (I’m so sad I lost the post or I’d link it here) but I don’t think the author meant any malicious intent by it, they were just uneducated (not an excuse but it’s an important distinction, especially because some authors do it intentionally). It made it feel less cozy, for sure, and there were a few lines/situations that made me feel a little uncomfy (hence the lower rating) but I still found it to be an enjoyable read. I’ll post a more in depth review but I think it’s important to be cognizant of these things. It’s absolutely possible to be critical of a book and still enjoy it.

★★★★½

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

I loved this I think more than Becoming (?) Michelle Obama knows how to write a timely book that’s messages are everlasting. I listened to this on audio which I think is the best way to listen to her books, as her narration is simply amazing. Her voice is so honest and raw. I appreciated seeing more into her life and learning more from her.

Thanks again PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook <3. We’re not going to talk about how I only read PRH audios and how almost all of those were gifted. I…have a bit of an obsession with PRH rn.

And that was November! I also turned 20 and had a very different but good month. I’m looking forward to the months ahead and I’m excited to be doing Blogmas again!

How was your November? What did you read and do? Any fun highlights? I’d love to know!

Thank you for reading! Find me on Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads for more bookish content and chats. See you soon!

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