It’s the final month of the year! And, per usual, I have a ton I want to read this December.
On the surface, ten books does seem like a lot to read in one month. And my following sentences were originally going to prove why this TBR is feasible, but as it turns out, it might not be as feasible as I thought. 😬 It is fewer pages than what I read in November, but it is still technically a lot. I won’t try to push it if it’s not doable, but for some reason I’m thinking this will be okay!
This month features five books from my physical TBR, the FBC pick for the month, three books I wanted to read soon from the library, and one NetGalley ARC.
Without further ado, here’s what’s on the list!
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Kindred follows Dana, a 26-year-old African American woman living in California in 1976. She is suddenly transported to antebellum Maryland where, after saving a young boy’s life, has her own life threatened before returning to the present. After being transported to the same young boy multiple times, she realizes the challenge she’s been given.
This is the Feminist Book Club pick for the month. And like so many of the past picks, this is also one that I’ve been wanting to read! I have yet to read anything by Octavia Butler and want to explore her works, so this seems like a great book to start with.
Dubliners by James Joyce
This collection of 15 stories highlights life in Ireland at the turn of the century. Each story of the citizens’ realities come together to show Ireland as a nation.
I’ve read portions of this book during my college writing class. I have Finnegan’s Wake on my shelf as well, but I’m not quite ready for that one yet! So I’m going to (re)visit this one first.
Conjure Women by Afia Atakora
Conjure Women is a story that takes place during the course of the American Civil War. It follows Miss May Belle, her daughter Rue, and her master’s daughter Varina. This story explores their bonds at the dawn of the Civil War, while the birth of an accursed child spreads fear among the townspeople.
I came across this book earlier this year and was intrigued by the premise (and admittedly the cover as well) and bought it a month ago. It feels like there’s so many layers to this story and I’m looking forward to picking this one up.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This story begins when ten guests are invited to stay on a small private island by a millionaire. These strangers have nothing in common except for their wicked pasts – and once they arrive, they find that their invitee is nowhere to be found. One by one, the guests are turning up dead as told by the rhymes that are hung on the walls. Will any survive to find the murderer and tell the tale?
It’s time for me to shamefully admit that I’ve never read a book by Agatha Christie! It’s time to change that. I’ve been recommended so many for my first (I suppose because they’re all so good!) but I’m starting with And Then There Were None. Looking forward to reading more mystery!
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Cemetery Boys follows Yadriel, whose traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender. In order to prove himself a real brujo, he enlists the help of his friend and cousin to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. Instead, he finds the ghost of Julian, the school’s bad boy, who requests help from Yadriel before he passes over. But the more time Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants him to leave.
I’ve been waiting on a hold for this book for quite some time, and it’s finally here! After seeing so much love for this book and learning what it was about I really wanted to read it as soon as I could. I’m really excited for this one!
Bear Town by Frederik Backman
Beartown follows a very tiny community whose central feature is its ice rink built by the town’s founders years ago. The townspeople have little hope for their home’s future, but when the junior hockey team qualifies for the national semi-finals, the spirit of the town begins to change – and all of their hopes and dreams begin to rest on the shoulders of the team’s players.
I meant to read this last year, but never got to it! I really loved A Man Called Ove and have heard equally as good things about Backman’s other works. Plus, this book seems timely for the season!
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevski
Crime and Punishment follows Raskolnikov, a former student who commits a random murder in St. Petersburg without regret. This changes when he begins to be pursued by a suspicious police investigator and finds the voice of his own conscience growing on him. There is only one person who can offer Raskolnikov redemption.
Ever since I read Anna Karenina I wanted to try reading more Russian classics, ending with War and Peace. I own Crime and Punishment and want to read this one next. Given the size of my TBR I’m not sure if I’ll finish it before month’s end, but I am for sure looking forward to it.
Persephone Station by Stina Lecht
Persephone Station is a planet that’s been largely ignored by the United Republic of Worlds – that is, until the Serrao-Orlov Corporation finds that it’s hiding secrets that it wants to exploit. Rosie is an owner of Monk’s Bar, which is often frequented by an exclusive criminal class and those who seek to employ them. Angel has a job to do for Rosie, and a job that will ultimately impact Persephone and put Angel and her group against the Serrao-Orlov Corporation’s army.
This is an anticipated release I’ve been eyeing for a while, and it was available as a Read Now title on NetGalley! I’m glad that I’ll be reading some sci-fi books this month.
The Rosewater Redemption by Tade Thompson
The Rosewater Redemption is the last book in the Wormwood trilogy. The Mayor of new city-state Rosewater is finding the debts incurred during the insurrection to be creeping up on him. Nigeria will not let Rosewater go without a fight. And the city’s alien residents are threatening mass murder. The hope for Rosewater lies in the former fugitive Bicycle Girl, Kaaro, and Femi’s hands.
It looks like I might be finishing a series (or a trilogy, rather) this year after all! This is another sci-fi read that I started last year that I’ve had on my mind since I read the second book. I’m curious to see what the final installment has in store!
The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
The Ravens follows the girls of the Kappa Rho Nu sorrority, who are notorious at their campus. But the sorrority hides the secret of being a coven of witches. Vivi is a pledge for the sorrority, while Scarlett, a current sorrority sister and candidate for thhe organization’s President, has some skeletons hiding in her closet. When Scarlett and Vivi are paired as big and little, they find themselves lost in the world of blood oaths and betrayals.
I was so curious by the premise of this book (and have been looking for some dark academia-esque books) so I decided to pick this one up. This was a November hopeful that I didn’t get to last month so I definitely want to make sure I can read it this December.
What are you planning on reading this month? Additionally, have you read any of the books I’m planning on reading, or plan to yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
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Great TBR! I’ve read and loved And Then There Were None, Cemetery Boys and Beartown of these… The last can be a bit of a slowburner (it took me a long time to get into the story), but the second half is fantastic. I hope you will enjoy all of these!
Thank you so much! I’ve been hearing similar love from so many <3 I'm extra curious about Bear Town now! I wonder if the slow burn aspect of it lies in the setting.