Last month’s TBR was very ambitious of me, and while I did manage to finish 9 books despite all of the fall festivities, I didn’t finish all the books on my TBR. Did I learn my lesson? No! This month I have 10 books that I’d like to read. They’re not as big as my October books, but it might be difficult with all of the holiday plans I have this month.
Anyway, here’s what I’m hoping to be able to read this month:
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The Testaments is the long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Taking place fifteen years after the events of the first books, The Testaments continues to expand on the dystopian world and returns to unanswered questions that readers have been highly anticipating the answers to.
Having only first read The Handmaid’s Tale recently, I was excited to see the sequel come out. (Other members of my library appear to feel the same, as I once had the 270th spot on the waiting list!) However, I am also a little concerned to pick up this book as I have been seeing mixed reviews on it and claims that it wasn’t a necessary sequel. The synopsis is also fairly vague, so I’ll be going into this without specific expectations in my mind. But with about 50 copies at my library and bring 9th in line, it looks like I’ll be picking up this book very soon!
Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
Stillness is the Key is a non-fiction book that focuses on the importance of slowing down in order to succeed. Holiday draws examples from different philosophies and famous figures to illustrate this concept, and how to apply the art of being still in a constantly changing world.
This book was recommended to me by one of my friends on Goodreads, so I decided to get it from my library. Living in New York makes for a fast-paced, zero time, no time for sleep lifestyle, so I’m always interested in works that promote different lifestyles, and how to accomplish more without overwhelm.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
This book is a narrative of Jon Krakauer’s decision to climb Mount Everest in May of 1996. What originally started as a shorter climb evolved to the goal of reaching the summit of the mountain. Into Thin Air is his personal account of the expedition, and a resulting tragedy, that left 1996 as the third-deadliest day for climbers on Mount Everest.
I was originally recommended this book by my boss, and seeing that I could get it via BOTM, I decided to get a physical copy. I’m not very informed of the events of this day or what happened, but I’d like to use this book as a starting point.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Power is a dystopian novel set in a world where women develop an intense physical power, which completely overturns the roles in society for men and women.
I knew I wanted to read The Handmaid’s Tale before I picked this up, and now I can finally get to reading it! I’m really curious to see how the reversal of roles is handled and what kind of messages will stem from this book. I’ve heard from some that it wasn’t everything they expected it to be, but I am excited nonetheless. This year has been my grand return to dystopian novels as well as speculative fiction, and I love how these books become great discussion-starters for current events.
Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker
Lost Girls is a true-crime book about a still-missing serial killer on Long Island, and the victims found along the Ocean Parkway almost ten years ago. Kolker reports on what we know about the case in this ongoing investigation, as well as putting together the story of the victims.
Not living too far from the parkway, I remember clear as day when there were reports of bodies being found hidden across the Ocean Parkway. Since then, it seems as though not much has been said about the crimes. That being said, I wanted to pick up this book and understand as much as the still cold case would let me. When picking up this book, however, my friends told me about a theory of who the killer was (now deceased), and how the theory is widely accepted. I wonder if this will be addressed at all in the book, or if it is completely void of speculation. Regardless, I’d like to learn as much as I can about what happened here.
Emma by Jane Austen
Emma follows, well, Emma, who recently attended the marriage of a couple she introduced. The happiness this brings her leads to her wanting to continue as a matchmaker for others, which leads to her being very involved in the lives of others. Meanwhile, she is unsure of her feelings herself.
The only other Austen book I’ve read is Pride and Prejudice, so I have a ways to go in reading the others! I’ve been recommended to read this one next so I’m going to go for it. Pride and Prejudice was an okay read for me, so I hope Emma is a bit better!
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights follows the tragic love story of Cathy and Heathcliff. Heathcliff is driven away and is gone for many years, while Cathy marries another man. Heathcliff returns many years later as a wealthy man. The story is told to a houseguest by the housekeeper of Heathcliff’s home after a nerving encounter during his stay.
Another classic I’ve been wanting to read for a while, and I hear that now is a great time of year to be reading it! I read Jane Eyre earlier this year and it is now one of my favorite classics. That being said, I’d love to read more from Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë and learn of their history as writers.
Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
Girls of Storm and Shadow follow Lei and Wren just after the events of Girls and Paper and Fire. These girls managed the impossible, but their journey is not over yet. They must rally support for a rebellion from rebel groups, while efforts are being made to diminish their own.
Girls of Paper and Fire is one of those books where it was a solid three-star when I first read it, and yet I’ve thought about it often since then. I was unsure if I’d continue reading it at first, but then I heard about it recently, and decided that I definitely wanted to read the second book. And the best part? I was the first to place a hold on this copy at the library, so I can start reading it when it comes out!
That’s everything I have planned for this November. I hope to be able to read them all! Have you read any of these books? Let me know if you have or if you are planning to!
-Julie Anna
