Happy Holidays!

It’s already December, can you believe it? This month my reading slowed due to Thanksgiving, but I still finished 18 books. I only completed 4 books for Non Fiction November, but I absolutely loved perusing my stack at random. I’m hoping to get back to Les Parisiennes by Anne Sebba and Welcome to the Universe by Neil deGrasse Tyson – both are amazing, but there just wasn’t enough time to finish.

For December, I’m looking forward to spending more time with the family and finishing a few more titles from my End of the Year TBR. I was really hoping to get a copy of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood from the library, but alas I’m still 8th on the list, but my hold for The Hike by Drew Magary finally came through! I can’t wait to dive into this strange, twisted tale!

I’m also hoping to find a new reading challenge for 2017 this month. I participated in Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge this year, but I think it’s time for something different. My reading is all over the place genre wise, so perhaps I need a challenge with a different focus. Luckily, Girl XOXO has combed the internet to gift us with a complete list of 2017 reading challenges!

Favorites:

Mischling by Affinity Konar: A heartbreaking story of sisterhood and survival, one of the most memorable WWII novels I’ve read.

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore: Written with an ethereal air, I was absolutely captivated by the beauty of her writing and the importance of her message.

Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid: Told in a curious world where man has conquered the universe to only abandon technology and science forever, Nemesis struggles to understand her emotions despite being created by man. A love story for the ages.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal: I was most surprised by this one. Expecting another contemporary family story, I was pleasantly surprised by the wry wit of the characters and the seamless narration between them all.

More Favorites:

The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot: Romantic and comedic, I can’t help but love everything she writes!

Winter by Marissa Meyer: I finally finished The Lunar Chronicles! I especially loved the friendship between Winter and Scarlet – Scarlet’s speech in the underground tunnels couldn’t have been more perfect!

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: Following a new couple, Gemina was the perfect follow-up to Illuminae. My only complaint being the striking similarity in the characters.

Non Fiction November:

Victoria: The Queen by Julia Baird: While excellently written, I couldn’t help but dislike it. Her presentation paints Victoria as a finicky lovesick Queen unable to function until a man tells her she can.

Appetites by Anthony Bourdain: Great recipes, great food talk. I really need to read Kitchen Confidential already!

What did you love this month?