November was a very successful reading month. I really hunkered down with my Kindle and rediscovered my love for audiobooks as I worked through addressing holiday cards and built LEGO sets and completed a paint-by-number project.
I read 7 books in November, which included Fourth Wing and Iron Flame … I’m here for it, friends! Here they are:
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
My goodness. I read the Darker Shades of Magic series earlier last year and loved every page. When I heard Schwab was continuing the story, I was beyond thrilled. This was easily one of the best books I’ve read in a while — engrossing, perfect pacing, and great character and plot development. I can’t wait to see where she goes with this!
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean #1)
Well, folks. I caved. I gave in to the hype. I wasn’t disappointed! I won’t say it’s the best fantasy I’ve ever read, but it kept me captivated throughout and I flew through it. I’m now obsessed with dragons.
Clarity & Connection (Poems) by Yung Pueblo
I’ve seen a lot of people sharing Yung Pueblo poems, and after reading an entire collection, I determined that he is not for me. Way too much repetition and sadness for my taste. I felt like I was reading the same sad advice and poem over and over.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I reread A Christmas Carol in some shape or form every year. This year, Hugh Grant read the chilling ghost story to me as I worked on my Charles Dickens-inspired LEGO set. Amazing and got me into the Christmas spirit!
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean #2)
Of course I had to immediately read the second book in the Empyrean series.
A few things about this one: I liked it enough to keep reading it, but whew … did this one need editing. It was a slog to get through, but I was invested in the story. I always get weary about second books in a series because they are never as good as the first or the rest. That was this book.
The pacing was off throughout … I felt like I was in a rolling hills cycling class (one that I didn’t enjoy all that much but was happy I finished it). The ending was rushed, and left me unsatisfied. Hoping the third one will come out soon.
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. While I liked it just fine, I felt Clover to be super flat and couldn’t connect with her. She was closed off even as the narrator, and I couldn’t sympathize with her too much. I started to like it more as the book wrapped up, but spent a lot of the book angry finishing.
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
I listened to this while working on my paint by numbers canvas and it was thoroughly ridiculous. The plotline was super far-fetched. The main characters (Charlie and Cass) were absolute morons. Their love interests are absolute pushovers infatuated with silly, immature girls.
I’m really excited to talk about this one with my bookclub this month!
Have you read any of these books? Share below in the comments!
Here’s what I’ve read so far in 2023:
June and July Wrap-Up (Didn’t finish a book in May!)
KEEPITKASSUAL 
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