The Shortest and Longest Books of the Year! | November '22 Wrap-Up

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!

Wow, it's wild that we're already in the last month of the year. 30 more days and then we'll be in 2023, baby! I gotta say, I really hope that 2023 goes better than 2022 did. I started out the year with Covid, my dad hospitalized because of it, and it seems I'm ending the year with it, too. That's right, my dad and I both have Covid again. This time it's progressing much faster in me, and much more severely than in him, which I'm grateful for (as convoluted as that sounds) because I really don't want to see my dad in the hospital again. That was an extremely scary experience. 

On the plus side, since I've lost my smell and taste I'm able to eat and drink the things that I normally don't like to make myself get better: things like liquid IV, pure lemon juice, and honey by the spoonful. So there's that, at least. 

Okay, let's talk reading. In November, I tackled both the shortest and the longest books of the year, and I read 18 things: 4 novels, 3 short stories/novellas, 1 nonfiction, 1 poetry collection, 7 graphic novels, and 2 manga collections. Yes, it was the month of the graphic novel. And definitely a wider selection of format than I usually get on a monthly basis. But as we all know, this month I tackled The Lord of the Rings, and I needed shorter and easier books to pick up while I was taking a break with that tome. 

Alright, let's just get into the stats, shall we?

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Novels

1. Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
Genre: Mythology Retelling, Historical Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.86 CAWPILE
Page count: 370 pages
Day(s) read: 11.15 - 11.21
Goodreads review: I like the characterization of Helen and Clytemnestra in this book, they’re depicted in a much more understandable light. Usually I see Helen either as someone who was fully kidnapped without agency, or someone who just full on denounces Greece, and I almost always see Clytemnestra as vindictive and vengeful, so seeing their complexities explored was very cool.

The writing was…okay? Definitely not the worst writing I’ve ever read, nowhere near. But it also wasn’t spectacular, you know what I mean? Very straightforward and rather plain, no flowery imagery or purple prose or anything like that. Which isn’t a requirement, but it’s usually seen in Greek myth retellings.

Last thing: I like that there was no magic or mythos in this book. If it wasn’t for the setting and the characters, this could literally be just a literary fiction novel. No gods interfering or divine prophecy or anything like that. And again, I found that refreshing. Because for these people living back then, this is what life was like. So it was nice to see it realistically depicted.

2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (Review here) (REREAD)
Genre: Fantasy, Classics, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.57 CAWPILE
Page count: 1216 pages
Day(s) read: 11.01 - 11.21
Goodreads review: I just…it’s just so freaking good. I don’t think I’ve ever read it all the way through, beginning to end, in a purposeful manner to finish the entire story. And now that I have I am so happy, but so sad that it took me this long. Of course I’ve grown up with this story and know it by heart, but I missed out on so many beautiful lines and details. But no longer!!

My heart will always belong to Middle-Earth. It’s so weird to think that this was the very first “fandom” I was ever a part of, downloading movie posters for wallpapers and listening to the soundtrack to fall asleep. I’ve really come full circle now!

3. Stellarlune by Shannon Messenger (Keeper of the Lost Cities #9)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.71 CAWPILE
Page count: 732 pages
Day(s) read: 11.22 - 11.28
Goodreads review: THAT ENDING THOUGH. I realize at this point all of these books are going to end with explosive cliffhangers but that actually made me scream out loud. The implications alone!! I can’t WAIT to see what’s next for Sophie and co. Plus I’m betting that the next book is going to be titled “Elysian”

4. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (translated by 
Genre: Science Fiction, Classics, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.29 CAWPILE
Page count: 191 pages
Day(s) read: 11.29 - 11.30
Goodreads review: I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as 20,000 Leagues, but I still found it fun and entertaining. The characters were kind of annoying—Axel’s narration was frustrating at points and the Professor felt rather ridiculous—but the setting was vivid and I could really imagine myself there along with them.

Short Stories/Novellas

1. In Mercy, Rain by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children #7.5)
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult (YA?)
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 36 pages
Day(s) read: 11.08 - 11.08 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: I liked being with Jack in the Moors again, but this didn't really add anything to her story. We already knew her backstory from "Down Among the Sticks and Bones" so this felt a little redundant. But I also love the Wayward Children series a stupid amount so I'm not going to turn my nose up at more content from it.

2. Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo (The Singing Hills Cycle #3)
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology Retelling, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4.5 stars/8.29 CAWPILE
Page count: 100 pages
Day(s) read: 11.21 - 11.21 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: This was so gooood I love this series so much. Chih is such a wonderful character to follow and I love their relationship to story and memory. Also I’m so glad Almost Brilliant was back!

3. Galatea by Madeline Miller (REREAD)
Genre: Mythology Retelling, Fantasy, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/6.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 64 pages
Day(s) read: 11.23 - 11.23 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: Madeline Miller really does have a way with words, and I’m glad she was able to give Galatea her life back.

Nonfiction

1. Death by Black Hole: and Other Cosmic Quandaries by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Genre: Science, Essay Collection, Space, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.57 CAWPILE
Page count: 384 pages
Day(s) read: 11.04 - 11.19
Goodreads review: Since this was an essay collection, unfortunately a lot of the information was repeated and every chapter was rather disjointed. I do appreciate Tyson’s humor and snark, but it didn’t always land right.

Poetry

1. Dog Songs by Mary Oliver
Genre: Nature, Animals, Nonfiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 144 pages
Day(s) read: 11.12 - 11.12 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: Not this making me tear up thinking about my dogs present and past ;-;

Graphic Novels 

1. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner (The Okay Witch #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Coming of Age, Middle-Grade
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.43 CAWPILE
Page count: 272 pages
Day(s) read: 11.08 - 11.09
Goodreads review: I really liked the art style, I thought it was super cute. I guess the story felt a little meandering? And I didn't absolutely love Moth as a character, she felt a little "Charlie Brownish" - meaning she was rather stubborn that nobody liked her, but also didn't make any effort to see otherwise. And she was also pretty awful to her mom, so.

2. Saga vol. 10 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Genre: Science Fiction, War, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 160 pages
Day(s) read: 11.11 - 11.11 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: I'm sad.

3. Imbalance by Faith Erin Hicks and Peter Wartman (Avatar: the Last Airbender Comics #6)
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Middle-Grade
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4.5 stars/8.86 CAWPILE
Page count: 240 pages
Day(s) read: 11.28 - 11.28 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: Okayyy if you like Legend of Korra you NEED to read this comic! It’s probably the most direct link between ATLA and LOK. And it’s brilliant! I like the themes explored and I love the connection to LOK.

4. The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner (The Okay Witch #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Coming of Age, Middle-Grade
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 256 pages
Day(s) read: 11.30 - 11.30 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: I liked this significantly more than the first book. I thought that Moth's self-centeredness had improved: though it was definitely still there, it made her a flawed character with potential rather than just a jerk. And I liked that the conflict felt more internal on Moth than the town just being racist, that it was up to her to accept all of her faults and keep living anyway.

5. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag (The Witch Boy #1)
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 224 pages
Day(s) read: 11.30 - 11.30 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: This felt very similar to Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, except geared toward a bit of a younger audience and in graphic novel format. And it was all very much a metaphor for being trans, the word "transgender" never actually makes an appearance in the book but it's very much implied that Aster is trans (though he/him pronouns are the only pronouns used). I also liked the exploration of magic corrupting a soul and the same metaphor being applied as when a trans person is forced to stay in their AOB life.

6. The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag (The Witch Boy #2)
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.29 CAWPILE
Page count: 208 pages
Day(s) read: 11.30 - 11.30 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: We learned a bit more about the characters and their personalities in this novel, hence the slightly higher rating, but my feelings pretty much stay the same. I thought Ariel was an interesting addition, showing that there are different kinds of magic out there than just the kind that Aster's family practices.

7. The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag (The Witch Boy #3)
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, YA
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.29 CAWPILE
Page count: 208 pages
Day(s) read: 11.30 - 11.30 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: I don't think I really have much to say about this book than I did about the first two. The themes were generally the same and other than seeing some more cool magic, we didn't get much added to the story or the characters.

Manga

1. Spy x Family vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo
Genre: Crime, Comedy, Shonen
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 216 pages
Day(s) read: 11.12 - 11.12 (ONE DAY READ)
Goodreads review: I love Yor so much, I'm glad we focused on her in this volume! Though, that was one hell of a cliffhanger, I can't believe I have to wait now to find out what happens!!

2. Gyo by Junji Ito (translated by Yuji Oniki)
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Seinen 
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 400 pages
Day(s) read: 11.12 - 11.12
Goodreads review: Ughhhhhhh that’s so gross 🤢

Also, trigger warning for a hanging (among other things, but that’s a trigger of mine and I didn’t know it was present going in, so this is for anyone else who is triggered by hanging/suicide)

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Total page count: 5,421 pages

Favorite book of November: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (obvi)

No DNFs this month

No unfinished books this month

November Book Haul: Saga vol. 10 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
                                        Empty Smiles by Katherine Arden
                                        Stellarlune by Shannon Messenger
                                        Dog Songs by Mary Oliver
                                        Gyo by Junji Ito
                                        Tomie by Junji Ito
                                        Tragedy, the Greeks, and Us by Simon Critchley 

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Alright, that's it for November! Hopefully, like last year, I'll be finishing my December reading a couple of days before the end of the year so I can get started on all of that end-of-the-year content for you guys and then leave it in 2022, and start the new year with a clean slate. I'd really love to wash my hands of 2022, you know what I mean?

What was the best book you read in November? Let me know in the comments below or tweet at me @AllyEmReads. 

Until next time, and Happy Holidays!