November 2025 Reading Wrap Up
Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!
I know I say this every time, but the month really flew by. I can't believe we're in December now! 2025 is almost over...I'm certainly not complaining. It's not been the worst year in recent history, but it was particularly good either. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
In the month of November, I read a total of 13 books: 6 novels, 2 novellas, and 5 manga volumes. 4 of these were rereads, which doesn't normally happen but I reread a series so I guess it makes sense. Aside from the manga, only one book was translated, and that was also the only book that was on my 2025 TBR (the rest were either from the library or I had bought them this year). 6 books were adult, 5 YA, and one middle-grade.
Also, if I had a nickel for every book read this month that uses cannibalism as a theme, I would have two nickels. Which isn't much, but it's pretty fucking weird that it happened twice.
Okay, let's get into the books!
==========
Novels
1. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (REREAD)
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 644 pages
Day(s) read: 11.01 - 11.04
Final thoughts: Book 1 in the Mistborn trilogy.
This was a fantastic decision, I'm so glad I reread this. Mistborn is the type of book series that just continues to get better with each reread, because every time you can pick up on things you had missed previously. I saw so much foreshadowing, not to mention a wild Hoid sighting! I literally squealed when I saw his name pop up. I can't believe that the first time I read this, I totally glossed over this part and had no idea who he was since this was my very first cosmere novel. That's honestly wild to think about.
This book (series) still has one of my favorite couples. Flashing back to 2018, this is my OTP.
(That was so cringey, I'm so sorry I made you read that.)
2. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (REREAD)
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 784 pages
Day(s) read: 11.05 - 11.09
Final thoughts: Book 2 in the Mistborn trilogy.
I love the political intrigue and mystery in this book, those are some of my favorite things to explore in a fantasy story and Branderson does it like no other (well, maybe Katherine Addison). My favorite part, obviously, was the puppy (aka Vin's wolfhound). Vin really expands as a character in this book, but the best character growth was definitely Elend. And throughout it all, they're so in love it makes my heart ache. Also, I think I caught most of the cosmere references, though I'm sure there are a lot more considering the only other cosmere work I've read so far has been Stormlight.
3. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (REREAD)
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.50 CAWPILE
Page count: 767 pages
Day(s) read: 11.09 - 11.15
Final thoughts: Book 3 in the Mistborn trilogy.
This is absolutely my favorite book in the series. It feels very similar to The Return of the King by Tolkien: there is a lot of darkness and despair in these pages, but there is also so much light and love and beauty. Brandon Sanderson is so good at playing the long game. Questions from the first book are answered in here, and everything is revealed in such a way that you can immediately look at it and go "oh, that's what that meant in The Final Empire!" Of the whole trilogy, this book was the one I remembered the least about, so there were some parts that almost felt like I was reading for the first time. The ending actually had me wiping away a tear for how beautiful and sad it was.
4. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (REREAD)
Means of reading: Mixed Media
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 272 pages (10 hrs 25 mins audio)
Day(s) read: 11.17 - 11.22
Final thoughts: This was the ultimate nostalgia trip for me. This is the very first book I remember, like ever. Before I learned how to read, my dad would always read this book aloud to me (because we had a really pretty illustrated edition, so I always requested the book so I could look at the pictures while he read). And, as I was reading/listening this time, I realized that I don't think I'd actually read it between those times as a child and now. I went twenty-five years without reading this book, isn't that crazy? Reading The Hobbit gave me the same nostalgia as watching the Lord of the Rings films, since those came out around that same time. Not to mention that this edition I have has Tolkien's original illustrations, and those were such a treat to look at. Smaug is the cutest little murder dragon I've ever seen! 10/10 would recommend (I also listened to the Andy Serkis audiobook, so that was extra special).
5. Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Translated from the German by John E. Woods
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3 stars/5.34 CAWPILE
Page count: 255 pages
Day(s) read: 11.20 - 11.26
Final thoughts: I did not enjoy this, actually. The more time I spend reflecting on it, the less enthused I am. I'm considering dropping the rating to two stars, but that would be a pain to do across all platforms (not to mention my personal trackers and my reading journal) so I'm not entirely convinced to do so. The entire time I was reading, I just felt disturbed. I get that that was the point of the novel, but it was not enjoyable as a story in my opinion. I absolutely hated the main character (again, I know that was the point, but still) and all of the descriptions of the smells of everything just had me disgusted and vaguely nauseous. I don't think I'll be keeping this book on my shelves.
6. Hazelthorn by CG Drews
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4.5 stars/8.62 CAWPILE
Page count: 368 pages
Day(s) read: 11.29 - 11.30
Final thoughts: I feel like this is going to sound exactly like my review for CG Drews's debut, Don't Let the Forest In, but what the FUCK did I just read?! I really have to applaud Drews's writing because I was saying "oh no, oh god no, no no no ew!" for pretty much the entire second half of the book. Props to you, CG!
Ultimately, I liked this more than Don't Let the Forest In, because it wasn't as ambiguous or vague in the ending. DLFI was a fever dream, but this felt much more concise. It took me a while to fully understand what was going on, but once I did understand, I didn't ever feel like I had the rug pulled out from under me, which is how I felt with their debut and I don't love that feeling, especially when reading.
Novellas
1. Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.93 CAWPILE
Page count: 288 pages
Day(s) read: 11.15 - 11.18
Final thoughts: Book 0.5 in the Roots of Chaos series.
The reason I put this in novellas instead of novels even though it's longer than some of the other books is because the author considers this a novella of the series, and the main books are well over 900 pages. In case you were wondering.
This little side-quest of a story follows the kingdom of Yscalin, which in Priory of the Orange Tree has been taken over by the dragons. This is the story of how that comes to happen, mostly follows Marosa, the princess of Yscalin. We also have chapters following Aubrecht, Marosa's betrothed, and a bounty-hunter/dragon-slayer named Melaugo. All three characters make an appearance in Priory, so this is just showing us how they got to where they are in that book. Marosa's chapters were my favorite, I was deeply invested in her as a character. Aubrecht didn't have much page time, but I felt the most emotional investment in him, considering who he is in Priory. I didn't care at all about Melaugo's chapters. There are only three, and then she's gone from the rest of the story. She felt a little like filler and I wasn't interested in the least.
2. A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo
Means of reading: E-book
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.27 CAWPILE
Page count: 112 pages
Day(s) read: 11.22 - 11.23
Final thoughts: Book 6 in the Singing Hills Cycle.
I am loving the way this series seems to be going, first with Brides of High Hill and now A Mouthful of Dust. It seems like it's shifting more to horror fantasy, and we all know that that's my jam. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this series, the books are short enough that I never feel like it's getting tired even though they all follow the same formula. Chih and Almost Brilliant are wonderful characters and I love following them on all of their adventures. This particular adventure was very creepy and atmospheric, definitely the darkest story to date in this series. It deals with some very heavy topics like famine and certain consequences that can arise from it, as well as the idea that secrets can come back and haunt you (in this case, quite literally).
Manga
1. The Summer Hikaru Died vol. 1-5 by Mokumokuren
Means of reading: Physical
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 940 pages
Day(s) read: 11.27 - 11.28
Final thoughts: These five volumes ended up being about the first half of this story as a whole, since the mangaka has said the series will end with 10 volumes.
Not to fall into the classic "compare to a really famous work/author" trap, but the art style really did give me Junji Ito vibes, at least when it comes to the entities in the story. Very creepy. The jingle bell thing? Absolute nightmare fuel, for sure. I'm still not that invested in the characters, but I will be continuing on because I do enjoy the art and the lore is digging its claws into me like no tomorrow. I don't know if volume 7 has come out yet in English, but I do have volume 6 on hold from the library so hopefully I'll get that soon.
---
Total page count: 4,430 pages (10 hrs 25 mins total audio)
Favorite book of November: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
No DNFs this month
No unfinished books this month
==========
And that's it for November, folks! I really just embraced the mood reading this month and read whatever caught my eye, hence the rereads. I'd been wanting to reread the Mistborn series ever since my mom read it earlier in the year, so I'm glad I finally decided to just go for it. I'm probably going to read Wax & Wayne next year.
I'd love to know what your favorite book of November was! Leave a comment below, or DM me on Instagram (link in sidebar under the heading "More Media").
Until next time, friends!
Comments
Post a Comment