ShortBookandScribes November 2024 Reads

Happy December! Hope you’re all well and looking forward to Christmas.🎄

November yielded my new norm of 8 books read. Two were novellas so not quite so impressive, but I did end up abandoning two books on the trot as well. One was a book I wasn’t at all sure I would like so not a surprise, but the other was a book by an author I would have said was a favourite of mine. I’m not going to name it but I skimmed through to the end and it had a number of big twists in it and I felt like maybe the story was compromised by trying to create shock value. After that, I picked up a book by one of my favourites (Jo Thomas) and was back on track.

It does make me wonder if I’ve fallen a bit out of love with psychological thrillers, or at least those that don’t have an emotional edge to the storyline that I’m looking for in a truly good read, such as an accompanying love story or a family drama.

I mentioned novellas and I do love a good, short read. They’re nice to slot in between other books (not only to push up number of books read in a month!) and if done well they can have just as much oomph as a full-length novel. However, I do baulk a bit at paying the same price for a 120 page book as I might for a 500 page book (doesn’t stop me though).

Did anyone do the National Book Tokens Hidden Books game? I did and I enjoyed it but have to say that I find the clues a bit too obscure. I usually manage to complete it by searching out hints online (cries of ‘cheat’ abound).

Blue Sky 🦋 really took off in November, didn’t it? I’ve been on there for a while but didn’t do very much with it for ages. After spending so long building up follower numbers on Twitter I’m not about to abandon it, but I’m definitely making more of an effort with Blue Sky now.

Viewing-wise, my big hit of the month was the fifth series of A House Through Time on BBC. It tells of the residents of two apartment blocks, one in London and one in Berlin, throughout WWII and I found it absolutely gripping to follow their fates on opposing sides of the war. I haven’t watched this series before but I’m now watching series four and hope the previous three will be available to watch at some point as well. It reminds me of one of my favourites books of all time, Home by Julie Myerson. I don’t read much non-fiction but this is the kind that I really love, and it’s one of those rare books I’ve read more than once (and I really want to read again). Myerson decides to trace all the people who’ve ever lived in her home and it is fascinating.

 

So, November’s reads:

Fire by John Boyne

I thought this was the most powerful of the Elements quartet so far. It’s disturbing with blurred lines about consent and the effects of childhood trauma.

 

Gone with the Penguins by Hazel Prior

I loved this third book to feature the formidable Veronica McCreedy. This time she pledges to save the penguins at her local sea life centre.

 

Courage for the Home Front Girls by Susanna Bavin

This is the second book in the series about Sally and Betty and their work at a Manchester salvage yard in WWII. I love the characters and reading about their life on the home front.

 

The Party by Tessa Hadley

This is a novella about two sisters who meet two more worldly-wise men in a pub. They’re later invited to a party by the two men and what happens there is life-changing for both sisters.

 

A Recipe for Christmas by Jo Thomas

The latest book by one of my favourite authors. Clara moves to Switzerland with her new boyfriend and enrols in a chocolate-making course. This book will make you crave a hot chocolate and made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

The Ice Retreat by Ruth Kelly

Reporter Hollie investigates the eponymous retreat which promises rebirth through extreme ice therapy. Thrilling and chilling with a side order of killing.

 

The Secret Photographs by Jacquie Bloese

I really loved this story of Ellen Harper and her brother, Raynald, with their respectable daytime photography business turning to erotica in the evenings. A beautiful work of historical fiction.

 

Sleeping Dogs by Russ Thomas (Review to follow)

Book four of a police series I love, set in Sheffield. In dual time narratives, DS Adam Tyler is investigating a cold case and when he has an accident, DC Mina Rabbani investigates what happened to him and how it’s linked to a mysterious letter he received.

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What was your favourite November read? Have we read any of the same books? Do you like a novella? I’d love to know in the comments.