November 2022 Reads

My reading goal for November was to finish some of the books that I had started. So my November 2022 Reads includes quite a few books because several of them were ones that I was at least halfway through when the month started.

At the beginning of November, I think I had nine books going at the same time and that does not include the two audiobooks I was in the middle of.

Some of the books will be do not finish books for me, but most of them are good books that I had set aside for one reason or another.

One reason is that I have been easily distracted by other books. I would start a book, read a few chapters, and get distracted by something else that I wanted to read.

One of the other reasons was simply the right book at the wrong time and I would lose interest.

So for November I really wanted to finish some of the books I had started but set aside. My goal went well and I finished several of the books and decided to dnf several others that just were not for me.

And not only do I have quite a list of books it includes a wide range of topics.

November Reads

If you click on the title of each book it will take you to the full book review.

Christmas on Breakers Point by Chautona Havig. A reader recommended this author to me on my clean romance books and authors list. I had mixed thoughts on this one.

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. This is the second book in the Inspector Gamache series. I feel like I am one of the few people that have not read this series. I read book one earlier this year and decided to read book two. I can see myself slowly reading this series by reading a book or two a year.

The Other Side of the Coin by Angela Kelly. I don’t care about all the current royal gossip, the tabloid headlines, or the clickbait titled articles, but I do love the historical part of learning about Queen Elizabeth. This was a fun read and it was totally different than the normal type of book I pick up. This one is crazy expensive though, so check your library or get it used.

The Last Checkmate by Gabriella Saab. This book is a survival story and yet it is about so much more. I loved the author’s writing, but I have mixed thoughts overall on the book. Be sure to read my full review.

The Christmas Promise by Richard Paul Evans. I usually read a couple of Christmas books every year and this is one I decided to read this year. It was a bit too predictable for me.

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans. Maggie Walthers life is turned upside down when her husband is arrested, but then she meets the guy who runs the Christmas tree lot down the street. This one is a little sappy sweet and unrealistic, but it was a fun Christmas read.

Centered by Jason Brown. This is a Christian memoir. My favorite quote from this book was ” I wasn’t called to be successful. I was called to be faithful. I’m a farmer I plant the seeds, care for them as best I can, and let God do the rest. ” This is not the best written book, but I enjoyed it. Be sure to read my full review.

The Divorce Colony by April White. Did you know that in the 1890s the easiest state to get a divorce in was South Dakota? I have mixed thoughts on this one. I loved the history, but read my full review if you are interested in reading this one.

The Four Winds by Kristi Hannah. I am just going to point you to my full book review on this one. I have some many thoughts on this book, mainly because some in my husband’s family lived a similar story.

Christmas A Candid History by Bruce David Forbes. This book gives you an interesting look at Christmas not just from a religious standpoint but from a historical one by looking at the traditions of things like the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, etc.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. I listened to this on audio and I now know why my son and so many other teens have enjoyed this classic adventure story.

The Merchant and the Rogue. This is the third book in the proper romance series The Dread Penny Society. I have read all three books and this was my least favorite. I enjoyed it for a quick read, but I thought the first two books were better. I will say that this is a good series for those that like proper romance books or that are looking for clean romance for their teens.

Confessions of a Prairie B**** by Alison Arngrim. I listened to this on audio and Nellie aka Alison Arngrim is the narrator. And let me start by saying that I have mixed thoughts on this one. I should have known by the title that this was going to be a rough book, but wow.

I would consider this memoir up there with The Glass Castle and Educated. Not only does this have a ton of behind the scenes stuff of Little House on the Prarie, but it also has a ton of detailed information about abuse. Childhood abuse that happened to her. She is honest and graphic about it and about the fact that her family was incredibly messed up. There are some major trigger warnings for this book.

There is also a ton of language and cussing in this, which made the audio rough. I almost gave it up, but at the same time the story is so dysfunctional I couldn’t believe it and kept listening. I did appreciate the end of the book where she details how she fought to change the laws in California for those that abuse family members. It is unbelievable that it took California so long to change the laws to protect children. If you are a fan of Little House on the Prarie and can handle graphic abuse details and lots of languages, you will probably enjoy this one. For a lot of people though this will probably be a book that you will want to skip. This book is not for everyone.