No books have really just blown me out of the water lately, and that makes me sad. I actually got through seven books in November. And okay, one of those I technically finished in December, but let's not make a huge deal of it. So, that is exciting. And I didn't hate all the books I read. Granted, I enjoyed most of them, but I haven't been overcome by excitement by anything I've read lately and had to just tell the world about it. I'm a rare five star giver, so I'm not expecting to read a lot of five-star books, but I want to read something I really love. Granted, I've been trying to finish up my 2017 POPSUGAR challenge, so I'm focusing on the prompts instead of reading a ton of thrillers I typically prefer.

Anyways, check out what I read in November, and fingers crossed I finish out 2017 strong (and hopefully with a completed challenge).


It by Stephen King: If you aren't entirely sure what this book's about: A group of pre-teens band together to defeat a dark force in their small town in Maine. Almost 30 years later, the force reappears, bringing back the original group to defeat it once more. Obviously, I enjoyed this book, because hello - I love Stephen King. I've literally been reading his books since elementary school. I was honestly surprised with myself that I hadn't read it before, but it is quite bulky. It took me a good two weeks to get through it. I did very much like this book - the story, the characters, and I liked the way it hopped between times. Not all authors can write well enough to hop between time periods while still making since and keeping the story flowing well, but King can. There was one subchapter within this book I was completely unhappy and shocked by. I felt it was entirely unnecessary and truly, the story could have done without it.  4/5 

The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor: A bit historical fiction, a bit children's fantasy, The Cottingley Secret tells the story of Olivia Kavanaugh and a memoir she reads about two little girls. When Olivia's grandfather passes away, she inherits his bookstore "Something New". As she cleans up her inheritance, she comes across a seeming memoir about Elsie and Frances - two little girls who convince the world fairies are real during wartime. (full review) 4/5

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: When a local billionaire goes missing with a one hundred thousand dollar finder's fee, Aza and her best friend Daisy go on the hunt. Luckily, Aza knows the billionaire's son, Davis, from camp - so they've got a way in. So, while this seems like a mystery novel, it only is a little bit. What's more is Aza's thoughts are spiraling out of control - all day, every day. (full review) 4/5

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn: The only thing I've ever read from Gillian Flynn before this was her super short story The Grownup, which I actually loved. I was really hopeful for this book because of that, and even more excited since I've read it because I heard it's being made into a film. Anyways, while I liked the premise of this novel, it was a little over the top, which is the cause for the lower rating. This book is about a journalist who goes home for a story about two girls who have been murdered. Obviously, her home isn't her favorite place to be (of course), so there's a lot of drama going on. Not to mention the journalist's dark past which is creeping back up to haunt her. 3/5 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - illustrated by JK Rowling & Jim Kay: It seems silly to me to even review this. I obviously love Harry Potter more than anything, but I love reading the new illustrated version each year because even though I can't read the stories for the first time ever again, these versions the experience new and exciting all over again. 5/5

Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss: It's 1980 in NYC and three strangers lives intertwine through a mixture of art, loss, and tragedy. James is an art critic with a vivid case of synesthesia. Lucy is young and fresh to NYC trying to navigate her way through the city. Raul is an artist from Argentina trying to make it big. Each character tells their story through a series of flashbacks and regret. (full review) 3/5

Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch: When Marc (a doctor) takes his daughters and wife on a summer vacation alongside one of his patients (who just happens to be a famous actor), something goes terribly wrong. Months later, the famous actor dies - apparently due to something Marc did. Do these two incidents have a connection? And if so, how will he get away with it? 2/5 (full review)



What did you read in November? What are your goals to finish up the year?