Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my November 2018 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for November 2018. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

Choosing Real: An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned by Bekah Jane Pogue

This book was wonderful. It was a good reminder that life is sometimes hard, and that we can not only survive but thrive in the midst of challenges, as well as grow from them. And it was also a reminder to be thankful for the blessings in our life, because even in the midst of crummy stuff, we are still blessed.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I feel as if it’s been quite a while since I read a book that I just adored (although that’s not quite accurate when I look at the other books that I’ve read recently). But nonetheless this book is nothing short of extraordinary. It follows a girl named Leni through her teenage years and 20s. Her father is a Vietnam POW with major PTSD issues, and her mother is basically a battered woman. The family moves to the bush in Alaska, and interesting things ensue. I could not put this book down. It made me cry, but I also loved the story and ending. Read this book.

Count Your Blessings: Inspiration from the Beloved Hymn by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book with song lyrics in the title

A compilation of prayers, quotations, and song lyrics on various topics, this book is a good reminder to be thankful for our blessings. Pretty simple.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

I’ve had this on hold on audio from Libby/Overdrive for quite some time, and my hold came up this month. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect, other than that it was nonfiction. The author makes some valid points about how we really need to choose what to care about, and not give a f*ck about other things and people’s opinions. It reminded me of a secular version of Lysa TerKeurst’s The Best Yes. Not bad.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a cyberpunk book

Mike and I saw the movie version of this right when it came out. Mike listened to the audiobook shortly thereafter, and I finally got around to it this month. Both the book and the movie are wonderful, but are very different. There is excitement, nostalgia, love, friendship, and fun in this book in equal parts. I recommend this book.

 

Books in Progress:

Twelve Women of the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst (My bible study is working through this book and the associated videos)

Flawed Convictions: “Shaken Baby Syndrome” and the Inertia of Injustice by Deborah Tuerkheimer

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

The Brave Ones: A Memoir of Hope, Pride and Military Service by Michael J. Macleod

Where Should We Begin?: The Arc of Love by Esther Perel

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

 

Books Abandoned:

The Likeness by Tana French

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book by an author with the same first or last name as you