For 2021, I set monthly categories to read from, in an effort to feel less constrained by reading challenges that I’d participated in previously, while continuing to work through the massive collection of books that I already own or have borrowed from friends and family. Each month I’ll include the books that I finished within the month’s category reading, books finished outside of the category reading, books in progress, and books abandoned. And I’ll tell you where the book was sourced from. For November 2021, my reading list is from the category of Whatever Strikes My Fancy!
Books Finished:
Home in a Hundred Places by Sarah Dayan Mueller
New Kindle e-book.
I first learned about this book on the Official Peloton Member’s Page, not really the place you typically go to find new reading material. Sarah had posted there about her journey with her father who had dementia, and how Peloton had helped her through that process. She posted a link to her novel based on her own experiences with her father, and his experiences as a spy in Egypt, and I was intrigued. I downloaded the book and jumped right into it. The book appears to be part memoir, part novel, and just a fascinating look at a brave, insightful, and genuinely good man and his interesting life. I really liked this book, and would recommend it.
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
Already owned physical book.
This was a book club pick, and I honestly hated it. I’ve read books by Jodi Picoult before and enjoyed them. But after reading a few, they start to feel formulaic to me. This book was even more disappointing, in that it had so many legal inaccuracies, and misunderstandings about the law and lawyers that I was just disgusted. And it could have used some pretty heavy editing, as there were internal inconsistencies within the book. I really, really disliked this book, but did appear to be in the minority at my book club with that position (likely because I picked up on problems that a casual reader not familiar with the law would miss).
The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
Borrowed Kindle e-book and audiobook from library using Libby.
The Cold Dish is also a book club pick. I started out reading the e-book, and struggled to get into it. After switching to audio, I actually did enjoy it, so it may be that the format you read this book in matters. This would best be classified as a western and a mystery. I did figure out who the murderer was, but did not understand until the end why the person did the murders, so it did keep me entertained until the end.
Marvel Meow by Nao Fuji
New physical book.
I picked this up as a Christmas present for Mike after seeing it in Bookpage magazine. He accidentally opened the package when it arrived, so we’ve already both now read it. The book came from a popular Instagram series by Nao Fuji, and was expanded into this short graphic novel. The basic story is that the cat meets many of the different Marvel heroes and goes on adventures with them, while dressed like them. It’s cute, and has great artwork.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
New physical book.
Oooh, I really liked this book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series! The main character is a witch who chooses not to use her powers, and is also an academic who is studying alchemy. She meets other witches and wizards, daemons, and vampires, and a worldwide supernatural conspiracy and adventure ensues.
Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison
Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.
In college I watched The Girls Next Door on TV, and was alternately fascinated and appalled by it. Down the Rabbit Hole is the memoir of Holly Madison’s experience in the Playboy mansion, on the television show, and after leaving them behind. Since I’m a fan of celebrity and unusual life memoirs, this was interesting and entertaining to me. If you like those genres, you would likely enjoy this as well.
The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission That Changed Our Understanding of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.
Susannah Cahalan previously wrote Brain On Fire, about her experience with a brain condition that lead her into madness, hospitalization, and which was nearly a missed diagnosis. It is terrifying and beautifully written. This followup is her look at the history and present status of mental health treatment and hospitalization. It is not as simple as many might think, and the conventional wisdom is not always correct.
The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin
Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.
Rubin hypothesizes that people fall into four categories, or tendencies–upholders, obligers, questioners, and rebels. She describes the four personality types, and has a quiz included where you can determine what your type is. She then provides tips for best utilizing the strengths of your tendency, as well as for overcoming the weaknesses of your tendency. The book is interesting, and provided great food for thought.
Gender and the Nicene Creed by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz
New physical book.
This book examines views of the church over time on the issue of the gender of God, as well as what the bible has to say on the topic. It was a topic that I had not thought much about previously. But it makes perfect sense that God is neither masculine nor feminine.
Finding Hope and Healing (Journeying Through Grief, Book Three) by Kenneth C. Haugk
New physical book.
This is the third booklet that I received from a friend, since my mother’s passing earlier this year. I have found them very helpful in dealing with the different stages and facets of grief.
Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn
Already owned Kindle e-book.
I found this book to be somewhat convicting, as well as somewhat judgmental and strict in its interpretations. I appreciated it for making me consider seriously how God views money, how we should view money, and what we should do with it.
Books In Progress:
Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day
The Stand by Stephen King (Already owned Audible audiobook.)
Influence by Robert B. Cialdini (New Audible audiobook.)
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears (Already owned physical book.)
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe (Borrowed audibook from library using Libby.)
Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness by Tara Brach (New Kindle e-book.)
Books Abandoned:
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
of Life by Heath Adamson
by Kate Wingo 
by Brooke Cumberland
by Codi Gandee
by Julia Butler 
by Jake Stenziano and Gino Barbaro 
by Kathy Stanton
by Shalini Boland
by Randy Alcorn 
by Horst Christian
by Liane Moriarty