Monday, November 30, 2020

Goodbye November - a decent month for reading



Hello Reader Friends,

Everything about this month seemed different. Our COVID numbers once excellent have gotten worse, yes we are one of the red states once again. So far we have managed to keep the virus away from us and loved ones, by avoiding unnecessary risks.  I was surprised to visit one doctor this week that had the strongest protocol yet. Ring a doorbell to enter waiting room, place a second mask over my personal mask, temperature check, wash hands with antibacterial soap and then proceed into first exam room. No other patients in this small office practice - just staff. 

Our Thanksgiving was different even though I tried to make the meal a traditional one. I can't lie, I felt sad not having the kids and grandkids here.  After dinner we watched the first Christmas movie for 2020 - ELF, Will Ferrell makes me smile - just love this movie, so it helped cheer me up.  Most of the gifts I've ordered on line have arrived and I'm happy that I only have a few smaller things and gift cards to finish up our shopping. I'm hoping we get a warm December day to maybe have the family over for hot chocolate and Christmas cookies outdoors or in garage with masks on if necessary.

How are you planning on celebrating Christmas?

November Reading

  1. A Polar Bear in the Snow; Mac Barnett (Ill. Shawn Harris) - 4.5/5 - (print/Nov)
  2. Nursing Homes are Murder - Mike Befeler - 3.5/5 (Nov)
  3. Don't Look for Me; Wendy Walker - 4.5/5 (combo - audio/eGalley/Nov) 
  4. Summer Longing; Jamie Brenner - 4.5/5 (library/Nov)
  5. The Talented Miss Farwell; Emily Gray Tedrowe - 4/5 (eGalley/Nov)
  6. The Christmas Table; Donna Vanliere - 4/5 (eGalley/Nov)
  7. Snowflakes (Book 1-Hush Series); Ruth Ware - 3/5 (eBook/Nov)
  8. Treasure; O. Braithwaite (Book 2 Hush series) - 4/5 (eBook/Nov)
  9. Greenlights (Memoir); Matthew McConaughey - 2/5 (audio/Nov)
  10. Troubles in Paradise; Elin Hilderbrand - 2/5 (print/library/Nov)
  11. Good, Morning Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery; Catherine Gildiner - NF - 4/5 - (eGalley/Nov)
  12. The Wrong Kind of Woman; Sarah McCraw Crow - 3.5/5 (eGalley/Nov)
  13. The Undoing; Jean Hanff Korelitz - 4/5 - (eBook/Nov)
Most Memorable Reads of November

(no review yet)


November - (13) books read (1) childrens (2) novellas (2) NF and (8) other fiction
(YTD - 118) - (I'm 14 books behind my 132 books as of  November 30, 2019)

December Plans
  • Finish a few reviews from November
  • catch up on some lovely children's books
  • 2 Christmas Reads
  • 2-4 Christmas movies
  • Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell
  • (finish): A Promised Land, Barack Obama
  • (finish): Amazon Prime Hush series - novellas - 3 more to go)

27 comments:

  1. What an interesting collection of books you read in November and you have some good reading ahead of you in December. I'll be interested to know what you think of Hamnet which I loved.

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    1. Everyone seems to have enjoyed Hamnet. I wasn't sure but, do want to try it.

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  2. Looks like you had a great reading month, and that you have a good shot of reaching your goal by the end of December (assuming I read this correctly and that your annual goal (and not your November 30 goal) is 132.

    I've reached 111 now, but then my goal for the whole year was only 100. Never saw this virus thing coming, but I'm still going to read fewer books than I did in 2019.

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    1. Sam, I really didn't have a goal but was hoping to make 125 which I think I will. Last year was quite a bit higher than what my outcome will be in 2020. It doesn't really matter though.

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  3. Yes, it's been a strange holiday in a strange month in a strange year! We were fortunate to have our two sons with us for Thanksgiving but we missed our annual visit to extended family.

    Looks like November was a good reading month for you, with plenty of variety and starting to get into the holiday spirit!

    I only JUST posted my October summary and haven't yet written a single review for the books I read in November! Way behind, as usual. Some day I will catch up - ha ha

    Hope you enjoy your books this month -

    Sue

    Book By Book

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  4. You had a really good reading month! I hope you'll be able to see your kids and grandkids at Christmas. We'll be able to see half of them, the other half at New Year. Hopefully...

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  5. You had some darn good books in November! Our Covid numbers keep climbing here too.

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    1. Terrible isn't it? Chin up perhaps next year we will smile again.

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  6. Hamnet is on my shelf waiting for me to read. I'm always a bit wary of buzz but some trusted book friends loved it so I bought it. Hope we both love it. Have a good month of reading, Diane!

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  7. It was a strange Thanksgiving, but we did pretty well. It is Christmas without kids and grandkids that has me worried.

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    1. Jenclair, Christmas is what I'm sad about - with the kids still at a fun age.

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  8. A good reading month, Diane! I just added Summer Longing to my wish list... love the setting! We just love the movie Elf, too, and am sure we'll pull it out one night soon. Still unsure about what Christmas will look like. One of our NYC daughters is here working and quarantining in our now-vacant condo, so she will be with us for the holiday. Waiting to see what our other NYC daughter can arrange. Fingers crossed! Happy December :)

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    1. Summer Longing was just what I needed in November. I hope you will enjoy it.

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  9. Yes, we made it through November and it was not easy. Reading is what saves me everyday. Now comes the challenge of December. Hopefully the vaccine or a vaccine will start to be available.

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    1. Let's hope 2021 is better. I do hope people do take the vaccine.

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  10. Wonderful reading month! I so want to read Greenlights! Happy December!

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  11. I am seeing the doctor on Thursday so we'll see what their protocols are. I am willing to do whatever it take to be safe for all of us and will be very happy if no other patients are there!

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  12. I will be curious to see if you really like Hamnet ... then I will get it from the library. My husband & I plan to spend Christmas here without traveling to spend it with family, which is a first for us. It'll be pretty dull and quiet I think. Hope yours is more enjoyable.

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    1. Hamnet is very good, not my normal pick for sure but I'm into it.

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  13. My reading has tanked since I started homeschooling Gage. I'm reading plenty of kids books, but books for me? Not so much We are lucky that we had my parents over for Thanksgiving. They are being super careful and they're pretty much the only people in our bubble. Just trying to hunker down and get through the next few months. Stay safe.

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    1. Stacy, I understand as my daughter is teaching remote as well as doing remote with her 1st and 3rd grade girls - a real challenge.

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  14. Our medical clinic is similar to your experience. Ring the doorbell. Temperature check. Sanitize. See the doctor/PA. No other patients around. I had a wellness check in another facility and felt very safe, although there was another patient in the waiting room. I was so surprised that I was allowed in my husband's hospital room after his shoulder surgery. He has a post-op appt tomorrow, but I don't plan to join him. Now to decide if I really want to have my teeth cleaned in the coming months. It's been almost a year...

    I hope you are able to see your family over Christmas. Thanksgiving was so disappointing for so many. :(

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