Hello, it’s one of the most beautiful months of the year! Thanksgiving month—bring on the turkey and the stuffing, I’m ready. Let’s be real October through December is the best time of the year and we are still in the midst of all the holiday coziness. This month I moved back to DC and began flying out of the base my airline has there, and it is an exciting time. I have never worked and lived out of a place where so many of my friends and family were close by. I get to casually go out and spend free time with my loved ones, so the world is looking bright. I’m going to jump into all the gorgeous books I want to read this month, and list out some of the things I’d like to do in November.
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepard
I have actually just started this book and so far I’m loving the setting of Paris so much. It’s making me want to back a little back pack and fly there right now to just explore and take in everything the city has to offer. The mythology of the world is interesting, and our main character is endearing. The idea of beasties is not one I’ve read anything similar to so I’m exciting to see what conflict arrises from the changes between human and animal forms.
Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.
Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.
Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
This one is led by a full (kick ass) female cast. I could do with a little feminine rage at the moment, I think a lot of you would agree. I think a book about a coven of women assassins probably could not be more perfect.
Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.
When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies’ one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.
Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton
This was another book that was very popular last month, especially as it seems spooky. The premise of this book is actually very similar to the story I am currently writing which makes me pretty nervous to read it. But I’ve heard too many wonderful things to ignore. If it starts picking into my brain and my book, I’ll set it aside, but hopefully it’ll just entertain me and give me a little scare.
Long ago, a village made a bargain with the devil: to ensure their prosperity, when the Slaughter Moon rises, the village must sacrifice a young man into the depths of the Devil’s Forest.
Only this year, the Slaughter Moon has risen early.
Bound by duty, secrets, and the love they share for one another, Mairwen, a spirited witch; Rhun, the expected saint; and Arthur, a restless outcast, will each have a role to play as the devil demands a body to fill the bargain. But the devil these friends find is not the one they expect, and the lies they uncover will turn their town—and their hearts—inside out.
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
I read Vicious last month and it rocked my world, so I immediately bough the newest release of it’s sequel. I think I did it the right way by waiting to read this first book. Some people have had to wait years for this follow, but I’m ready to cruise right through into the continuation of Eli and Victors story of villainy.
Sydney once had Serena—beloved sister, betrayed enemy, powerful ally. But now she is alone, except for her thrice-dead dog, Dol, and then there’s Victor, who thinks Sydney doesn’t know about his most recent act of vengeance.
Victor himself is under the radar these days—being buried and re-animated can strike concern even if one has superhuman powers. But despite his own worries, his anger remains. And Eli Ever still has yet to pay for the evil he has done.
This month I also want to read a good helping of romance. The genre is something that presents such a wide spectrum of different stories. I love spending a lot of time just diving into it and consuming lots of different books by new to me authors. I’ve recently started listening to The Wicked Wallflowers Club podcast and these ladies are so thoughtful, fun, and intelligent in their discussions of what the genre has to offer, it’s inspired me to try and read even more towards the end of this year. Heres a few titles I know I want to pick up:
-The Ones that Got Away by Roni Loren
-Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout
-Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen
-American Queen by Sierra Simone
In terms of November Goals, I pretty much just want to do the things that make me feel the most happy. I want to read a lot, write when the inspiration strikes, hang out with all of the friends I now live close to, and hopefully cook some holiday food. If I complete all of these things the month will be a success!
Until next time,
Em Xx
Emily Elizabeth Reads 