What I read in November

November got me more heavily reliant on books to stay sane and was one of my best reading months to date, finishing 10 books, hitting my reading challenge of the year, and starting to collect Penguin Clothbound Classics Series. 

Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom 

I've read two of Mitch Albom's books, and I thought this book is my personal favorite of him so far. Lighthearted, yet there are those teaching and teachable moments. I couldn't help but relate while reading this book with The Last Lecture, which also shares a positive view of life coming from a man with a terminal illness. It was refreshing to learn new insights from them about life. I mean, it's not easy to stay optimistic knowing you're going to die soon, and it made me ponder back at my life and reflect on how I lived in.  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 

A story of two cousins, a spoiled orphan Mary Lennox and her cousin Colin found healing and love through the "magic" of the Secret Garden. As much as I am annoyed with cousin Colin's character, I have to admit his spoiled behavior and his thought resonate with me in so many ways, especially when everybody told him that he wasn't fine and he believed till he made himself not well for real. Again, it made me reflect a lot about my life.  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 

I've read most reviews on Goodread that Fanny, the main character is their least likable heroine of all Jane Austen's novels. She is rather dull, passive, and naive. I disagree. I loved that even she is not outspoken and shy, when it's not cool, despite her dependent status, she won't go against her principles. There are still plenty of similarities in terms of familial, sociality, and marriage with her other works. From the very first moment, I thought Fanny was meant to marry Henry, but I am glad she didn't marry him in the end. I hated how Edmund suddenly realized, like literally the last 5 pages of the book, that Fanny is apparently the woman for him, not Mary Crawford. Oh please, Edmund, you don't deserve Fanny.  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

McTeague by Frank Norris 

I learned that this story was inspired by an actual crime sensationalized in the local papers. It tells us of sadism and greed, full of anger, resentment, betrayal. I hated every single character from the book. A bit dragging and dull toward the very end, but the finale just blew my mind, and that scene stayed with me for quite a while. 

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur 

These poems are so simple, sometimes so blunt and obvious, and I felt less cringing reading them (sorry, I'm not a poetry person). Most of the poem resonates with me a lot, especially in one particular theme, extra star for this.  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Bloodlust and The Ripper by L.J. Smith 

As a fan of The Vampire Diaries, when I saw these two books were on sale on the Bookxcess website, I knew I couldn't resist them, but I wasn't really impressed. I loved that they tell the story we don't get to see in the TV show, but they were not what I was expecting to be honest. Not a lot happens in both books, which I anticipated more. But if you ask me if I will collect all 6 books, absolutely ;)  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

I see so many good reviews from Goodreads. I thought this book was like the second version of Becoming, but it's far from what I expected. There are interesting stories in some parts, but I don't think this is really the book for me. Phil Knight seemed like a horrible manager; exploiting his salespeople and not replying to his staff when they reached out to him for support is nothing to be admired. There were a lot of legal fights, but I admired his love for shoes and always strived to improve his shoes. Personally, it didn't catch my heart, and it wasn't inspirational. Maybe, this book wasn't just for me.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 

I really enjoyed the concept of this novel. It is a beautiful thing to read and encouraged me so much self-reflection while I was reading it. It made me ponder on what life would be like if I'd done something different, especially when I had the chance to undo my regrets, but in the end, I learned the grass isn't always greener on the other side after all. Predictable ending, but I don't mind because the message toward the end of the book is exactly what I needed.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

The third book of Anne's series doesn't disappoint. So many lovable characters and one of the most incredible ending scenes. Anne at Redmond College was everything I wanted to be when I grew up since I was a kid, new best friends, a cute little house in a great neighborhood, and my childhood friends. I loved Gilbert plays the perfect gentleman. His love for Anne is so pure and unwavering. Whenever their names were mentioned together, it had me thrilled from the start to the end. It might have become my new favorite book in the series; of course, the first one was unbeatable.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5