November Book Review
Welcome to my November 2023 Monthly Reading Wrap-Up!
Before diving in, you might want to check out last month’s reading wrap-up here.
My reviews will have a fluid structure, reflecting my genuine thoughts and feelings about each book. Some reviews will delve deeply, teeming with opinions, while others will be more succinct. This diversity in my reviews is precisely the reason I embarked on this book review journey. I'm passionate about reading and craved a space where I could articulate my reflections without restraint.
This month, I delved into five books, presented in the sequence I read them. As is customary for me, there's a blend of fiction and nonfiction titles.
After last month's disappointing book lineup, I was in desperate need of an enthralling 5-star novel, and Jessica Knoll certainly delivered with Bright Young Women. This fantastic book is Knoll's third publication, and having thoroughly enjoyed her previous two, I was incredibly excited about this latest release. Fortunately, it far exceeded my expectations.
Bright Young Women is a masterclass in presenting contemporary societal issues and struggles within an engrossing, thrilling plot. The novel is loosely based on the true story of the 1970s university sorority campus killings by a notorious serial killer. Readers follow multiple characters spanning decades and how their lives are impacted by these gruesome crimes. Knoll excels in many elements, particularly in creating multidimensional and realistic characters. I was particularly captivated by how the novel starts at the crime scene, drawing readers in from the first page and maintaining an intense atmosphere throughout.
Knoll's critique and depiction of society's obsession with, and portrayal of, serial killers in the media was brilliantly executed. I found myself completely captivated by the book, unable to put it down. As my yearly wrap-up approaches, I already know this will be among my top reads of 2023, and it's likely to become one of my favorite books of all time. I give it a high, high 5 stars.
I am influenced by one influencer and one influencer only – Alison Moneybags Fisher. Her five-star review on GoodReads for The Spirit Bares Its Teeth simply read, “holy sh*t, you guys,” and that alone compelled me to pick up the book immediately.
And she was RIGHT!
The setting is 1883, Gothic England, where dark fantasy horror meets light magic and ghosts. At the beginning of the year, if you had told me that I would end up giving five stars to a gory, unsettling horror novel, I wouldn't have believed you, yet here I am.
Andrew Joseph White has expertly – and I do mean expertly – paired a dark, Gothic atmosphere with themes of queerness and misogyny. The author seems to challenge the notion of “not all men,” instead suggesting “actually, ALL men… like, every last one of them.” The light fantasy backdrop of the Victorian era is perfect for exploring “modern” topics. The characters freely discuss their thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and experiences without ever using words like “transgender” or “autistic.” This means their experiences must be fully and comprehensively described for other characters (and readers) to understand, which adds a remarkable depth to our understanding of what it is like for a person to hold these identities and characteristics.
The mystery elements keep the pace fast – I didn't want to put the book down because I needed to find out what would happen next. I felt connected to all of the characters and genuinely invested in every aspect of the plot.
Congratulations to Andrew Joseph White – you’ve done it. I absolutely loved it. An obvious five stars.
I am awarding The Only One Left by Riley Sager a rating of 3.5 stars, which is an average of 4 stars for readability and 3 stars for personal enjoyment. Did I hate it? Absolutely not. But, I didn't particularly love it either. It sits comfortably in the realm of "it was fine."
For those unfamiliar with Riley Sager, his mystery thriller novels are quite popular. This is my third novel by him, and it will be my last. I said the same after the first two, yet I held out for a couple of years before deciding to give this one a try. I had heard it was "actually good," but for me, it was just "fine." Therefore, I won't be exploring any more of his works. (I will admit though, the cover is beautiful.)
One of the strengths of this book, as with my previous experiences with Sager's work, is its straightforward, almost simplistic writing style. This novel epitomizes what some call a “popcorn read.” It doesn't break any genre barriers or deliver anything highly original or unexpected. Rather, it offers an "easy" reading experience with all the expected elements of a mystery thriller.
The plot follows a classic formula: A Woman Finds Herself Somehow Involved In a Murder Plot Which She Must Investigate and Resolve. This narrative involves a live-in caregiver assigned to a secluded cliffside mansion to care for an invalid woman, who may or may not have murdered her entire family 50 years ago.
The strength of any good mystery thriller lies in its twists and reveals. In this case, I believe less would have been more. The final third to a quarter of the book had literally about 10 different twists/reveals (of which the main one I was able to guess 🙂). The multiple twists felt overdone to the point of being convenient, illogical, and exhausting. It seemed as though the author was more interested in cramming in as many twists as possible rather than focusing on a few that would create a thoughtful, compelling plot.
Additionally, the first two-thirds of the book, leading up to the twists, were too bland to stand alone as an interesting plot. In other words, I found myself bored and waiting for the reveals, which were the true highlight of the novel. If Sager was aiming for a creepy, gothic atmosphere, the prose should have reflected that with a dark, gothic writing style. The straightforward style used instead made the tension feel forced and inauthentic, preventing full immersion as a reader.
In conclusion, while the book wasn't bad, it didn't particularly suit my tastes. It's a specific type of book with mass appeal, popular and readable for a reason. However, it's not the flavor I prefer. Hence, my rating of 3.5 stars.
This nonfiction work, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, is substantial and rich in content, yet don't let its length or complex subject matter deter you. If you're eager to feel accomplished for tackling a sophisticated science book while simultaneously enriching your knowledge, this book fulfills those goals.
Peter Attia delves deeply into the scientific research surrounding lifelong health and wellness, introducing what he defines as "Medicine 3.0". This concept represents a necessary shift, in his perspective, towards a healthcare model that prioritizes disease prevention, in contrast to the current "Medicine 2.0" approach, which predominantly simply manages the 'Four Horsemen' diseases – diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's—after they have already emerged.
He meticulously explains the biochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying common diseases and offers practical advice for everyday actions to prevent these illnesses. The conclusion might seem obvious—advocating healthy eating and exercise—but it's the depth and detail that set this book apart in the wellness genre. Attia employs a rich and, dare I say, academic medical language, which, despite its complexity, is presented accessibly. The detailed information is essential to distinguish this book from typical wellness publications.
As someone with no medical background, I found the book particularly enlightening. I appreciated its tone and the realistic, achievable health recommendations, which stand in stark contrast to the doom-and-gloom scare tactics often used in discussions about disease. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written and well-organized book. It earns a solid 4.5 stars
If you know me even a little, you'll be aware of my three main obsessions: aliens, mermaids, and vampires. Octavia E. Butler, renowned for one of my favorite alien-themed books, impresses once again, this time in the realm of vampires, with Fledgling. This novel narrates the coming-of-age story of a young adult vampire who wakes from an accident with complete amnesia, remembering nothing of her past life. What unfolds is a high-stakes, fast-paced adventure as she navigates not only her place in the world but also the mysteries of her past and the complexities of her current situation.
Butler's standout skill is her ability to weave contemporary social issues into a speculative sci-fi setting, presenting alternate ‘alien’ cultural and societal dynamics. These elements, which would seem absurd in our human context, become fascinating and original in her speculative world.
However, some readers might find her writing style challenging to connect with. Her prose is incredibly direct and straightforward, devoid of embellishment or lyrical metaphors, focusing on the essential points. This style, which may not suit everyone's taste, contributes to a fast-paced plot for me. The lack of 'fluff' allows the narrative to progress swiftly and keeps the reader engaged with the plot.
Fledgling was the last book Butler wrote before her death. She had planned to continue with these characters in a series, so it's unfortunate that this is the only glimpse we'll have. Nevertheless, if this is all we get, I am more than satisfied with this remarkable work. I absolutely loved it. 5 stars.
Only one more monthly book review left in the year! I am so close to my yearly reading goal I can almost taste it. And it tastes like success and sweet, sweet victory.
I am already looking ahead towards next years reading list. What books do you suggest I add? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll be back soon with more reviews and recommendations. Ta Ta :)
