November was a month marked by not a lot of readings (this is something I can’t wait to share more on future postings!). That’s why this November 2023 Reading Recap includes only three books, which were:
- “Autumn” by Ali Smith,
- “Un Cuento Perfecto” (which translates to “A Perfect Tale”) by Elísabet Benavent,
- and “The Deal”, the first volume of the Off-Campus saga, by Elle Kennedy.
Before moving into the books deep dive, let’s have a recap of the main statistics I like to look back!
In November, I read 3 books and making up to a total of 1.559 pages for the month (around 52 pages per day).
After looking at the main statistics for my (very short) November 2023 Reading Recap, it’s time to deep dive into each book and their ratings and reviews:
“Autumn”, by Ali Smith
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Starting off with my favourite book of the month. “Autumn” is the first of Ali’s “Seasonal Quartet” series, which I’ve been post-poning month after month, but the time has come and the time was this Autumn!
About the Book: Each volume of the series is a stand-alone novel, however, there are to be connections in between volumes (I’ll let you know once I dive into the Winter edition!). “Autumn” tells us a story about two old friends who live a time of division in the United Kingdom as it is divided by summer.
Review: I can’t review this book without mentioning how hard it was for me to start getting into the story but, once I did, I wasn’t able to put it down and I just wanted to have more time to read it. The friendship between the two protagonists is something absolutely beautiful and the way it is portraited in the novel is delicious to read, mainly, considering the age gap (I don’t want to get into too many details here, so I won’t spoil your experience!). Overall, this book passed me this autumnal vibe of nostalgy and fantasy/mystic that is intrinsically present. Even though I ended up loving Ali Smith’s writing I can’t lie and say it wasn’t a confusing read for someone starting to read her books.
Rating: 3,5/5
“Un Cuento Perfecto”, by Elísabet Benavent
(Goodreads | currently not on Storygraph)
Moving to the second book of this November 2023 Reading Recap. I really thought it already had an English edition, considering Netflix already released a mini series about the book, but English readers, you’re out of luck! Or maybe not, we’ll see.
About the Book: This book is also about two main characters (I was really onto something this month, wasn’t I?) and it’s one of my favourite type of books because it’s written with each’s point of view in alternated chapters, and I just loved the effort the author made to stand that out. These two characters come from very different worlds and their paths crossed in an unexpected moment for both. The friendship starts as they’re both trying to get their ex’s back, but I think romance readers already know the ending to this.
Review: Even though it seems like this author was onto something, my feedback on it isn’t the most positive. I don’t want to go too far on the author’s work because, in the end of the day, I really do respect her work and time put into this book and I also understand that not everyone has the same likings (given that this book is a huge success in Spain, this might be more a “me” problem than a book problem). At first, I was really caught up by the book and the way the story goes, however, I quickly arrived at a point where I just wished I could get over with it. Which made me literally spend a Saturday reading it and making sure my pain would be over by the end of day, considering this bad boy is over six hundred pages, it wasn’t an easy task. In the end, the two main topics that led to my bellow rating were: the fact that the book could have a third of its size and the way it seemed so banally written.
Rating: 1/5
“The Deal”,by Elle Kennedy
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Last but definitely not least, the final book of the November 2023 Reading Recap (I know, there weren’t too many books, but I can guarantee it was worth it and you’ll see it! Additionally, we’re on the corporate girlie side of book blogs where, unfortunately, I’m not able to manage to read 20 books a month – not judging the one who due because I envy you!).
About the Book: So, “The Deal” is the first to a series of five books entitled “Off-Campus Series” and, in this one, Elle brings us, guess what, two main characters (I was really onto something this November!). We’re set at Briar University where these characters are taking the same philosophy class which everyone fails except for our female lead. This aroused our male protagonists’ attention and lead to form a friendship that only by reading you can find out where it ends. But I can tell you, and advice you, once you’re maybe fifteen or twenty percent in, avoid reading this book in public or really prepare your poker face because you’re about to read some very blushy chapters.
Review: Well… I’d read so much about this book and had it on my TBR (To Be Read List) that I ended up fastening the process to make sure I wouldn’t fail a literary bingo from a book club I take part in. Yes, I just won “nerdiest sentence /accomplishment of 2023”, thank you. I knew what I was getting myself into, it was delivered in a way I enjoyed every page of it. Except for the fact that the last one hundred pages of this book were read on an eleven-hour flight (not an easy task for the poker face mission I just told you about). Was it the book that changed my life? No. Did I expect it to change my life? Also, no. I think it is a very well delivered book based on the expectations it sets on you. Will I keep on reading the saga? It won’t be a priority for 2024 but maybe yes.
Rating: 4/5
If you would like to follow my monthly reads in real time, you can add my profiles on Goodreads or in StoryGraph.
November 2023 Reading Recap wasn’t the most extensive, but I got to live other experiences I can’t wait to share! Don’t forget to stay posted for the following posts on the blog. Lastly, comment your favourite November Reading!