What I Read in November and December

While I didn't read quite as much in November and December as I did while on leave, I was still able to get some books in!

Just like before, all the links are to the Bookshop.Org site - this is where you can buy books online and support local independent bookstores.  If I did it right, the links will support Open Books in Chicago, which is a non-profit used bookstore that uses proceeds to fund literacy programs for kids across Chicago.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez: Follows a Puerto Rican living in Brooklyn and her family and romantic relationships.  Tugs at the heartstrings, and I learned a bit more about Puerto Rico.  Inspired me to order dinner from a Puerto Rican spot in Chicago!  Would recommend.

The Club by Ellery Lloyd: A Reese Witherspoon pick, this is a thriller based on a fictitious Soho-House-type club.  Lots of characters - I finished about half of this one before it was due back at the library, so had to pick up the second half when I got back to the top of the hold list.  This made following all of the characters and their storylines even more difficult!  Overall, would recommend.

 

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun: A melancholy story about grappling with a complicated mother-daughter relationship and perfectionism, all wrapped up into a Christmas romance.  Would recommend!

Merry Little Meet Cute by Julia Murphy and Sierra Simone: A very fun story set behind-the-scenes of a filming a Hallmark-esque holiday movie.  One of the main characters is from Kansas City, so a few fun references from that!  Would recommend, although be aware of some spicy romance scenes.

The Stories of my Life by Carol (Becky) Pinter: My grandma wrote a memoir about her life in short stories.  It was fantastic!  Would recommend :)