November Reads

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson - Told in the second person, this novella focuses with intense clarity on what it means to fall in love in a world that does not love you back.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons - I've been putting this one off for awhile because of its sheer size, but it was worth the wait. The story is told by six different narrators, so it can be a bit tricky to care about each one, but the payoff is worth it once you allow yourself to be immersed.

After Dark by Haruki Murakami - It's strange: I tend to give Murakami 3/5 stars, but whenever I read his stuff I always come back for more. There's something both calming and upsetting about the way he sees the world. This is one of his shorter works, so a great introduction if you're new to him.

Now We Shall be Entirely Free by Andrew Miller - This one was fun, featuring everything from sea journeys to an approaching assassin. It's not the kind of thing I usually read, but I found myself unable to put it down. (Another of his great works: Pure.)

Constellations by Sinéad Gleeson - This collection of essays explores what it means to be a woman, what it means to be chronically ill, and what it means to be a writer. Though a bit heavy-handed at times, I found myself pulling out the highlighter and being reminded that it's okay to exist in a loud way.

Museum of Ice Cream by Jenna Clake - This poetry collection's title sounded whimsical, and that's definitely an element. But think about food: the nourishment and the rotting, the individuality and community tied to each bite. I bought a copy of this one to return to later.

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez - I think I have a new favorite to add to my list. I loved his first book (a sci-fi opera) so I was surprised that this one fits more comfortably into the fantasy genre. It's masterful, weaving layers of stories in a way I've never experienced. Truly a masterpiece.

Next month, I have a few longer reads I want to finally tackle, including The Secret History by Tartt (I didn't love Goldfinch but a, told I have to give this one a try). Otherwise, we'll see what the final month of 2022 brings.