November Release Love
November book releases: what I've read, what's on my shelf, and others I'm excited about
As usual, so. many. good. books. are coming out. Who else wants to pause life to catch up on their 2021 TBR? 🙋♀️ So, without further ado, the books!
What I read from the October Release Love newsletter…
Sankofa by Chibundu Onzo
Shortly after the death of her mother and in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Anna travels from London to West Africa in search of her father. With themes of identity, parenthood, racism, and classism, this book was a well-written and well-paced story that was especially good on audio. For fans of Home Fire and Sparks Like Stars.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Ones I’ve read…
I Hope This Finds You Well by Kate Baer
THIS BOOK. I devoured it in one sitting and every single poem made me feel something – they're funny and poignant and gutting and full of humanity. This would be the perfect gift for anyone, so I highly recommend picking up not just a copy for yourself, but a few extras too. If I could, I'd buy 100 copies and give one to every single person I came across. Just read it. (And then read her previous collection, What Kind of Woman.) Released on 11/9. For fans of Goldenrod and Mary Oliver.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
Last year I read and loved King's Writers & Lovers, so I was excited to try short stories from her. These felt somehow distinctly different from her previous work but also similar. The characters were unique and tangible, the storylines were atmospheric, and the overall feeling was visceral. But I also felt like some of them went over my head, ending abruptly and leaving me wondering, "Is that it?" A couple left me feeling quite unsettled. So while I appreciated the writing, I can't decide if I enjoyed them. Released on 11/9. For fans of The New Order and Look How Happy I’m Making You.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett is by far one of my favorite authors (The Dutch House was in my top reads of 2019) and I absolutely adored her first book of essays, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. And while I haven’t finished this one yet, I’m already calling it a five-star read. She covers everything from her relationships with her fathers, life during a pandemic, and being a woman of her age without any children. I’ve been furiously underlining and dogearing passages to refer back to. Releases on 11/23. For fans of I Miss You When I Blink and You Think It I’ll Say It.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Ones on my shelf…
The How by Yrsa Daley Ward
I’ve long been a fan of Yrsa’s since reading her memoir The Terrible and then following her on Instagram, and the title of this one sounds right up my alley. Eager to pick this one up from Greedy Reads as soon as my other preorders come in! Released on 11/2.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
I had heard little about this one until a recent episode of Book Talk Etc. and Tina’s review of it made me eager to pick up (in fact, I plan on starting it on audio tomorrow!). In the vein of The Other Black Girl and While Justice Sleeps, this is an office place psychological thriller that incorporates race into its themes. Released on 11/2.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
A bookstore AND a ghost? Yes, please! Annie B. Jones’ review of this one on the From the Front Porch podcast had me preordering it immediately, even though I’ve actually never read anything of Louise’s before. Hopefully this will change that and get me to pick up The Round House, a book that’s been languishing on my shelf for too long. Released on 11/9.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
I’m a little wary of books about the COVID-19 pandemic, but the premise of this one sounds intriguing enough that I’m going to give it a try. Plus, the blurb from Taylor Jenkins Reid calls it “a powerfully evocative story of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit.” Releases on 11/30.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
Recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, billionaire philanthropist Dava has published her obituary… before her death. She wants to break the news of it to her family herself, and is hoping to get the chance to see what the media says about her, but instead a long-buried secret is revealed. As a fan of family dramas, I’m eager to read this one. Releases on 11/30.
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
Others I’m excited about…
A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley (released on 11/2)
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFMLove, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz (releases on 11/23)
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFMAtlas of the Heart by Brene Brown (releases on 11/30)
Bookshop | Amazon | LibroFM
And one December release…
December is always pretty light when it comes to books being published, but there is ONE I want to put on your radar:
Fools in Love edited by Ashley Herring Blake – This collection of stories by some of the best YA authors reimagine our favorite romance tropes. Yes please! Releases on 12/7.
Bookshop | Amazon
Because of the slow month, December’s Release Love will look a little different: I’ll be highlighting some of my most anticipated books for the first half of the year, so stay tuned for that!
Let me know if you add any of these to your TBR! And tell me what books YOU’RE excited about this month 📚
* This email contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase.*