November 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

Hey there, book buddies! So, November has come and gone (like, where does the time even go?), and I’m super excited to talk about my reading adventures. This month, I crushed four books, yep, 1,448 pages of pure escapism! My average rating landed at a solid 3.88 out of 5 stars, which, honestly, feels about right for the rollercoaster of emotions these reads put me through. Three of these gems were ebooks (gotta love that Kindle life), and one was a paperback because sometimes you just need to feel those pages, am I right? Oh, and here’s the cherry on top: I got my hands on an advance reader copy from a publisher (big thanks to them!), which totally added some extra hype to my reading lineup. 

After a bit of a reading slump in October (we’ve all been there, right?), November came through with the good vibes and got me back in my bookish groove. To really capture the whole experience, I put together a November reading vlog over on my YouTube channel. It’s got all the feels, the rants, and the raves, so go check it out and let me know what you think! 

1. Forty Words for Love by Aisha Saeed

Forty Words for Love takes us to Moonlight Bay, a town still reeling from a tragic event that's dimmed its once-beautiful seas. We meet Raf, a newcomer, and Yas, a local, as they deal with grief, loss, and the tensions dividing their community. The story dives into acceptance, the power of community, and the ups and downs of relationships, all against a backdrop of magic and a budding romance between Raf and Yas.

Full review

2. Perempuan Rok Ungu (The Woman in the Purple Skirt / むらさきのスカートの女) by Imamura Natsuko

The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Imamura Natsuko is told through the eyes of the Woman in the Yellow Cardigan, who narrates it continuously without chapter titles or numbers. The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan becomes curious about a woman in her neighborhood. She nicknames her the Woman in the Purple Skirt because of her always wearing a purple skirt. Intrigued by the mystery surrounding this woman, our narrator starts following and observing her. The more she learns about the Woman, the stronger her wish becomes to be friends. But talking to her face-to-face feels super awkward. And that's where things get interesting as we dive into the complicated relationship between these two characters.

Full review | Where to buy: Penerbit Haru

3. Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R. F. Kuang 

Finishing my second read of Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence has given me a deeper appreciation for its complexity and nuance, so I decided to revisit my thoughts and write a more structured review this time around. Written by R.F. Kuang, Babel is a dark academia fantasy novel that ties together themes of language, colonialism, and power. This story follows Robin Swift, a Chinese boy brought to England and prepared to become a student at Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation at Oxford University. Babel is not just an academic institution but also the center of a unique magic system powered by silver bars and the subtle meanings lost in translation between languages.

Full review | Where to buy: Periplus

4. My First and Only Love by Sahar Khalifeh

My First and Only Love by Sahar Khalifeh tells the story of Nidal and her connection to Palestine's past, by mixing personal story with important political happenings. Nidal, an artist, heads back to Nablus to rebuild her family's house. Along the way, she reminisces about her first love, Rabie, during difficult times like the Nakba. 

Full review