Books I read in November
Do you have any consistently difficult months for reading? November seems to be mine. I can't explain it, but I just never want to read, and my list shows a bunch of old favorites together with some work-related reads I really had to push myself to finish.
Did you read anything that brought you joy this month?
Books I read include:
- The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett (audio) – very clearly unfinished, but profoundly moving
- The Ethics of Human Rights: Contested Doctrinal and Moral Issues by Esther D. Reed – really fascinating theology with lots to chew on. I still don’t know if I agree with her fundamental premise, but a lot of what she had to say (especially from Bonhoeffer) gave me a lot to think about.
- Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood – the Sayers references grow with each installment. A very fun Murder Must Advertise homage with bonus Chinese pirates, a subject about which I knew nothing and am now fascinated by.
- Bad Indians Book Club: Reading at the Edge of a Thousand Worlds by Patty Krawec – y’all know I love a book that’s a love letter to books
- The Menopause Manifesto: Own your Health with Facts and Feminism by Jen Gunter – did not finish. I didn’t enjoy her tone or writing style at all.
- Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett (audio, re-read) – a cozy old favourite, but every time I listen I discover something new
- Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin – I hated it
- Murder in Montparnasse by Kerry Greenwood – this was great! So many different mysteries woven together, plus Paris
- The Question of Palestine by Edward Said – unbelievably detailed and nuanced. His prescience is sad, his empathy and generosity for the Jews of Israel breathtaking. His promise that the Palestinians will remain and the Jews of Israel will also remain gives one hope. I believe, with him, that community and reconciliation will win out because it must win out.
- The Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings by Amy-Jill Levine – she’s got jokes, folks, which is good because this book is all about acknowledging the difficulties but not about addressing or solving them. She offers a few suggestions, but ultimately leaves the wrestling up to the reader.
- Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett (audio, re-read) – important reflections on freedom, labour, and humanity as only Carrot and Vimes can do
- The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood – these just keep getting better and better. A really twisty, complex mystery – plus, I learned a new word! Contumely.
Here's to a December with more time to read.