November 2025 Wrap-Up – Escape Into Reading

Personal Highlights from this month:

Miss R got her teeth fixed, and they look fantastic!! The dentist did such a nice job, and you can’t tell that they are bonded. There is no line.
We had a quiet Halloween. For the first time in almost 20 years, I didn’t go out trick-or-treating with my kids. Miss R went with a friend, and Mr. Z stayed home. Miss B and Miss J visited their former college to catch up with friends.
We took Mr. Z to his college’s open house. He seemed to really enjoy being there and has decided to double major in History and Anthropology.
Miss R went on her school’s academic award field trip to a local roller skating rink. The school starts off by awarding kids who have a D or above with field trips (done once a quarter). Then it moves to C and above, and the next two field trips are A/B honor roll and above. If any of the kids have received disciplinary actions (ISS, OSS, or being kicked off the bus), they cannot attend, even if they have good grades. I think it’s a great idea and motivates the kids to do their best. Miss R had a great time but did end up hurting her knee.

Reading Highlights from this month:

I read two books from the Oatmeal collection (The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run and Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants). I was neutral about these books. I’m not sure if I would read the rest of the books in the collection.
I read and finished Bloodline by Jess Lourey. What I liked the most about this book was that Joan was an unreliable narrator. I couldn’t trust anything that she said or saw. There were two massive twists. One that took me by surprise, and the other one I kinda saw coming but didn’t want to believe it (the ick factor was huge).
I read book 3 of the Friendships and Festivals series (Love and Latkes). I found the romance between Abe and Batya sweet. I also loved the cooking show background.
I read books 1 and 2 of the All for the Game series (The Foxhole Court and The Raven King). While I liked these books, I do not recommend them for anyone under the age of 18. There are scenes in these books that disturbed me.
I read and finished The Alloy Era (Meru and Loka). I had mixed feelings about this duology. On the one hand, I found the storylines fascinating. But, on the other hand, it got very sciency, and I will admit that my eyes glazed over a couple of times.
I read The Last Goodbye by Caroline Finnerty. While I liked the storyline and thought that it was beautifully written, Kate’s character ruined it for me. She was completely immature and selfish throughout the entire book (excluding the chapters with Eva, when she was a teenager, where her behavior was somewhat justified). She just left a bad taste in my mouth, and honestly, I don’t know how Ben managed to deal with her childlike behavior.
I read and finished the Fae Isles series (Heart of Silk and Shadows, Court of Blood and Bindings, Lord of Gold and Glory, Ruins of Sea and Souls, Queens of Mist and Madness, In Love and War, and With Wing and Claw). This series was excellent and I highly recommend it. The main male character is yummy but also stabby and murdery. He is on the darker end of the moral gray scale. The main female character is stubborn, prickly, and full of issues. I absolutely loved this series!!
I also started the Cambric Creek series by reading The Minoan Bride and Morning Glory Milk Farm. I will be finishing this series in December. So look for my quick take on the series in December’s wrap-up.