What. A. Month.

I feel like I’ve run a marathon. A mental marathon. Real marathons and I don’t get along too well. For some reason or another, October and November are the busiest months in the entire year for me, melding into one long gauntlet of events, tasks, and deadlines. This year? The end of a marking period, professional development deadlines, an ongoing editing project, helping to produce a stage show, and that’s not including the little day-to-day stuff (like unpacking boxes from my move. Yes, still.)

Nevertheless, I managed to finish two (two!) books this month, ones I very much anticipated reading. And also the Odyssey with my kiddos — that counts too, right? While I celebrate this little reading victory, I thought it might be worthwhile to share some mini-reviews of the books I read with you all. Maybe you’ll find a gem in the list!

Psst! If you really dig these books and want to read, you can use the links below to purchase a copy, but note that these are Amazon Affiliate links.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell | I’d been itching to read this book ever since it was mentioned in Fangirl. Luckily, Rowell decided to make it a real thing, and it did not disappoint. While not my favorite book of Rowell’s, it’s a fun, quick read while still having solid storytelling. “The Chosen One”, Simon Snow, must figure out a way to defeat the evil threatening the magical world all while trying to survive being roommates with his archenemy, who just so happens to be a vampire.

For fans of: Harry Potter (which, speaking of, the #NovelTeaBookClub will be rereading during the whole month of December! Join us for #HPDec and all of the Harry Potter love!)

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor | The podcast translates into a book surprisingly well, capturing all of the oddities that you would expect. All your favorite characters make appearances, including Cecil and snippets of his radio show. Equal parts weird and touchingly truthful. If you wanted to know the mystery of the man in the tan jacket, here’s your chance. If you don’t know who the man in the tan jacket is, well…

For fans of: the Welcome to Night Vale podcast…? Lovecraft. Orwell.

Lumiere by Jacqueline Garlick | I tried so hard to like this, I really did. Actually no, I didn’t. I kind of gave up when things just started feeling awkward. The story itself has a strong premise: Eyelet is on the run, looking for her father’s invention — the Illuminator, the only thing that can save her from her seizures. But the story takes a sharp turn from interesting to unbelievable an un-endearing, reading more like an awkward and not-at-all-cute Beauty and the Beast (and normally I love Beauty & the Beast and fairytale adaptations in general). Did not finish.

For fans of fairytale retellings, people with patience, those looking for a quick read with little commitment

Comic books (single issue): Lumberjanes #19 (mermaids!), Gotham Academy #11, Batgirl #45

Don’t forget to head over to YouTube to watch my full-length reviews and stay tuned for an in-depth look at Carry On and Welcome to Night Vale!

What books have you read this month?