Show Us Your Books November 2025

I re-read a lot of books in October, but I also fit in a few great new/new to me reads as well. October is one of the best reading months of the year, and I partook in it.

The Best of the Best From October

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn - This book starts with a woman faking her death to escape her abusive husband and then goes full throttle into serial killers, feminism, the supernatural, and family ties. I don’t want to give too much away but I just loved it.

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley - Boulley returns again to Northern Michigan for another engrossing book. A great mystery that touches on Native American adoption. Don’t skip the afterward.

Ghosted by Amanda Quain - A fun Northanger Abbey retelling where Northanger is a possibly haunted boarding school.

Dark Carnival by Ray Bradbury - I didn’t realize this was out of print when I picked it to read this month. I finally tracked it down and I’m glad I did. The short stories in this collection were creepy and unsettling in the best possible way. My favorites were the one about the misunderstood vampire and the murdering baby. (If you’re interested in this book it happened to be featured on the Overdue podcast last month!)

Have a great month everyone!

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This post will be linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

November Show Us Your Books!

I read a lot in October, but because it was mostly dedicated to reading for the Scarathlon on Litsy I fell like just read one long book. I enjoyed the experience, but I glad to be reading with more variety in November. My October reading highlights are below. (And because I’m in a mood, one lowlight.)

I’m Your #1 Fan

Misery by Stephen King - I haven’t read this book since high school, and I forgot how good it is. Plus it didn’t take six years to read like some of King’s other books. I’m one of Stephen King’s constant readers, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a succinct book with a good ending every now and then!

Life Is a Mystery

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - This is only the second Christie book I’ve ever read, and I was surprised by how funny it was. I wasn’t laughing with tears coming out of my eyes, but some of the comments and observations has me chuckling on the metro in a way that made others think twice about sitting next to me.

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny - This is another book that has escaped my re-reading habits until now. I’m glad I went back to this one though because this is the one where a lot of the later, wonderful story lines start to take shape.

Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear - These are serviceable mysteries for when I don’t have any Louise Penny books to read. I’d like to get through the series, but I don’t feel any particular rush. In this one Maisie goes back to France for the first time since WWI, and Hitler is beginning to stir in Germany.

Creepiness

The Family Plot by Cherie Priest - A good old fashioned ghost story. It could have been better if I actually cared about the characters, but the creepiness was definitely there.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware - Ruth Ware writes a certain type of book, and this one stuck to theme. The main character is desperate for money, and thinks her problems are solved when she gets a letter informing her of an inheritance she’s not entitled to. She just has to travel to a creepy old house to pick it up. Not Earth shattering, but a great twisty read for when you feel like crawling under a blanket.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman - Another spooky old house in this one. I got this to read with my daughter, but it was a bit too much for her. I liked it though so I ended up finishing it on my own. Coraline wishes her parents paid more attention to her, but realizes that they might not be so bad when she finds another set of parents.

I Give Up

The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy - Way too much detail about submarines, and not enough action. I bailed after 50 pages. Should I go back or let this one go?

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