I set reading goals every month. Because if I don’t, my stack of books keeps piling high. Here’s my roundup of how I did in November. I can usually finish three books in a month with ease. Occasionally, I can find the time to read one more. I thought I’d try putting four books in my November book stack. I was overambitious. November was busier than I expected, and I just finished two of the four before the end of the month. Here are the books I completed, put down, and never started.
Villette by Charlotte Bronte
Oh, how I love Charlotte. I always choose her over Emily. And I need to give Anne a try. But I didn’t even know about Villette until some time last year! Everything I read relating to Villette went something like, “Oh, you like Jane Eyre? Wait until you read Villette!” And so I suggested Villette as a buddy read. I am happy to have read it. If only to revisit Charlotte Bronte’s writing and to see her evolution as a writer. Villette, written towards the end of her life, is heavily influenced by her own time as a teacher in Belgium. The novel gives us an intimate look inside the mind of protagonist Lucy Snowe. This viewpoint is fascinating, albeit occasionally redundant. But then again, who among us hasn’t dwelled on the same thoughts from time to time.
It is a complete novel, recounting a woman’s life spent in a foreign land, often alone. But there is a lot of French dialogue, as Lucy lives in a fictitious French-speaking country. If you do decide to tackle it and French is not a language you are familiar with, be sure to get a copy with translations either in the foot or endnotes. Or better yet, read an e-copy and let your e-reader do the translating for you.
Beowulf by Anonymous
Some novels and stories are classic to you and me, but then there are the classics. The ones that are so old we don’t even know who wrote them, and yet they exist in written and bound form. Beowulf is one such classic. I begrudgingly read it in college. When you’re an English major, you’re already reading a lot, and trying to interpret (old) English was low on my list of want-to-do. Sorry, not sorry. And look, I’ve re-read it as a proper adult! Yes, as a part of a book club. I am a (proud) nerd. And I’m happy to report that, one, the English wasn’t really that difficult to interpret. Two, I was an enthusiastic discussion participant. Of course, I’m not suggesting you go and read Beowulf. But I’d love to know which books you’ve reread and experienced differently.
Love Your Life by Sophia Kinsella
There’s not much to say here. I started it and couldn’t get into it. Honestly, the writing felt like a first time self-published author. Yes, a self-publishing author who can write well enough and not make grammatical errors. But one that desperately needs an editor to guide them. I know that’s really harsh; I’ve never written a novel. But Kinsella has, in fact, she’s written several. I’ve even enjoyed one or two of them. So rather than spend time finishing it and being disappointed, I put it down, moved on to the next November book stack read, and have no regrets.
I really thought I was going to knock this one off my to-be-read once and for all. Sadly, November was busier than I expected, and Villette took up whatever reading time I had. But fear not, I’ve managed to retain my library copy for December. And I hope to report back later this month with a review.
