I missed out on doing an update for October. I’m sorry! My college courses have been keeping me occupied.
However! I did get some reading done, so let’s do a quick run through of all that I read since October (and of course November!)
October Reads!
The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook: Book 3 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.
I finished listening to the audiobook for this one. I wasn’t very fond of the train situation in this level – it was very messy and confusing. But I still enjoyed it overall. One can never go wrong with listening to the audiobook of this series!
Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan.
I wrote a review for this book; you can read the full review here!
Anything Sue Lynn Tan, I’m in love. I have all her books sitting happily on my shelf. And I’ll gladly make room for more copies in the future!
November 2025
Now that I’ve gotten those books out of the way, here are some I have finished during November.
I’ve started to learn that it’s okay to DNF books. If I don’t enjoy it, even after getting halfway through, I can just leave it and not worry about it. Such a hard move for me, because I hate leaving it half complete. However, I shouldn’t have to force myself to finish something I don’t find joy in. And so, this month I dropped 2 books I began. Either because the characters didn’t draw my attention, or the writing, or the plot – it was just a combination of things. Perhaps just my mood at the time as well. Maybe I’ll return to them one day, but I know it’s okay to leave it be.
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer.
Full review for this one can be found here! I just LOVED this one. So nostalgic for me. And I just love reading Marissa Meyer in general – her Lunar Chronicles series is one of my all time favourites.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao.
I listened to the audiobook. I loved it. Unexpectedly so! It was magical and mysterious, and just like a fairytale.
I never read the entire description of this: I just knew it took place in a pawn shop. What I didn’t realize was that it was turning into an all-out fantasy!
NetGalley – please let me read her next book coming in January 2026!
It’s called The Elsewhere Express. I feel like there’s a connection from Water Moon to this new novel!
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica.
Here’s the thing. I was curious about this one. I just wanted to see what was up.
I should have not let curiosity get the better of me. Reading this left me feeling uncomfortable. It was very unsettling.
Many trigger warnings with this one. So if you get queasy, stay away.
My overall impression is that this novel is based on a deeper level of observation of human nature. There is no real “horror” to it, but a commentary on society and how many of us blindly follow what we are told and don’t bother to question the authenticity of what we are informed about. How a simple word can change the context of so many things and make it acceptable.
Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama.
I got into a new series this month (yes, I saw the anime trailer, and it enticed me).
I showed the trailer to my 8-year-old, who is absolutely nuts for Little Witch Academia, and she fell in love. She also informed me that her school library has the entire series. So now both of us are reading this together. She brings the manga from school, and I read it (she is reading it too, don’t worry. Being a mom, I need to make sure it’s okay for her to read because this series is labelled Teen, and well… she’s 8).
Last book, I promise!
Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai.
I’m sorry, NetGalley, I couldn’t finish this one. I read 40% and dropped it. I couldn’t get into it. I loved many aspects, but it felt too side-questy.
And thats all for now!
Winter break is coming, and I’ve got to read through my TBR on my bookshelf.
What are you reading?
