☮︎Nifty November Reads☮︎ | November Wrap-Up

☮︎Hello Book Lovers! Woah, Woah, Woah we are almost done with the year, and that my friends is quite literally ABSURD!

Ok, this was quite a busy month for reading for me and I am happy to report that I read 7 books this month, which is thanks in large part to the graphic novels I read this month if I'm being completely honest. But, without further ado, let's jump in!

Heartstopper: Volume 1, 2, 3 by Alice Oseman ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Ok, this graphic novel series is such a great place to start because it truly is as charming and endearing as it seems! I love the relationship that Nick and Charlie have throughout this series and how at the core of it all they will always support each other through all of their happy and tough moments, and if that's not true love then I do not want it. The book series takes us through so many different stages of first love and the butterflies that come with discovering that the person you think about all the time also thinks of you just as much. I love the queer representation in this book and how the story is not focused on trauma, but instead focuses on the importance of supportive friendships and family members that will be there for you throughout all of your difficult moments because you are loved, regardless of who you love and what mental and physical health struggles you may be going through, and that my friends is beautiful.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks ⭐⭐⭐1/2

WowWee! This was such a fun read, especially during PSL season (even though I am not an avid coffee drinker, I know something is wrong with me) when all you want to do is go to pumpkin patches and munch on some apple cider donuts. This graphic novel transports us to a small town pumpkin festival that is everything but small. This was such a fun read to get into especially during this pandemic where it's a bit difficult to partake in festivities quite as elaborate as those that take place in Omaha, Nebraska. The premise of the novel involves a crush, a mission to find said crush, and eat as many yummy pumpkin festival treats as possible before the patch closes. What starts out as a romantic mission to find a friend's dream girl, becomes a wild day in the patch filled with all sorts of wacky events that made this novel super quirky and cute. If you are in the mood for a smile and a heartwarming tale, this graphic novel is the one for you my peeps!

Untouchable by Talia Hibbert ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Talia, Talia, Talia I really do adore her books and Untouchable did not disappoint! The second book in the Ravenswood Series centers around Hannah, a fiercely protective older sister to Ruth and selfless to a fault. Because of an impulsive decision made out of sheer loyalty to her younger sister Ruth, Hannah loses her ability to ever pursue her passion of caring for children in a professional setting which makes it difficult for her to have a job that she truly loves until the misunderstood widower Nate Davis moves back to his hometown of Ravenswood to care for his mother with his brother Zach Davis and is in desperate need of a nanny. When Hannah takes on the challenge, she not only become close to Nate's adorable two kids but also reignites the sparks that were present when Zach and Hannah meet back in grade school. This slow-burn romance was well worth every love suppressed sentiment.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was caught off guard with this one if I'm being completely honest with you. I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I really loved this fantasy novel, it had a very fresh take on "Brujeria", or "witchcraft" as it is said in English. The queer and lgbtqia+ representation was great to see and I really appreciated that the author was also trans and that he used his experience to directly address Yadirel's own trans journey within the book. It's important to have positive trans experiences showcased in literature and Thomas truly delivered that with Cemetery Boys. What starts out as a journey to prove that Yadirel is worthy of his magical powers, becomes a journey of friendship to figure out how Julian became a ghost. This book addressed the difficulties Latin America has with accepting the LGBTQIA+ community within our culture openly and non-judgmentally. It's important to have more books that include Latinx characters that are within the LGBTQIA+ community in order to encourage acceptance, instead of fear. This is a must-read!

Gods of Jade and Shadow by

Silvia Moreno-Garcia ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It so difficult to find books within the Fantasy Genre that aren't European centric and that draw from Greek Mythology or European Fairytales, but Moreno-Garcia does is

Gods of Jade in Shadow. The journey that Casiopea takes to help the Mayan god of death return to his rightful throne is not only dangerous for her well-being but her heart as well. Casiopea is a very capable person and uses her kindness and a deep-seated need to do what is right to guide her along this journey. Although I thought the ending could have been executed better than it was for my taste, I understand why the author did what she did. Regardless, I felt fully immersed in the world of the story and have not come across a book quite as unique as this one, and am constantly blown away by Moreno-Garcia's concepts and plots for her novels!

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My friend Emilia gifted me this adorable graphic novel as a super early Christmas present for a book exchange we did and I loved it so much! So thank you Emi for having such good taste in books. I loved the queer representation in this beautifully illustrated novel and the overarching message of embracing who you are regardless of who does not approve. I also appreciated that this book discussed the problematic nature of toxic masculinity and redefines what it means to be a man and what they can or cannot like. And what can they like or cannot like you ask? Whatever the hell they want! This novel also discusses the importance of being a good friend and giving credit where credit is due even if it might cause consequences to you that are not favorable.

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ah, we meet again Talia! I love this author and she did not disappoint with her last book in the Ravenswood series. It was a friends-to-lovers story that I had been anticipating ever since I got introduced to these characters in Untouchable. The book centers around Rae a mysterious writer new to Ravenswood and Zach, the resident womanizer (or so they think) of Ravenswood who is tasked in pretending to be Rae's date to the award ceremony her ex-husband and his new wife will also be attending. What starts out as a friendly favor begins to heat up when Rae and Zach realize that there might be more to their friendship than friendly banter. It was a very fun and steamy read that made me want to find someone who would be willing to fake a relationship with me, in order to stick it to my loser ex. I really enjoyed the demisexual representation in this book and how it was handled. Something I really appreciate about Hibbert's work is that she makes her books about people of marginalized identities that need "honest and positive representation" and she continually delivers this promise! This is may not be the Brown Sister Series, but I still enjoyed reading about the Ravenswood residents and their adventures in finding love amongst a super judgy small town!

As always, thank you for your constant support, it means the world!

Until next time... ♥ Keep it Authentic ♥ Amy

P.S. I am super excited for Christmas and have gotten all of my Christmas shopping done early! Can you tell I'm excited? I have been super into watching Dawson's Creek and have been binging it like no tomorrow, so we shall see how fast I finish it at this rate!