November 2024 Reading List

Now that we are nearing the end of the year I have less planned reads. The only planned reads for this month are the three from the Mystery Book Club; my in person book club read, that I actually picked for this month—it's a book I've been wanting to read for a while—and my pick it for me book, that was chosen off a list of books I compiled that I've been putting off for a while, but want to read. The rest of this list are books I spontaneously added at the end that I've been wanting to read for a while. Some of our ongoing buddy reads have been pushed until January, and I've finished up all but two of my reading challenges for the year. There's still the monthly challenge which is Cozy November, and I only have three books on my reading list right now that would probably fit that. My book club book also kind of fits, so I'm going to be casual about the rules for that challenge and just add those books I'm already planning to read to it. The other challenge is a reading prompt challenge and I only have four left to do before the end of the year. Three of them are on this list and they're books I've been wanting to get to for a while. They weren't planned specifically for the challenge, but ended up working for the challenge.

Reading with the mystery book club-

 

The Cold Light of Day (Verity Kent #7) by Anna Lee Huber

June 1920, Ireland: The streets of Dublin seethe with revolution as the Irish Republican Army clashes with British authorities. Roving assassination squads mean nowhere is truly safe, particularly for Verity Kent and her war hero husband, Sidney. Given their celebrity as society darlings and intrepid sleuths, they must tread carefully to go unnoticed—nearly impossible when they are called upon to search for Verity’s fellow spy and friend . . .

Captain Alec Xavier has seemingly vanished after traveling to Dublin to infiltrate the IRA at its highest levels. Doing her best to maintain a modicum of normalcy and stay under the radar of both the rebels and British Intelligence, Verity works undercover by day and waltzes through the city’s elite social scene by night. Still, she fears the worst for Alec—until shocking evidence mounts that not only is he alive, but that he has switched sides . . .

Already disillusioned with the British government, the news leaves Verity and Sidney reeling. Worse, they learn of a conspiracy within Dublin Castle, where personal vendettas are being carried out and sanctioned by British Intelligence under the cover of revolution. With the distinction between friend and foe never more blurred—or the margin for error narrower—Verity and Sidney cannot turn a blind eye. Especially when a familiar adversary appears, bringing a threat almost too terrifying to confront—even in the cold light of day . . .

 

The Icarus Changeling (The Icarus Saga #4) by Timothy Zahn

Gregory Roarke – former bounty hunter, former Trailblazer, current agent for the ultra-secret Icarus Group – has received a new locate a suspected but as-yet undiscovered teleportation portal on the backwater colony world of Alainn.

The rival Patth are also searching for the device, and have considerably more resources at their disposal. Fortunately, Roarke has Selene and her incredibly sensitive Kadolian sense of smell. On paper, it should be a straightforward enough job.

But that was before there was a murder in the small town of Bilswift…and another one…and the discovery that the Patth are already on the scene and have narrowed the search to a heavily forested area in the hills and mountains east of town.

Most disturbing of all is the discovery that one of Selene’s people, a Kadolian teenaged boy named Tirano, is working at one of Bilswift’s fish markets. A boy who may have lost his parents before his proper socialization was completed. A boy who may be connected to both the murders and the Patth.

A boy who may be the potentially dangerous wild card that the Kadolians call changelings.

 

 

Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton

Just before dawn in the hills near the Scottish border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor.

She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime.

Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all . . .

 

 

My pick it for me book-

The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1) by Freida McFadden

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

An unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down!

 

Reading for book club-

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

 

 

Other books I want to read-

Drumidor (Riyria Chronicles #5) by Michael J. Sullivan

HE PLANNED TO OBLITERATE AN ENTIRE CITY. HE THOUGHT NO ONE COULD STAND IN HIS WAY. BUT HE HADN'T HEARD OF RIYRIA.

When a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are commissioned to find and stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled employee’s last name is Berling and the target of his wrath is the legendary towers of Drumindor.

Endfall (The Kingfall Histories #5) by David Estes

Be bright but do not burn. Embrace the shadows but do not live in the darkness.

Those are more than just words; they are truth revealed to only the bravest of souls, those who have the power to change the course of history and rewrite a future otherwise etched into Kingfall's flesh itself. But will good finally overcome the storm of evil brewing in the north? Or will the ancient invaders have their pound of flesh? The answers to these questions may surprise both heroes and villains alike.

In the east, Sampson, Grym and Charlotte seek to unearth the seventh and final godblade. But to do so, they must overcome the wiles of the magical forest of Echoeswood while facing enemies lurking in every shadow.

In the west, dragonriders Peony and Dane must unite what is left of the fractured nations of Kingfall, but a surprise visitor has the potential to destroy what small measure of peace the bondmates have managed to restore to Travail.

In the north, Rose must come to terms with her own undeadness while facing demons no living human has ever faced.

In the south, Ando and his merry band of misfits journey the Loslandian wilderness in search of their purpose, a purpose that destiny always knew would lead them back to Kingfall. But will they arrive in time with their entire crew intact?

And all the while, the enemy draws closer, the creatures known as the Thousands drawn by the scent of human blood and the promise of chaos. If they reach Kingfall's shores, gods save us all.

 

The Best of Friends (The Huntresses #2) by Sarah M. Eden

Daria Mullins just accomplished the seemingly she successfully convinced her parents to grant her one final London Season. Though their concession comes with certain expectations, Daria is determined to enjoy every moment alongside her dear friends, the Huntresses, as they make their annual foray into the Marriage Mart.

Toss Comstock has no interest in marriage. His only purpose in London is to enjoy his Bachelor Season before he’s forced to follow whatever path his elder brother deems best. But his plans are quickly turned upside down when he strikes a bargain with the lovely Miss Mullins at the Debenham Ball. The longtime acquaintances discover that they share the maddening affliction of familial pressures, leading them to hatch an outlandish they will engage in a friendly competition. Whoever participates in the most activities their family would disapprove of will be crowned the winner. But amid the fun and games, Daria and Toss never imagined that true love would become the ultimate prize.

 

 

  

Sea Glass From the Past (Blue Heron Cottages #8) by Kay Correll

Rose is poised at the beginning of a new chapter of her life. She’s ready for a fresh start and a place to call her own. But just when she thinks her life is settling down, secrets are revealed that shatter everything she’s believed about her life. 

And what about Aspen and Willow? They stand at a crossroads. Their inheritance remains a puzzle, and their father's fate, an unsolved mystery. Will answers finally come to light?

Enjoy this book full of long-held secrets, deep-rooted friendships, and the heartwarming spirit of a close-knit community. Join Rose and her friends as they find love, healing, and a few surprises in the conclusion of the feel-good Blue Heron Cottages series.