What I Read: November 2024

I barely read one entire book in November?!?

From last year… we’re nowhere near this ready for Christmas yet!

No, that’s not quite true. I read parts of books, and I read aloud a LOT to the kids, but other than racing through The House on Mango Street to get ready for book club in time, I didn’t finish an entire book.

Since I’m usually sending this November newsletter before Advent arrives, I don’t often talk about Christmas books until the end of the year… which is too late for you guys to enjoy any of them for the season. So I’ll take my extra space to share a few of our enduring favorites as I pull them out again, and what books I’m gifting this year.

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Here’s What I Read in November:

{insert crickets chirping here}

Just kidding.

I did finish How to Read a Poem, and enjoyed it. It’s started me back reading poetry more often, and I finally pulled When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry.

Scott and I participated in a book study at church which has us read The Love Prescription one chapter a week for the last 7 weeks.

And I’m 70% done with the amazing essay collection by Barbara Kingsolver titled Small Wonder. It’s really, really good.

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What I’m Reading with the Kids:

We are getting really close to finishing Heidi — it’s taking a long time not because it isn’t good or interesting, but because we were gone for what feels like half of November, when in reality it was 8 days. I suppose if you add in the wonky 4-day Thanksgiving weekend, that *is* about half of November.

We’re starting Wind in the Willows for school now that we’ve finished Understood Betsy. The plot is familiar to us because we’ve had an abridged picture book for years, but I’m happy to be reading the full story for the first time together.

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What I’m going to read this Advent:

First off is Miracle on 10th Street and Other Christmas Writings by Madeline L’Engle. Last year I read Bright Evening Star and enjoyed it.

I have read and loved John Blase’s Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas in previous years, and the same with Jenny Bravo’s Good News of Great Joy: Christmas Poetry. They are short, and I think I might read both of them again this season.

And I might get to A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.

And with the kids:

For Read-Alouds:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (and maybe go see the movie?)

The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle (hard to find or expensive)

Here’s a list of Our Favorite Christmas Picture Books. And more general winter-themed books for good measure. Arthur just this morning read an early reader called Sam’s Wild West Christmas that we both got a big kick out of. And a brand new release from Mac Barnett (a favorite!) is Santa’s First Christmas.

Last year, I went in-depth with Saint Nicholas for Dec. 6th — here’s that list.

And this year, I’ve already checked out two books on Saint Lucia for Dec. 13th:

• Lucia, Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde

• Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaeker

We’ll also read each of their sections from Stories of the Saints by Carey Wallace.

And this will be our third or fourth year reading through Tsh Oxenreider’s Shadow & Light for our evening Advent readings. I enjoy it’s simplicity, and the kids really get into the art + music aspect.

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What I’m Gifting this Year:

For Arthur, 7.5:

• Mac B. Spy Kid #1 & #2

• Little Pilgrim's Progress

• Silly Jokes & Tricky Riddles

For Tennyson, almost 5:

• A Piglet Named Mercy

• Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift

• The Brambly Hedge Collection

For Scott (WHO BETTER NOT READ THIS SECTION):

• Mistborn #1

• Mirrored Heavens

• The Serviceberry

• Children of Anguish & Anarchy

What are you reading for the holiday season? Hit “reply” and tell me!