Lizzie Recommends Books

Every month I ask myself, “Will I actually read through the books I plan to? Will this month be the one I finish my TBR? Will I go off script because a new book was released and Booktok and Bookstagram can’t stop talking about it?” The latter is the most realistic reason I rarely read the books I set on that month’s list. That, or I forget to create a list to begin with.

However, this month I’m determined to finish this list before starting other books. It’ll be challenging, but I’ll make the sacrifice.

My TBR includes three Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and three books on my existing never-ending list of books I’d like to read for November.

I was born with a reading list I will never finish

Maud Casey

Here’s what is on the list with each book linked to Goodreads so you can learn more about them if you’d like!

1. ARCs
   1. All of Us Villians by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
   1. Girl, Unstrung by Claire Handscombe
   2. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
2. Existing TBR List
   1. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
   2. Beach Read by Emily Henry
   3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

All of Us Villians sounds like the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction met up and collaborated with The Hunger Games, but in a good way. I received this ARC from a local indie bookstore a few months ago (so of course I waited until nearly ten days before the pub date to read it – oops). The whole premise sounds intriguing, but I can’t tell you much more because I try to avoid reading reviews of ARCs before I’ve read it. The entire point is to give your honest opinion. The publishing date is November 9, 2021.

I ran across Claire’s profile on TikTok, where she was promoting Girl, Unstrung, and her ARC sign-ups. She was kind enough to mail me a copy of it. The book is about a high school freshman with a famous dad, but this focuses on our main character and her dreams of getting into Julliard, then playing in a professional symphony. The exciting part to me is that she plays the viola. I don’t know if I’ve read a book where the MC plays a less popular instrument than what we usually see in books. I started it last week and can’t wait to read more! The publishing date is November 23, 2021.

Wish You Were Here will be my first Jodi Picoult read. I requested the ARC on Net Galley and received it last week. I’m so honored to get an ARC from her and to read the story. From the brief synopsis I read on Goodreads, there are covid pandemic themes in this book. That will be interesting to navigate as I believe it focuses on a virus, though I’m not positive it’s a global one in the story. I’ve heard many praises for Picoult’s novels and I’m looking forward to diving in further. The publishing date is November 30, 2021.

When I tell you I cannot wait to read The Hawthorne Legacy. I was tempted to wait for it to come out in paperback so the height would match my copy of The Inheritance Games, but I got excited and purchased the hardcover anyway! I rated the first book 4-stars and have heard rave reviews about The Hawthorne Legacy since it came out on September 7, 2021. Like the ARCs listed above, I haven’t read the reviews, but the ratings were excellent!

I don’t know what it is about Beach Read and why I can’t seem to start it (even though I know I will love it). I read Emily Henry’s, People We Meet on Vacation, this summer and flew through it. I know the same will happen for Beach Read. I just need to sit and do it. At the very least, I need to finish it before my pre-order of Henry’s, Book Lovers, ships in May. Also, who doesn’t love pretending it’s summer when the temps begin to drop?

I never went through a Harry Potter phase as a child. I’ve wanted to read the entire series altogether for a long time. I read the first three books and maybe one hundred pages of the fourth book in elementary school then never picked it back up because the dementors scared me. I was sick in August so I read the first book as a comfort feeling book and then told myself I’d finish the series this Fall. I read the first four in a matter of weeks and burned myself out on them. Even if I don’t finish books six and seven this Fall, I’m still planning to complete them in the early winter. It doesn’t matter to me if my Harry Potter phase came fifteen years later. So here’s to finishing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this next month.

Overall, the attack plan is the three ARCs first. I have them scheduled out in my planner and I’m determined to finish them with time to spare. There is enough variety between the group that I’m hoping I’m not overplanning what I can realistically execute. I see people with massive monthly to be read lists and admire to get to that point someday. Until then, I’ll attempt to get through six and see where I end up.

Up next on the December TBR? Christmas-themed books! I already have a few in mind and can’t wait to share them with you all then!