November Reading Wrap Up

As the nights drew in and the weather turned decidedly wintry, my reading tastes went in every possible direction this November—from sun-soaked islands with dark secrets to chilling Welsh folklore, from intense psychological thrillers to sweeping historical fiction and thoughtful contemporary reads. It’s been one of my most varied months in a while, and I’ve loved diving into stories that challenged me, surprised me, unsettled me, and even offered a little comfort.

Book Club Book

A Tale for the Time Being

Ruth Ozeki

A Tale for the Time Being is a novel of striking ambition, blending themes of time, identity, and cross-cultural connection. Ozeki’s premise—Nao’s diary washing ashore in Canada and drawing Ruth into the mystery of the girl’s life—is inventive and initially enchanting. Nao’s voice is sharp, insightful, and often profoundly moving; her reflections on bullying, displacement, and Zen philosophy form the novel’s emotional core. Scenes involving her great-grandmother, Jiko, in particular, are tender and memorable.

However, the novel’s execution is uneven. Nao’s storyline often feels shaped to satisfy Western expectations, relying heavily on familiar stereotypes of modern Japanese society. This tendency toward melodrama undermines the authenticity of her narrative. Ruth’s chapters, by contrast, are comparatively subdued, and their slower pace frequently interrupts the momentum of Nao’s more compelling voice.

The novel’s final act further strains coherence. Sudden turns into quantum physics, extensive footnotes, magical realist episodes, and an overlong dream sequence create jarring tonal shifts that clash with the earlier realism. These elements feel more like didactic intrusions than organic extensions of the story, diluting its emotional impact.

Despite its flaws, the novel offers thoughtful commentary on xenophobia, war, environmental crisis, and compassion. Its ideas are resonant, even when its narrative choices falter. Ultimately, this is a work of great imagination and occasional brilliance, but one whose structural and stylistic excesses prevent it from fully realising its potential.

Thrillers

This engaging workplace novel follows Jolene Smith, an Iranian Canadian administrative assistant whose habit of venting in invisible email text backfires, landing her in sensitivity training. When an IT glitch gives her unexpected access to her coworkers’ emails, she becomes entangled in their secrets and office politics, prompting her to confront her own past and personal struggles.

Told through Jolene’s wry first-person voice alongside email and DM transcripts, the story blends humour with heartfelt exploration of trauma, mental health, and identity. Jolene is flawed but compelling, and the supporting cast is richly drawn, capturing both the absurdities and the quiet hardships of office life. Smart, empathetic, and surprisingly moving, this is a thoughtful and entertaining read.

If you’ve read any of these books or have recommendations you think I should pick up next I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Here’s to a December filled with even more great stories! I am getting a bookvent for December!

Lucy xx