November is the month of two huge memes – Novellas in November (#NovNov25) hosted by Rebecca and Cathy, and Nonfiction November with five hosts! Add to that German Literature Month XV hosted by Caroline and Tony this year. Naturally, I’m hoping to take part in ALL of them, so I’ve not signed up to any blog tours for November.
Novellas in November
I’m going to start with a novella from my main shelves – The Sound of My Voice by Ron Butlin – I remember Kim loving it, so I can’t wait to read it. I’ll also join in with the month’s buddy read Seascraper by Benjamin Wood too.
Then I shall turn to my two novella piles, which are a constant feature of my personal library, not in the main alphabetised shelves. There’s a real mixture including some short NF. I have to give myself enough choice in between scheduled reads to prevent readers’ block!
Which would you recommend?
I also have a shelf full of Simenon’s, a mix of Maigrets and the Romans durs.
Nonfiction November
Each of the five weeks has a different theme with a different host – and I hope to join in several. My non-fiction reading though will centre around three new memoirs which I’m dying to read – but which first? The perennial question, given that I probably won’t have time to read all three in November.
Kathy Burke’s memoir sounds gritty, shocking and full of insightful resilience (she was interviewed about it in last Saturday’s Times by Caitlin Moran); Mary Portas is just brilliant, witty and so cool; Tim Curry has the voice that melts you!
German Literature Month
I haven’t really thought about what I’ll read to join in, but I do have several of Simone Buchholz’s early Chastity Riley novels on the shelves.
Last year Dolce Bellezza hosted Norway in November too, but I shall save some Nordic reading for the new year. I think all the above is enough to be going on with!
Looking forward to seeing you for Nonfiction November!
Currently drafting my post for your week 1.
I didn’t know Tim Curry had a memoir out – that cover photo is amazing!
Out later this month. My copy is on order.
It’s a busy month, isn’t it Annabel? You have some good options there, and thank you for the reminder that Maigret would fit in nicely for Novellas. I hope to take part in all three!!
Thanks so much for mentioning and participating in GLM.
I’m honoured to have #NovNov considered ‘huge’! I love that you keep your novellas in a separate area. I do, too. (It also means if I need a book to slip into my handbag for a train ride, I know just where to go.) Looks like you have a great mix of classic, contemporary and translated options.
That’s it precisely. You always know where to grab a short book to fill a gap. Those piles are by no means all my novellas, but they’ve filled those shelf gaps too!
I’ve just bought a copy of Seascraper and looking forward to reading it based on reviews I’ve seen
Thanks for planning to take part in Nonfiction November too. What a scary but also apposite title for the Mary Portas book!
I just ordered a copy of Seascraper. I didn’t realize it is in print yet in the US — Nov. 4th is the date. But I’m excited to start it.
Glad you’re planning to join in with Nonfiction November. I’m doing all my “novellas” from my nonfiction TBR then hoping to read only nonfiction during the month. I have the Mary Portas book from NetGalley, and I really want Kathy Burke’s, more so since I transcribed Caitlin’s interview for her Times piece!