I can’t believe we are in the last month of 2020. November was an overall good month, though it was pretty busy. Things are starting to wind down with the close of the year and the holidays coming up, so I’m hoping to end this year strong with some great books. Let’s get into the books I read in November!
one | When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele — Audiobook
Patrisse’s memoir chronicling the events in her life that led to the creation of Black Lives Matter is moving and enlightening in so many different ways. From her experiences with her brother who suffered from mental illness and her queer relationship with an immigrant, everything means something in this amazing book. No Rating
two | The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray
Lillian, Viola, and Althea have only ever had themselves. Their mom died at an early age, their father was always on the road, and their brother wasn’t much to write home about. When Althea and her husband, Procter, are sent to jail for a “victimless crime,” Lillian and Viola must band together to help save the only family they have left, Althea’s twin daughters. This is a gripping story about the importance of family, battling inner demons, and forgiveness. 4/5 Stars
three | Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Dr. Hammond — certified dinosaur “freak”— has created an island where dinosaurs actually exist. With the help of expert scientists, mathematicians, data analysts, paleontologists, and more, Hammond’s dream has become a reality, and he’s ready to show it to the world. Before he can do that, he’s going to show it to the group of people that helped make it possible. Ian Malcolm, Alan Grant, and Ellie Sattler are all brought to the island, in addition to Hammond’s two grandchildren, to experience the magic of Jurassic Park. But is everything as safe as he claims it to be? What ensues is a daring adventure of what happens when dinosaurs take over. 5/5 Stars
four | Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson — Audiobook
Bryan Stevenson chronicles his years as a young lawyer working to get children and innocent victims off of death row in his moving book, “Just Mercy.” He tells impactful stories of the corruption in the justice system, the clients he has helped find a better life, and what we can do to help fix the system. 5/5 Stars
five | City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert — E-Book
Vivian has failed out of college, and what else are her parents to do other than send her to New York City to live with her Aunt Peg at the Lily Playhouse. In her months at the Playhouse, Vivian gets up to nothing but bad news, and when she finds herself in the middle of a scandal, everything turns upside down. Overall, this was a delightful story about a young girl’s life — it’s an amazing depiction of a strong, independent woman — but I’d be lying if I didn’t say the ending was a bit lackluster to me. 3/5 Stars
Happy reading,
Kimberly
