5 Great Books I Read in November '21

I read so many great books in the first half of the month that I thought that five books to go into this article seemed like not very much at all. I really had to think about which books I wanted on this list in order to display a good range of what I have read during the month. I know I placed a sixth one on the last list and that was a quick addition to something that I had not planned - it was the final day of the month when I was writing the review for that sixth book.

Anyways, let's take a look at five great books that I have read this month.

5 Great Books I Read in November '21

The Nesting by C.J Cooke

Set in Norway, this book is the epitome of the folk horror. Containing the bends of nature, the power of nature over humans and a woman who becomes a nanny to two little girls who have recently lost their mum to an apparent suicide - this book expands every inch of the folk horror genre. It creates a world that is constantly crumbling under the fact that one man's vision becomes unstoppable, even more so after his wife dies. A Norwegian Frankenstein of the natural world, this book is a compelling excuse for a re-read. A terrifying piece of modern fiction.

Will by Will Smith

The autobiography of one of the most recongisable Hollywood Superstars has been something I have been waiting for. A traumatic childhood filled with domestic abuse and reasons to call child protection agencies, this shows us the rough background and difficult beginnings that Will Smith had to endure before he became a big star. Through gaining reputation and then almost losing everything, this is a completely unfiltered look at one of the most influential actors of the last twenty five years.

A Reader on Reading by Alberto Manguel

I love to read books about people who love books and this one was really no exception. A Reader on Reading by Alberto Manguel is a beautiful book about one man's journey through literature using the base of Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - the whole book is beautiful. Each chapter investigates a different aspect of literature from why we read all the way through to AIDS and literature, all the way through to a conclusion that too - is written beautifully.

Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

A book about a woman named Lady Margaret who goes her own way after being pushed around for ages. She can't marry a man she doesn't like so she is sent to live somewhere else, when she refuses once again, she is sent to America for disobeying her father's orders. Making a good, but loveless marriage is not on Lady Margaret's mind. But, once she gets to go her own way for a bit, she proves to be far more worldly than anyone ever imagined. A brilliant adventure of self-discovery and true romance, this book is a beautiful adult novel debut by the inspirational Duchess of York. I absolutely adored it, there is so much rich story and culture from the Victorian Era.

Memoirs by Lorenzo Da Ponte

Lorenzo Da Ponte is a man I had heard about when I was at school, even if it was in passing, sporadic or in conversation of some kind. This was mainly because of the Mozart works that I liked to play on my piano. Lorenzo Da Ponte was the man who was the libretti of operas such as: Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro. He had translated Beaumarchais and even was friends with Giacomo Casanova. A fascinating man with an even more fascinating set of memoirs, his autobiography opens up a world appreciating of art, culture and music. This was a huge time in Europe and Lorenzo Da Ponte captures it perfectly in prose. He travels around Europe and through to the USA, he meets many interesting people and more importantly, he is many interesting people. Lorenzo Da Ponte's autobiography is a fascinating melodrama of European High Culture.

Conclusion

This month has again been a very meaningful month for reading and I hope it continues to the end of the year so that I can show you the full list of all of the best books I have read over the last twelve months.