November 2024 Reading (And Movie) Wrap Up (+ my new short story)
I finished writing the first draft of my manuscript and started re-writing it from scratch, which has been a journey. I also prepared a number of grad school applications within the course of two weeks. I already have an acceptance on the books and more scheduled interviews, so the future is looking brighter too. That got me thinking in the short story world, though, and I sent more stories out this month, leading to three set publications. So let's start this record of a wrap-up since I'm writing one two months in a row (even if this is coming a week in December)!
the basics.
I read 13 books in November, and I actually picked up an interesting mix of sources and types of books. 6 of the books were actually nonfiction. I haven't been reading a ton of nonfiction lately (or audiobooks for that matter), but the idea of Nonfiction November spurred me forward. Also, having more time at home pushed me towards audiobooks from the library again (though I did read a few of these in print, which is a major rarity for me). I also cheated a little by counting Mr. Salary, an individually bound tiny Sally Rooney story, among the total books read. I read 7 fiction books. This was partially pulled from books I bought in Dublin on vacation and partially from the giant library stack I picked up mid-month. One was a print ARC that had been on my shelf for months waiting for it to be closer to pub day. I got through a lot of books that were at the top of my TBR that I'd been curious about for a while and did a bit of rereading. 4 of the books I read were audiobooks. I also didn't count the bits and pieces I've indulged in reading of various Sally Rooney books that I've been drawn back to.
the fiction.
What It's Like In Words by Eliza Moss
Mr. Salary by Sally Rooney
The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel (review TK)
Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck (review TK)
the nonfiction.
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
reread 4 stars
Fluke by Brian Klaas
3.5 stars
Toxic by Sarah Ditum
4.5 stars
Conspiracy by Ryan Holiday
3 stars
the movies and tv.
I also saw more movies this month than I've maybe watched all year and made three whole trips to the movie theater, which has to be some kind of personal record. I got very sucked into the Glicked experience and saw Wicked and Gladiator back to back with a friend and then went back to see Gladiator again with my brother and his girlfriend. I also watched a couple movies on streaming.
Martha [4 stars]
Everyone online became a Martha Stewart stan after this documentary came out, and I am now among them. The documentary gave a fascinating glimpse not only into how she built her empire but also who she is as a person. It's funny how the internet can sometimes lack an ability for nuance, but its love of authenticity clearly overruled in the reception of Martha's blunt, complex personality. Martha is incredibly honest, entirely herself, and okay with venturing into the more unflattering realities that make a person feel whole.
Normal People [5 stars]
I rewatched the show with a friend on the trip and then rewatched it alone again in November. I love this show so much, and I'll probably re-watch it every few months for a while. I'm in a Rooney mood lately.
The Bear [4 stars]
We were super late to this party (I watched it with my parents), but we got to binge all the seasons at once. I really enjoyed the show, but it also really highlighted my problem with television series that aren't limited from the start. There's an unwieldiness to that last season where it feels like they've been given more time than the story really needed and they're stretching to fill it. That first season and even the second were so tight. I'll always comment Phoebe Waller-Bridge for knowing when to call it with Fleabag and sticking to her artistic integrity in a way few do.
Wicked [4 stars]
I wrote a whole newsletter about the Glicked experience that you can read on my Substack, but I went into the Wicked movie a skeptic as a lover of the musical. The movie succeeded in reminding me why I loved the essential story so much, and I think the actors did a good job, but I didn't love the rendering of the world for the movie or the CGI. It made me yearn for the more contained world of the stage that almost invites more creativity.
Gladiator II (x2) [4 stars]
I can be honest with you guys. I went to this movie because I like Paul Mescal. I still haven't seen the first Gladiator. Probably never will. I did read a long reddit thread of men chiming in on their thoughts on the first vs the second, which was interesting to see what they saw in the movie as they presumably had different motives for attending than I did. I was also intrigued that the cast was full of other friends of mine's celebrity crushes including Pedro Pascal and Joe Quinn. Ultimately, the movie had me plenty entertained and attempted an interesting social commentary with Denzel Washington's character that also provides comic relief and the ridiculous twin emperors. I will say the majority of the flaws in the movie that I and others noticed come down to the script being incredibly weak and the characters being given little room for development while the plot ran wild.
Also, if anyone watched SNL last night, I'll say I'm also a fan of Gladiator Twosical.
The Lost Daughter [3 stars]
I was curious about this movie because it's an adaption of an Elena Ferrante novel (an author I'm curios about but haven't read) and if you google the cast list you'll figure out the other half of the intrigue. I thought the story was interesting and compelling in diving into a woman who doesn't love motherhood and aspires to be more than just a mom. It's such an important lens to examine the world through, but I felt like the way it translated into a movie just made it feel long and tedious.
the miscellaneous.
I mentioned some writing wins this month, and I had a piece get published already! While there are some more forthcoming, I want to share my story "Double Lucky" with you on A Thin Slice of Anxiety.
the non-review (and reviews from books I read in October) posts this month
Dublin + Edinburgh + London book haul
Which Sally Rooney Book You Should Read Now
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