Do I even remember what I did in November? Not really, LOL! Honestly, this month just flew by and I have no idea at all where the time went.
Most of the month’s highlights had to do with material things. I bought a bunch of stuff online and my parents were able to bring it back from Japan including keycaps for my keyboard and vinyls. Plus, they surprised me with two bags from my favourite brand! I must admit I am a material girl and I love the goods, so these things made me very happy (especially the vinyls)! 🤭
I also went to see Wicked and I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried buckets. I think what surprised me most was the scene that made me the most emotional because while it made me sad when I saw it on Broadway, the movie scene hit so much harder! I won’t share when exactly but it has to do with a certain ballroom (iykyk) and wow, how the tears flowed! 😂 I was trying hard to not be a sobbing idiot in the theatre, haha (I think I succeeded).
My reading average has lessened considerably these last few months and it seems the trend still holds as I only managed to read 11 books this month. I ended up starting more books than finishing them but the ones still lingering on my “currently reading” shelf are not going to be DNFs and I plan to get back to them eventually! Project: clear out the “currently reading” shelf by the end of Dec 2024! 🤣 The great news is that I rated nothing below 3 stars this month and I have two new 5-star favourites. It’s a tough call between Starling House and Bright Young Women but I think the latter might take the favourite spot this month and both are going on my long (and possibly short) list for favourite 2024 reads! 🎉
*COVERS are linked to Goodreads and the TEXT is linked to my review, if available*
*books are arranged by READING ORDER (most recent first)*
5 pandas
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Starling House
Bright Young Women
4.5 pandas
Castles in their Bones
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
4 pandas
3.5 pandas
Rookie Mistake by Maren Moore
3 pandas
Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon
I have to say that I’m doing surprisingly well with my 2024 Year in Aeldia challenge. I’m only missing one book from that challenge and I plan to read it this month. In contrast, I’ve now missed three from the Buzzword Challenge… 🫣 I’m reading September’s book now but I hope to catch up and finish the challenge before December ends too!
✔ Goodreads Reading Challenge: 123/100 books
✔ Project Backlist Reading Challenge: 📚 4 backlist books // 📱 1 backlist ARCs
✔ 2024 Buzzwordathon: November (“only”): If Only You Miss
✔ 2024 Year in Aeldia: November: Main Text Starts on Pg 2 or Higher: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (started on page 5)
And that’s it for November, friends. How was your month? How was your reading? What was your favourite book and moment of the month? I’d love to know! Hope everyone is doing well and taking good care. One more month until 2024 is over! 💜
dinipandareads 
Seeing Wicked was definitely a highlight this month! So so beautiful 🤩❤️
And wow 11 books is still impressive!! I haven’t heard of this Gabrielle Zevin book but I loved Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and I’ll definitely check it out!
Bright Young Women was excellent – u read it earlier this year
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d say loving what you read is a bigger win than reading a lot! I was scared to see Wicked not thinking it would be good after seeing it on Broadway. But, you have me convinced!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeay for nothing under 3 stars. I always read less nearing the end of the year (though this was a bit weirder than usual I guess)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw Wicked on Broadway in the early 2000s. I cannot say I remember too many details, but I remember liking it. I get moved by the songs on their own though. New things are great. Glad you are enjoying your haul.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How cool you got a nice gift from your parents from their travel, and it is something you already liked, so you must have been really happy.
I was not originally interested in The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry but I’ve only seen great things about it, so now I am.
Good luck with your challenge to clean your currently reading shelf, I wanted to do something similar next year, I have some books that have been in there for forever and it is annoying me. Good on you for working on those! And good luck with all those other challenges, I hope you can accomplish them. Have a wonderful December!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November did fly by, didn’t it! 🥲 As you already know I saw Wicked, too, and loved it! I don’t know if I’ll ever see the play, but regardless I was pretty happy with the movie. I’ve been told it’s pretty faithful to the play adaptation. Looking forward to part 2!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to hear you loved Wicked! I’m planning to watch in this month. And yay for two new 5-star favorite reads!
LikeLike
It sounds like November was a quality over quantity reading month! (Though 11 is still a lot of books read.) I hear you on “clearing out the currently reading books” as a goal for December. I’m working on that, too!
LikeLike
Love that you got some stuff from Japan! I’m waiting for my hubby to come home (this weekend) so we can plan to go watch Wicked. I heard it is a tearjerker, I mean just hearing Defying Gravity makes me emotional so I can see the reason for the tears! Can’t wait to see it! I hope you have a nice December Dini!
LikeLike
Like Madonna, I too am a Material Girl 😂 There’s no greater joy than a package full of stationary arriving on my doorstep 😂
Also, you read 11 books!! That’s amazing 😍
Btw I had never heard of the Buzzword reading challenge nor the Year in Aeldia but you bet I’m adding them to my neverending challenge list for 2025, so thanks for…making my reading even more fun/difficult 😂❤️
LikeLike
Ooh, I plan to see Wicked as well! Already planning to pack 1+1 packages handkerchiefs! 🤣
11 books is amazing! I doubt I got so far, which is alright 😆
I think you’re right. It’s probably time to put my tbr-2025 up 😂
LikeLike
I’m so happy to see you enjoyed Bright Young Women!! It’s definitely one of my favourite books of 2025. I’m on a mission to get my mum to read it now haha. Hope you have a great December!
LikeLike
[…] Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2024 […]
LikeLike
I’m quite impressed you read eleven books last month! I don’t think I read any and I’m realizing now I have one I should read this week. 😉 Hope you enjoy the rest of your challenge reads.
LikeLike