November Wrap Up

I read a total of 7 books!

It was a great reading month.

Links to full reviews will be applied when necessary.

Let me know how your reading month went!

1. The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw-a historical fiction book set during and after WW2 in Hiroshima, in Japan. We follow the everyday life of 12 year old Yuriko as she deals with new changes within her own family and also best friend, Machiko. We also see her deal with the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing. It is loosely based off of the author's mother's own life. This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions! I gave it 5 stars. Full review here.

2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend-a middle grade fantasy book about Morrigan Crow, an preteen girl who doesn't have the best life. She was born on Eventide--considered an unlucky day in her community. She is blamed for everything bad that happens, and her curse dooms her to die on her 11th birthday. But on her birthday, a bumbling, magical man named Jupiter North whisks her away to Nevermoor, so she cheats death! Morrigan becomes a candidate for the Wunderous Society, and she has to pass several trials to become a full-fledged member. Luckily, she makes so many new friends along the way that support her, and they all have to face a looming threat later on. This story is a perfect mix of dark and whimsical fantasy! I gave it 4.5 stars. Full review here. 

3. One Piece Volumes 10, 11, and 12 by Eichiro Oda. Still going on and loving my One Piece journey! Volumes 10 and 11 got 5 stars from me, and 12 got 4.5 stars.

4. My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme. This is the memoir of one of America's most celebrated celebrity chefs--Julia Child. She talks about her time spent living in Europe--mostly in France--and how she learned to cook all sorts of French cuisine at a world-famous cooking school, and then collaborated with two other fellow chefs in introducing and popularizing French cuisine in America. This was done with the help of their first book and bestseller, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Her book was such a big hit that news stations in America wanted her to do cooking demonstrations. That led to her to do her popular PBS cooking show, The French Chef. She talks a lot about her life that mainstream audiences don't know a lot about, and the details about learning to cook, write a book, and film a cooking show. It wasn't always easy! This book definately got me more interested in seeing Julia Child's cooking demonstrations. 5 stars. Full review here.

5. Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman. This is a memoir of a trans-continental journey of the author who charted and followed monarch butterflies on their seasonal migrations. She biked from Mexico, to Canada, and back to Mexico again. During her journey she met all kinds of people, ate all kinds of food, camped out in unique locations, saw old friends, and got to talk about her travels and share scientific facts about monarch butterflies and the natural environment to schools and universities. She is very passionate and knowledgeable in what she studies and does, and her journey wasn't always easy! I gave it 4 stars. Full review here.