November 2020 Reading List

This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my November 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Lucky by Alice Sebold

Already owned physical book. November Nonfiction/Memoir pick from 2020 Reading Plans.

This book was a tough read, but so worth it. It is a memoir of Sebold’s rape in college, and the aftermath, including seeing her rapist on the street and his eventual trial. I think this should be mandatory reading for those who involved in criminal cases, as prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, and victim advocates. It really is such an honest look at what was done well, and what wasn’t. I’m really glad I read this book.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Already owned physical book and Kindle e-book. Quarterly Classic from 2020 Reading Plans.

Told as the author’s reminiscence and journals from his adventures and shipwreck, this story is at times really exciting, and at times incredibly tedious. There are pieces of the story where the age that it was written in, and which are quite racist to a modern reader’s sensibilities. But the book is still considered a classic, and in my opinion worth a read.

The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff

Already owned physical book. November Fiction pick from 2020 Reading Plans.

This book was good, but at times a little slow moving in terms of the pacing. There seemed to be a lot of waiting around for the action to happen, and a long of hand-wringing by the main character about how to get herself out of a jam. But the end of the story is fast-paced and interesting. Overall a good book, but probably not among my very favorites this year.

The Man on the Mountaintop by Susan Trott

Purchased on Audible this year.

I listened to this Audible Original book while traveling to Rapid City, South Dakota to visit my family in early November. That Stanley Tucci narrated in part, drew me to this book and made it more enjoyable. It is about a holy man on a mountain, the people who visit him, and the people who live on the mountain with him. This book is just so good! It is inspiring, and motivating, and just made me so, so happy.

Out of Commission: Getting Every Christian Back to the Great Commission by Paul Chappell

Already owned Kindle e-book. November Devotional/Spiritual pick from 2020 Reading Plans.

This book is about how if you truly are a Christian your commission from the Bible is to bring unbelievers to Christ. The author talked a lot about his church’s experiences and plans for soulwinning. Although some of those plans aren’t in my comfort zone, this book definitely made me think about how I can better be sharing the Good News of Jesus with more people in my daily life.

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.) My bible study is working through this book.

The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person by Judith S. Beck (Already owned Kindle e-book.)

Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond (Purchased using Audible credit.)

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead (Already owned physical book. October Fiction pick from 2020 Reading Plans.)

 

Books Abandoned:

The Sweet Hell Inside: The Rise of an Elite Black Family in the Segregated South by Edward Ball (Already owned physical book. October Nonfiction/Memoir pick from 2020 Reading Plans.)

Dan Rather: Stories of a Lifetime by Dan Rather (Audible purchased this year.)