Reading list: November (mostly)

It’s time for another round up of what I’ve read. It’s dark and I went for cozy. Mostly. This will be a short post so I can get back to reading. I’m snuggled into the bistro in Three Pines enjoying myself tremendously.

I finished 18 books since my last post, but that’s because I’m now hooked deep into the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. I read a few others, but I’ve devoured books 4-12 since November 15th. I think I love this series because the characters are all so interesting and I’m curious to see how of Three Pines. When I finish the entire series I’ll probably write up something. Maybe. I do know it’s one of the few novels where I feel as if I’m in Mona’s bookstore or sitting on the bench with Gamache. Or attempting to … well, one doesn’t exactly chat … coexist with Ruth.

Other books I’ve read in the past month include:

Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream by Megan Greenwell (2025), 294 pages, Business; Economics.
This was interesting because while I was familiar with the broad strokes there was much I wasn’t aware of.

Overgrowth by Mira Grant (2025), 469 pages, Horror; Science Fiction.
OOH. I am a Grant (Seanan McGuire) fangirl. I last read her during covid (I’m still not sure if that was brilliant or not. After reading the Newsflesh series, little surprised me in real life events that’s for sure.) This is good and there are many layers to this story I’m still thinking about.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024), 272 pages, Historical Fiction.
A friend begged me to read this. It wasn’t at all what I thought it would be, I believe in in a good way. My friend wanted to discuss aspects of the book that didn’t strike me as important until they were raised and I am now rethinking the entire story. It may deserve a reread to see what I missed the first time.

Hostage by Eli Sharabi (2025), 208 pages, Judaism; Current Events.
Read it. Not easy AT ALL. It’s emotionally brutal, as books on October 7th are, but it’s incredibly important.

The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose (2024), 368 pages, Historical Fiction.
Not the only Penrose title I read last month, but this is a stand alone story of a fictional biography of what seems to be a most remarkable woman. I was riveted.

Here’s the full list if you’re curious.

• Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream by Megan Greenwell (2025), 294 pages, Business; Economics.
• Murder on the Brighton Express by C J Archer (2024), 270 pages, Historical Fantasy Mystery.
• Murder at Somerset House by Andrea Penrose (2025), 368 pages, Historical Fantasy Mystery.
• Naturally VeganNaturally Vegan: Delicious Recipes from Around the World That Just Happen to Be Plant-based by Julius Fiedler (2025), 240 pages, Cooking.
• Overgrowth by Mira Grant (2025), 469 pages, Horror; Science Fiction.
• The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (2024), 272 pages, Historical Fiction.
• Murder at Hambledon Hall by C J Archer (2025), 292 pages, Historical Fantasy Mystery.
• Hostage by Eli Sharabi (2025), 208 pages, Judaism; Current Events.
• The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose (2024), 368 pages, Historical Fiction.
• A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (2008), 322 pages, Mystery.
• The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (2009), 372 pages, Mystery.
• Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (2010), 371 pages, Mystery.
• A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (2011), 339 pages, Mystery.
• The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny (2012), 373 pages, Mystery.
• How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny (2013), 405 pages, Mystery.
• The Long Way Home by Louise Penny (2014), 373 pages, Mystery.
• The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny (2015), 476 pages, Mystery.
• A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny (2016), 389 pages, Mystery.

I’m curious what’s going to happen when I run out of Gamache books. Will I jump back into any of my other series or finally make progress on the other books on my bookshelf? I’m still making my way through The Power Broker on a reread; I don’t have much left, but carving out chunks of time for it remains a challenge. I’d also like to finish Ian McEwan’s What We Can Know (a NetGalley read) and Rabbi Greenberg’s The Triumph of Life when I can find the mental space.

My Now page stays somewhat current, though I’m still working out the best way to track the books I’m devouring versus those I’m savoring. I have several reviews in the works; keep your eye on pennyshima.com/book-reviews.

I’m curious, is there a series you think I should read when I’m ready to emerge from the bistro with Henri curled snoring at my feet and travel beyond Three Pines?