As the holiday season ramps up, finding time to read becomes more of a challenge. This November, I managed to finish four books—each one a unique escape into worlds of magic, time travel, and poignant reflection. From the whimsical to the thought-provoking, my reads this month spanned a variety of genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, and even a bit of romance.

For more recommendations, don’t forget to check out my Bookshelf page!

** Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org where your purchases support local bookstores. I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase on any of the links below. **

Here’s a closer look at what I read:

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

11/10! This sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea (which I also loved!) brought me back to Marsyas Island with Arthur, Linus, and their family of six wonderfully hilarious, magical children. This is Arthur’s story and his fight to protect his family and make them his own permanently. As with the first book, I loved (and dreaded) each and every character. TJ Klune builds a wonderful world that is so believable, you see yourself there, experiencing it all. Arthur is sharing his past in hopes of creating a better future for magical beings, but the head of the Department of Magical Youth has other intentions. So begins the fight to save the family. I couldn’t put this book down—it was an absolute joy!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I had not heard of this book until I was reading Elyse’s substack and this was one of the books that “made her”. Since I had not idea what this book was about, I immediately looked it up and was intrigued. It was also a movie? Starring Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, and Carey Mulligan! How had I not heard of it?? This sci-fi book pulled me in from the start. The book centers around Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy; chronicling their lives from Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school in the English Countryside to current day. As the book unfolds, you learn they aren’t ordinary children but clones created to be “donors” once they are old enough. The relationship between these three ebbs and flows as they discover who they are and if they ever had a say in who they would become. It’s heartbreaking at times and definitely not a “feel good” book, but I really enjoyed it’s commentary on the everyday and that without hope, what do we have?

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

This book has been on everyone’s reading list this year and I now understand why. Time travel, espionage, quirky characters, and humor—this book has it all! It’s like a mash up of all my favorite genres. The British government’s secret program for “expats” from different time periods pairs them with “bridges” to help acclimate to modern life. The story centers on Commander Gore, a Victorian explore who died while on an expedition to the Arctic in 1845. Imagine waking up in the 2020’s and not understanding what has happened to the London you knew back in the 1800’s. Gore is one of 5 expats brought back at the same time and they form quite a quirky group. Over the next year, we learn the ministry’s intent is not what was stated and the adventure begins. The ending was not what I was expecting and the mix of adventure and intrigue made this an unforgettable read.

Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

For a cozy, feel-good read, this book is for you. Mika Moon, a lonely witch raised in isolation, is called to train three young witches on controlling their magic at Nowhere House. What begins as a job evolves into a journey of self-discovery, belonging, and love. In the short time she’s at Nowhere house, she soon finds herself dreaming of staying. But there are secrets being kept from her that could bring her world crashing down. When it all comes out, will she fight to save the family she’s grown to love? This delightful tale of found family and embracing one’s true self was the perfect way to end the month, especially as the winter days grow darker. It’s a quick and heartwarming escape, ideal for those seeking a bit of magic and warmth