Forever Lost in Literature: Month in Review: November 2025

In personal news.. it was a very busy month! My husband and I took a trip to South Korea and Taiwan in the beginning of November and it was incredible. We had some wonderful food, experienced new cultures, and saw some incredible sights! South Korea had the most stunning fall foliage (some of which is pictured above!). I loved both countries, but especially loved Taiwan and would love to go back someday (and to be fair, I'd love to visit Korea again, as well!). The day we were scheduled to fly back home coincided with the day a typhoon was heading to Taiwan so we were a bit nervous about that, but we made it back safe and sound with no issues, so we are very grateful. After that, it was back into the job hunt (boo) and back to all the other stressors of life, haha, but it's been a very productive month so I can't complain too much.

In reading news, I had a really great month, and boy did it feel good to be back in reading groove! I didn't expect to read too much given that I was traveling (and I don't tend to get much reading done while traveling), so this was a very pleasant surprise. I even managed to start read a couple 2026 ARCs already (me? ahead of schedule? I promise I'm more surprised than you are). I somehow haven't gotten to The Strength of the Few yet, despite the fact that James Islington is one of my favorite authors and I loved The Will of the Many, but I wanted to get through the recap and make sure I really have the time to dedicate to this tome. I'm hoping to start it soon!

I also finally read one of my most anticipated released, The Blackfire Blade, and it was fantastic. I also really enjoyed The Works of Vermin, City of Others, and Hemlock & Silver (because I realized I never finished it, apparently). All the books I read in November are listed below, as well as some quick thoughts about them. I also already have reviews up for a number of them if you're curious about any, and those can be found below as well.

How was your November and what books have you been reading? And how was everyone's Thanksgiving (for those also in the US and who celebrate)? Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

# books read: 14

The Works of Vermin by Hiron Ennes ★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was the perfectly delightfully odd type of book that I really love. Incredibly inventive and creative, a ridiculous world and world-building, and a fascinating story.

The Blackfire Blade (The Last Legacy #2) by James Logan ★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thought: I had so much fun with this sequel! I wasn't sure at first if I'd end up liking it as much as the first one, and while I still like the first book better, this one still ended up being a blast and I can't wait for the third book.

Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories by Amar El-Mohtar ★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was such a beautiful collection of stories! I really loved the first two, but the rest were also really well done and gorgeously written. I think I might finally need to get around to reading Amar El-Mohtar's other works, because I'm woefully behind.

City of Others by Jared Poon ★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This is another 2026 release and I had a blast! I really didn't expect to enjoy it quite as much as I did (even though the premise sounded amazing), so I was really happy about the experience and think it'll be a hit with many other readers as well.

There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm ★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: A very mindbending mindf*ck of a book that is definitely a fun--and weird--time.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher ★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC

Thoughts: Another T. Kingfisher win! I loved the mirror concept in this book and, of course, I'm always up for a talking cat.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (Dungeon Crawler Carl #6) by Matt Dinniman ★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This series is truly crazy, and while I haven't been enjoying these ones as much as some of the earlier books, I'm still having an amazing time and can't wait for more.

All that We See or Seem by Ken Liu ★★★

Source: | Format:
Thoughts: Based on the reviews for this book, I had very low expectations, and this wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be? It wasn't perfect, but I thought it was a perfectly entertaining and fascinating concept to explore.

Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman ★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This ended up falling a bit flat for me, but I enjoyed the vibe and overall idea.

One of Us by Dan Chaon ★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was much more intense and impactful than I anticipated, and also much sadder than I expected, but I really liked it and reminded me how great Dan Chaon is.

Whisper in the Wind (The Fetch Phillips Archives #4) by Luke Arnold ★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I actually started this a couple months ago, but it got pushed to the side as I got sidetracked by so many other things, but I finally finished and it was a fun time! I didn't enjoy it as much as previous books in the series, but it was still a solid instalment.

Pick a Color by Souvankham Thammavongsa ★★★

Source: | Format:
Thought: I have a review up for this one and enjoyed it! A very thoughtful and quick read about some great topics.

MindWorks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction by Neal Shusterman ★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This collection of stories was a mixed bag for me, but overall felt very classic Shusterman and I don't think you can go wrong with that.

Sadie by Courtney Summers ★★★

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I had this recommended to me recently as a really good audiobook, so I decided to give it a shot and it was indeed a really well-produced audiobook. I'd recommend it! I'm not a huge true crime person and it kinda leans into that format a bit (but it's fiction!), but I think the heart of the story was really intense and meaningful.

To-Be-Finished:

None! (that I recall, at least)