Novellas in November 2023 planning
Thank goodness we get a couple months off in between 20 Books of Summer and Novellas in November. I must have needed it, seeing as I’ve only posted once in the interim (so far). One year I’ll have the stamina to do Victober in between, but this year is not that year. Here are my plans:
The recent additions: These books are newly borrowed or acquired, and just happen to be under 200 pages. They also happen to all be in translation.
- Boulder by Eva Baltasar, translated by Julia Sanches. A straggler on my 2023 International Booker Prize reading list.
- The Nun by Denis Diderot, translated by Leonard Tancock. A 1001 Books pick that I may have already started…
- The Short End of the Sonnenallee by Thomas Brussig, translated by Jonathan Franzen and Jenny Watson. I need to maintain my Franzen completist status.
- The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi, translated by Raymond Rosenthal. Inspired by the title of a Law and Order episode, of all things, but might be a timely read.
The TBR: Recent additions to my ever-growing TBR – meaning I haven’t acquired these yet but would like to.
- A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr. I couldn’t begin to tell you have many times I’ve heard people sing the praises of this book. Here is the most recent.
- Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald. This was in the “references” section of recent Giller and Booker nominee Study for Obedience, and that’s all I need to know.
- Night Walks by Charles Dickens. Based on this review; perhaps I’ll do a little Victobering after all.
The official group reads: Our hosts chose these books as the group reads this year. I approve.
- A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf. I already owned this, in a bind up with Three Guineas. I probably haven’t read it in twenty years.
- Western Lane by Chetna Maroo. I bought this as a brand new hardcover, despite knowing little about it. Living on the edge!
Thank you as always to Cathy and Rebecca, who have posted their own, truly intimidating TBRs!
Reading in Bed 
I look forward to reading the reviews and following your progress, I’m a total failure at challenges so will leave to spontaneity and mood in November, but I might read a couple of Natalya Ginzburg novellas I have on my TBR.
I’m also planning to read Boulder! I enjoyed but did not love A Month In The Country.
I love A Month in the Country!! And Dickens is always good. Happy reading!
A Month in the Country has been on my to read list forever! Look forward to hearing what you think
Awesome that you own the buddy reads and are excited about reading them. I’ll pick up my library hold of Western Lane on Tuesday. Yes, A Month in the Country is as fabulous as everyone says.
I loved A Month in the Country as well! Happy Reading
I admire your commitment to reading challenges. I think I am all challenged out! Offshore is a great read, definitely one worth acquiring.
I love your list! Some new to me authors. Penelope Fitzgerald can be a hit or a miss for me, but I am still to read Offshore.
I’ve put a nice little pile together for it – I can’t find that Nonfiction November is happening this year so I’ll just have this challenge to do. I might share my pile this month, otherwise it’ll be on 1 November! Happy reading of yours!
I think you found out what happened with Nonfiction November – but if I’ve learned anything from Novellas in November, its that a good event with good alliteration can usually continue on, even if there’s no official host some years 🙂 Though of course its better when someone is calling the shots! There is also a booktube version that’s still active.
I did, yes. I’ve volunteered to take on a week myself so we’ll see what happens…
Good post–your list is very helpful. I’m still trying to find options at this late date.
Oooo….A Month in the Country sounds like one I would really enjoy right now! I checked out the link you shared for a review of it and immediately ordered it. 🙂
Add me to the list of people who have loved A Month in the Country.
I thought Offshore was a lot of fun!