Welp, it's November...somehow. Is it just me or does this time of year fly by at warp speed? Some people have even finished decorating for Christmas already! I'm a staunch no-Christmas-until-after-Thanksgiving person, so that nonsense won't be happening around here yet. 

Anyway, I managed to read a few bookish books in October:

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan—I'm not sure when this book about India is supposed to be set, but it mentions computers, so not too long ago. It's about a young girl whose arranged marriage goes awry, leaving her trapped in an unhappy situation. When her father-in-law teaches her how to read—against the wishes of her mother-in-law—it opens up to new worlds for her.

Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis—To be honest, I can't remember why this MG novel-in-verse is bookish. Curse my aging memory...

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare—This YA classic was my book club's choice for October. It's about an outspoken teenage girl in 1687 who moves from Barbados to Connecticut after her guardian dies. Her looser island ways shock the Puritans in her new town, who accuse her of being a witch. There are several bookish characters in this novel and a subplot about the main character teaching a young girl how to read.

All three of these were quick, enjoyable reads for me.

What's on my docket for November? Right now, I'm reading this middle-grade novel:

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales by Wendy S. Swore—As you can tell from its charming cover, the story stars a girl who loves to read. She's especially enamored with fairy tales and fantasy novels. I'll talk more about this one next month.

I'm also planning to read these two this month:

The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole—After the Blight destroyed all of the trees, paper has become a valuable commodity. To earn money, Juni scavenges for any scraps she can find, desperate to earn enough to pay for the medical treatment her grandfather desperately needs. When she discovers an actual book, she can't wait to sell it for profit. To her amazement, though, the book reveals clues to find what might be the last library in existence, sending Juni on a race against time and dangerous enemies to unearth the greatest treasure of all.

The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion by Ann Bausum—This children's book is a contender for the Cybils Awards in one of the categories I'm judging. Sounds interesting!