This Month in Adult Books: November 2021

Reading recommendations for adults.
November 9, 2021
Featured Title
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
Fans of family sagas and authors like Min Jin Lee or Isabel Allende will not want to miss this debut novel that explores the ideas of fate, fortune, and destiny along with the struggle for Korean independence. From the occupying Japanese soldiers to the expectations of a patriarchal society, there are many pressures upon young Jade as she is sent to the city from her family farm to serve a notorious courtesan. Her experiences as she rises to movie star and celebrated courtesan take readers on an emotional and raw journey through the heart of modern Korean history. Called “richly alluring” and a “literary masterpiece” by reviewers, this is a book not to be missed.









New & Upcoming
As we look toward 2022, new books are arriving to help readers discover their best selves in the new year. Atlas of the Heart from Brene Brown looks at what it means to be human while Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky helps you reclaim your creative self from the pressures of the world. If readers prefer to discover great new authors, opportunities lie with debuts like Bright Burning Things from Lisa Harding, an Irish author making her US debut with a devastating look at addiction perfect for fans of Shuggie Bain. Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramasetti offers a debut with family drama and a look at legacies, both public and private.    
Check This Out!
Add a bit of love to your celebrations and check out this list of holiday romances to your must-read list.
     
What We’re Reading
Gold Diggers by Sajena Sathian
Alternating between humor, pathos, and introspection, this coming of age tale is an engaging read with just a touch of magical realism. Oh, and there’s a heist too! Set within the Indian American community in Georgia in 2006 and in California in 2016, the story involves an alchemical potion brewed from stolen gold. That potion comes at a tragic cost, however, one that affects everyone it touches. It’s a book about family obligation, the pressure to succeed and discovering who you are in world at the same time as it examines immigration and the question of what it means to be American. Book groups and readers that liked The Wangs Vs. The World or The Bad Muslim Discount should take note.









For More Reading Suggestions:
  • 48 New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books to Keep You Cozy this November from Gizmodo
  • 10 Books to Read if you Loved Squid Game from BookRiot
  • Must Reads for November from EW
  • November 2021 Earphones Awards by Audiofile