A Soft November Reading Recap
How one book helped me unwind, reset, and ease into winter
November was a month of transition — the kind that asks you to soften, slow down, and put the pieces of yourself back where they belong.
After weeks of intensity, burnout, and emotional heaviness, I found myself craving something different in the evenings. Not more screens. Not more scrolling. Not more pressure to be “on.”
Just… quiet.
So I made a new ritual.
A candle.
A cozy drink.
A blanket.
One hour before bed where the world wasn’t allowed to follow me.
And into that ritual slipped Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent — a book that held me far more gently than I expected.
A Book That Helped Me Breathe Again
This is the second book in Broadbent’s trilogy, and it pulled me in slowly at first. I had to reorient myself to the world, the lore, the pacing — but once it clicked, it clicked.
Twists.
Tension.
Rich worldbuilding.
Characters you can’t help but root for.
Moments that made me pause and feel something again, in the best way.
There was something healing about sinking into a story bigger than my own, especially in a season when everything in my real life felt unsettled.
Every night, after work, I’d close my laptop, set aside my phone, and step into this world instead. That hour became an anchor — a way to reconnect with myself, especially during the shift into earlier sunsets and colder evenings.
By the time I reached the final 100 pages, I realized this book had quietly pulled me through one of the harder stretches of my fall.
It wasn’t just entertainment.
It was transition medicine.
The Ritual That Made It Work
The magic wasn’t just the book — it was the container I built around it:
- lighting a candle
- making a cozy drink
- curling up under a blanket
- letting my brain focus on a single storyline instead of fractured tabs
- giving myself permission to unwind
It felt intentional, grounding, and surprisingly restorative.
If you’ve been feeling scattered, tired, or stuck in the endless-scroll cycle… consider replacing one evening of social media with a story instead. It doesn’t have to be a 600+ page fantasy — just something that creates a little doorway out of your day.
What I’m Reaching for Next
Now that December is here, I’m shifting into lighter, cozier reads. First up:
The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore — a warm, sweet, easy read that feels like a perfect winter escape.
My full December list is up in Saturday’s Reads & Recommendations post if you want to browse it.
A Soft Closing
If your November was heavy or stretched thin, you’re not behind — you’re human.
And if you’re looking for a gentle ritual to ease into winter, a nightly reading hour might be exactly what your nervous system has been craving.
Here’s to softer evenings, good stories, and a December that feels kinder.
