Among November’s list of recommended books are a novel debut that makes for an unstoppable read and has already been picked up by Netflix for film and TV adaptation; a series of short stories based on popular webcomics about every feeling you might experience in 2020; and a memoir trilogy poised to hit the bestseller list.
Here are six new books to consider reading in November, 2020.
White Ivy
By Susie Yang.
Available November 3.
This novel, Susie Young’s debut novel, completely subverts the classic ideal of the American dream. The book has surprising twists and a nuanced exploration of class and race. White Ivy (published by Simon & Schuster) shines a light on the dark side of women who want success at all costs. The book has already been voted the best book of the year by several publishers and may soon go from text to hit miniseries. After a seven-way bidding war, the rights were eventually purchased by Netflix. Sander Lemus will make the adaptation.
The Women I Think About at Night: Traveling the Paths of My Heroes
By Mia Kankimäki, translated by Douglas Robinson.
Available November 10.
In her 40s, childless and feeling trapped by reality, Finnish writer Mia Kankimäki made the big decision that probably everyone dreams about but doesn’t have the courage to carry out. She quit her job, sold her apartment, and traveled the world. In this book of travelogues, memoirs and biographies, the author describes how she followed in the footsteps of ten of history’s outstanding pioneer women in Japan, Kenya and Italy.
One Life
By Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockes.
Available November 10.
Megan Rapinoe’s status as one of America’s greatest athletes is well established. But in addition to her tremendous success on the football field, she’s also an icon and partner to millions of people. In recent years, she’s been one of the faces of the equal pay movement. She was also the first white athlete to curtsy during the playing of the national anthem, to publicly support Colin Kaepernick and the black affirmative action movement, and to be unafraid to gamble on her career. In Lifetime (published by Penguin), Rapinoe discusses everyone’s obligation to speak out boldly and looks at the impact people can have on their communities.
A Promised Land
By Barack Obama.
Available November 17.
Howe is not exaggerating when he says that this book is one of the most anticipated of the season, maybe even of the year. As we all know, former US President Barack Obama has been known to delay his books before, and this is no exception. Although the publication date of 3 November, after Election Day, has drawn some criticism, there is no doubt that the first book in the trilogy of Obama’s memoirs will immediately hit the bestseller lists and will immediately generate a flood of reviews. The Promised Land (published by Crown Publishers) will be a candid account of the first term of the 44th President of the United States, covering everything from taking office during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression to the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Readers should already have found it necessary to take the time to peruse the 700-page book; publication dates for the second and third books in the trilogy have yet to be set.
No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality
By Michael J. Fox.
Available November 17.
Among actors of his generation, few are as popular as Michael J. Fox. The star of the Back to the Future franchise has written two best-selling memoirs, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, about how he came to terms with his Parkinson’s diagnosis, always maintaining his trademark optimism and levity. This latest memoir reconsiders his outlook on life, as his experiences over the past decade have presented additional challenges. In No Time Like the Future: How Optimists Think About Death (published by Flatiron Books), Fox shares his own experiences, as well as observations on illness and health, aging, and the strength of family and friends, and also discusses how perceptions of time affect the way people view death.
Barely Functional Adult: It’ll All Make Sense Eventually
By Meichi Ng.
Available November 24.
Life as an adult is hard, especially in the year 2020. Those four numbers need no explanation, but this adaptation of the popular webcomic cleverly uses black humor to make people think deeply about anxiety, imposter syndrome, relationships, and the fact that there are actually good reasons to stand by the frozen food aisle and break down and cry for seemingly no reason at all.