Female rage and cannibalism? I gotchu boo!
Holiday season is upon us, so here’s what I got up to during November.
I finished 5 books this month, and although that’s nowhere near the numbers I’ve been clocking up recently, I’m more than OK with that. I’m not back at work doing full 12hr shifts and when I’m home with the toddler little, I’m at the mercy of his naps!
Check out my StoryGraph stats!
I read/listened to some great books in November. While they weren’t the longest reads. They sure did pack a hefty punch! Now, let’s dive into my highlights:
I’ve finally joined a book club y’all! “Ripe” by Sarah Rose Etter was the first pick for the recently launched online Unhinged Lit Club hosted by the lovely @whatsmaryreading. It’s also a book I’ve had on my digital TBR for absolutely ages! One thing you’re going to learn about me, is I am a fan of the unhinged! If you are too, come and join the gang.
Synopsis: Cassie is a year into her dream job at a cutthroat Silicon Valley startup, and she soon realises she’s trapped in a corporate nightmare.
Throughout her life, a miniature black hole has followed her — a dark, ever-present companion that feeds on her anxiety and depression, swelling or shrinking in tune with her emotional state.
When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant just as her CEO’s demands cross legal lines, Cassie must decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice for success in this capitalist hellscape.
My thoughts:
What struck me most in “Ripe” was the clever, haunting metaphor of the black hole — it isn’t just a stylistic quirk, but something that feels deeply entwined with Cassie’s inner life. Its relentless, ever-watching presence perfectly mirrors her emotional and mental state, making her depression and anxiety almost tangible. That metaphor elevated the novel for me, turning what could have been a straightforward office-satire into something surreal and powerfully introspective.
There’s a constant, unshakeable dread running through the story, and I think that’s one of Etter’s greatest strengths. She captures what it feels like to be in your 20s (or early 30s) in a new place, trying to make a life for yourself while juggling loneliness, ambition, and the fear that you’re always one misstep away from everything falling apart. That isolation feels so real, especially in a world where success is sold like a shiny prize — but the cost is steep, both emotionally and morally.
The toxicity of the corporate world here is portrayed in full force. Cassie’s startup is ruthless, the demands are relentless, and there’s this grim undercurrent that no matter how well you play the game, you’re never really safe. The book doesn’t shy away from critiquing hustle culture and the darker side of tech — it’s biting, and often uncomfortable, but very necessary.
On the flip side, I found some parts a little hard to fully connect with. While the black hole metaphor is powerful, it sometimes felt over-repeated or too on-the-nose. And although the emotional weight and existential questions (What does success even mean? Who am I beneath all this performance?) are compelling, the pacing occasionally lagged as Cassie spiralled in her head rather than outwardly acting on her situation.
Ripe may not be a light read — but it’s a memorable one. It will have you reflecting on ambition, mental health, and what it costs us to “make it.” If you’re up for something dark, smart, and emotionally raw, I’d absolutely recommend it.
My favourite read in November? “The Eyes Are The Best Part” by Monika Kim took that title! Rage fuel with bite (lol) in the best way. Although not a very long book, this one packed a punch! Some incredibly important themes were explored in a very clever way.
Ji-won, a Korean-American college freshman, is forced to navigate grief, generational trauma, and the toxic presence of a white (hobosexual) man in her mother’s life, whose fetishisation of Asian women masks entitlement and general red flag behaviour. What follows is a slow-burn spiral into obsession, horror, and ultimately, a savagely satisfying ending.
What made this my favourite read:
The themes explored in this book are very much a bit of me. As a woman of colour, a lot of them resonated deeply, particularly in regards to past relationships.
- Misogyny & gendered violence: Women are scrutinized, controlled, and preyed upon, and the horror amplifies what many experience quietly.
- Racism & fetishisation: The fixation on “Asian features,” especially eyes, exposes the ugliness behind so-called admiration.
- Toxic relationships & power imbalance: Manipulation disguised as care, grief exploited — it’s painfully relatable.
- Performative allyship: “Wokeness” without accountability is another layer of harm.
- Intergenerational trauma & rage: Ji-won carries her mother’s pain and her own, making the narrative both intimate and terrifying.
- Female rage as transformation: The ending turns anger into catharsis — brutal, empowering, unforgettable.
- This one is dark, disturbing, and necessary. For fans of horror, psychological suspense, and novels that let female rage speak in full volume, it’s an absolute must-read.
To balance all that dread, I slipped into some cozy fantasy worlds that gave me all the warm fuzzies in between the chaos and rage. A very “scream then sip tea” kind of month if you will! How was your month of reading in November? And what are you looking forward to reading this month?
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