Read-at-Home Mom Report: November 2025

November Favorites

A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

This was just very classic Debbie Macomber, which I love.

Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon
The writing in this series is delightful. I really liked the hero, Levi, whose sensory processing disorder added an interesting layer to the story. 

The Book Club Boyfriend by Kendall Ryan
This is a new author for me. Her books are not 100% clean, but I still enjoyed this one, and I only had to skip a scene or two. 

What Kind of Woman: Poems by Kate Baer 
I always enjoy Kate Baer, and this was a great collection. 

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman
I loved this holiday romance so much. This will be on my favorites list this year.

Family Reading Lists 

M. (girl, 12 years)

• With Clive in India by G.A. Henty

C. (girl, 10 years, 2 months)

• My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara 
• Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson 

E. (girl, 8 years, 1 month)

• Puritan Adventure by Lois Lenski 
• Witch Dog by John and Patricia Beatty 

R. and A. (boy and girl, 5 years, 8 months)

The twins had some false starts and unfinished books this month. R. abandoned a collection of haunted house stories that was too hard for him, and A. read a couple of Carolyn Haywood books, but decoded without comprehending, so needed to try something else. 

R. also read these: 

• The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
• The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
• The Folk of the Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
• Snowbound with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood
• Betsy and Billy by Carolyn Haywood

Book Review: Finding Flannery by Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane B. Salonen (ARC)

Any time I meet a Flannery O'Connor fan, I find myself feeling that I have found a kindred spirit. I encountered three such women in Finding Flannery: A Travel Memoir Exploring the Mystique of Flannery O'Connor and the Legacy She Has Left Us All. In this unique memoir told in three voices, Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane B. Salonen shared the story of their trio's visit to Flannery's home, Andalusia, and surrounding landmarks in Flannery's hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia. Each chapter of this book focuses on a different aspect of Flannery's legacy: her faith, her writing, her perseverance in the face of illness, her relationship with her mother, her friendships, etc. Within every chapter, each of the authors has a section marked by individual birds they chose to represent themselves, and each one reflects on the theme of that chapter. The result of this three-part narration is the sense that the reader is in conversation with fellow travelers, all of whom love and appreciate Flannery.

I have long wished I could visit Andalusia, but this book is truly the next best thing. I loved experiencing Flannery's world vicariously through these three writers' eyes and I enjoyed hearing how they discovered Flannery and became so interested in her. I've read a lot about Flannery, so a lot of what they discussed was familiar ground for me, but there were little tidbits here and there that were new to me, and some fresh perspectives I had not considered. I think my favorite part was the chapter focused on Flannery's relationship with her mother, Regina, and on Regina herself as a mother. I have always found their dynamic fascinating, and it was interesting to see each writer reflect on it.

Flannery fans will adore this book, but I think it might also win over some Flannery skeptics, who, even if they struggle with her fiction, won't be able to resist her personality and strong faith after spending time with these devoted fans. I'm grateful to Roxane for the review copy. It's going on my Flannery shelf!