Month: November 2025

Books Read in November 2025

*Book group selection | bolded means favorite

Picture Books

*Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, Carlos E. Calvo, and Abraham Matias
*Dream for the Land by Laekan Zea Kemp and Leo Espinosa
*This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story by John Parra
*Tíos and Primos by Jacqueline Alcántara
*Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes and Beth Krommes
*City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon and Alexis Franklin
*Precious by Carlos Aponte
*Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

Chapter Books

*Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall

Middle Grade

*The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
*How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares

Young Adult

*On the Wings of la Noche by Vanessa L. Torres
*The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez
*The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple
*I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin
*If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry

Grownup Fiction

The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

Little Women at the Armory

After singing at the tree lighting, I went home, changed, and headed back to the Pearl for Portland Center Stage’s production of Little Women. The story begins at Christmas, so why not have this be an early winter production?

It was an interesting framing with Beasley playing the role of both Louisa May Alcott and Jo. Louisa would show up now and again to transition us between scenes and periods.

I don’t really like the Little Women story, but enough people do that it has been drilled into me. This production incorporated a lot of shrieking and yelling in the first part. This worked conceptually (the March girls would not be children that were counseled to be seen and not heard), but was a lot, sonically.

Things quieted down after the intermission, and I grimly awaited Jo’s capitulation to Friedrich, played by Kieran Cronin, who also played John, Mr. Laurence, and Mr. March.

Overall, a good, if loud, night at the theater.

Pearl District Tree Lighting with Low Bar Chorale

I didn’t know the that Pearl District had a tree lighting until the Low Bar Chorale advertised in their newsletter that they were performing. Being a fan of both the Low Bar Chorale and free things, I invited the singing friends, and Jeff, Kelly, and Laurie attended with me.

We had a fun time singing along to Low Bar Chorale winter standards including “Hazy Shade of Winter” (Bangles version) and “December” which sounds remarkably like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” but with a few changed lyrics.

There were some fun little munchkins who skipped around the square at intervals. And the turnout was good.

Before the lighting:

And after!

It was a chilly, fun sing-along. And Kelly was relieved that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was not among the song selections.

Matt’s Protest Work Pays Off

Matt has been working with Indivisible D-2 to organize a protest outside the Apple Store asking that Apple reinstate the ICE Watch app. Matt reworked at least eight Christmas songs, changing the lyrics to be critical of ICE. Other people made signs and worked out other logistics.

Matt wasn’t in town for the initial protest (they will be back every Saturday between now and Christmas) but was very excited that KOIN 6 covered their protest.

They even were second in the more-top-stories section.

Good job Matt, and Indivisible D-2

She Kills Monsters at Clackamas Community College

We’ve got a nice group of young square dancers in lessons, young enough to be in college productions. Orion was one of the monster/puppeteers in this production, that the director sums up as “It’s a sword-and-sorcery story of sisterhood, grief, and resilience—plus monsters.” Matt was all in because of the D&D. I thought it sounded interesting too.

We inadvertently attended on an informal friends and family night, and the crowd was enthusiastic, clapping after nearly every scene. The performers carried out their roles ably, and Matt and I had a good discussion on the way home.