Now that I’ve looked up “cornucopia” to be sure it means what I thought it did (indeed: horn o’ plenty), I must share that the original horn was from a goat. I kid you not!

That said, November’s cornucopia of books numbered five volumes. Two autobiographies, two crime mysteries, and a children’s novel.

Book 1: A Box of Delights by John Masefield

Last month’s reads included The Midnight Folk by John Masefield. Since this second book unfurled the next chapter in young Kay’s life, I decided to give it a try.

Turns out A Box of Delights captured my attention more quickly than its predecessor and held on tight. The adventure takes place during his Christmas break from boarding school, so the timing is right to read it this time of year.

Rather than go into detail, I’ll just say it’s a good thing Kay and his friends were paying attention, because the adults in this book were either evil or simply without a clue.

Book 2: The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey

An aside: Spending most of my career at a theme park, I had plenty of opportunities to explain to coworkers that “queue” is French for “line,” and therefore “queue line” was redundant. I’m sure they all miss me to this day …

The Man in the Queue is a murder mystery that delves into the death of a young man who is simply standing in line waiting to get into a theater to see a play.

Scottish crime novelist Josephine Tey’s recurring detective, Scotland Yard inspector Alan Grant is on the case. It’s a good thing – I would have never figured it out!

Book 3: My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar

If you’ve read Anne Frank’s diary, you’ll want to follow up with this autobiography from her best friend and next-door neighbor.

This book just came out in June and was written last year as Hannah knew she didn’t have much longer on this earth (she passed away in Jerusalem on October 28, 2022).

Her life paralleled Anne’s when they were young. They were next-door neighbors and attended school together. But then so much changed. It wasn’t until they were both teens in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp that they would meet again.

Your heart will be heavy, but you won’t regret reading My Friend Anne Frank.

Book 4: Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie

This mystery posed an interesting question, as an accused murderer’s alibi involved a scientist who was out of the country and away from local news for two years. When he returned and realized the miscarriage of justice that had taken place in his absence, it was too late. The accused was found guilty and died in prison after just six months.

And so, the case was reopened and the victim’s family and staff were suddenly viewed with suspicion. No one, surprisingly, seemed eager to find the true killer.

As fascinating as this mystery was, Dame Agatha lets us down at the very end. (I actually spoke out loud without meaning to: Oh brother! as I came to the final page.)

Book 5: Blown Sideways Through Life by Claudia Shear

Subtitled “A Hilarious Tour de Resume,” this quick read from Mom’s collection was not a perfect match for this retiree.

But what do I know? This autobiographical romp of Shear’s 65 (count ’em, 65!) jobs was amusing but rather exhausting to read. More than a few of her short-term positions required an acceptance of grimy settings and questionable morals.

The hapless author ends up just fine (with a one-woman show on Off-Broadway and a TV movie based on these tales). It was just the getting there that made me sometimes fear for her life and question her sanity.

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Excuse me now as I find the first of my December books and get a few hours early start on it.

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