November Info
Updated: Jan 9, 2021
Hey! It has been a long time since I have posted here. I have been incredibly busy and have not had time to read, let alone post. However in the past few weeks, I have been writing as much as I can so I can post new content more consistently. So I am sorry I have been inactive, but I really hope to post more regularly moving forward. This year I am trying to get my footing balancing blogging and life. My goal is that I have it mostly figured out by next year. In this monthly info, I am going to catch you up to what I've been up to both personally and what I have been reading. All the usual info from previous months will be back. I also have another online book club to highlight. So without further ado, let's begin!
Update on my previous TBRs
Every month I have created a TBR of books that I would like to read that month. In doing some research for this monthly info, I saw that I did not read a single book I meant to read in September. Whoops. These past two months, my reading took a serious dip. Reading so little in a month and seeing everyone else reading so much was very discouraging, but it made me take a step back and focus on reading at my own pace. I am a very competitive person, it is hard for me to do this, but I am trying.
In September, I didn't finish a single book. This was because of not having a lot of time, but also I think I was in a reading slump since I read so much in August. I did read some, however the books I was reading in this month I DNFed. Those books were Night of the Mannequins, Winter Counts, and Moment of Truth. I made it about half way in all of these but wasn't really feeling any of them. I decided that I will officially DNF Night of the Mannequins and Moment of Truth, however I do plan on finishing Winter Counts in the near future. In addition to these physical books I always try to listen to an audiobook during my commute and during the day. This month I also DNFed most of my audiobooks, but near the end of the month I decided to listen to Rayne and Delilah's Matinee, which is one of my all time favorites. I ended up finishing this book in October.
Speaking of October, I did read more in October. I ended up finishing three books this month all of which were three stars. Those books were Piranesi, How to Make Friends with the Dark, and Next Year in Havana. I absolutely loved all three of these! I found it was kinda funny that October is the month to read all the scary, spooky books and I didn't read a single one. I do plan on writing a post for these three books, so be on the look out for that post coming soon.
TBR
This month I am picking my books based on prompts on my Tic-Tac-Toe board I made for a book club event. However I do have a list of books that I would like to read this month.
Here is that list!
Horrid by Katrina Leno
A YA contemporary thriller by one of my favorite authors.
Master of One by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett
YA debut queer fantasy romance about Rags, a thief who is forced to find a ancient fae relic which leads him on an adventure.
One by One by Ruth Ware
A company retreat in the snowy mountains gone wrong
The Story of How We Met by Ivy Oaks
A YA small town, contemporary novella with chaos and lessons about listening to your heart
I am trying my best to not put a lot of pressure on myself to read a lot or specific books and instead focusing on enjoying the books I read.
Readathon
Mark your calendars, Christmas readathons are already being planned!
The ’Tis the Season Readathon hosted by Heather & Amy will be between Nov 30-Dec 6. This readathon has 6 challenges to meet and a bingo board with some prompts and some fun holiday activities. Below are links to the announcement video, discord group chat, and a picture of the bingo board.
Challenges
1. Read a holiday themed book
2. Read a book you meant to get to last year but didn’t
3. Read a book with lights on the cover
4. Read a diverse book
5. A cozy read
6. Extra: Read the group book! In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Bingo Board
Links
Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdC_iOtTS_w
Discord Group: https://discord.com/invite/KNXeQNu
Book of the Month
Book of the Month is a book subscription where the club picks 5 new release titles and you can pick one to get sent to you. If you aren't into any of the picks, you can skip with no penalty. If you want to try it for yourself you can use my referral code. (This post is not sponsored in any way. The code is just from having a BOTM account.)
This month I selected Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane as my pick and Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy as an add-on. Pretty Little Wife is a domestic suspense about the murder of a Lila Ridgefield's husband. However the twist is that his body goes missing after a student goes missing a few months prior. The town is in chaos and the police are trying to put the pieces together. Goodnight Beautiful is about a husband and wife. They have recently moved and the husband, a therapist, is starting to see clients again in his new home. However, he does not know that his wife can hear all the conversations... I am really excited about both of these books.
Book Club
Three Blonds and a Book
Hosted by Liv, Kayln, and Zoe
Announcement Video
Click here to watch!
What type of books?
This book club does not have any specific genres it focuses on in particular. However based on some of the previous picks, it focuses more on adult books rather than YA books.
Where is the club?
Youtube (Each month the live show will be on one of their Youtube channels.)
This month's pick
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Music I’m Listening To
This is just a fun section where I want to share with you what I have been listen to and also to talk about one of my new favorite bands!
I have recently in the last few months been absolutely obsessed with Flor. They have a really unique style of music and I think it's just amazing.
My favorite song by them is called Warm Blood. The song itself is really great, but there is also a wonderful live performance of them performing the song. Here is a link! They are also available on the Hoopla app. (Hoopla is connected to your library card and is free to use.)
I also really like the songs White Noise, Guarded, Little Light One, and Hold On, but all their songs are wonderful.
Another artist I have been enjoying lately is Petit Biscuit. He is a French DJ whose music falls under the electronic music genre. His music is perfect as background ambience. His most popular song, but also one of my favorites is Sunset Lover. His music is just perfect to put you in a good mood or to listen to while you are reading.
Books on my Radar
A list of some new releases I'm excited about!
Instant Karma by Marissa Meyers (3rd)
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (10th)
Those Who Prey by Jennifer Moffett (10th)
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (17th)