Hello friends, happy Sunday! I know, it’s not quite the end of the month, but I’m being early this time for the monthly wrap-up because, reasons. Let’s catch up, shall we?
Just like September, October was a bit of a mixed month, even if it was a tad better than the first one, I’ll admit it. I still miss summer and holidays – but I get to travel a couple days next week so, YAY.
It was my birthday month and I feel like, each year, I despise getting older a little bit more and all the adulthood and responsibilities that comes with it. ALSO, STRESS. I don’t like stress and I’m feeling more and more stressed out and anxious. Ugh, life.
I wish I had more thrilling things to share, but nothing much happened in October?!
I shall finish this little catch-up with something that no one will notice, but I’m wrapping up the whole month before it’s actually finished. I have next week off work and I will skip a couple posts during the week. You probably won’t notice?! I need to take things a bit slower and to keep things fun ; also, I need and want to spend time with my loved ones in this time off and try not to obsess about blogging. A short, non-break, I guess? Kidding. You know me. I’ll forever be stalking your blogs anyway. #noregrets
Ending up this not-so-small recap with my instagram pictures of the month. Books, food and pretty hometown.
October was a month of new releases (Ringer, Turtles All The Way Down, the Book of Dust for the ones I HAD to have), so obviously… well… I bought too many books. I now declare myself on a book-buying ban until Christmas.
Who are we kidding, I’ll buy new books in two weeks.
October has been an okay reading month – I finished my Goodreads reading challenge so I’m pretty proud of myself! I have read now over 60 books in 10 months, which is a record for me. I’m REALLY happy about it. I also blame all of you for shoving books down my face every.single.day.
Books I read
That one was a pretty surprising book…and I loved it. You can already read my full review here.
An adorable contemporary, as you could expect from a Sarah Dessen book. Had me smiling on the train more than once. You can read my review here.
Quite an interesting dystopian, but a bit too short to have time to win me over. Full review coming soon!
This was a great sequel to the series, action-packed and great character development. Yeah, I loved it. <3
I sort of had expectations and they weren’t entirely met with that one. I didn’t connect too much with it all overall? My full review will be coming next week!
Currently reading this so it goes in the October wrap-up and I REALLY LOVE IT SO FAR.
If you remember correctly, I finished my WIP back in the middle of September. Since then, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING happened, writing-wise.
I’ve been on a bit of a funk after finishing my WIP. You know, wondering just what the heck to do with my life and where my characters disappeared to. Since a couple days, though, something changed. Finally, I’ve been feeling my fingers itching to write again. To DO SOMETHING.
I’ve decided to edit this very WIP. I probably won’t know what I’m doing, or how to start this thing, but I know that I’m finally ready to take my story back and try and make it the best that I can. Before you ask: I don’t know if it’s ever going to be published. For now, I just want to make it better. I’m going to try and use NaNoWriMo and all of the writing frenzy to get into editing mode and MAKE THIS WHOLE STORY SOMETHING READABLE. Fingers crossed?!
Blogging-wise, this month has been both fun and stressful. I actually wrote about it and got, this morning even, a reminder from my sister that I should STOP FREAKING OUT ABOUT THINGS. I think I might care too much, and I know I need to keep this fun and take things slow. That being said, I was pretty happy with my blogging month and the posts I managed to write.
Book reviews
Click on the book covers to be redirected to my reviews.
Discussions
Book Blogging
Bookish tags
Writing
Nyx’s Corner
It’s time to share some of the blogging love! One thing you’ll notice here: I love blogging and travelling posts. Surprising, right?! Also, I’m sorry if I missed your posts, there are SO MANY amazing posts out there.
- May wrote about all the blogging pet peeves AND IT IS RELATABLE.
- Cait has A BOOK PUBLISHED SOON and all I want to say is, FINALLY. Also it’s contemporary and I’m all azeknrhbsgrekgh.
- Beth talked about her trip to Budapest – for all the wanderlust, just READ IT.
- Hannah did a wonderful post on Anxiety and shared some well-needed tips.
- Michelle shared books that made her want to travel and it’s a fantastic selection.
- Sophie mentioned 3 ways to fall in love with blogging again.
- Julianna proves that book blogging is SO VERY USEFUL.
- Ilsa talks about her great blogging organization-skills and gives out great tips!
- Zoie takes us with her on her latest trip to Utah – beware: fabulous photos!
- Pam defends YA literature and asks for more in her country – also, she has a Youtube Channel, YAY!
How was October for you? Did you have a great month? If it wasn’t that great, I’m always sending you all the hugs
What was your favorite book this month? (Like I need more on my TBR…) Are you READY for NaNoWriMo? (I am NOT). Let’s chat in comments!
Belated happy birthday ??
It was my birthday month too! ☺️
Ohh thank you, belated happy birthday to you too!! I hope you had a great one 🙂 <3 <3
Ahhh!!! You say your month wasn’t eventful? ? I WISH I HAD READ HALF AS MANY BOOKS AS YOU READ THIS MONTH. GAHHH!!! I was soooo looking forward to reading TONS OF BOOKS this October but ALL MY PLANS WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE POOPER ??.
And HEYYY!!! Congrats on finishing WIP AND you are editing it already? MAN, THAT’S GOTTA BE STRESSFUL. ??
I wish you an even happier November, Marie. ? ??
❤❤❤❤❤
Awww, well here’s to hoping you’ll manage to read more this November, or at least…read great books 😀 <3
Hahaha I knoow, I don't know if I'm ready to edit, never edited one single thing and I'm scared, but…. I guess I'll see what happens? 😛
Thank you! <3 <3 <3
Thanks a lot, Marie. ??
Oh, I AM SURE YOU’LL DO GREAT. Keep us posted? ? I’d love to know your experience about it. ?❤
Well…I’ll keep you posted for sure if I manage to edit anything at all hahahaha.
Thank you!! <3 <3
I hope you have a great, restful break! I have also slowed down my posting recently– just haven’t had enough time to devote to the blog without stressing my schedule to the max.
Good luck with the editing! For me that is the hardest part of writing, but it also can be the most rewarding! It’s awesome to see a passage you don’t like turn into something beautiful.
PS I’m so NOT READY for NaNo…D:
Oh thank you so much, Anna! <3 It's so important to take care of ourselves first and foremost, and posting a lot can be so stressful at times :/
Thank you! I'm really scared to get into that editing part, but I'm hoping it will turn out for the best and make me love my story even more.
Ohhh you are doing NaNo as well? What are you writingggg? I'm so curious ahah 🙂 BEST OF LUCK, you can do this <3 <3
Thank you so much <3 <3
Hello Marie <3
That’s awesome that you will be travelling! Hope you enjoy your trip! I think it is good to take some time for yourself, even if it means posting less. As bloggers we want to keep making content for our readers, but it is important to look after our mental health 🙂
That’s great to hear that you enjoyed most of the books that you’ve read this month! And I am so excited for you since you will be editing your novel for Nanowrimo! All the best!! I am looking forward to hearing updates about how the editing goes 🙂
And thank you so much for linking my blog post <3 🙂
Hi Sophie! <3 Thank you so much! Just a couple days, but it will be great to have a change of scenery and….don't go to work for a week ahahaha.
Thank you! I hope editing will go well, still really nervous about it all. Fingers crossed 🙂
You're welcome! <3 <3
That sounds amazing! Its always great to have a break from work :’)
I hope that you will find inspiration as you edit your novel this month 🙂 Can’t wait to hear how it goes!!
It is good ahah, I feel a bit burnt out from work ahah 🙂
Thank you so much for all of your support <3 <3
Legend is one of my favorite series. I can feel the tears forming in eyes just thinking about it. I have to get my hand on the short story, Life After Legend. It was a pre-order incentive for Warcross, but it is supposed to be for sale at some point. Count. Me. In. I am a Stokes fan, and really liked This is How it Happened. I fell in love with Utah through her descriptions, and found the story to be very relevant. I have a difficult relationship with social media, because of the way people are judge and jury as described in that book.
Oh I’m so glad to hear this – makes me want to continue on with the series even more! I keep on hearing that Legend just gets better and better so, I can’t wait 🙂
I just loved how Stokes mentioned social media in this book and the power it has. It was such a great discovery. Did you read all of her books? Do you have one you would recommend? I really want to read more from her after reading that one! 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I have read several: The Art of Lainey, Liars Inc, and this one. I recently bough Girl Against the Universe, which I heard is amazing. Stokes actually did a guest post on my blog regarding TIHIH.
Ohh okay, that’s so great! I really want to read them all, especially GATU, I heard amazing things about this book as well 🙂
ahhhhh! what a great month it seems you’ve had! good luck on the editing and here’s to an awesome november!!
Thank you so much!! <3 <3 And yes. Going to need luck for editing, I can feel it ahahah.
This was a pretty good month despite the funk. I’m not ready for nanowrimo either! I don’t know how I’m going to do it but let’s see. Fingers crossed! My favourite this month was a lot but I’m going to recommend My Absolute Darling if you can stomach it.
Ohh who knows, you might end up surprising yourself, once the month starts. Fingers crossed you’ll do well 🙂 <3
Ohhh okay ahahah, I'm guessing it's the kind of book you have to be ready for? 😛 thanks for the recommendation! 🙂 <3
Definitely. Make keep tissues nearby. And thanks. Good luck for your nano as well.
Thank you!! <3 <3
I totally understand your need to put your loved one first and take a little step back from blogging, darling Sweechie! <3 My plate is so full and WP hates me so I find myself reading like crazy, trying to keep up, and working while preparing for exams, basically, I'm screwed xD Let's hope November is quieter!
Thank you my Sweechie!! <3 Oh, I hope November will be a bit more relaxing for you…well, if you can read tons of great books, I think it's still great? 😀
I don’t have time!!!! xD But I sacrifice other stuff to try and read, or I’m grumpy!
Hahahahhaha oh, I get this so much. Well…As long as you manage to read a bit…it’s all good, right? 😛 <3
I hope you have a good mini-break Marie, I get what you mean about needing to take a step back at time to keep everything fun, and also to focus on something other than blogging which does seem to take over our lives more than I ever thought it would when I first signed up for WordPress. 😀
I hope your book buying ban goes well (I can never stick to them either), and oh you got through some amazing books this month as well. I already know you enjoyed Just Listen but I can’t wait to see your reviews for Legend and Ringer (I still need to read that myself).
Also good luck with editing your WIP for NaNo. Sounds like you have a busy November planned, so I hope it’s a great one all the same. 😀 <3
Great recap, and thanks so much for featuring my post as well. 🙂 <3
Thank you so much, Beth! <3 It does take over our lives, that's for sure, and it's a bit crazy to think just how much, at times? But we love it, I guess 🙂
Thank you so much!! I hope you'll have an amazing November as well xx
Definitely crazy to think of that times. I sometimes wonder what I did before I started blogging with all the free time I must have had back then.
That’s all right, and thanks Marie! 🙂 ❤️
Your birthday cake looked like a little slice of heaven haha. I definitely relate to that Friends gif. Adulthood sucks. This year has just been full of stress because I’ve been trying (and failing) to adult and make some sense of the direction I want to take with my life. I’d rather watch Disney films and eat comfort food than thinking about adulting.
I’ve always been intrigued by Marie Lu’s Legend series, but not enough to actually read it. That and the fact that the ending was spoiled for me and I’m not sure what to make of it. Anywho, I’d love to read your thoughts about it cause you might give me the motivation to actually read it.
I keep saying I’m on a book buying ban, but my kindle makes it so easy to break. I will say that I’ve not purchased a physical book in over a month, so that’s half the battle won, right?
Good luck with NaNoWriMo and have a lovely week off. 😀
Ahah it was a slice of heaven for sure…one that made me feel so fat afterwards, but it was worth it 😛
I get it. I’d really much rather read my books, watch my Disney movies than think about adulting as well. I wonder if it ever gets easier, or if there is just one time where…things click into place?! I hope so, ahah.
Oh no! I hate it when you’re spoiled for a book, this is so annoying. Part of me wants to ask you what happens, I’m too curious ahah 🙂 I hope you’ll want to read it once I post my review for it 🙂
Definitely! It doesn’t feel as…bad, when you can’t see the books you get, physically, haha.
Thank you so, so much, Lois!! <3 <3
Thank you for including my post on Anxiety lovely <3
So happy for you having completed your Goodreads Challenge, 60 books in 10 months is amazing! I can't believe were already at the end of october? This year has gone crazy fast.
Hope you have a wonderful week off work and spend time relaxing and catching up with your loved ones. You deserve it <3
Oh you’re so welcome, Hannah, I loved you post<3 <3
I can't believe it either, this year has been a blur. Thank you so much, you're the sweetest <3 <3
Ah, thanks so much for linking to my post!! And YAS happy bday again! <3 Aww, I'm sad we won't be getting your amazing posts but you take little breaks when you need them! <33 Ooh, I'm super excited to see your review for Legend! I hope you'll continue on with the series because it gets SO much better a;dlkfja;slkdfja. And YAS for figuring out that you'll be editing your WIP in November! I hope you'll update us on how that goes and best of luck to yooooou. <3
You’re so welcome, May, I loved your post so much <3 <3
And thank you! <3 <3 <3
hehe hope you have a great short non-break 😉 I feel like whenever I finish writing something, I usually need a month’s break- so definitely makes sense to take it easy- but it’s always great to get back on the horse 😀 Great post!
I want to take it easy, but at the same time… I feel like I NEED to do something ahah :p I hope editing will go well ::)
Thank you so much!! xx
hahaha I totally get that!! 😀 I’m sure it will! 🙂 You’re welcome! xx
My favorite book this month was The Road to Kalbakar, but it’s so NOT your thing Marie! ♥️ So, so great you have a little time off here, I hope you enjoy it and TOTALLY IGNORE all blogging… though I know you’ll probably hit your favs… You had such a great month! I LOVE you got so many reviews out!
Hahaha, you know me, I can’t totally ignore blogging..but I can try, here and there 😛 thank you so much for your sweet words, Dani! <3 <3
Congratulations on finishing Goodreads challenge and belated happy birthday! I hope you have an amazing November! ☺️
Aww thank you so much, Raven!! I hope you’ll have a great November as well xx
Happy (belated) birthday! I had a birthday on October too. ? I have read An Amber in the Ashes, and I loved it as well. You should catch up with the second book immediately. I think I did good on October, in terms of reading. My favorite reads this month were Without Merit by Colleen Hoover, Warcross by Marie Lu, and The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. If you haven’t read any of them, you definitely should! ?
Thank you so much, and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! I hope you had a fabulous day 😀
I can’t wait to read the sequel of An Ember in the Ashes, I really enjoyed the first book, more than I thought I would 🙂
Glad to hear you had a great reading month! I have read Warcross and loved it so much ?, I need to read some of Leigh Bardugo’s books as soon as I can!
Thank you so much!! <3
October was a good month in terms of reading 🙂 I crossed some review copies of my TBR and I am glad for it 😀 I don’t do nanowrimo so I don’t have much idea about that.
I am s happy that you are going on a trip. happy journey 🙂
And obviously my favourite was Turtles All the Way Down 😀
Oh I’m happy to hear you had a good reading month! 😀 I just started reading Turtles All The Way Down and I am SO excited ?
I hope you’ll have a great November! xx thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
Thank you Marie ❤️
You’re welcome, thank you for your sweet words always <3 <3
❤️
awww THANK YOU for sharing about my book!!! *flails in quiet frantically happy circles* ?????i’M SO EXCITED I CAN’T EVEN AHHH. Ahem. And also that’s really good you’re going to edit your WIP! I think honestly a writer learns way more editing/rewriting than anywhere else. It’s super awesome to see your work become polished. ?
And SO many releases this month too hahah. I’m forever broke.?
You’re SO WELCOME, I am so happy about this news, it is the best news of the whole month, seriously. Also, I’m so glad it’s a contemporary with ALL THE FEELS ?
Thank you so much, Cait! You make me feel a bit better about editing, I’m sooo scared to get into this ahah. xx
I always love your Instagram pictures. 😀 Food, books, and pretty nature shots are always great! Good luck with your book buying ban! I have surprisingly been doing pretty well this year with not going so overboard with books and reading more of what I own. Glad to hear you loved Ember in the Ashes. I loved that book, but I had a hard time reading the sequel and DNF it. 🙁 I really want to read Legend and I have to get around to reading Replica. It was one of my most anticipated books and I never got around to reading it, ahh!
Oh thank you so much, Ashley! <3 That's so great – it is so hard to resist temptation and NOT buy any more books…Especially when so many cool new releases are coming!
Oh no! I'm sorry you couldn't get into the sequel of An Ember in the Ashes! Do you think you'll try it out another time? :/
I hope you'll have an amazing month!! <3 <3
I don’t think I will be trying the sequel of An Ember in the Ashes again. 🙁 I was just not into it and I have so many other books to read, so I don’t want to spend a lot of time on a book I don’t enjoy. I hope you like it though when you get around to reading it. 😀
Oh okay, I understand – there are just so many books to read, no need to bother with the ones you’re not sure to enjoy! 🙂 thank you, Ashley!! <3
Ahhh that’s so exciting that you are going to edit your novel! I wish you the best of luck with it!!
Oh thank you so, so much <3 <3 <3
All the very best with your editing Marie! <3 And hope you have a great November.
Thank you so much, Poulami! <3 <3 I hope you'll have a great month as well <3
Is that… my name? In your wrap-up post? ?
*faints*
Ahhhhh I feel so honored! Thank you so much Marie! ??
I’m so excited that you’re going to start editing your WIP! I’ve been thinking a lot about my own writing recently too, and I’ve had a story sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while now… and though I’ve been constantly thought about editing it, I just feel like I’m not ready yet? ? I do realize that the way to get better at a craft, whether it be writing or music or art or something else, is to practice it and polish it as much as I can, but I feel like one of the best things I’ve been doing for my writing is actually… not working on it at all.
In the end, an author’s writing is just a compilation of their own experiences and imagination. Just living my life and gaining more experiences and insights about this world already can improve the depth of my writing so much, so I try not to stress to much about having to work on my novel. Taking a break from novel-writing is ok — great novels take years to write, edit, and polish to be the best it can be, and that all takes time. Anyways, good luck on editing your novel! ?? And thanks so much (again) for the mention in your post! ?
Oh you’re so, SO welcome, Zoie, I have been LOVING all of your travel posts, so I wanted to share them <3 <3
I understand the feeling so much. For now, I haven't had time to start editing my story and I am doubting everything again ahha. I think it's important anyway to try and leave our stories for a while, before getting back to it for edits. Otherwise, we're just too into it and we can't do a great work? Time away is always good 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words <3 <3
October was a weird month, filled with reminders that time is passing and the future is coming ( aka applying to university, round two) I also left home to do an internship where I’m living in my own and paying rent and working in an office and it is bizarre, it’s like I’m an adult. I hope you have a great break! And good luck editing the WIP, you can do it!
Oh, adulting is…well, it’s different once you get into the whole adulting thing. Makes you miss school, doesn’t it? haha. I hope your internship is going well? 🙂 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Shanti! <3 <3
Hope you enjoyed (or still are enjoying?) your travelling Marie! You definitely deserve a nice break, and I hope you’re not stressing about blogging too much 😉
I totally feel you on the adulting thing. Adulting sucks and I sometimes wish I could just be a kid again, free from responsibilities 🙂
Also, I’m so happy you’re feeling the writing itch again and will start editing your WIP!
Thank you so much!! I’m back at work since monday (booo! ahah), but it was good to travel even just for a couple days 🙂
Thank you again! <3 I have… no idea when i'll edit so don't hold your breath here ahah :p I hope you'll have a great month! xx
I both do miss the summer and don’t. I miss having more free time, but I seriously don’t miss the heat. I can’t handle the heat! ? I’m glad to hear that October was a better month for you than September and hopefully November will be even better! 😀
Congrats on completing your Goodreads reading challenge!! <3 Good luck with editing your WIP! 🙂
Haha I get it, sometimes when it’s too hot…it’s just so annoying ?
thank you so, so much, Anna!! <3 hope you'll have a lovely month!
Omg Marie how have I missed your birthday??? I can’t believe this! Happy belated birthday then, I hope it was a good one <3 and I've been on a book buying ban for the past month and it's actually been going really well??? I'm quite proud of myself XD Good luck to you tho, it's gonna get soooo hard at times XD
And congrats on reaching your Goodreads challenge goal! I've reached my goal of 80 books very recently and it's so cool! Last year I only read 19 books so this is quite a big deal for me! I really like that I've gotten so invested in the book community this year and even decided to start a blog because it has really helped me to read more than ever before, AND to discover many new (diverse) books which have become absolute gems <3
Aw, don’t worry about it, THANK YOU so much, Jackie!! <3 <3
I'm SO proud of you, you're doing awesome! I'm struggling at times, but I still have books to read, so… it's okay for now ?
80 BOOKS?!! This is SO awesome, congratulations, I'm so proud of you!!<3 ahah yes, blogging will do that to you, make you want to read more and more, and… get way more books than you ever thought you would ?