Happy October, friends ☀️ This year’s flying by, really. Let’s wrap-up the past month together!
I’m not going to lie: September has been rough. I’ve been struggling for most of the month personally, at work and with my mental health overall and, unfortunately with fall settling in, I don’t see the latter changing too much. Let’s just hope for the best.
The highlight of the month was the little weekend away I got to spend with my sister. We met in a very busy Paris on a Friday evening in late September and spent the entire weekend together. Exploring, eating, making gigantic piles of books in bookstores again. It was really, really great.
October’s my birthday month! As I’m getting older, I realize I’m not that excited anymore for my birthday to be here, but I’m still hoping to feel a tiny bit special on my special day. If you ever feel like gifting me a tiny something, I have an amazon wishlist as well as a ko-fi 🥺🥺🥺
I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves, friends.
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I think 4 books a month is my new rhythm and… well, I’m trying to be okay with it, but let’s face it: my TBR pile is mocking me and screaming READ ME, READ ME, sooooo. Yeah. It’s been an okay reading month otherwise, with some lovely discoveries!
DESTINATION ANYWHERE ☂️ I think this was my favorite of this month. This book gave me all the wanderlust with the Canada road trip, it made me happy and I loved how it dealt with friendships. 200% recommending this.
💧 Read my review – Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE FALLING GIRLS ☂️ This one was such a good read. It’s a mystery that focuses on friendships, all consuming ones and it was SO gripping, I couldn’t stop reading it.
💧 Read my review – Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE INHERITANCE GAMES ☂️ I’ve been SO curious about this book and… well. While it was really entertaining, I have to admit that there were some moments where I was a bit lost, too. Still, a fun read!
💧 Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE SOUND OF STARS ☂️ I don’t know how I feel about this book and I’m very sad about it. I loved the concept and the start of the story and the anxiety representation is EXCELLENT. Yet, around the last third of the book, I started feeling a little bit… pulled out of the story, for some reason. I’m sad.
💧 Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Goodreads challenge: 39/60 books
A tiny bit behind still… OKAY. I’ll admit it: I’m 6 books behind on my goal. Maybe it’s time to stop denying it and lower my goodreads goal?
Just as last month, September hasn’t been the best when it comes to writing. I’ve been trying my best to open the Scrivener App and just, get some words down, even if it’s just 2 words every day.
Sometimes, it’s working and sometimes it’s not.
Deep down, I also know I’m writing something harder than usual with this story. Something more personal, something that sometimes just makes me think about myself a little too much, too. I know it will take me time, but I know I’m not going to give up. Hopefully, it will be worth it!
I sometimes share snippets of my writing in my newsletter…. you know. If you’re curious, you can subscribe at the bottom of this post!
It’s been an okay month, blogging-wise, I think! I haven’t met some goals I would have liked to meet, statistically wise and just, content-wise as well, but I still managed to keep most of my schedule so YAY for that one.
I have had some things on my mind when it comes to writing content and expanding my blog, just as well. I adore books and I have so many different ideas and kind of things I’d like to explore, but… well. I’m going to talk about it all very soon in my newsletter, if you want to subscribe, you always can right here:
On the blog this month: book reviews
On the blog this month: blogging, books & more
Nyx talked about guilty pleasures on the blog this month! She shares some YA books filled with drama and fun in her latest recommendations post. I personally wrote about one of my favorite romance tropes : the fake-dating trope in YA books. Since the fall season is (unfortunately) starting, I also shared some cosy YA books to read for that time of the year.
On the blogging side, I have SO many ideas, but these kind of posts take me the most time. I wrote about how I use Notion for blogging this month and am hoping to tackle another one of my ideas next month if I can!
As you know, I’m always reading all of your comments, so if you have any blog posts you’d like to see from me, please feel free to let me know!
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I managed to blog-hop a little bit this month! Between content creation and everything else, I’ve been finding it tough to manage to visit blogs, too, but I’m glad I could a little bit this month. Here are some blog posts I enjoyed reading this month.
- Mary @ Mary and the Words shared some books to get out of a slump and I loved this list SO much!
- I loved this discussion from Krysta on Pages Unbound about book bloggers still hyping books. So interesting.
- Malka @ Paper Procrastinators shared an excellent guide to NetGalley!
- Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical talked about beating the reading slump and shared some great tips.
- Lais @ The Bookish Skies wrote a great post where she matches rom-coms to books. I loved it.
- Kate @ Your Tita Kate has an incredible post about building engagement in the book community.
How was your September? Do you think you’re on track to meet your reading goals? Are you looking forward to October?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. I really don’t like it when the dark nights come in either. Let the books keep us company.
I set my Goodreads goal low this year and I’m happy to say I have made it. But its not a big deal if we don’t, reading is fun so I hope you enjoy many more books this year.
Amanda
Thank you so much <3 Yes, let the good books be with us and keep us happy. I hope you'll have a lovely month, Amanda!
Oh no! I’m kinda sad that The Sound of Stars didn’t hit you as much but I do kinda get it. And omg the Paris trio sounds like a dream, I’m glad you had fun! Hopefully October will be much kinder to you 🙂
Thank you so, so much Charvi <3 I hope the month will be kind to you, too! <3
Your trip to Paris sounds so fun. 🙂 I’m glad you had fun! Also, happy birthday in advance! Birthdays as we grow older are definitely a less exciting affair, but it’s still nice to do something fun for yourself on that day. Hope you get some of your writing mojo back! And there’s still time to catch up on your reading goals.
I’ve been reading more than I have in a very very long time, and I’m on track for my goal. Hopefully I won’t fall off the wagon in the last part of 2021, hehe.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Aimal! I’m so glad to hear you’re on track with your goals, I hope you are reading amazing books! 😀
I’m sorry to hear your September wasn’t too great, but I hope you have an amazing October! 😊❤️
You’ve made me interested in Destination Anywhere!
Ahh yay! Destination Anywhere is such a fantastic read. I hope you will enjoy it 😀
Thank you! 😊
I’m sorry that you’ve been struggling in September with everything. *hugs* Sending good vibes your way. <3 I’m glad you were able to have a little weekend away. I hope you have an amazing October. 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Ashley. I hope October will be good to you! <3 <3
I’m so jealous, I wish I could just easily spend a weekend in Paris! Glad you and your sister got to spend the time together!
We’re lucky enough to live a short train ride away from the capital city, it’s really nice! Thank you so, so much, Angela. I hope October will be kind to you! <3
Your weekend away with your sister sounds fabulous. Just what you needed it sounds.
Thank you so much! Yes, it was exactly what we needed this month 🙂
September felt like my whole life was falling apart. Work was stressful, lots of difficult things in my personal life happened. I felt like everything kept piling on top of each other. On top of it all, I’ve been talking to a new guy which adds an extra element of anxiety. I’m on the same boat as you in terms of SAD, but I’ve been trying to overcome it by spending every moment it’s sunny outside and exercising. It’s been really challenging, but we got this! Sending you all the love on your birthday month xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh Melina, I’m so, so sorry it’s been tough for you lately, as well. I’m always just a message away if you ever need to vent. I’m sending you all the love and light <3 <3 <3
Thank you, I know you struggle with the colder weather as well, and I’m here for you as well. We’re in this together! xx
Thank you so, so much love xx
I usually love fall but this September I have also been struggling with my Mental Health 😔 I’m glad to hear that you could at least enjoy your weekend trip and I hope that there are better days to come for us 💕Destination Anywhere sounds great, I love books about traveling! 🥰
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that 🙁 I hope it’s getting a little better for you now. I am always here if you ever need to vent. <3 I hope October will be kind to you!
always sending you nothing but positivity in these colder months <3 so glad you got to spend such a lovely day with your sister; nothing beats days like that!! i treasure those moments forever. the inheritance game (& the newly released sequel) is actually on my tbr! your review is reassuring :') x
Thank you so, so much love, I so appreciate it <3 I hope you'll get a chance to read the inheritance games, it was such a fun read!
Have a lovely October and take care! <3
*squishes in a hug* here’s hoping autumn and winter don’t hit your mental health too hard love 💜 Ah that weekend away sounds lovely, as for my reading goals. I think I lowered mine ages ago because I realised my motivation to read is fleeting and sometimes it’s there but more often than not I have no energy to pick up a book. It’s hard because I just want to read like I used to but I’m not gonna force myself to read and potentially cause myself to dislike books I would have otherwise enjoyed. That said I finished Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa in September and started Night of the Dragon…so maybe I’ll finish that book (and have finished the trilogy) by the end of October? I mean I can hope right xD
I think I spent most of September readjusting to being back at work and playing Genshin Impact and I started cross stitching so there’s that. Sending you love for October 💜
Thank you so, so much Clo, you’re the sweetest <3 <3 I understand what you mean. It's hard to see our taste changing and it's even harder to tell ourselves we can't read as much as before, but... sometimes, that's just it. It's better to put it aside instead of forcing ourselves and then ending up hating everything ahah.
I hope October has been kind to you so far! Take care <3 <3
I’m sorry to hear that September wasn’t great 🙁 I do hope October will be better, even if the weather and fall dimness won’t be of much help to you <3 I got your back, if you want to vent.
Thank you, Kat, this means everything <3 <3 I hope October is being kind to you!
I hate to hear that these past few months have been so rough for you. I’m really hoping that October will be better in as many ways as possible! And of course, happy early birthday!
I’m also behind on my reading goal this year. The actual number fluctuates throughout the week, since I get most of my reading done over the weekend. Last I checked I was only 3 books behind, but enough time has passed that I’m probably back up to 5 books behind. But I have a lot of graphic novels and manga lined up for the next few months that i hope will help me bridge the gap!
Thank you so much for mentioning my post! I had so much fun creating the guide, and I really just want as many people to see it as possible, since I know how many bloggers regret their decisions when starting out on NetGalley.
I hope you have a wonderful month filled with all good things!
Thank you so much, you’re so kind!! <3
I hope you'll be able to bridge that gap! To be honest, I'm coming to terms with the fact that I won't meet my goal. I'll lower it a little bit, or just... live with it, I guess, haha.
I hope October will be great for you, too! <3
My September was so chaotic, I feel like I’ve lived 6 months in only 1. With moving cities, starting an internship, and keeping up with my responsibilities that I left in Porto, I was always on the move, but rarely read, and I unfortunately procrastinated a lot and neglected some of my self-care habits 🙁 I did have lots of fun, but I do have to pay attention to my body and mind, too. I’m really hoping October will be a better month regarding that! I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well 🙁 If you ever need to talk, I’m always here!! <3 I saw the pics of your weekend in Paris and it looked so lovely!! I hope October is a wonderful month for you <3 <3
Oh wow! A lot has happened in the past month, I can only imagine how exhausting and exciting it must have been, as well. I hope October will be better for self-care, that you’ll be able to take some time for yourself! <3
Thank you so, so much, Marta! <3
ahh sorry that your mental health has been taking a hit recently! i hope you can find ways to take care of yourself and relax in the next few months <3 i'm glad you got to get away with your sister though! and ahh, i'm sorry that you didn't completely love the sound of stars — i've been wanting to read it but the more time passes, the more i'm convinced i might not love it lol. hope you have a great october!!
Thank you so much <3 <3 I get that, I have the same feeling for some books. At first, I feel like I'll love them and as time passes... my feelings change ahah. I hope October will be kind to you <3
Thank you so much for sharing my post, Marie!! <3 I hear you on September being rough. I was really hoping October would look up a little, but it's still kinda meh, and I'm trying to not get frustrated with it, but it's hard. I haven't been reading a ton, either, and I know that's definitely adding to the overall bleh feeling of the month. Here's hoping things look up a little for both of us soon!
I hope that October will slowly, but surely get better for you, Mary, I’m so sorry it’s been tough for you as well. Sending you all the love!! <3