Happy December, friends! I can’t believe the last month of the year’s already here?? (Thankfully!)
November has been a month filled with changes, a lot of happiness and a lot of sadness, just as well.
After quitting my job early October, I left my colleagues I adored late October and left home on November 1st to move across country. We drove on the very last day before the country locked down again and that was fun fun fun. (Read = anxiety at its peak).
I started November in a new place, a place I’ve known for years and settled back in slowly, but surely. I started my new job early November as well.
It’s been tough. It’s been a rollercoaster of happiness, gratefulness for something I’ve been looking forward to for years and sadness about home and just seasonal depression is just, ugh. I have so many mixed feelings I don’t know how to process and it’s just, tiring.
Anyway. The world still sucks as a whole, too so that’s nice. I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves.
KEEP YOURSELF INFORMED of the world’s current info & donate to important causes if you can always.
- Get informed & Current Info Carrd : resources on what’s happening in the world.
- Help Typhoon Victims in the Philippines right here & here (INTL).
It’s funny: I thought I had read less this month than before, but turns out I managed to still read the same amount of books, despite everything. I’m pretty happy about this, I guess?
I’m far from my previous reading years. I read over 70 books in the past three years and this year, I’ll be happy to go past 60. This makes me a bit sad, too, but well.
CINDERELLA IS DEAD ☂️ I loved the whole concept and world in this book, but had some issues with the pacing. Still, an entertaining read overall.
ADMISSION☂️ I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved the idea behind this story and was overall hooked by it all from beginning to end.
CLEAN ☂️ Oh my god. I love Juno Dawson’s work SO. MUCH okay. I really do. I mean, after loving Meat Market, I fell for Clean a little less, but still. Gripping, important, bold. Such a great read.
THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL ☂️ I’m a little sad. I enjoyed The Secret of a Heart Note and was excited to read more from the author, but I wasn’t as into this one. It took me a while to really get into it, but I kind of devoured the last third of the book.
GIRLS WITH SHARP STICKS ☂️ Oh my GOD. This book just turned my head upside down, I can’t I can’t I CAN’T stop thinking about this brilliant read. A new all times favorites for sure, read this, I need to scream about it AHH.
Goodreads challenge: 57/60 books!
Year of the Asian Reading Challenge: 9/10!
I still want to make writing a priority, but life keeps getting in the way and how the heck do you prioritize things?
It’s been a weird writing month overall. I’ll be completely honest, while I’m thrilled at seeing everyone making incredible progress with NaNoWriMo, it also made me beat myself up all month long because I haven’t been writing as much. I also know that, with everything happening, the changes and my own mind not prioritizing it, either, I just… well. I didn’t write a lot.
Results fell on my face early November and I didn’t get into Pitch Wars and that didn’t help. Even if I know there was, like, a 0,3% chance or something, it still hurt a little bit, but well. I fell down, I cried a little bit and got back up again.
I started exploring a little bit a completely new story idea I’m kind of excited about. I didn’t have (or take) much time to explore it more, yet, but I hope to. I kind of want to. SOMEONE MAKE ME WRITE.
Let me fix a goal for this December: W R I T E.
Oh also: I got Scrivener as a birthday gift late October and I feel like I’m growing up as a writer? Let this make me commit more.
Words written in November: 0 | Research written: about 1200 words.
I’ve been feeling a bit weird about blogging. I almost forgot my blog anniversary, something that like, never happened to me before.
I haven’t blog hopped properly and I just don’t do it like I used to and I feel TERRIBLE about it.
I’ve been inspired to write, wanting to take more time for my blog, wanting to take steps with affiliate links, wanting to launch my new book bloggers feature. I’ve also been feeling like. Nope. With not enough energy to dedicate to it at the end of the day.
So here I am. It turns out I kind of managed to share a lot of posts this past month, but I haven’t done much else and don’t feel like I’ve been too present in the community, either. I feel a bit disconnected from it all and.. I’m sad.
I’m really sorry for my lack of presence on your blogs. I’m trying to focus my energy where my inspiration takes me, lately. I’m still hoping to get back to my book bloggers’ feature, hopefully in the new year.
On the blog this month: book reviews
On the blog this month: blogging, books & more
If you enjoy my work, you can support me on ko-fi right here if you wish to. I also happen to have an Amazon wishlist. Thank you for supporting my work, this means the world!!
I haven’t taken time to check out all of your lovely blogs as much as before. I don’t think I can do it as much anymore, but I’m trying my best. I appreciate book bloggers and their work so, so much and I’ll continue as much as I can to boost the posts I get to read and all of you. You’re doing amazingly.
Book blogging posts I read and enjoyed:
- CW @ The Quiet Pond shared an AMAZING post about revamping her incredible blog and shares some tips and tricks as well. A must read.
- Veronika @ Wordy & Whimsical has the best tips to avoid blogging burn-outs.
- I loved Cielo @ Bellerosereads’ tips for new bloggers!
- Briana & Krysta are talking about concrete ways to support book bloggers and yes to this.
- My friend Clo @ CuppaClo shared some ways to improve your blog and some great tips to read as well!
- I loved Lauren @ Northern Plunder’s post about self promotion and how to improve it.
Bookish posts I read and enjoyed:
- May @ Forever & Everly has an incredible list of books people should read and appreciate and so many I need to read here.
- Malka @ Paper Procrastinators talks about why reading mindless books is important to her.
- Shealea @ Shut Up Shealea has once again wonderful recommendations to diversify your bookshelf in her latest blog post.
- Lauren @ LoveYoShelf does it again with an amazing post about comparative titles: pros and cons.
- I loved Sabrina @ Wordy & Whimsical’s post about signs you should take a reading break.
How was your November? What were your favorite reads of this month? Give me all the recommendations!
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My favourite reads in November were The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton and VE Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Both were incredibly intimidating but well worth it.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed them. I’ve heard amazing things about Addie LaRue! 🙂
Loved reading this warp-up, Marie! I was less productive in November, <<<<<< but that is just ok, atleast I took care of my mental health more. Although I tried to write a bit.
I’m glad to hear you took care of yourself this past month, that’s what matters the most! <3 I hope December will be kind to you <3
Admission is one of my most anticipated release this year, I couldn’t wait to get a copy! I hope you’ll find your routine soon and have a wonderful December <3
Ah I hope you’ll love it <3 thank you so much! <3
I’m glad you were able to get a new job. I hope the seasonal depression stuff goes away soon. I’m feeling it here, too.
Thank you so much <3 Sending all the support and love your way <3
You’re welcome and thank you!
Congrats on the new job. Hope you’re settling into the role and the new place okay. I can’t begin to imagine how stressful it all must have been. Admission sounds like a really fascinating book on the college admissions scandal. I so understand your thoughts on blogging. On the one hand, there’s always ideas swimming in this head, but the motivation to write them is meh haha. Here hoping December is kind to you and we can celebrate the new year with some positivity. 😀
Thank you so much, Lois, it’s been really stressful, but I’m doing my best <3
I'm sorry to hear you are feeling this way, too! It's so frustrating when there are so many ideas and so little inspiration to write them.
Thank you so much, I hope you'll have a lovely month <3
It looks like November was a great reading month for you!
Thank you, it’s been good! 🙂
Sounds like you had quite an intense couple of months! I hope you´re able to relax a bit in December!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thank you so much! 🙂
Wow, November does sound like a month of big changes! I’m sure all of that is a lot to process and I hope you’re able to give yourself time to feel all your feelings and get through it as best you can <3 And that’s great that you were still able to read some good books!
Ahh I felt the same way about writing in November… I’ve just been trying to remind myself that not accomplishing what I want to now doesn’t mean I can’t in the future. Best of luck in December! I got Scrivener earlier this year and it’s honestly helped my organization so much, so I hope it does the same for you ☺
Happy December! I hope you have a wonderful and restful remainder of your year <3
Thank you, Margaret, so, so much, I’m trying my best <3 I'm so happy to hear Scrivener has helped you so much, I look forward to using it more and more and hopefully loving it :D
Have a lovely December and take care of yourself <3
Congrats on the new job and new home! I know it can feel overwhelming, but you got this!
Thank you so, so much Angela, you’re so sweet <3 Have a lovely December <3
Wow! You’ve read a lot of books this month! I’m currently reading A Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare which is a book that I’ve been meaning to finish for some time! I also loved your section where you promoted more book bloggers and I checked a few out and they’re such lovely pages so I can’t wait to read them in more detail!
Great post!
p.s. where did you move to? Did you struggle finding a new job? I’ve been searching for a job for a really really long time and still unsuccessful 🙁
Oh I hope you’ll enjoy it, happy reading! And thank you, I’m so glad this can be useful to you. Book bloggers do such an incredible work. <3
Oh I've struggled A LOT as well ahah I've been looking for so many years. I'm sending you all the strength, you can do this, I hope you'll find something soon! <3 <3 <3
Great wrap up! It sounds like you had a very busy month, but very productive as well! 😊
I feel you about blogging. I’ve been very in and out of it. I haven’t really felt the inspiration to want to do it anymore and I’ve never felt that before, so it’s been me trying to figure out a way to want to blog with my whole self. I have so many ideas floating in my head, but just not the heart to write them. I hope for the coming year we both find the love of blogging again! 💞
Thank you so much <3 I really hope you'll find your blogging rhythm and love again, it's been a tough year for everything, really. Hopefully we'll get back to our rhythm soon <3
Have a lovely December and take care <3
You’re welcome! ❤️
It has been a rough year, and I only hope 2021 will be much better!
Thank you, have a wonderful December too! ❤️
Sorry it was a tough month, but good luck with the new job. I hope you have a great December!
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3
I’m sorry to hear November was a bit of a rough month. Starting a new job is always so stressful even though it can often be a good thing.
I’m glad to see you liked Admission; this one was on my TBR but honestly I kind of forgot about it until recently and now it’s moved back up the list! Have you read any of Julie Buxbaum’s other books?
Thank you, Mel! Hopefully December will be kind. <3
I hope you'll love Admission, it was a great read! I have read Tell Me Three Things by the author as well and really enjoyed it! Did you read it, or any other books she wrote? <3
Yes, I really liked TMTT. I’ve also read hope and other punchlines, which I also thought was good.
Ohh, I need to read that one! 🙂
I’m sobbing cause you shared my post eeeek ily 💜 November was wild, I turned 20 and I keep forgetting I am no longer a teenager :/ I am sending you all my love, good vibes and positive thoughts. You’ve got this, you’re doing your best and that’s enough Marie. Blog hopping can be super time consuming and draining, it’s why I tend to do it in batches these days, on days where I have energy.
Of course, you write the best posts 🥺 Thank you so, so much for always being so supportive, this means so much 🥺 it can be draining and I’m trying to focus on doing it little by little with the time I have. I can’t help feeling like it’s never enough ahah.
Thank you so much <3
Congrats on the new job. I’m sure moving and adjusting was tough though. I hope you are settling in okay and that you have a good holiday season. I really liked The Downstairs Girl, but it did take a bit to get moving. I’m really curious about her book coming out next year – it takes place on the Titanic!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thank you so much, Lauren, I hope you’ve been having a lovely month so far <3
I agree, it took a little bit to get moving, but once it did, I really enjoyed it! Oh I'm curious to see that new book! :D
ahhh, marie, i really am wishing you all the luck in this new phase! i hope everything works out and that you start to feel better and more settled soon.
i absolutely don’t think you should take too seriously not writing much lately! considering all the changes, it is remarkable that you did even a little and came up with a new story. i know i definitely would’ve given up on it if i was going through as much.
ALSO: it’s so exciting you got scrivener! i kept thinking about it as i worked on my WIP for nano, because i literally had all chapters in *one* document and i dreamt one day that my computer crashed and i lost all of it. i woke up the next morning and immediately uploaded it to google drive, hahahah. it was so scary & also not the most functional, because i can’t move between chapters as easily. i hope you enjoy your experience with the software!
i really do wish you an amazing december!
Thank you so, so much, Lais, this means a lot! I really hope I can cut myself some slack, but… I can’t help but want to do it all, like, all the damn time hahaha. <3
I've been enjoying it so far, even if I haven't used it a whole lot. Maybe I'll write about it more later on! :)
Thank you so, so much, I hope you'll have a lovely December as well <3
Girl, I totally get what you mean. My november was also pretty blah, with season depression starting to kick in, anxiety at an all time high, it’s been tough! You did a better job than I did at keeping up with your blogging. I completely disappeared from the face of the internet, aha. Congrats on the new job, I hope you’re loving it, and also really like your new co-workers. You won’t believe that the back end of my website was totally bugging out, and so I couldn’t write blog posts or anything for the last week. After back and forth with my hosting site, and then back and forth with the plugin that was causing the problem, It’s finally 100% back to normal! so yay for that. Not only that but I completed my goodreads goal (80 books). Also, I think I’m improving on my french aha! I found a french peppa pig youtube channel, so I’ve been watching that, and I’m starting to understand a lot more of the words, so that’s cool. Sending you lots of love in the month of december 🙂 xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
I’m sorry it’s been tough lately, Melina, I’m sending you all the love and hugs and I am always here for you if you need! <3
Oh god I'm glad to hear your blog is back to normal, too, that's so good. It's so stressful when something isn't quite working the right way! AND YAY congratulations on reading so much, this is such a great accomplishment, I'm so proud of you <3
It's so great you're doing so good in French, we can start having long conversations soonish haha :)
I hope December will be kind to you, take care of yourself <3 <3
You’re welcome and thank you!
My favourite book in November was Shielded by KayLynn Flanders. I hope you are settling in okay and have happy holidays.
Thank you so much! I hope December has been kind to you so far <3
I feel you, November was also a bit of a rollercoaster for me, with being in a new place & university far away from home. I hope we both settle in slowly 💕 I had actually taken Girls with Sharp Sticks off my TBR but your excitement for it seriously makes me reconsider!! 😱
I also haven’t been really writing, so while I was happy for everyone slaying NaNoWriMo, I was also doubtful about my own WIP 😔 Even looking into the future, I don’t see myself getting back to writing, as the workload is so much, so idk what to do just now. Wishing you the best with your new project! You can do it 🥰
I almost forgot my blogversary this year as well, 2020 was just a lot 😅 I hope you can take some time to take care of yourself & have a good December ❤
Thank you so, so much Caro, I hope you are settling in well, I’m sending you all the love <3 AH I Hope you'll read Girls with Sharp Sticks eventually, I'm OBSESSED I loved it so damn much ahh.
I'm so sorry you've been doubting with your writing lately! It's normal with everything being so hectic for you lately, though, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'm sure you will get back to it, you can do this <3
Have a lovely December, love and take care of yourself <3
Welp I’m late to this post but hope you’ve been having a wonderful December!! YAY for all the books you read, I can’t wait to read Cinderella’s Not Dead <3<3 And omg twinning because I also got Scrivener for my birthday last month hehe, but I haven't used it yet because I'm intimidated welp. Sending love your way Marie xx
Thank you so much <3 AH!! This is so exciting! I get that, Scrivener can be soooo intimidating at first, but once you get into it, it's wonderful. I still haven't figured out A LOT of the features there, but I feel like it'll be great for my writing already! I definitely recommend doing the tutorial that's in the software to guide you, to start :)
I am finally blog hopping after like, over a month? What is time, anymore. But hey, hi, hello, I love you and you’re amazing and I hope December has been wonderful for you. That’s so exciting to hear about your move and your new job! I hope it’s going well, now that you’ve had a *little* bit of time to settle in.
Also, I feel you on not writing, like, at all. Would you want to be writing buddies!? I am looking for a few, no-guilt writing check-in partners and would love to support you in this way, if you think this would be helpful. Let me know! <3
NICOLE HI HELLO <3 I so get that, it's been so tough to blog hop lately for me, too. I hope December has been kind to you and wishing you all the very best for this new year <3 <3
I would LOVE to be writing buddies, yes please! This would be incredibly helpful and lovely, if you're up for it <3 <3
MARIE, HI, I MISS YOU. <3 <3 I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and have a great new year and that 2021 is so kind to you.
YAS, I am so excited you want to! I am totally up for it! I am going to DM you on Twitter, but let me know if you would rather me email you or if there is a better avenue!
MISS YOU! <3 <3 Thank you so much and you too, you deserve all the very best <3
This is absolutely perfect, can't wait <3
I’m coming here like 2 months after but I hope everything is going alright and that you feel good in your new place! I felt (feel) stuck too, with this weird situation we’re in, not really knowing what to expect and I hope we’ll get to beat this and feel better!
Thank you so much <3 It's hard NOT to feel stuck with everything in this situation. I'm always a message away if you ever want to talk, always <3 I hope this year will be better and kinder to us all <3
I’m so glad that you really liked Girls with Sharp Sticks! It was such an amazing book and I really liked the sequel too. I can’t wait to read the third book.
I can’t wait to read it either. It’s such a great series 😀