My Goings On in October:
- My daughter is recovering from her accident. If you’ve been following my Sunday Posts, you’ve already heard all about this, so I won’t go into details here (I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me talk about it). Lots of this month was spent at doctors’ offices and hospitals and surgery centers, but we’re (hopefully) done with all that now, and she’s just got a healing broken ankle and some occasional nausea to deal with.
- My youngest turned 15! (Yep, I’m old.)
- Not much else. Honestly, the health stuff took up most of my month. The rest is a blur.
- What I watched:
- We’ve been watching the new (and final 🙁 ) season of The Good Place. Loving it!!
- I’m a bit behind, but I’m also watching the current season of So You Think You Can Dance.
- At the beginning of the month, I watched Netflix’s Tall Girl movie. It was … interesting. And pretty cheesy. I didn’t get the controversy behind it (lots of people complained that tall girls aren’t really the kinds of underdogs we should be showcasing, but I do think that many girls who are very tall might have valid body image issue)—but the movie seemed almost comical in the way they made the main character seem SO tall. Apparently, she lives in a town of ultra-short people (I looked it up afterward, and yes, they hired all shorter-than-average actors to play opposite her).
Features & Discussions:
October 2019 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway
Books YOU (Yes, You!) Should Nominate for a Cybils Award
Tales of a Social Media Failure: AKA, I Don’t Understand Instagram Stories
October 2019 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Giveaway
My 2019 Reading Progress:
I hit my goal of reading 150 books this year!!! (I’ve read 151 so far.)
October 2019 Reviews
- Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart | Review | Rating: Absolutely Addicted!
- Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee | Review | Rating: Absolutely Addicted!
- Grace Goes to Washington by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by LeUyen Phan | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Mightier Than the Sword by Drew Callander & Alana Harrison, Illustrated by Ryan Andrews | Review | Rating: Devoured It
- Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia| Review | Rating: Absolutely Addicted!
- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi | Review | Rating: Devoured It
- Paul, Big, and Small by David Glen Robb | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- The Fire Keeper by J.C. Cervantes | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
October Best of the Bunch:
(Best of the Bunch is hosted over at Cocoon of Books. We link up our favorite reads of the month!)
My MG pick was tough this month because I read some fantastic books, but I finally settled on Maybe He Just Likes You because it touched on an important topic and was a really great read!
My YA choice is definitely Scars Like Wings! I had no idea I would love this book so much!
2019 Reading Challenges/Goals Progress:
Progress: 21/21-30 Discussions (Chatty Kathy)
I met my goal for the year!! Yay!
Tales of a Social Media Failure: AKA, I Don’t Understand Instagram Stories
Books YOU (Yes, You!) Should Nominate for a Cybils Award
I’m a Judge for the 2019 Cybils Awards!
That’s a Wrap! (My Wrap-Up of the SCBWI 2019 LA Summer Conference)
Updating the Blog (a Little) and I Need Your Opinions!
Bookish This or That Tags (x2!)
Goodreads’ YA Books Lists: 2019 Edition.
Why Don’t Illustrators (and Cover Artists) Get More Attention?
How Often Do You “Randomly” Visit New Blogs?
Bookish This or That Tags (x2!)
Goodreads’ YA Books Lists: 2019 Edition. Let’s Discuss.
Have Books Ruined Me for Movies?
“Other Stuff” I Like Reading About on Your Book Blog.
I Want to Post It NOW! (AKA One Reason I Almost Never Blog Ahead.)
I’m Addicted to Exclamation Points!!
The Challenge of Running a Successful Meme (or Challenge!)
How Much Is Too Much? Sometimes Life Is Stranger Than Fiction.
Why Audiobooks Are Important.
Bookworm Confession: Swag Isn’t My Thing.
Why I Love the Book Blog Discussion Challenge (Even When I Fail)
Things I Learned About Fairy Tales By Reading the Grimm’s Versions
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts at Midnight
Progress: 3/12 Classics Read
None this month! (I never actually expected to win this challenge, but as least I read a few?)
19th Century Classic
20th Century Classic – Catcher in the Rye
Classic by a Woman Author – I Capture the Castle
Classic in Translation – Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Classic Comic Novel
Classic Tragic Novel
Very Long Classic
Classic Novella
Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean)
Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia)
Classic From a Place You’ve Lived
Classic Play
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Books and Chocolate
Progress: 54/48 Library Books Read
I did it! I hit my goal!
Six books from the library this month:
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (audio)
Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye (audio)
The Fire Keeper by JC Cervantes
The Program by Suzanne Young (audio)
Grace Goes to Washington by Kelly DiPucchio
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
Earlier books for this challenge:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Twilight by Joss Whedon, Brad Meltzer, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Retreat by Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Last Gleaming by Joss Whedon, Scott Allie & Georges Jeanty
Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien (audio)
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (audio)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: No Future for You by Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wolves at the Gate by Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Time of Your Life by Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Winter by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Far From You by Lisa Schroeder
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
The Color of Lies by CJ Lyons (audio)
A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean! by Kir Fox
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Cress by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Fairest by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home by Joss Whedon & Georges Jeanty (reread)
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story by Marie Kondō & Yuko Uramoto
We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan & Brian Conaghan
The Lonely Ones by Kelsey Sutton
The Language Inside by Holly Thompson
Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace (audio & ebook)
Slayer by Kiersten White
Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout (audio)
Release by Patrick Ness (audio)
The Whispers by Greg Howard
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd (audio)
Solo by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess
Educated by Tara Westover (audio)
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (audio)
Finale by Stephanie Garber (audio)
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (audio)
George by Alex Gino (audio)
After Zero by Christina Collins (audio)
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (audio)
Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa (audio)
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (audio)
Birthday by Meredith Russo
How to Worship a King: Prepare Your Heart. Prepare Your World. Prepare The Way. by Zach Neese (audio)
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (audio)
White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout (audio, reread)
Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout (audio, reread)
Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout (audio)
Swing by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess (audio)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
Progress: 10 (~1 Connect 5 per month)
My October Theme: Retellings
Cinder – Really, I could use this whole series in this category, but I’m using book one to represent The Lunar Chronicles (since I haven’t used this one in any of my Connect 5s yet).
A Curse So Dark and Lonely – One of the best Beauty and the Beast retellings of ever!
The Evil Queen – This is a Snow White retelling where we get to see how the evil queen turns evil. The series has a twist in that you never quite know which character is the evil queen!
Cursed – This is a King Arthur retelling that focuses on the Lady in the Lake.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky – This book isn’t a pure retelling, but it includes characters from lots of old African American folktales, like Gum Baby and John Henry.
(NOTE: I haven’t reviewed The Evil Queen on the blog, but it’s a 2019 read!)
I already featured these in other Connect 5s, but here are a few other retellings I’ve read this year:
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Book Date
Progress: 6/12 Books Read
Oops! I didn’t read anything this month. It’s looking like I’m going to fail this challenge. 🙁
- Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (2016)
- The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner (2016)
- Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab (2017)
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (2015)
- Winter by Marissa Meyer (2015)
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (2015)
- UnBound by Neal Shusterman (2015)
- Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes (2016)
- Geekerella by Ashley Poston (2017)
- History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera (2017)
- Every Last Breath by Jennifer Armentrout (2015)
- Alienated by Melissa Landers (2014)
Alternates:
- The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis (2016)
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Roof Beam Reader
My bookish resolutions for 2019:
- Write the first draft of new MG. I started working on it again. Not so sure I’m going to finish by the end of the year, but we shall see.
- Read 1 review book for every 1 that I receive. I got 6 books for review this month. Which means, so far in 2019 I’ve received 82 books for review. I reviewed 7 this month and read 2 others I decided not to post to the blog, putting me at 80 for the year. So, I’m technically 2 behind (but I have a few reviews coming soon that I just haven’t gotten posted yet!)
- Read at least 6 books on the craft of writing. I’m failing this one too. I’ve only read 2.
- Read at least 12 books written in verse. (Since I’m writing my next book in verse.) None this month, but 8 so far.
Query 50 agents. Or get an agent. ? (I was a wimp and I only queried 12 agents in 2018. At that rate, I might get an agent in like 2050.)Crossed this one off in February when I signed with East/West Literary!! Will I leave it here, crossed-off, for the rest of the year? I just might.
Non-bookish resolution for 2019:
(This one doesn’t count for the challenge, but I’m putting it here so it’s with my other stuff and I’ll hopefully pay attention to it.)
- Work out 3 times per week. Yeah, I’m officially just not doing this. I’m guessing this will be a new resolution again in the new year.
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Because Challenges Make Reading More Fun
Wrap-Up Round-Up!
Don’t forget to link your October wrap-up posts up to the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up. And enter the giveaway!
So many awesome books read, resolutions completed and reviews done! fantastic year!
I agree!
I was impressed with what you said about the Tall Girl controversy. We just live in an age of rage. If they didn’t like the movie, fine. If being tall wouldn’t bother them, fine. I just don’t understand why we have to discount one person’s feelings, because we believe there are other things that are more “deserving” of the attention. *sigh* Three “absolutely addicted” books is a wonderful thing. I have only read Scars Like Wings, but that was a top read for me as well.
Exactly! It really surprised me to see so much hate thrown at a movie just because people didn’t think tall girls deserve sympathy or attention. Like, wow, why disparage someone because they’re self-conscious about something about themselves? It’s not like she was walking around complaining that she’s “too pretty” or something. Especially since the actress literally got made fun of for her size in real life. There’s room for everyone’s issues, people!
If you’re old, I’m ancient… lol… my baby is in her 20’s. It is bittersweet as they age. Happy November!
Okay, well we can be old together. 🙂
my child is 46….and i try not to think about it too much. LOL looks like you are doing great with your challenges.
Ha! See, guess that goes to show it’s all relative.
My daughter is 28 so when I think about it I feel really old. lol
I’m glad your daughter is recovering.
Yes, we just need to pretend our kids are still babies. LOL!
I’m happy to hear your daughter is recovering and that she(hopefully) doesn’t have to spend much more time in the hospital. 🙂 Congrats on hitting your goal of 150 books! And here I’m struggling to read fifty books. =P
Wishes of a happy November!
Tânia @MyLovelySecret
I’m happy to say we’ve been hospital-free since I wrote this post! (Still ONE more last check-in with the doctor and hopefully she’ll be able to be done with the boot on here ankle too.)
Congrats on hitting your reading goal! I hit mine in October, too, but I set it really low. I haven’t read much this year. I hope you have a great November!
I set mine decently low for me, but I’m happy I hit it!
OmG, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I haven’t been around the blogosphere for a while now so I didn’t know.
Please stay strong, both of you, and I am glad to hear she is doing better.
Thanks so much! I definitely understand not being around the blogosphere as much. These past few months have been more than a little crazy for me, so I could say the same.
I’m glad Jade is doing better; I’m sure it’s been really stressful. I have not seen Tall Girl, but yeah…people that are really tall can definitely have body image issues, etc. so people shouldn’t be commenting on that aspect. The rest of the movie seems a bit strange though. haha
-Lauren
Yeah, it’s been nice to finally start getting back to normal. 🙂
I’m glad you’re enjoying the latest series of The Good Place! I’ve been loving it too, but I really don’t want it to end!
I agree that it’s really sad it’s ending!
I’m glad your daughter is doing better. I rarely sign up for challenges as I’m sure I would fail all of them so I think you are doing great. See my October wrap up
I don’t think I’m going to sign up for many challenges in 2020—I’m going to try to stick to writing goals instead!
I’m so thankful that your daughter is healing! And happy birthday to your 15 year old, that is such a fun age! And congratulations for hitting your reading goal, that’s huge and so amazing! So I haven’t watched Tall Girl yet, but one of my best friends since I’ve been born is almost 6 feet tall. Her dad and two brothers are 6’7″ and her mom is 5’10”. And I will say she definitely struggled in dating. She’s drop dead gorgeous, has the body of a Victoria Secret model (so not fair lol!) but she didn’t have many options dating when we were in school. Thankfully that all changed when we went to college, now I’m super intrigued to watch this movie!
Yes, see, I think it’s rude to disregard someone’s challenges just because you don’t think they’re “important enough” to dwell on. I don’t know that I think Tall Girl was the best movie, but I’m also not sure why so many people had to express outrage just at the concept.
Oh my goodness, I didn’t even realize how much outrage surrounded the movie. I just googled it and my mind is blown. How can anyone belittle any one else’s struggles unless you have walked in their shoes? Or at least that’s how I usually think of things. Ugh, that’s sad. Here’s hoping lots of people find kindness this time of the year ?.
I know, right? It seemed really crazy to me too.
So sorry to hear about your daughter’s accident! Hope she’s feeling a loooot better! <3
Thank you! It’s been a long recovery, but it seems like she’s finally on the other side of things.
Yes to getting back to normal for you and just in time for the holidays! I have a copy of Maybe He Just Likes You on top of my middle grade TBR–it will be next after reading The Dragon Warrior which I am still so happy to have received a finished copy for review from the publisher. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I hope you ended up loving Maybe He Just Likes You!!