I am extremely late in getting my wrap-up out for this month. Why? I actually forgot, in all honesty. November snuck up on me it seems. But nonetheless, here I belatedly am to tell you about the five magnificent books that I read last month!
I think at this point in the year it’s safe to more or less give up on some of those goals I set myself for the year. Some of them really just aren’t happening. But I’m enjoying what I’m reading and that’s all that really matters, right!? I did get a little bogged down in a book that I actually put down to try again another time, at the start of the month. I would’ve *liked* to have read more than five books this month but ALAS.
Leah on the Offbeat
by Becky Albertalli
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Author: Becky Albertalli
Published: April 2018
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 343 {paperback}
This wasn’t 100% what I was expecting out of this book but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. I thought it was a really sweet story with loads of relatable emotions and insecurities packed into it. But I also wasn’t much of a fan of Leah *shrug*. It’s definitely a 4-star read for me, but another part of me is a little on the fence about it.
Voyager
by Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Published: December 1993
Publisher: Recorded Books
Audiobook Length: 44 hours
Page Count Equivalent: 870 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
Another fantastic book from Gabaldon. Although not as action-packed and thrilling as the first two books, this is still a lot of fun in its own way. It felt a little like a ‘filler’ book but left us on an exciting cliff-hanger and I really enjoyed the character progression we get in this instalment.
Shadow of the Fox
by Julie Kagawa
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published: October 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 464 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
Oh boy, this was incredible. I enjoyed this book on so many levels and I cannot wait to continue the series!! Kagawa has made such a come-back with this novel (the Talon series was a bit of a flop for me) and the Japanese-inspired fantasy in this is to die for. Can’t recommend enough!
The Confectioner’s Guild
by Claire Luana
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery
Author: Claire Luana
Published: October 2018
Publisher: Live Edge Publishing
Pages: 416 {ebook}
Will I continue the series? MAYBE
I requested this one for review because I thought it sounded totally ridiculous and I needed a bit of fun like this in my life. I was totally right. Maybe there were a few plot holes but I had so much fun. This was an up-lifting, fluffy bit of YA fantasy that I highly recommend to lift your spirits!
And I Darken
by Kiersten White
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Author: Kiersten White
Published: June 2016
Publisher: Listening Library
Audiobook Length: 14 hours
Page Count Equivalent: 484 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
I’m totally hooked on this series. I’ve been wanting to read it for so long but my TBR is so enormous. And then I had the brilliant idea that I could just get the audiobook. So I did. I’m going to continue reading the series in paperback format, however, because I cannot rush through this story as fast as I want to whilst listening to an audiobook. SO GOOD.
Review to come
- I reviewed some books:
- I participated in Top Ten Tuesday:
- September Book Haul
- September Wrap-Up
- October 2018 Releases
Genres Read:
Pages Read:
Total: 2,577
Progress Towards Goodreads Challenge:
80%, or, 60/75 books
October was a pretty easy going month for me. As far as I can remember (because who can even remember what happened a month ago?) nothing of particular note occurred. I’m still working three jobs (hahahahaha…..) and have no idea when THAT part of my life will take a chill pill but I’m happily buying and reading books like there’s no tomorrow.
Speaking of buying books, I will have my October book haul up hopefully (fingers crossed) this week. I bought 16 books this month (#outofcontrol) and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. Whilst I’d love to continue spending my hard-earned paychecks in such a manner, my TBR has put its foot down and so has my common sense.
So instead, I’m buying books for other people. Christmas is just around the corner now, so can you blame me? I’m getting on top of that present game! I’m so looking forward to the upcoming months because I have several exciting things happening. Notably, I’m travelling for a month just after Christmas and I cannot WAIT! But the other exciting bits of news you’ll just have to sit tight and wait for.
Before I dive in and show you the movies I’ve been watching I will preface it to say – as I’ve forgotten to in previous months – I’m actually working my way through a movie list with my boyfriend – Jayden – and a couple of his mates. So there have certainly been some, shall we say unexpected, movies on this list. But it’s been fun to give them a go.
Movies I Watched:
Mulan, 1998: 8/10 stars
A re-watch for me but, shockingly, something Jayden had not seen before. This has now been remedied and I thoroughly enjoyed singing my way through one the of the best Disneys (you can’t deny it, Mushu + great songs = fabulousness).
Venom, 2018: 7/10 stars
This was so entertaining! I’d heard bad things before I’d seen it, that it was mediocre etc. But when I went along to the cinema I was thoroughly surprised by just how entertaining this film was. Definitely something you should go and watch yourself!
A Monster Calls, 2016: 7/10 stars
This had been on my radar for some time to check out because the graphic novel was such a hit and the movie was too when it was released. So I finally sat down to watch it and WOW, it is INTENSE. But really good – just have your tissues handy and your emotions strapped in tight.
TV Series I Watched:
Anne with an E, 2017: series 2
I finished this! Technically I finished this *this* month in November but shhh. I’ve really been enjoying this and it’s been my little enjoyable downtime whenever I find an hour to spare in amongst all the books I’m reading.
Tick! October done!
What was your favourite book that you read in October?
~~ Kirstie ~~
Upside-Down Books 
WOW I love your wrap up! You have so much included! I just got a copy of Shadow of the Fox and need to get a copy of The Confectioner’s Guild, I loved the series The Spellwork Syndicate, which also combined baking and magic.
I also loved watching Anne with an E, it was so cute and so fulfilled what I wanted it to be.
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Thanks!! Ooh I hope you enjoy Shadow of the Fox, probably one of my favourite reads for the year!! Nice 😁
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I’m excited to get to it!
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Nice wrap-up. Love all your stats! That does my heart good!
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Thank you!! ❤️
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OOH I really want to read Shadow of the Fox – it sounds amazing! I read And I Darken last year and absolutely LOVED IT. I think I need to reread it and then binge-read the sequels afterward. 🙂
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Shadow of the Fox is absolutely brilliant and I can’t recommend it enough! Haha And I Darken is definitely binge-worthy 😱
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