Who can believe that December is finally here?! I’m so excited, it’s unbelievable. The house has been fully decked out with Christmas and the presents have been bought. I AM READY.
But before we get too excited on that front, let’s think back on how I did with reading in November. I had a busy month. Why? I have no idea. I just kept myself very, very busy.
Between participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), doing two, two-week long read-a-thons simultaneously (and vlogging them), whilst working full time, reading and so forth . . . yeah, I had a lot on my plate. I see now why it was a busy month.
Yet I still managed to finish six books! Which, at this point, I think we can say is more or less my monthly average. Am I on track for my Goodreads reading goal? Nope. Will I catch up? Who knows!
I will have more time for reading this month but ach! What will be, will be. Now, let’s see what I actually read . . .
The Boneless Mercies
by April Genevieve Tucholke
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (Epic)
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Published: October 2018
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 352 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
I received this one for review and was so excited about it. It didn’t quite meet my expectations in the end, but I was still thrilled with the story and I’m super keen to continue on the series!
Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold
by Stephen Fry
Genre: Ancient History, Mythology
Author: Stephen Fry
Published: November 2017
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Audiobook Length: 16 hours
Page Count Equivalent: 416 {hardback}
Will I continue the series? YES
This was absolutely mind-blowing. I hadn’t expected to laugh my way through this book out of sheer joy. In all honesty, I don’t think I had had any idea what to expect from this but I loved it. Highly recommend.
Review to come
The Assassin’s Blade
by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Published: March 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 430 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
With the release of the final instalment to this series, Kingdom of Ash, I’ve decided to do a complete re-read of it! So I started with The Assassin’s Blade last month and hope to continue my re-read through December.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
by Mackenzi Lee
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction (Modern)
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Published: October 2018
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audiobook Length: 12 hours
Pages: 450 {hardback}
This was another brilliant story by Lee. I think I preferred the first book but only slightly. Felicity is such a wonderful character and we do so many exciting things in this book!
Review to come
The Lantern’s Ember
by Colleen Houck
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (Paranormal)
Author: Colleen Houck
Published: September 2018
Publisher: Hodder
Pages: 416 {paperback}
I was really pleased that I got around to reading this. I LOVE Houck (we know this) and I was worried I’d somehow not pick this up for a while – but I DID IT! And I loved it. This is quite literally a perfect Halloween read.
Review to come
The Librarian of Auschwitz
by Antonio Iturbe
Genre: Historical Fiction (WWII)
Author: Antonio Iturbe
Published: August 2012
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Pages: 423 {paperback}
This was another book that I received for review and so, so enjoyed. It’s based on a true story and all the more real for it. If you’re a fan of reading historical fiction about the Holocaust, this is not to be missed.
- I did some reviews:
- Guest Post: Libraries that Shaped the World
- Guest Post: Top 10 Elements of Gothic Fiction
- October Book Haul
- I participated in Top Ten Tuesday:
- October Wrap-Up
- Books to Buy this Month
Genres Read:
Pages Read:
Total: 2,487
Progress Towards Goodreads Challenge:
88%, or, 66/75 books
At this point, I’m not sure I’m going to hit my (already lowered) goal of 75 books for this year. I *should* make at least 70 but we will see how I go!
November was a very busy month and I certainly bit off more than I could chew. I participated in NaNoWriMo, as I’ve said, and whilst I didn’t officially win it, I’m still pleased with what I got done. I wrote nearly 30,000 words and am so close to finishing my book! Hopefully, I’ll see the new year in with a completed novel *gasp*.
I had good fun participating in Tome Topple AND The One Read-a-thon but didn’t succeed in completing more than the minimal number of challenges for either. I’m not the fastest reader on the planet and I certainly don’t have a lot of free time right now, so I’m not surprised that I didn’t magically smash out 19173 books in those read-a-thons.
I’m getting all ready and FESTIVE for Christmas. I love Christmas. Very much so. All presents have been bought and organised and I cannot wait! From now on in, the new few months are going to be busy, busy, busy. In just a few week’s time it will be Christmas, and just a few weeks after that, I’ll be going on a month-long, international holiday. The excitement if very real.
I also celebrated mine and Jayden’s one year anniversary (cheesy but cute, alright)! We had the perfect opportunity to celebrate by attending a Sam Smith concert, whom both of us love. It’s scary how quickly a year goes by. Sam Smith was amazing live – such an incredible performance!
But now, let’s see what movies and TV shows I got around to watching last month:
Movies:
The Green Mile, 1999: 7/10 stars
This was on the list of movies to watch that I’m going through with Jayden and some friends. As always, being a Tom Hanks film, it was amazing. If a little intense at times. I was not expecting the paranormal elements in this film (because I hadn’t realised it was based on a Stephen King book!) which was cool.
Sing, 2016: 8/10 stars
This was a rewatch for me – and something I introduced to my parents, who ended up loving it. I don’t know why this film always makes me so happy but I love it. I love all the animals and how none of them is missed out – from whales to llamas to squids – this movie is a real pick-me-up!
Blade Runner 2049, 2017: 7/10 stars
Having previously watched the original together, this movie also made it onto the movie list me and my friends are getting through. I enjoyed this infinitely more than the original. Whilst I still think this story is quite odd and has a weird atmosphere going for it, it was also really cool.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996: 9/10 stars
Obviously, a rewatch. I sat down spontaneously one afternoon with some girlfriends and sang my heart out throughout the entire movie. I love the hunchback and I think this is one of the most underrated Disney films. And also its music – such fantastic songs in this film!
Bohemian Rhapsody, 2018: 8/10 stars
Wowee, what a film. This was also the only film I made it to the cinemas to see this month. I really have been missing out on some new releases. I loved this so much. It was an incredible tribute to both Freddie and Queen. Can’t recommend it enough!
TV Shows:
Doctor Who, series 11
Of course, I’m watching this! Whilst it had a bit of a slow start getting off the ground with this season, the last few episodes I have really enjoyed. I do so love Doctor Who and it’s always nice when there are new monsters at play.
Little Britain, series 2
Jayden and I are still diligently making our way, giggling, through the entirety of Little Britain. My love of this series knows no bounds and I will positively weep when we get to the end of it.
Tick! November done!
What was your favourite book that you read in November?
~~ Kirstie ~~
Upside-Down Books 
Hey lady!!!! Ugh I’m so sorry I’ve been so MIA. I am a crappy book blogger friend. AND I still need to finish watching your Outlander recap you made! Which I promise to do. I just really haven’t sat down since October started. I know, excuses!
It sounds like you had a lovely month despite being busy! Happy 1 year anniversary to you and your man!
Um, how did I not know Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold was a thing?! I’m going to assume that audiobook is the way to go? I also assume he narrates it himself?
Happy to see you enjoyed The Librarian of Auschwitz! Obviously It caught my eye, but I just finished reading The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas and need a little break from WWII HF after that book! It was devastating!
I also read The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy and enjoyed it! While I adore Felicity and thought the story was fun, I felt like it was missing something… I think it was just going to be a hard act to follow when you have a character like Monty…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha that’s alright!! Life is so BUSY. I’m blaming 2018. Let the chill times roll in with 2019! 🥳
Thank youu ❤️ I swear it’s gone as fast as my blogoversaries come around! (I’m pretty sure my blog is like 3 years old now. How did that happen?!)
DUDE. Get reading. If Stephen Fry ever narrates his own books, ALWAYS get the audiobook. He’s so sassy, 100% worth getting an audio copy!
Ooh yes definitely don’t read those two back to back 😂 go read something fluffy like The Confectioner’s Guild and cleanse your soul.
I feel the same! I haven’t written my review yet but yeah, I think I just loved Monty and Percy too much. Am I a bad person if I say Felicity could’ve done with a novella series? 🙈 still, AWESOME book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I *think* my blogiversary is 3 years in February… I do recall us starting our blogs around the same time 🙂 Yay us!
I’m reading a fluffy Christmas book for book club right now, so I think that counts for a soul cleansing lol
YES! OR have at least included more of Monty & Percy… She was really damned either way. Monty was just too great of a character to follow.
LikeLiked by 1 person