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October 2015: Recap + On My Shelves


I kept expecting my blogging momentum to pick up in October, but it never did. It ended up being a month where I spent more time reading and watching TV, and that's okay, too! Maybe November will turn the tide...

1. Bean Boots - I've been wanting a pair of L.L. Bean Duck Boots for a while now, and I finally took the plunge and ordered a pair in October! They're usually backordered for weeks, but I lucked out somehow. We don't have very cold weather winters in Georgia, but they're often rainy and gross. So, these are perfect!

2. #OTSPSecretSis Gift - My secret sister just keeps spoiling me! I loved this month's package of fall goodies, as well as the fun little extra Halloween surprise that arrived later. I'm excited for this Young Adult book from my wishlist and devoured the candy. Starbucks' seasonal drinks are back, so the gift card is perfectly timed, too!

3. Lindsey Loves Mindy (& Me!) - Lindsey knows that I love Mindy Kaling, and she recently started watching The Mindy Project. I've had so much fun discussing it with her! So, I was thrilled when I opened this adorable surprise. I'd seen a photo of the tote bag on social media but didn't know how to get one for myself. NOW I HAVE ONE!

4. Mail from Morgan - I recently fell in love with the Every series by Ellie Marney, and I was lamenting the wait for the third book. Thankfully, Morgan generously sent me her Australian copy to read! Y'all, it was so good. I basically dropped everything else on my TBR to read it first. My Wattscroft-obsessed heart is so happy.

Read 10 Books | Favorites:
First & Then by Emma Mills
Every Word by Ellie Marney
These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly
Every Move by Ellie Marney

Challenge Progress:
1 Fantasy for Flights of Fantasy Challenge
2 Re-Reads for The Re-Read Challenge
0 Diverse Read for Dive into Diversity
2 Series for Series a Month
"I have seen the aftermath of death, the incredible mechanism of the body laid bare,
and I know now that each person is a kind of miracle. A spark nestles like a bird inside our chests,
so deep that we can't find where it lives, but it is everything. It's what makes us dream and think
and feel and laugh and sing. And it is a mystery, and it is mundane, and, above all, it is fragile.
Any moment could be our last."
Every Word by Ellie Marney

 "She wanted a smile that was meant only for her."
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

+ a bunch of These Shallow Graves quotes that I forgot to write down...
[Most Popular]
Review: Every Breath and Every Word by Ellie Marney
Discussion: "I just want YOU." {Anne + Gilbert's Love Story}

[Personal Favorite]
Overall: The Anne & Gil post, linked above!
Review: Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery
Discussion: Book Boy Roulette
1. The Literary Shopaholic: You Can Never Get A Cup Of Tea Large Enough by Jen from Pop! Goes the Reader - I'm a huge fan of Jen's shopping posts, even though the end result is often a long list of things I wish I could buy. This edition - featuring mugs - is no exception! I think this mug is my favorite featured in the post.

2. Is Twitter Replacing Blog Interaction? by Holly from The Fox's Hideaway - This topic has been on my brain lately because I've noticed the shift from comments to tweets. I loved Holly's thoughtful reflection on the topic, and I agree with so much of what she wrote. For better or worse, book blogging is evolving in many ways.

3. Voices in Fantasy by Alexa from Alexa Loves Books - I knew about this feature before it debuted on Alexa's blog (yay behind-the-scenes brainstorming sessions!) and couldn't wait to see it live. As expected, it was even more fun once it was real! I enjoyed hearing from favorite fantasy authors about their love for the genre.

Favorite Album: Revival from Selena Gomez
I've never been a huge fan of Selena Gomez, but I can't stop listening to her new album.
It's so addicting! My favorite songs are "Hands to Myself," "Same Old Love" and "Sober."

Project Runway, Season 14 - I used to love watching Project Runaway, but it's been a long time. I happened to catch the premiere of the new season, and now I can't stop watching. I'm not super impressed with any of the designers (though Kelly is probably my favorite), but I still can't wait to find out who wins in the upcoming finale.



Reign, Season 2 - I was addicted to Season 1 on Netflix, even though I thought it was absolutely ridiculous, and started watching Season 2 live last fall. I made it through a few episodes before I took it off my DVR. But when I got an email that it was added to Netflix, I decided to dive back in and binge. Now, I'm hooked again...

Bought: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas, These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly and First & Then by Emma Mills, 

Gifted: Mosquitoland by David Arnold (in What I Loved) and The Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick (Thanks, Mom!)

Borrowed: Every Move by Ellie Marney (in What I Loved)

For Review (ARC / NetGalley): Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum, The Imposter Queen by Sarah Fine and First & Then by Emma Mills

3 comments

  1. It looks like you had a pretty great October, binge watching series and all! (And now you've made me even more curious about Reign. Thanks for that!) I'm happy to see that First & Then made it to your top reads for this month, and I'm so grateful for the Voices in Fantasy shoutout! <3

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  2. Ah, I'm glad to see These Shallow Graves on your faves list! I was really hoping to read that in October, but I never did get around to it. I'm also glad to see you're enjoying Reign. I watched the first season and pretty much snarked about it the whole time, but it was fun even though it was ridiculous. Haha. I'm curious about the 2nd though, I've heard such mixed things about it. I really hope November goes better for you in blogging! It's no fun when you're in a slump, something I knew full well but I think I'm finally getting out of mine. And, again, thanks for sharing my post! I wasn't sure about that one, but the responses I received made me glad I posted it. :)

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  3. I'm glad that I'm not the only one in a bit of a blogging slump, but glad to hear that you've been enjoying other things =) I think there's just something about the end of the year that un-motivates me. Maybe because I'm SO excited and motivated at the beginning of the year, so I crash and burn halfway through? I don't know ... but here's hoping that it picks up for both of us soon!

    One of the things that I've enjoyed during this slumpy period is the fact that I've slowed down with my reading and have really savoured my books. It took me three weeks to read Queen of Shadows and then just over three weeks to read A Discovery of Witches. It's been really enjoyable to savour a book slowly, rather than my usual quick reading pace.

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