Monthly Wrap Up | October 2019


WHAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER
  • It was an extremely busy time at the office and it will only continue through the end of the year. (Calgon take me away!)
  • The hot weather continued and summer was still in full effect in October. We had the hottest Halloween on record (90 degrees). 
  • The Husband took part in the Genesis Boomerand Rally which found me riding shotgun on the Daytona International Speedway. Eeek!
  • It was a trying month with medical procedures (me), dental visits (husband), and a minor car accident (husband).
  • Hockey season started, making me a happy girl. Go Lightning!

WHAT I READ IN OCTOBER


It felt like October was my slowest reading month ever but I actually read two more books than I did in September. Go figure. That's probably because by mid-month I was feeling slightly slumpy. And because it took me two weeks to get through Twice in a Blue Moon which made the reading slump even worse (it's still lingering). But I still had some good reads and a couple stand-outs that really made an impression.

Fireworks by Sarina Bowen | 4.25/5 stars
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey | 3.75/5 stars
Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop | 4.25/5 stars
Twisted by Emma Chase | 4/5 stars
Tangled Bonus Content by Emma Chase | 4/5 stars
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren | 4/5 stars
Well Met by Jen DeLuca | 4.25/5 stars
Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris | 4.5 stars
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin | 4.25 stars

FORMATS
Total Read: 9
2 physical books
5 audiobooks
1 e-book
1 online content (author's site)
(1 ARC: Twice in a Blue Moon)

TOP OF THE HEAP
Cilka's Journey
What a powerful read. When it comes to historical fiction, WW II-era fiction is my nicheand this one delivered a story that was heartwrenching but hopeful.

THE ONE THAT SURPRISED ME
Well Met
What a little gem this one was! I downloaded the audiobook on a whim and was immediately sucked right in by the likable characters, the humor and heart, and the excellent narration. 

THE ONE WHERE I DIDN'T LIKE THE HERO
Fix Her Up
Fix Her Up had a lot going for it - namely main character Gerogie who was such a little ray of positivity and sunshine. But the hero Travis left me seriously wanting. I can't even pinpoint what it was but I was decidedly underwhelmed.

THE ONE THAT MADE ME THINK
All We Ever Wanted
This one was a great mix of interesting and relatable characters plus moral issues. It tackled issues of privilege and entitlement, taking responsbility, and doing what's right even when it's easier not to.


WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BLOG
I had 17 blog posts in October which included 4 reviews: The Burning Shadow, Fix Her Up, Twisted, and Twice in a Blue Moon. I also shared some of my favorite book titles, some of the scariest/creepiest books I've read, and the books I want to read before 2020. I also took part in the October of Books Giveaway and was happy to gift Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books her choice of book. :)


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING
I'm in desperate need of something to save me from this reading slump. And, with epically perfect timing, Lora Richardson offered me a copy of her latest release. I'll be starting this one tonight and I can't wait to immerse myself in Reverie's story. Lora's stories always have that comforting "coming home" feeling for me.


WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE READ IN OCTOBER?

32 comments

  1. Wow, 90 degrees on Halloween? It was snowing here, so we didn’t get any trick-or-treaters. Good luck with the work business! I hope you’re having a great November.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Talk about polar opposites! My 90 degrees to you having snow. Wow!

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  2. You had a great reading month! I see a lot of good books on here. 90 degrees is hot. It was in the high 30s or low 40s here. It was cold!

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    1. Isn't that crazy! Probably a 50 degree difference between us on Halloween. Whoa!

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  3. It has been really hot hasn't it?! At least we have some cooler temps coming thus week. Lows in the 50's here. Youve have some good books read this month. I hope you have a great weekend!!

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    1. Yes! I am so excited for the cooler temps, Jenea! It's only made it into the mid-60's today and it's been overcast and gloomy all day. I'm loving it!:)

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  4. You did great for reading but it's kinda hard to top being shotgun at Daytona! Happy November! Go Leafs Go! :-D

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    1. To be honest, I was more scared than excited while on the track. LOL

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  5. We're hot too, again this week, with temps in the high 80s and 90s. Thankfully, with the shortened days it's not hot for long.

    I really enjoyed Well Met, too. I requested a library copy of Fix Her and didn't get around to listening to it because I was never that excited to read it. I sent it back early and I'm happy seeing as it didn't knock your socks off.

    I also got in a fender bender. Two weeks ago someone plowed into my back end. I wasn't injured other than a sore back for a couple of days, and her insurance is covering it, but it's still a hassle. Glad that your hubby wasn't injured either. :)

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    1. I do that too often with library loans. I'm mildly interested, request the book, and when it's ready I realize I don't really care about reading it at all.

      Oh no, sorry to hear about your accident! Thank goodness insurance is taking care of it. And I hope your back is okay. It really is a hassle dealing with the aftermath.

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  6. So you recommend Cilka's story? I have just finished The Tattooist and want more!

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    1. I definitely recommend Cilka's Journey. I thought it was excellent.

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  7. Glad you enjoyed Well Met. I loved it! I am all about the funny stories that have heart, and that one had both elements in spades. I hope work slows down a bit for you, otherwise, we will have to send the Calgon. (do they sell that anymore?)

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    1. I wonder the equivalent is to Calgon these days? A chai tea latte and an ASMR video? LOL

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  8. I'm glad that even though you were in a bit of a slump, you still had some great reads! I hope November is way better on the medical front!

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  9. 9 books is pretty good going for the month! Especially with a mini slump in the middle!

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    1. Yep, I was surprised that I read as much as I did. I credit audiobooks. :)

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  10. Aww I actually loved Travis in Fix Her Up. It's one of my fave reads of 2019.

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    1. I just wasn't clicking with Travis for some reason... but I'm glad you loved it so much! :)

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  11. That cover for Trusting Winter is gorgeous! And I have several of the books your read on my TBR... waiting for my hold of Twice in a Blue Moon to come available.

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    1. Yes! I am loving the Tristing Winter cover so much, Michelle! I hope you'll enjoy Twice in a Blue Moon!

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  12. I'm excited and kinda nervous to read Twice in a Blue Moon but I WILL read that before the year ends... even though I got loads of books piling up waiting to be read before 2020. I hope this month's better for you, Tanya (and your husband too). Here's to better health, nice weather, less work stress (please do more me-time to yourself if you need to. Your health comes first before anything.) more books and hockey!

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    1. I'll be really interested to see what you think of Twice in a Blue Moon, Chai. Reviews are so mixed. I'm hoping for a better November, too, my friend! :)

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  13. It was pouring rain and cold for our Halloween but we've had hot ones too. It varies quite a bit every year. Seems like you had a great month, despite some challenges! Hope November is starting off well for you.

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    1. Rain and cold for Halloween... boy, were we on opposite ends of the spectrum! :) Hope your November is off to a great start, too, Berls!

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  14. Yeah, I DNF'd Fix Her Up as I could see that it wasn't going to be for me. I'm not having good luck with contemporary adult romance lately!

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    1. Yeah, Fix Her Up was middle of the road for me... I really needed a better hero. LOL

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  15. My favorite read in October was The Institute by Stephen King.

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  16. Sounds like a busy month but considering I've seen a couple of your posts you've said you were struggling with reading speed it's brilliant that you actually managed to read more than last month. I was actually debating buying Fix Her Up but sensibly read the sample first and just instantly knew that book was not for me so it's sad it was disappointing I'm glad I wasn't the only one it didn't work for.

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    1. I know, I was totally surprised to find I read 9 books in November. I give al the credit to audiobooks. :) Too bad Fix Her Up didn't work for you, either. But nice that you realized it quickly instead of working through the whole book like I did. LOL

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