Oh my goodness, was November a stressful month or what? The presidential election took a toll on my mental health, as did COVID cases rising. Luckily, I am very happy with the outcome of the election and even though I know the next few months will be very difficult, I am hopeful that things will get better in 2021.
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Books I Read
I’m a children’s librarian, so I read books for kids and for grown-ups. This month, I read 5 picture/early reader books and 9 “big” books, including audiobooks, adult novels, and chapter books for children.
A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book even more than I expected to. With a steamy and romantic love story and excellent plot, what’s not to love? I appreciated that Kate and her friend Caro are strong women with feminist ideals. I also liked that while the hero is a cop (not my favorite archetype with everything going on in the world) he recognizes corruption in the police force and actively works against it. Truly a fun, romantic read!
The Invasion by K.A. Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun, fast-paced adaptation of the original Animorphs! I really enjoyed it and found myself ready to dive into Book 2. This was a quick read for me – it took me about an hour. My thanks to the authors, publishers, and Edelweiss for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law by Jeffrey Rosen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Absolutely an interesting listen. I learned so much about RBG, her views, her life, and her experiences. I listened to the audiobook, which was expertly narrated. I appreciated the extra at the end of the audiobook with sounds of an actual conversation between her and the author.
Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network and Increase Your Influence by Molly Beck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a quick and informative listen. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook. Molly Beck shows us her strategy for reaching out while teaching us how to develop and enact our own reach out strategy. It’s a little simplistic but I still learned a lot. I took notes on what was valuable to me at this point in my career.
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Flirtation & Folly by Elizabeth Rasche
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a lovely story about Marianne, a country girl who has grown up in the shadow of her pretty sister. She gets to spend a season in London with her aunt and has some really fanciful ideas from all the romance novels she’s read. As sweet and relatable of a character as she is, for the first half of the novel there were times I wanted to shake her for being so naïve!
There are a lot of characters in this one, but it was easy to keep track of them after a few chapters. Their personalities, motivations, or descriptions are all strong.
I expected this to be more of a romance from the cover, but the blurb is an accurate description. We get a HEA, but the story is told entirely from Marianne’s POV and shows her journey to get to know herself and understand that society life is not all just imagined it would be.
Look out for my full review at https://bitchbookshelf.com tomorrow. My thanks to the author, publisher, and HFVBT for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Never met an Elephant and Piggie I didn’t love.
A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute, simple, and funny book about friendship and different personalities!
Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an epic tale about a historical figure I knew nothing about. I was totally engrossed. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
It’s in His Kiss by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m trying to finish this series before the premiere of the Netflix show and I’m so glad I revisited it. Hyacinth and Gareth’s story was sweet, sexy, and exciting. I love Hyacinth and her relationship with one of the best characters in the series, Lady Danbury.
A Friend Like You by Tanja Askani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Adorable photography, and I loved the backstories provided at the end.
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a cute read though I couldn’t help but feel Gregory was up to some of the Bridgerton bullshit from the first few novels during the climactic part. 🙄 Also, the second epilogue has a happy ending but is really sad?? I loved the first 70% of this one but then I just got annoyed with a lack of communication and weird kidnapping of sorts, plus I didn’t like how a gay character was just used as a subplot. He deserves a HEA too. Not the best end to the series but I’m still glad I read it.
Unsolicited Duke Pic by Nico Rosso
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was exactly the light-hearted novella I needed tonight. I bought this one for 99¢ on Kindle because I love Eva Leigh (a pen name of this author’s wife) and her Union of the Rakes series, and this one promised a backstory for one of the characters. (Though you definitely don’t need to read the series to appreciate this book at all.) Also, the title is hilarious. This went beyond my expectations of something quick and fun for a sexy, compelling read with two characters who communicate their feelings and desires while navigating a classist society and their power dynamics within it. I also loved the diverse cast and wanted to read even more about them!
Baby Bear Counts One by Ashley Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A counting book about what animals do to prepare for winter. I like this for a 1-on-1 read with a child.
Old Bear Board Book by Kevin Henkes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A cute book with lovely illustrations about dreams and hibernation.
I might use this one for a hibernation-themed baby storytime.
A Peek Into My Planner
I’ve been trying to fill out my planner each day to keep myself organized and to use the plethora of planner supplies and stickers I possess. (I use The Happy Planner.) In July, I started a brand new planner. Here are my weekly spreads for November.
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I’ve been keeping track of my moods to keep an eye on my depression and anxiety. This was a rough month for me. In November, I felt:
- Good – 6 days
- Anxious – 4 days
- Okay – 4 days
- Relaxed – 4 days
- Happy 3 days
- Lazy – 2 days
- Nervous – 2 days
- Bored – 1 day
- Frustrated – 1 day
- Moody – 1 day
- Optimistic – 1 day
- Productive – 1 day
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More Stuff I Did
Aside from stressing out about the election, I discovered a beautiful park near my apartment that I have spent some time at. It’s on the water so I’m not sure I will visit much as it gets colder. I also watched BoJack Horseman Season 1 and the movie Moonstruck for the first time.
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I also tried NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) as I often do, and failed as I always do.
#NaMoWriMo email: All your hard work this month was worth it.
Me, who capped in under 6k: pic.twitter.com/4QGm5dzqvr— winebrarian (@bitchbookshelf) December 2, 2020
Because I’ve been blogging about more than just book reviews, I wanted to share some of my “other” posts from this month:
Lifestyle
Blog Hops, Memes, and Challenges
Library
Other Bookish Posts
Writing
Looking Ahead: December
I have no idea what this holiday season will bring. Will I spend it with my parents or alone? Will I end up leaving the city for a few weeks or months if my job shuts down and spending the entirety of the winter with my parents? This will be a strange holiday season for everyone. Everyone, I encourage you to stay safe and especially if you are in a place with a high rate like I am, to stay home.
Entertainingly Nerdy
You know I still haven’t read any of the animorph’s and I know I need too!
Kate
I highly recommend the graphic novel!
Whispering Stories
The election was stressful over here so I hate to think what it was like for you guys. Great books you read this month and I love your planner.
Kate
Thanks! And yes, I loved seeing folks in other countries celebrating the outcome too!! 😂
Empress DJ
I always love peeking at your planner
Kate
🧡🧡🧡
Nadene (TtllyAdd2Reading)
I can imagine how stressful the elections were for you. When I heard what was happening all I managed to do was shake my head. I know a lot of persons are happy with the outcome. I hope you have a great December.
Kate
Yes, it was so stressful! Thanks so much, and wishing you a good December too. 💕
Bewitched Reader
You had a great month! And I love your planner!
Kate
Thanks so much! ❤️
karensiddall
I am glad to see your rating for Tsarina – I have it right here and have been nudging it closer to the top of the TBR but never the top.
Kate
I hope you read and enjoy it as much as I did! 🥰
Vidya Tiru
i am re-reading the bridgerton series too!!! and it is on hold at all the libraries nearby.. decided it is ok to read out of order as it is a re-read and now have two left to go, one of which i got today 🙂 (and i think that had been my fav one earlier – romancing mr. bridgerton).. and on the way to the wedding was the least fav for me..
a special friend looks so cute as does mo willems books (as always)
Kate
I think Colin, Eloise, and Francesca are the best Bridgertons so I liked their books the most.