October was a good month. We went to my daughter’s college to see a football game and got to have a meal with her and her new boyfriend. My daughter also came home for a weekend and we celebrated my mom’s 70th birthday with as much of the immediate family we could gather.
Piper has been quite the handful this month. She is now 5 1/2 months old and is into absolutely everything. In some ways, it is like having a toddler except I am allowed to lock her in a crate when necessary. She is pretty cute though.
My reading has been all over the place. I got through 16 books but a lot of them were really short. I listen to audiobooks while I am at work so I usually get a lot of listening time but it has been really hard to find the time to actually sit down with a book. I am really struggling with the fact that I always feel like I am behind and nothing I do seems to help.
I am linking this post to the Monthly Wrap-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction.
The Old
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
Ravencry by Ed McDonald – Review
Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf – Review
The New
The Institute by Stephen King – Review
Shadows by Kristen Proby – Review
Survive the Chaos by Grace Hamilton – Review
Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen – Review
Bickering Birds by Mildred Abbott – Review
Fortress of Blood by L.D. Goffigan
The Anything
(Whatever I felt like reading)
Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy – Review
Traitorous Toys by Mildred Abbott – Review
Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost – Review
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – Review
Dead Voices by Katherine Arden
First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
Digital Books: 4
Re-Reads: 3
NetGalley: 1
Edelweiss: 0
Direct from Publisher/Author/Narrator/Publicist: 8
Purchased/Freebie: 5
Kindle Unlimited: 0
Borrowed/Library: 4
*some books may fit into more than one category
Challenges
Goodreads: 144/100
Blogger Shame: 3 read towards the challenge in October / 30 total for the year
Audiobook Challenge: 10 read towards the challenge in October / 75 total for the year
New Release Challenge: 5 read towards the challenge in October / 66 total for the year
End of the Month NetGalley Stats
Feedback Ratio: 86%
560 Approved | 480 Feedback Sent
End of the Month Edelweiss Stats
10 books to review (9 to read) | 88 downloaded
My reading has been so slow lately. I don't know if I don't have the time to read or I'm just not *making* the time to read. That's awesome that you can listen to audiobooks at work! Color me jealous. 🙂 I adored the Him/Us duet and the audio versions were so well done. And I'm looking forward to picking up Moonlighter soon.
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
Sounds like a great month. October didn't turn out like I planned reading wise as well. However, I am trying to enjoy the process a lot more and not put so much pressure on myself. That being said, I committed to a lot of blog tours in November so I am not taking my own advice. Oh yes, I remember the puppy stages fondly. We are "talking" about taking the puppy plunge after the holidays maybe. At least we are talking about it. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I think 16 books is pretty impressive. I wish I could read that much in a month. I do not miss having puppies. Mine destroyed anything they could reach. Happy November!
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Piper might well be less trouble than some of the toddlers I see with their parents! They are evil little monsters! And not as cute as Piper either…Looks like a good solid reading month too!
I think you had a good reading month. I am having the same issue and feelings that nothing I do is catching me up. I AM having a 2 day weekend now with dog training ended. I just keep working at it. I am trying not to take so many ARCs but it is very hard if it is something I really want to read anyway.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I feel you. My physical book reading time has dwindled to a half our a day and makes me so sad. I know this period in my life won't last forever but it's frustrating. I've been supplementing with audio as well. I am SO thankful for audio.
*hour Good grief I need coffee!
some great looking books. i know what you mean about not being able to say no to good looking books. about the only way i can do it is not look.
sherry @ fundinmental
Yep, the age old struggle to stay on top of the TBR/ARC pile. 🙂 I think you're doing well even if it feels like you're not.
Neat to see your daughter and her boyfriend. Oh yes, we've broken out the winter wear around here for our walks, too. 🙂
Have a great November, Carole!
"I am allowed to lock her in a crate when necessary" I'm sorry but that made me laugh. 🙂 Yes puppies are SO rambunctious. And I hear you- October went by so fast, I can't believe it's Nov. 1st already!!
I really need to read Ten Thousand Doors of January.
Your month sounds like a good one. I'm glad you able to spend some time with your daughter and her boyfriend. My reading has been a little all over the place too. My daughter is homes schooled and her Algebra has gotten the better of this year. Ugh. So, we've been spending a lot more time than normal doing work, so reading has taken a back seat quite a bit lately. Hope you have a great weekend!
I understand feeling like you are always behind, but I try not to let it get to me. I am attempting to reduce my obligations and free read more, though. It hurts traffic on the blog, but it' better for me. I laughed about being able to crate Piper. It's been so long, I forgot what a handful a puppy could be, but she is super adorable.
16 books, impressive. I only managed to finish 10 for this month. I hope to make it to 12 this month.
reading's gonna drop because I'm doing nanowrimo ..wish me luck!
I'm sure Piper will be a handful for some time. Falcor is 5 years old and still a handful. I told Ken it's like having a 2 year old kid forever. lol
LOL. Except I get yo lock her in a crate, haha, yes, at least you can do that with a naughty puppy
Looks like a great reading month!!
I'm hoping to read The Institute this month!! 🙂
I am devouring UF with ease and mostly audio, but slowly slipping into books again. I laugh because I think I am in a rut and managed 18 books/audios last month. It felt like a rut, not sure why. LOL Ah puppies and mischief! It is freezing here and I hate it. I want summer back.
I loved Bring Me Their Hearts, and I'm so excited that Find Me Their Bones comes out this month. Just need to get a copy and find time to read it. LOL
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Outstanding month! I have The Institute as well — only my second Stephen King book, tbh. Let's hope we'll both enjoy.
Have a great November, Carole!
Make sure you stay warm! I am glad you were able to enjoy a lot of time with family and that your pupper is getting accustommed to home 🙂 My reading was quite all over the place in October too and November is shaping up to be quite similar…