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November Wrap-Up and December Goals | 2013

It’s December! I love the Christmas atmosphere of this month – we can finally open our advent calendars, put up our Christmas trees and spread the festive spirit! I’m feeling particularly cheery this year and have a few Christmas posts planned for this month, which I’m really looking forward to writing. A very exciting month ahead!

November was as exciting as I’m hoping December will be and I managed to get a lot read. Woo! I’ve been in a reading slump since the start of September so I’m glad that I’ve finally broken it and I’m getting back into the swing of finding time each day to read. I’m trying to set twenty minutes aside each day to read and this has really helped me feel a lot better and also get a lot more read.

The books I read in November were:

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson, The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop, Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling, When It Happens by Susane Colasanti, Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider.

Choosing a book of the month is going to be very hard, because all of them were so good!
I’m going to have to choose The Darkest Minds because I was totally hooked, and also The Isobel Journal because it’s a favourite of mine now. They’re both completely different, so it’s nice to see a variation in what I’m reading.

Things of note that happened in November:

– I did NaNoWriMo, and then stopped at 12,000 words! You may think that I failed and I know people have been asking me why I stopped and the reason I did stop was because I didn’t feel like I needed to go on. I wasn’t trying to reach 50,000 words this month, although that would have been amazing. Instead I wanted to get something written. So I don’t think I failed and I’m very proud of myself for writing so much in such a short space of time: I think I wrote it in around 5 days.

– I went ice skating! I went with a few of my friends to an ice rink close to me which has been put up for the holiday season and I had so much fun. I’ve always loved ice skating and actually didn’t fall over! I’m hoping to go a few more times in the coming weeks because I realised just how much I enjoy it. I loved watching Dancing on Ice when I was younger and am in awe of the people who can do all those moves and not fall over! I’m so clumsy!

– I went to laser quest, and I failed. It was my friend’s birthday and thirteen of us went. It was lots of fun, but I came 11th. I obviously didn’t channel my inner Katniss Everdeen enough. Maybe next time!

December Goals:

Books I’m Hoping To Read in December:decembertbr 001

 Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle – I’m planning to read this a few days before Christmas, and I am so excited. I’ve heard amazing things about it and it certainly looks promising. I can’t wait!

Memory by Christoph Marzi – This is a review book I have and I love the sound of it. I’m not sure if I’ve read anything similar to it before so I’m looking forward to reading something a bit different.

Della says: OMG! by Keris Stainton – Eeeep! I’m a huge fan of Keris’ books and this is the only one I haven’t read. It sounds fab!

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff – I’m super nervous about starting this because there’s so much hype, and there’s even more now that it has been translated onto the big screen. I’m really looking forward to it, though.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – I thought it was finally time I gave this a go. I’ve read the first chapter or two and I enjoyed it, so hopefully the rest will be just as good.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian – My friend recently read this so I thought I’d give it a go too and it sounds absolutely amazing. Can’t wait!

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The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – This has been likened to Ally Carter’s books, which I loved, so I feel super excited to start it. It sounds so kick ass! It’s also a review book, so expect a review sometime soon!

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher – I was at the launch in October and really enjoyed the part that Lucy read out, so I can’t wait to read the whole book. Another review book!

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales – One that I’ve heard amazing things about and I know I’ll completely adore it, because I don’t think I know of anyone who hasn’t. Yay! Another review book!

Legend by Marie Lu – This sounds awesome and I have a gorgeous hardback copy which just adds to the reading experience. I’ve heard amazing things about it and so I’m keeping my fingers crossed I enjoy it.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – I decided that if I didn’t read it now I would just keep putting it off, so here we are! I have no idea what I’ll think of it, but lets hope I think positive things!

Other Goals:

– I’m hoping to get a lot of posts out this month because I’ve been neglecting the blog a lot lately. I have loads of ideas so I just need to get on and write the posts now!

– Enjoy myself! This is something I really need to focus on because I’ve been feeling like blogging is a huge pressure for ages now. I just want to relax and have fun.

How was your November? Have you set yourself any goals for December? Let me know! 

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Book Spine Poetry

I’ve decided to have a go at book spine poetry. I did it on a bit of a whim so both examples aren’t perfect, but I’m actually quite pleased with the result.

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Under the Never Sky,

Blood Red Road,

Crewel,

Forgotton,

Wild,

Beautiful Disaster,

The Killing Woods.

The idea behind this one was an abandoned road with nothing living there: no animals, no people, nothing.

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Silence

Forever

Before I Die

City of Bones

Hush, Hush.

I wasn’t so sure about this one but think the feel is right. It’s darker and more mysterious and leaves a bit more up to the imagination.

Have you had a go at book spine poetry?

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Stacking the Shelves (15)- The Review Book Edition

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Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! It is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

I didn’t post a book haul last week so this is my haul for the past fortnight.

Bought:

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The Elites by Natasha Ngan- I pre-ordered this one months ago and am so happy to finally receive it! The cover is gorgeous and it looks great alongside my other UKYA books.

Review Books

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The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher- I received a gorgeous finished copy of this so now I have an ARC and this one. Thank you, Chicken House!

United We Spy by Ally Carter- I was so pleased to receive this one and you can read my review here. Thank you, Orchard!

Memory by Christoph Marzi- This one sounds a lot different to anything I’ve read before and I’m really intrigued. Thank you, Orchard!

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake- I love Greek mythology so think this is the book for me. Thank you, Orchard!

Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones- I can’t wait to read this one. It looks so good! Thank you, Orchard!

Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid- I am a HUGE fan of Carmen Reid’s books so can’t wait to start this one. Thank you, Random House!

Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve- Squee! Squee! Squee! I am SO excited to read this and will be doing so as soon as possible. Thank you, Hot Key!

Won

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Every Day by David Levithan- This one sounds amazing and I love the idea. I’m hoping to read it very soon. Thank you, Egmont!

Gifted:

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After I posted my book addict post last week, Fiona from Eventide Reads tweeted me to say she had found these two in a charity shop and I had the biggest freak out ever. It’s my favourite series and I’m collecting all the editions so I’ve got nearly all of them now. Thank you, Fiona!

What did you get this week? 

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August Wrap Up (2013)

August has been a really good month for me. I’ve been off school for the month and have got lots of reading done. In one week, I even read eight books! Wow! I’m trying another format for this months wrap up post so I would love to hear your feedback.

This month I’ve read:

 

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon; The Elites by Natasha Ngan; The Duff by Kody Keplinger; The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa; The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa; Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire; The Distance Between Us by Kasie West; Losing It by Cora Carmack; Faking It by Cora Carmack; The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle; All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill; The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan; Keeping Her by Cora Carmack; All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry; Shadowhunter’s Guide: City of Bones by Mimi O’Connor; Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett; Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein; United We Spy by Ally Carter.

..That’s nineteen books in total!

Next month I’m hoping to read:

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher which looks fab! The cover is absolutely gorgeous, too.

Night School by C.J. Daugherty because I need to read more UKYA.

Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones for the same as above.

Things happening in September:

The second UKYA chat is planned for Friday 13th September at 6:30 PM BST. I’d love to see you all there! Anyone can join in, you don’t have to be a blogger. Authors, bloggers and readers come along for a chat! I have a lot of fun things planned.

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I’m busy planning the UKYA author blog tour in November and lots of other upcoming UKYA events. Very exciting!

Best books of August:

1. Losing It by Cora Carmack

2. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

3. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

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How was your month? Let me know below!