I’m trying a different format for my monthly recaps. Now instead of just including the books I reviewed and the weekly tags I took part in I’m going to include what books I brought and some of what I will be planning to read next month.
Anyways after my fantasy slump last month I was back on track this month. I didn’t blog as much given that I was in Algarve for the first week of October but I got through some amazing books, and have even more amazing reads planned for next month.
Books I Reviewed
Chaos Walking Trilogy
This series is completely addictive. Before I picked up the first book I’d heard all about how amazing it was but nothing prepared me for how much I’d end up loving this trilogy.
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Uprooted was another book I’d heard so much about before picking it up. Inspired by fairytales and folklore I knew even before I started it I’d love it, luckily the story lived up to my expectations.
ARC Review: Timekeeper by Tara Sim
The cover and the blurb were what made me request this book from NetGalley, and I’m glad I did. An addictive story with amazing characters, I can’t wait for the second book to be released now.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
I love sci-fi, although I haven’t read much from the genre when compared to fantasy, and this book has to be one of the best. Full of diversity and amazing character it’s an unforgettable read.
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
There are a lot of mixed reviews for this book but I actually ended up really enjoying it. Yes the story was a little confusing at times but overall I understood enough to follow what was happening.
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Books I Picked Up Due to Glowing Recommendations or Reviews
Top Ten Characters I’d Love to Have as Family Members
Top Ten Books that are Perfect Reads for Halloween
Waiting on Wednesday
The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
Our Dark Duet by V.E. Schwab
Lucky in Love by Kasie West
Does anyone remember when I said I was going to be on a book buying ban until the new year? No? Me neither. Some of these were pre-orders, however most were impulse buys when I saw reviews or heard other people talking about them, or even because I read the book as an ARC and had to go out and buy it myself.
Bloomsbury
Waterstones
- Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs
- Half Bad by Sally Green
- More Than This by Patrick Ness
Check out my review here. - The Last Beginning by Lauren James
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Amazon
- Replica by Lauren Oliver
- Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Check out my review here. - When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
Check out my review here. - Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Fairy Loot
- Metaltown by Kristen Simmons
I had both Replica and Blood for Blood on my to-read list for last month and didn’t manage to get around to either. So on top of those two I need to pick up The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and Labyrinth Lost this month after hearing amazing things about both.
Replica by Lauren Oliver
Two girls, two stories, one epic novel.
From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Replica is a “flip book” that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra’s story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma’s story. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey. Even the innovative book jacket mirrors and extends the reading experience.
Lyra’s story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects – Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72 – manage to escape.
Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions.
While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Replica is an ambitious, thought-provoking masterwork.
Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin
The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin’s Wolf by Wolf.
There would be blood.
Blood for blood.
Blood to pay.
An entire world of it.
For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.
Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.
But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?
This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger. She wakes from a coma in hospital with no memory of how she got there or of the bizarre accident that caused the deaths of her best friends and her boyfriend, yet left her mysteriously unharmed. The doctors suggest that starting over in a new city, a new school, would be good for her and just to let the memories gradually come back on their own.
But Mara’s new start is anything but comforting. She sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and when she suddenly begins to see other people’s deaths right before they happen, Mara wonders whether she’s going crazy! And if dealing with all this wasn’t enough, Noah Shaw, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen can’t seem to leave her alone…but as her life unravels around her, Mara can’t help but wonder if Noah has another agenda altogether…
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.
I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family – is gone.
Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.
The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…
Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure.
So, any thoughts on the new format of my monthly recaps? Next month is going to be a very special one for me because on the 17th of November I will have reached my one year blogiversary. I’m not sure what I’m planning at the moment but there will be a giveaway so stay tuned.
I’m so glad you’re gonna be reading Mara Dyer!! So psyched!
I’m almost done with Vassa in the Night and it’s all coming down to the ending for me! I guess we will see…
Great haul!
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Yep, it’s probably going to end up on my December TBR list though, I’m hoping to start The Kiss of Deception this month instead, though honestly who knows, that could all change.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed the ending makes the book worthwhile for you then! 😀
Thanks Stephanie. 🙂
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I’m so thrilled you’ll be reading The Remnant Chronicles…you won’t regret a min of your decision!
And I’m dying to read the last book in the trilogy!! We will see!
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I certainly hope not, and I’m going to try and start it next week because I have four books on my to-read list for before The Kiss of Deception. 🙂
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Hey, I know how that goes…definitely!😂😂😂
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Amazing wrap up post, Beth 😍😍 I’m loving this new format! It’s super pretty. And ahh, so exciting that your 1 year blogiversary is coming up!!
Like always your reading and reviewing month was amazing. And that is such a great haul! I finished Gemina a few days ago and I’m in such a book hangover. I’m so obsessed with it. I’m really glad you enjoyed A Long Way To A Small Angry Planet. That’s one I’ve been meaning to read for ages now!
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Thanks so much Lauren, and yeah I’, definitely going to stick to this new format for a while, at least until I come across something I like better. I am so excited about my one year blogiversary as well, not sure what I’m going to do for it but the fact that I’ve made it a year is a huge achievement for me.
Thanks again! ❤ Oh Gemina is just the kind of book to give you a massive hangover isn't it? But did you enjoy it? Also I'd highly recommend The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, especially if you're a fan of sci-fi stories. It's a brilliant one with just the most amazing characters I've read in a while now!
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Great wrap up and yay for nearly a year *flails* woo! You hauled so many great books I’m dying to get my hands on the illustrated Chamber of Secrets XD
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Thanks so much, and yes I am very excited to reach my one year blogiversary. It’s going to be a big achievement for me for a few reasons actually.
Way more books than I was supposed to given I’m on a book buying ban though, and the illustrated Chamber of Secrets is amazing. I hope you manage to get your copy soon! 😀
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I’ve been putting off buying it because I know I don’t “need” it and I want so many other books but I’m going to crack soon and get it anyways XD
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The fact that you’ve made it this long is definitely an accomplishment. If I ever want to buy a book I do, I have no impulse control which is why my bank account is starting to hate me! 🙂
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I need to finish off the Mara Dyer series … I also have Replica on my TBR, by I need to get a copy first!!
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I’m currently reading Replica at the moment and it’s an interesting book, I can’t wait to get back into it now! Hopefully I’ll get around to Mara Dyer soon, and I hope you manage to finish off the series and enjoy it as well! 😀
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It definitely looks interesting 🙂 and hopefully… although I may need to re read the rest of the series because it was a long time ago
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Well everyone has said it’s an amazing series, and if you enjoyed it before I’m sure you’ll enjoy re-reading it too right? 🙂
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yup!
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Wonderful wrap up! ❤
I'm seriously exited about Blood for Blood! I can't wait to see how Yael's story is going to wrap up. I hope to get my hands on the book really soon and then I'm going to buddy read it with a friend. It's going to be amazing!
Labyrinth Lost sounds really interesting, I have seen a lot of people talk about it recently. I can't wait to hear you opinion on it as well. 🙂
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Thanks so much Anna! ❤
I just finished Blood for Blood yesterday and oh my god it is just amazing, a brilliant and terrifying and heartbreaking story. It more than lives up to the first book and I think you'll really love it. I hope you and your friend manage to get around to it soon Anna.
I've heard so many things about Labyrinth Lost, amazing things. It seems to be pretty big around WordPress so I'm excited to see if it lives up to the hype! 😀
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I’m soooo glad to hear that! 😀 It makes me even more exited to be reading it (hopefully soon).
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Oh, fantastic wrap-up, Beth ! ❤
I can't wait to get blood for blood but I don't know when that will be *sobs* I hope you love it though 😀
By the way, I love the little graphics !!
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Thanks so much Fadwa! ❤
I actually finished Blood for Blood earlier today and there are no words to describe how much I loved it; though it's is a terrifying and wonderful and heartbreaking ride at times!
Thanks. 😀
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Oh my god I’m gonna cry I NEED IT NOW 😭😭😭😭
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I nearly cried reading it, but yeah definitely start this book ASAP. It’s amazing! 🙂
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I will as soon as it is available to me ?
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Oh I didn’t realise it hadn’t been released where you are yet. Is it long to wait still?
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I actually don’t know as we don’t have set dates here 😅 I’ll get the ebook whenever it is available to me
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That must make it hard to wait for your most anticipated upcoming releases. 🙂 But hopefully you’ll be able to get your hands on it soon. It’ll be well worth the wait as well! 😀
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Yeaah it can be annoying especially with everyonr talking about said books but well, it’s okay, as long as I get to eventually read them 😊
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I guess in a way it can help heighten the anticipation as well, especially with a book like Blood for Blood which you’re guaranteed to love! 😀
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Great wrap-up! Book buying bans are made to be forgotten anyway! 😀 I’ve been on one for four months and I’ve never bought as many books as these last few weeks! You had quite a busy October! I read two reviews for Replica and I love the concept, I hope you enjoy it! Happy November!!
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Thanks so much Donna, and yeah I’m thinking that given it’s the way most of my book buying bans have gone recently. But wow four months?! I can’t even imagine that, and I can barely last one month let alone four!
Yep, I was happy with what I managed to get through last month, and hopefully I’ll enjoy Replica as well. Are you planning to pick it up?
Thanks! ❤️
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Yep, I hope to get Replica at some point, when I’m done with my TBR… that can take a while!!
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I just finished Replica a little while ago. It’s a good book but not my favourite this month so far (then again it has tough competition from Crooked Kingdom and Blood for Blood.)
Yeah, my TBR list can be the same! 😀
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I hope you like Labyrinth Lost as much as I did. I really like the story and the mythology. You’ve got a lot of good books in this post. I also want to read Replica. I wanted to request an ARC months ago, but they were only giving them to customers in Australia.
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I hope so as well. I’ve seen so many amazing reviews for the book so far and given what everyone’s said I’ve just gotten more and more excited. 😀
Yeah I saw that ARC as well, I did hope they’d maybe post an English one so I could request it but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Still I have a copy now! 🙂
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Great new format, Beth. 🙂 Looks like you were a busy blogger this month – so many reviews! I wish I could be productive enough to get that many done in a month. Also, so jealous that you’ve got your hands on the deluxe edition of The Chamber of Secrets – it’s so beautiful!
Happy reading for November! 🙂
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Thanks so much Sammie. I was pleased with the books I got through, especially considering I was away for the first week of October as well. Then again I travel three hours to work each day which equals a lot of reading time each month. 🙂
Oh it’s so beautiful, really expensive but in the end completely worth it.
Thanks Sammie, and I hope you have a great November as well! 😀
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Looks like a really productive month, Beth! You’ve posted so many reviews and seems like you enjoyed most of them. And that physical copy for Vassa is so beautiful; I think I should get one soon. 🤔
I’m also reading Blood for Blood soon and can’t wait to tuck into the story. I hope you enjoy Labyrinth Lost and Mara Dyer – I’m especially curious about the latter and I’ve heard good things about it.
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Yes I was pleased with what books I got through this month, and most of them were amazing reads as well! I got my physical copy of Vassa in my Fairy Loot box this month but it’s definitely beautiful, and it looks really pretty on my bookshelves! 🙂
I just finished Blood for Blood half an hour ago and oh god I am not sure what I feel about it. Definitely a brilliant book but terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time. Yeah I’ve heard so many amazing things about Mara Dyer, I have high expectations now but I think it will meet them, I hope it will anyways. 😀
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That’s good! What do you think was the latest disappointment you’ve read? I feel like you rarely read something that you dislike, and I need to learn your ways. 😛
Oh noooo. Heartbreaking in a good way, I hope? I’m reading it with Sara so I’m just waiting for her to get her copy.
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Definitely, and actually I think the last disappointing book I read was Stealing Snow at the end of September, so quite a while back actually. Honestly I’m not sure how I do it though. 🙂
I’m not going to say but I’ve rated the book five stars so overall it is just amazing. The first book was heartbreaking in its own way as well though, I think it’s just the nature of stories set in World War II.
In that case I hope Sara gets her copy soon so you can get started on it ASAP! 😀
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Yeees! From all the reviews I have seen so far, it seems like it’s a pretty solid sequel. I assume the story ends there bc it’s a duology?
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It’s an amazing sequel, it definitely lives up to the first book. And yeah it’s a very final ending so I can’t see the author ever going back and writing a third one.
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I hope it’s a good ending and everyone is okay! So worried now. 😂
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Great recap, Beth! Also, I’m going to start reading Replica very soon, I hope you’ll enjoy it -and that I will, just as well, haha. I can’t remember, is this your first Lauren Oliver book, or did you read others? 🙂
Also, yay for Mara Dyer! I want all your thoughts about it 😀
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Thanks so much Marie. Ohh I hope you enjoy Replica as well, and yeah this one will be my first book by Lauren Oliver but if I like it I’ll likely binge read all of her others. Have you read her other books before? (I feel like you have but I can’t be sure!)
Hopefully I’ll be able to get around to Mara Dyer soon! But I’ll be sure you let you know what I think when I’m done. I have high hopes for this series! 🙂
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I have, I read all of her YA books, and I loved them all so much. I just started reading Replica today, and I can already tell it’s promising 🙂
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I love your new format and the title images are so cute. Also, Happy early blogiversary!!
It seems like you had a fantastic reading month (mine was a complete flop, as you know lol). And I definitely remember your buying ban but it’s okay because I completely smashed mine as well 😂🙈. I can’t wait to see what you end up thinking of your reads for next month. Especially, Mara Dyer. I’m so hoping you’ll enjoy it. Here’s to hoping November is as equally a fantastic reading month for you as October was. 😊
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Thanks so much Melissa, ❤️ and yeah I’ll be doing an actual post on my blogiversary. I’ve never really stuck at anything like this for a year before so this will not be the last time you hear about it! 😀
Yeah I got through some amazing book, and hopefully your slump will end soon and November will be better for you reading wise.
I don’t plan to buy as much next month so maybe I’ll be able to reinstate my ban for November and December. It’s something to aim for anyways.
I’m so excited to get around to my reads for next month, especially Mara Dyer because I’ve heard so much about it and I have very high hopes.
Thanks again Melissa. I hope November is a much better reading month for you than October was! 😀
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You’re welcome! I can’t wait for your blogiversary post 💕! I know what you mean about not having stuck with anything for that long. This blog is the first time I’ve ever stuck with anything for more than a few months.
I don’t plan on buying much either. I have two books and my OwlCrate. And both of the books are preorders. Other than that I’m going to try to keep from buying any other books.
I hope so too! With the new releases and Crooked Kingdom I have a good feeling about it. 😊
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I can’t wait either, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing for it but I think I’m just excited to say that I’ve stuck at this for a year now! 😀 It’s a big achievement for me and it sounds like it is for you as well! How long until your one year blogiversary, I feel like you’ve just had a six month one recently right?
At the moment I only have two books pre-ordered and my Fairy Loot for next month. That’ll probably change as I see more books I want but at the moment it’s certainly less that I brought last month!
Crooked Kingdom alone will be an amazing reading experience for you, I’m sure. 😀
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Yep! My six months was just back in September so I have a ways to go before my one year. Mine isn’t until the beginning of April. 😊
I’ve been seeing more books I want as well. I really want to buy all of the books for A Thousand Pieces of You. I’m trying to curb most of my book buying until December though because I want to get my Christmas shopping done in November rather than last minute like I normally do. 🙈
I bet. I can’t wait to read it! 😃
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Yep, I knew it was sometime recently but couldn’t quite remember when. But still I reckon the next six months will fly by and before you know it you’ll be at your year blogiversary as well! 😀
Oh I have the books for A Thousand Pieces of You, they were so pretty I just couldn’t resist buying them, and I loved the story sd well!
I’m trying to do the same, and I know I won’t be buying as many books this month as I did last month so that’s a good sign.
Ohh getting your Christmas shopping done early? I already have a day planned when I’m going to try and get everything brought in one go!
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True. With the way time has been flying by lately it’ll be here in no time 😊. Which reminds me! The Song Rising is on NetGalley but I don’t know if they have one up for the UK yet. When I saw it I started freaking out and automatically requested it *fingers crossed*. I hope they have one up for the UK because I want us both to be approved for it so bad.
They definitely have gorgeous covers! I read the first one through the library and adored it so I have high hopes for the rest of the series.
Yep! I want to shop when all of the good deals are going on and have everything done in one go as well. So much easier than rushing around the day before like I normally end up doing. 😂
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Oh my god I am going to check that out right now! And if it isn’t the UK one then I’m going to cross my fingers hoping it’s on there sooner rather than later! Thanks so much for letting me know, even if it’s not the UK one I know to keep my eye out for that one soon. I hope you get approved. If you do and I don’t you’ll have to let me know as soon as you finish what you thought of it, no spoilers though obviously! 😀
The second one is really good, and after the way it ended I have high hopes for the third. I have it ordered but it’s going to take another couple of weeks for it to be dispatched from Amazon
That’s a good idea. I know there are a lot of deals on, and don’t you have Black Friday coming up soon in America? Then again it may not be the best day to get Christmas presents then.
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This was a great recap. I say go with what makes you happy. I liked the formatting. I’m happy you had a good reading month. I plan on reading replica this month also. I’m really excited for it and hope we find ourselves loving it. I might throw Labyrinth Lost for my November TBR since I’ve been planning to read it since September but haven’t gotten around to it. Enjoy your reads in November!!!
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Thanks so much Gretchen; and yeah I think I’ll stick with this format for a while, unless I come up with a new one I like better in a few months! 🙂
I was pleased with what I got through book wise this month, and I plan on starting Replica tomorrow so I can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about. Oh definitely, I’ll be keeping an eye out for your review of it this month too! 😀
My copy of Labyrinth Lost only just arrived last weekend so I haven’t had an opportunity to get around to it sooner but I’ve heard great things about it.
Thanks again Gretchen. I hope you have a great reading month for November as well! ❤️
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That’s awesome! I hope all your reads go out well and thanks so much Beth ❤
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