A lot happened this November for me, and I’m not just counting the amazing books I got through either. I reached my one year blogiversary and am hosting my first ever giveaway on this blog, I travelled to Copenhagen for a weekend getaway, and I’ve even started my Christmas shopping, though I’m nowhere near to being finished.
I finally got around to some of my most anticipated releases for this year, a couple of books everyone seemed to be raving about, and even the odd impulse pick up which I still ended up loving. All in all I’m counting November as a successful reading month.
Books I Reviewed
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
This was the first of my most anticipated releases I got around to this month and now I’ve finished it I can say it’s going to turn out to be one of my best reads of 2016 as well. Crooked Kingdom was the perfect end to a wonderful duology.
Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin
Another eagerly anticipated release of mine and another book that completely exceeded all my expectations. As wonderful as this book was though it had still broken my heart by the end.
Replica by Lauren Oliver
I heard so much about this book in the run up to its release, and the main thing people were highlighting was the unique format the story was told in. I read Lyra then Gemma, but one day I may go back and read alternating chapters instead.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
What drew me to this book was the world building. In every review I read people were praising it and based on the way it was describe I knew I had to pick up Labyrinth Lost as soon as possible.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
This is a wonderful and moving story that explores what happens to the children who travel to magical and fantastical lands only to wind up home again, lost in a place they should feel familiar in.
The Next Together Series
I loved the concept of this series, and reading both books together creates an amazing story, but on its own there weren’t enough answers in The Next Together for it to stand on its own without being really confusing.
The Next Together by Lauren James
The Last Beginning by Lauren James
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Books to Read if Your Book Club Likes …
Top Ten Books I Want to Read Before the End of the Year
Top Ten All Time Favorite Movies
Top Ten Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
Waiting on Wednesday
Now I Rise by Kiersten White
A Million Junes by Emily Henry
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
Once and For All by Sarah Dessen
Miracle of miracles I actually stuck to my book buying ban this month, almost. Given that it’s nearly Christmas I need to save my money for Christmas presents and save any books I want to buy for my family and friends who will be buying presents for me. Obviously I got the November Fairy Loot box as well but I’m not giving up my subscription any time soon.
Amazon
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Fairy Loot
- Nemesis by Anna Banks
There are a lot of books on my to-read list for the end of this year, and I doubt I’m going to get around to all of them, but the Mara Dyer trilogy and the Half Bad trilogy are at the top of my list. My True Love Gave to Me I’ve had for a while but it just seems like the perfect Christmas read.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Mara Dyer doesnāt 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 Maraās new start is anything but comforting. She sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and when she suddenly begins to see other peopleās deaths right before they happen, Mara wonders whether sheās going crazy! And if dealing with all this wasnāt enough, Noah Shaw, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen canāt seem to leave her alone…but as her life unravels around her, Mara canāt help but wonder if Noah has another agenda altogether…
Half Bad by Sally Green
Wanted by no one.
Hunted by everyone.
Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world’s most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan’s only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powersābefore it’s too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?
Half BadĀ is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive.
My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favourite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, youāre going to fall in love withĀ My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday StoriesĀ by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or New Year’s there’s something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cosy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.
Is anyone excited for Christmas next month? Can you believe how fast it’s come around as well? I know this is going to sound really clichĆ© but honestly it still feels like it should be September/October time, where has this year gone?
Also to celebrate reaching my one year blogiversary I am hosting a giveaway and Q&A. The chance to enter and ask me any questions ends tonight at midnight GMT. For more information you can check out my original post here.
Reading Every Night 
Great month like always, Beth!! I just started Six of Crows today and I’m really excited to see how it unfolds. The 10th anniversary edition of The Book Thief is beautiful. I finished it yesterday and I cried so much, but it was such a beautiful book and I’m glad I finally read it!
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Thanks so much Lauren. Ohh I can’t wait to see your review for Six of Crows, it’s such an amazing book but the second is a lot better so you have that to look forwards too! š
I need to reread The Book Thief now I have the tenth anniversary edition. I can tell it will have my crying a lot as well, no matter how many times I read it I always cry at the ending.
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Great month š
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Thanks Lauren! š
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You read such great books this month, I really want to read Replica šø So happy you got The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, it really is something else and I really enjoyed it š
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Thanks so much Michelle. Replica is a really good book so I’d recommend it, and yeah I am so excited to finally get around to Mara Dyer at some point. I want to see what all the fuss is about! š
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I AM SEEING MARA DYER AND NO I AM NOT SCREAMING. Okay, just a little bit, but I am SO eager for you to read this book, and can only hope you’ll love it just as much as I did! Can’t WAIT to hear your thoughts about that one ā¤
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Ha, yeah I figured it was about time I got around to this one given it’s been on my immediate to-read list since October! š I’m hoping to start it end of next week at least and yeah I hope I love it as much as everyone else seems to have! Once I’ve finished it I’ll be sure to let you know what I think as well. ā¤
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Can’t wait! š
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THE BOOK THIEF, YASSS. I really want that cover. I freaking loving it. I love the idea that the girl is dancing with Death. The Unbecomingof Mara Dyer is an intense book. It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be but I still enjoyed it. Hope you like it š
-Amber
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It’s one of my favourite books so I figured it was about time I got a copy of it in paperback, and yeah I waited for the special tenth anniversary edition. It’s my favourite cover as well, it’s the one that first drew me to this book as well.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about it but I’m hoping I love it as much as everyone else seems to have.
Thanks Amber! š
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Congrats on your blogiversary! It looks like you had a fantastic month :).
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Thanks so much, and yeah I was more than pleased with all the books I got around to this month! š
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Happy Blogiversary!! You had a great reading month!
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Thanks so much! š
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You had a great November! š There are so many books I wanted to read before the end of the year, I’ll never make it through! I probably won’t even have time for Six of Crows *cries pool of tears* It’s hard to believe December is already here, I feel like someone is stealing our days!
I can’t wait to discover your Q&A post!!
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Thanks so much Donna, yeah I was pleased with how November turned out! But I know that feeling as well because there are so many books on my to-read list I’m not going to get around to before December is over and done! Oh no that is terrible, but I guess the Six of Crows duology is something you’ll have to looks forwards to for 2017, maybe in January?
Yeah but now December is here I’m too excited for Christmas to wonder where the time has gone!
Q&A will hopefully be up tomorrow, I’ll announce the winner at the same time. Very excited! š
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That duology is at the top of my 2017 TBR indeed, I’m tired of being out of the loop haha!
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It’s well worth the read, you’ll love it Donna! š
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Yaay! You had such a fantastic month Beth, reading Wise AND life Wise!! Yes for everything you said about Blood for Blood and Crooked Kingdom. These were some of my favorite reads of this year. Well, both duologies are very high up there in my all time favorites.
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I think I did as well, especially blogging wise given I made it to my one year blogiversary, and considering I got around to both Crooked Kingdom and Blood for Blood reading wise too! š
They were both AMAZING. I’m honestly feeling the need to go back and re-read them now. I can’t get enough of the characters and the story, and even the heartbreak! š
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Looks like you had a fantastic reading and blogging month, Beth! You definitely beat me in the book buying ban department as I purchased about five this month. Still way less than normal though š. Also, this months Fairy Loot is so gorgeous! I am in love with the bag they included. If only shipping wasn’t so crazy. And I can’t wait to see your thoughts on Mara Dyer. As for, Christmas I am so excited! I’ve already been listening to Christmas music and everything. This year has definitely gone by crazy fast. Half the time it feels like it should still be August for me. I’m betting December will go by in the blink of an eye haha. I hope you have an equally good reading and blogging month this month as you did in November! š
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Yep, I think I really did. I got through some amazing books in November and this month is always going to be a special one just because I reached my one year blogiversary!
Five isn’t so bad, and if it’s better than what you normally buy then I count it as a success as well! š
Oh the November box was one I was highly anticipating, and the December one is as well, but I was so thrilled with what was inside. I can’t wait to read the book. Hopefully I’ll be able to get around to Mara Dyer this month, I didn’t in October or November so it’s got to be December now.
We’ve started listening to Christmas music at work now and it’s just making me more and more excited! It’s definitely gone by crazy fast but I’m just so excited for Christmas now I’m kind of beyond the ‘where has this year gone’ phase and am now in the ‘CHRISTMAS’ phase you now?
Thanks Melissa, I hope you have a great December as well! š
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Well that’s good! Oh yeah your blogiversary definitely had to have made November that much more special. š
True. For December I’m aiming for less. I think I’m going to forgo anymore book buying until January because of Christmas. *determined*
What’s December’s theme? I could have sworn I saw it somewhere but I can’t remember now. I hope you’re able to get around to it too.
I bet! I remember at my last job they started playing Christmas music in November and I loved it lol. I get what you mean. I can’t wait until we get around to decorating our house so I’ll really start feeling like Christmas is near. It’s been raining constantly so a major damper on Christmas decorating.
You’re welcome, Beth! š
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November is forever going to be a special month for me, like December is for Christmas and June is for my birthday! š
I’m trying that as well, but for me it will end the 26th of December and I’ll be on Amazon adding everything to my basket!
The December theme is Sci-Fi Fantasy (I think), it’s definitely sci-fi related. Either way I’m very excited to get my hands on it! We didn’t play Christmas music before Dec 1st, we weren’t allowed by the people who control our radio in the office! š Even now we only have it on for a couple of hours each day so it doesn’t get to too much.
I’m getting that December feeling, and yeah I can’t wait to decorate our house either! š
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What day in June is your birthday? š
That will be me in January. Especially with all of the new releases! There are so many books coming out at the beginning of the year.
Lol that’s probably a good thing. My last job was in a Starbucks and the store played nothing but Christmas music from November – December. A lot of people complained after a while š.
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14th, so the very middle of June pretty much, when your birthday?
I can’t wait. I’m pretty much marking my year by book releases more than anything else! š
Yeah I imagine listening to it all day people would. God I don’t know how you managed that Melissa! š
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That’s neat, your’s is a few days before my sister’s. Mine is October 27th. š
Same! Although I don’t know how many I’ll actually get around to since I have a few series I plan on checking off my list next year.
Mainly because it was hard to hear sometimes and then others we played music on our phones over it. š
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Ohh, that is interesting. I actually know quite a few people both in June, my sisters birthday is actually one week exactly before mine. I’ll be sure to remember that when October comes around again! š
I normally just read whatever I feel like but I guess whatever you get through is still an achievement right?
I guess after a while you can almost tune it out as well. At least that’s what I’m finding sometimes when I’m really busy. I don’t have time to listen to the radio! š
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That’s cool that your sister’s birthday is exactly a week before yours. I know pretty much no one whose birthday is even close to mine lol.
That’s true. At the moment I’m feeling like I want to conquer a ton of series next year but that could change. I mean I thought I would binge ToG this year but never did š.
Yep. It does help when you’re busy because then you’re focused on stuff besides the music playing. š
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Yeah exactly, mine is the 14th of June and hers is the 7th. Well my mum’s is the 29th of October, so I guess I know someone who’s close to your birthday! š
Oh yeah reading plans change all the time, mine does a lot but I’m a huge mood reader so there’s always that! Hopefully you’ll make it to ToG next year though. š
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Yay for June and October birthdays!! š
Same. I’m a huge mood reader too. I plan on it. š
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What a fantastic month it was for you! š You’ve even got the chance to read some amazing books. I hope the month of December will be just as fruitful. With the Holidays coming so quickly, it’s going to be one hell of a hectic end of the month too! Happy reading, Beth! š
– Lashaan
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Thanks so much Lashaan, yeah I had a pretty good reading month over November, and got through some amazing books as well. I have high hopes for December too.
Definitely hectic but a fun kind of hectic right? I hope you have a great December too. š
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Looks like you had a pretty EPIC November Beth! I’m so glad to have found you on the blogosphere, I know I’ve already congratulated you but happy 1 year!!!š you’ve been reading so many of the books that I’ve been meaning to get to for too long & always motivate me not to forget about them š I’m super excited for Xmas since I love seeing my 2 tiny humans excited to take part in our holiday traditions. For a book buying ban this month, you did exceptionally well. I am scaling back for December. Trying to stick to Kindle/publisher ebook deals since my shelves are crying out lol. Happy reading Beth!šš
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Yeah it was a pretty great November. Thanks so much Lilly, I’m definitely glad to have found you on WordPress as well. I love your blog and seeing all your posts and book reviews. I know you’ve definitely recommended a few to me as well! Heres hoping we’ll both find more book recommendations in 2017 as well!
I’m really excited for Christmas this year, more so than last year which is a little weird.
I’m not sure why this month’s book ban was so much more successful than October’s one but I will be buying a lot in December, I just need to find the time to sort out my bookshelves at some point! š
Thanks. Happy reading, and a happy December, to you too.
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Thank you Beth, 2017 should be EPIC! Or at least I hope it is š this will be the first Christmas I don’t ask for books because I need to seriously read what I own & get rid of some duds lol. I thought I bought a to. Of books in November but as it turns out, it was all in my head smh. December has just started & I’m already failing at scaling back smh šHappy reading & happy December to you too šš
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I’m definitely hoping for an epic 2017! 2016 started out OK but it quickly went down the drain in a dramatic way, here’s hoping 2017 makes up for all that. š
I’ve asked for loads of books for Christmas, and I know I’ll get loads more with Christmas money people give me. Basically December is my excuse to go out and buy books! However I am saving all my Christmas shopping until after Christmas now.
Thanks Lilly! š ā¤
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I couldn’t agree more Beth, it sure did get sour rather quickly. I can’t say I have many plans with December however I did place a BookOutlet order on 12/1 lol for the first 2 volumes of Orange the manga, Jane Steele, and All American Boys. Now come January, that’s a whole different story š there are way too many new releases I have had my eye on alllll year long starting with Caraval ššš
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I don’t think 2017 can get any worse that’s for sure! Sounds like you have some books to look forwards to then! I haven’t ordered anything in a while but I will go crazy after December. I know what you mean, Caraval is on my list with what feels like hundreds more! š
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I completely agree with you about Crooked Kingdom and Blood for Blood – they were both fantastic conclusions to their respective duologies. (Even though they both broke my heart in half…) Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous recap! ā¤
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Oh they were both amazing, definitely my favourite books I picked up this month and maybe even my favourite books of this year overall! Definitely heartbreaking but fantastic conclusions as well like you said.
That’s all right, and thanks so much Zoe. ā¤
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It sounds like you had a really good month! That cover of the Book Thief is so beautiful! š
I agree I can’t believe it’s already the end of the year! It doesn’t feel real, but I’m excited about the Christmas season because everything is so festive. I walked into work today and it was like BAM! Christmas decorations everywhere haha!
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Yeah I’m definitely very happy with this month when it came to reading. It’s the tenth anniversary edition. I figured if I was going to buy the book I may as well go all out! š
I’m really excited about Christmas as well. It seems to have come up really quickly but I am definitely getting into the Christmas mood now. We have Christmas music on at work now which is helping! š
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Awe nice! I had no idea it’s been out for ten years!
Christmas music is always a sure way to get into a festive & good mood! š
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Neither did I until they released the anniversary edition.
Definitely, makes everything seem more festive and makes me more excited! š
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Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Hope you keep posting the quality content š And My True Love Gave to Me is also on my tbr for this month. I’m still waiting for it from the library but I’m excited to read it!
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Thanks so much, and yep, I’m going to do my best to keep up blogging for another year. If I made it one I can make it two!
It sounds like a perfect Christmas read doesn’t it? I hope you get your copy from the library soon then! š
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