If I had to pick one month of this year so far that I could say was my favourite month of 2017, November would win. Granted we haven’t had December yet, and given that that’s the month that has Christmas in it November is going to have some heavy competition.
Still this month I not only took part in NaNoWriMo but actually won, for the first time ever, but I got to see Sarah J. Maas in London as part of her Tower of Dawn book tour. Then there were just plenty of other little things that made November incredible.
Books I Reviewed
ARC Review: Blackbird by N.D. Gomes
While Blackbird felt darker than most of the thrillers I’ve picked up before it was a great book. It not only made me want to check out more of N.D. Gomes’s books – I’ve already added Dear Charlie to my TBR list – but more of the YA thriller genre.
I received a copy of this book from YA HQ.
ARC Review: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
At the moment The City of Brass is competing with A Conjuring of Light for my top read of 2017, that’s how incredible I found this book. I’m not going to go into all the reasons I loved the story here, you can check out my review for that, all I’m going to say is that I would recommend The City of Brass to everyone.
I received a copy of this book from YA HQ.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
I am a huge fan of Adam Silvera’s books and They Both Die at the End is, in my opinion, the very best he’s written to date. It completely broke my heart, which is to be expected from Adam Silvera I think, but it made me think as well and it was a story that stayed with me for a long time.
The Young Elites Trilogy
After reading and loving Marie Lu’s other books I bumped The Young Elites trilogy to the top of my to-read list. While I thought this was a good series it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped, Adelina’s character development exceptional but unfortunately the plot wasn’t given that same level of development.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
The Rose Society by Marie Lu
The Midnight Star by Marie Lu
Top Ten Tuesday
Five Characters who Have Made Great Leaders and Five Characters who Wouldn’t Make Great Leaders
Top Ten Reading Recommendations for my Cousin Through the Years
Top Ten Books I’m Thankful For
Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR List
If you look at the number of books I brought this month it’s really not that many, but my book haul for November is a case of quality over quantity because this is the most money I have ever spent on books in one month, like ever. I haven’t put myself on a book buying ban, because I am terrible at sticking to them, but for the next few months I am on a strict budget down to the penny.
Bloomsbury
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling
Waterstones
- Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Fairy Loot
- The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
- Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Meraki Candles
- The Bone Season Sampler
There’s nothing being released next month I’m excited for. I’m not too sure why, maybe it’s just because it’s the last month of the year, but I feel like there are never many books released in December. Instead, for this section of my monthly recap, I am featuring a book that I am excited to get around to, and that I am definitely, 100% going to have read before 2017 is over.
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
#1 New York Times bestseller. Red Rising thrilled readers and announced the presence of a talented new author. Golden Son changed the game and took the story of Darrow to the next level. Now comes the exhilarating conclusion to the Red Rising Trilogy: Morning Star.
Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.
Finally, the time has come.
But devotion to honour and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.
Next month is going to be more of the same for me. I’m going to use December to catch up on some of the books and reviews that have been put on the backburner while I was taking part in NaNoWriMo, and of course I’m getting ready for Christmas. I have some potential exciting new plans for 2018, but more news on that next year.
Happy reading everyone.
Agh, I’m so late on commenting!! I still need to go comment on all of your reviews of TYE trilogy aghaghag.
Anyways, I’m super glad you enjoyed The City of Brass! Being up there with ACOL DEFINITELY makes me glad that I’m asking for this one for Christmas ahaha. Super excited to read it!!
All of the HP books you got look so cool and I’m super jealous that you got them! But I’m excited to see what you think of Furyborn. I just discovered it & added it to my TBR, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more reviews of it!
Hope you have an amazing December & happy holidays!
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Ahh that’s all right, I imagine you have a lot going on in your real life that’s taking up time at the moment, happens to all of us. 😀
Oh yay! I really hope you love it in that case May, and yes this book and ACOL are joint first for my best book of 2017 at the moment. 🙂
They cost a lot of money but they’re so pretty I can’t really bring myself to regret buying them, and oh I can’t wait to get started on Furyborn. I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve finished it as well. 🙂
Thanks so much May, I hope you have an incredible December as well. 🙂 ❤
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I’m really glad to hear they both die in the end is good, because I really like the concept 🙂 And wow absolutely gorgeous hauls!! I love all those candles as well. Great wrap up!!
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It’s an incredible book, definitely one of my favourite reads of the month actually so if you’re intrigued by the concept I’d highly recommend it. 🙂
Thanks so much! 😀
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Brilliant!! I’m glad to hear it 🙂 You’re welcome! 😀
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What a wonderful month November has been for you Beth! Congrats on winning NanoWriMo! I think November will def be hard to beat haha! I think as much as the idea of a book buying ban sounds like the right thing for me to do…actually executing it is SO hard but at least I know you get me lol. I started off December being oh so good but last night I clicked away on Amazon *for shame* lol. Happy reading in December 🙂
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Thanks so much Lilly. 😀 Yeah overall November was actually a pretty great month for me, and winning NaNo made it all the better actually. 🙂
Amazon is like a bookworms weakness isn’t it? I know whenever I go on the website I’m not going to be able to close it again without having brought at least one book. I’ve never managed a book buying ban before, don’t think I ever will so for me it’s just about managing my spending (at least that’s what I tell myself.) 😀
Thanks Lilly, I hope you have a great December as well. ❤
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What an amazing month you’ve had, Beth!
Congrats on winning NaNoWriMo!!! That’s epic ❤ I reached, liked 22,000 words hahaha (very good for me, though)
Loved your haul too, and it's like you said: quality over quantity. You have some gorgeous books here and those candles/swag are just to die for! A great use of your money, I'd say hahaha
I hope December is even better ^_^
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Thanks so much Sophie. 🙂 I am so beyond thrilled at winning NaNo this year, and I think 22K is a really impressive word goal to have reached too. Anything written this month is better than nothing right?
Yep, my bank account is crying right now but when I see what I brought, definitely worth it! 😀 Also I tell myself the candles are practical because I light them and they make my reading space smell pretty! 😀
Thanks Sophie, I hope your December is amazing too! 🙂 ❤️
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Oh yeah, definitely! Might as well give it a go and see what happens 😉 Thanks, I was pretty happy I achieved that much ^^
Hahaha I love your logic! That’s what I tell myself and everyone else all the time too.
“Wait, did you buy another book?” “Yeah” “But you haven’t read any from that huge pile over there. Look, it’s leaning to the side! IT’S GONNA FALL!” “STOP ATTACKING MEEEEE!” (actual conversation that took place)
So yeah, no point arguing with us because we know what we’re doing 😂😂😂 (hopefully?)
Thanks so much, Beth! ❤
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That’s all right, and it’s what I tell myself now NaNo is over. Anything I write is something at least. 🙂
Ha, I’ve had conversations like that too. In fact I need to sort out my books and bookshelves because they’re a little bit of a state at the moment.
Definitely no point arguing! 😀
That’s all right. ❤️
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Congratulations on completing NaNoWriMo!! That is such an incredible accomplishment!!
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Thanks so much Bridget. 🙂 ❤ Yeah I was so pleased with how NaNo ended up going for me this year. 😀
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I’m so happy you had such a great November, Beth ♥ I’m glad you loved They Both Die at the End!!! I think it’s my favourite Silvera book too. It packed such a punch.
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Thanks so much Lauren. 🙂 ❤ Oh They Both Die at the End was incredible, despite how heartbreaking it was it was a book I immediately wanted to re-read the second I finished it. 😀
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Ahh I wanted to reread it immediately too!! I was like “maybe it’ll end differently this time” haha
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Oh I always think that with heartbreaking books, and then I’m always a little surprised when it ends the same way I know it will (and just as heartbroken!)
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Congrats on NaNoWriMo, Beth!!! I’m glad to hear that it was a very positive and awesome event for you! You definitely had a great November though. Getting your hands on those illustrated editions of HP must have put a nasty big knife into your bank account!! Although I’m pretty sure it was worth every penny too though. 😀 😀 Hope December will be a nice competition to your November. 😉 Happy reading, Beth!
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Thanks so much Lashaan. 🙂 Oh NaNo was a brilliant experience and I was so pleased with how the month of writing actually turned out you know? Ha, yeah definitely a nasty cut to my bank balance but so worth it at the same time. I never mind how much they cost when I see how gorgeous they are in person.
Thanks Lashaan, I hope you have an incredible December too. 🙂 ❤
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Wohoo! Congratulations on winning NaNoWriMo! ❤
I'm glad you had a good bookish month although The Young Elites Trilogy didn't reach your expectations. And soooo many goodies!! I love them! ❤
I hope your December is even more awesome!
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Thanks so much Poulami. 🙂 Yeah overall I’d say this was a good month for me, and even though The Young Elites wasn’t what I’d hoped it was still a good series overall. Thanks. I hope you have an incredible December too. 😀 ❤
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Thanks! ❤
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Congratulations on NaNoWriMo, Beth, this is so great and such a cool accomplisment. I loved hearing about your story in your latest blog post and I can’t wait to hear more of it and read snippets and everything, until the moment it will be published, obviously 🙂
I hope you’ll have an amazing December! xxx
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Thanks so much Marie! 😀 Yeah I was beyond thrilled with completing NaNo and actually writing 50K words! Ha, there’ll definitely be more about my novel in future posts on my blog, definitely in the new year though because I need to get things sorted for Christmas this month first. 😀
Thanks Marie, I hope you have an amazing December too. 🙂 ❤
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Woo! Congrats on NaNoWriMo! That’s great to hear 😀 You’ve had a pretty great month! I’ve heard great things about both Blackbird and City of Brass, so I definitely want to get to those soon!
I have had Tower of Dawn on my shelf since it first released and I still haven’t picked it up yet! I definitely should, Chaol is just not my favourite, though. I also own the illustrated editions of philosophers stone and chamber of secrets, but in German and I want to buy them in English before buying the rest!
I have just started Red Rising, so I am looking forward to really getting into it! I’m a couple of chapters in and I’ve enjoyed it so far 🙂
Great month! I hope you have an amazing December ❤
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Thanks so much Lauren. 🙂 ❤ Yeah I was thrilled about NaNo and November has been a pretty great month for me too. I really hope you enjoy both Blackbird and The City of Brass, they're incredible books in my opinion. 🙂
I've heard some good things about Tower of Dawn which is making me want to get around to it soon but I doubt I'll be able to pick it up before the end of this year unfortunately. Ohh, I hope you manage to get the illustrated editions in English as well then Lauren.
I haven't read Morning Star yet but the whole of the Red Rising series is incredible so I'm sure you'll continue enjoying it Lauren.
Thanks so much, I hope you have a great December too. 🙂 ❤
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I’m hoping to pick up Tower of Dawn soon as well 🙂 I don’t know, we’ll see when I decide to pick it up 😅 I will do at some point – buying them all at once will cost and arm and a leg, though.
I’m enjoying Red Rising so far! I’m about 3/4 of the way through and it’s great! Definitely took a few pages to get into and t my head around the world etc. But once I got past that, I started to enjoy it 🙂
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you Lauren. Ha, yeah they’re expensive, especially buying them all at once, but so worth it at the same time right?
It took me a little while to get into the first book, but it was well worth it when the story finally got going. Golden Son was even better and I’m sure Morning Star is going to be the best of the lot! 😀
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Congratulations on winning NaNoWriMo BETH! And best of all you seem really excited and happy with your progress!! That is truly thrilling! ❤ And… what an incredible HAUL BETH!! I've been eying those fairy loots… it looks like a lot of fun and who doesn't love book mail?! …and I hope you enjoy Morning Star!
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Thanks so much Dani! 😀 ❤ Yeah I have been beyond thrilled with my process this November, I never thought I'd be able to write that many words but I did it and I couldn't be more happier with what I've written even though it now needs a lot of editing work.
Thanks again Dani. Yeah the Fairy Loot boxes are incredible and so worth the money as well, and I hope so too. I've been meaning to get around to Morning Star for ages now. 😀 ❤
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The Meraki Candles look amazing! Very jealous
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Oh they do amazing candles. I can’t wait to light these ones. 🙂
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So happy to hear that you had an amazing month! I just added Blackbird to my TBR because it looks so interesting.
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Thanks so much Jessica, and oh in that case I really hope you enjoy Blackbird. I thought it was a great story so I hope you agree when you get around to it. 🙂
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I hope you love Morning Star I really really liked it! Ah December is going to be catch up for me too hopefully you get everything posted and we both start January fresh XD Those Hp editions are beautiful ❤ Great wrap up Beth!
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Thanks, I hope so too. 🙂 I’ve been meaning to get around to Morning Star for ages. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for both of us in that case, and thanks again. I can’t wait for all seven to be released so I have the full set.
Thanks so much! 😀 ❤
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Hello Beth!
So glad to hear that you’ve had a great month, and that you’ve enjoyed most of the books that you’ve read 🙂
I love your pictures of your book haul! I’ve always wanted bookish candles, however, these days I am cautious about not to buy too many things, since I am moving across the country soon :’)
Hope you enjoy Morning Star! I think not many books are released in December because they don’t want to compete with Christmas shopping? (Though many bookworms would love a newly released book for Christmas!)
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Hi Sophie. 🙂
Oh thanks so much. Yeah November was definitely a good month in terms of books read and book brought. 😀 Probably a good idea to not have too much before moving across the country, but maybe after the move you can buy plenty more books and even bookish candles as well right? 😀
Thanks, and yeah that’s a good point, but I also agree with you because I’d love a newly released book for Christmas as well. 🙂 ❤
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Haha the thought of being able to buy as many books as I want after I move is the only thing that is motivating me to not buy books now (if that even makes sense?!) :’)
Yes I agree- I would love for more books to be released during this time. Publishers should get on that! 🙂
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That does make sense, kind of like a reward for all the moving stuff you’re having to do now right? 🙂
Maybe it’s just this year, who knows? Either way fingers crossed for 2018 right? 😀
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Haha yes! It’s always great to have something to look forward too. Here’s to hoping for a great 2018 🙂
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Huge congrats at winning NaNoWriMo! That is amazing! I am so happy you had such an amazing month and I hope December is even better! ❤
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Thanks so much. 🙂 I was so pleased with how NaNo and November turned out for me. Ha, yeah fingers crossed for a better December, and I hope you have a great one as well. 😀 ❤
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You should be! Somehow I finished NaNo, but I have no idea how! It was a crazy month for me lol. Thank you so much sweets! ❤
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I wouldn’t worry so much about the how just focus on the what, and the fact that you finished NaNo! 😀
That’s all right. 🙂 ❤
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Haha awe thanks beauty. 💗
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That’s all right. 🙂 ❤
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I’m glad to hear that November was such a great month for you Beth! 😀
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Thanks Meghan, and yeah overall I think November was a pretty fantastic month. 😀
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Good to hear! 🙂
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Love this ❤
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Thanks! 😀
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Ooo, such lovely books! Especially the illustrations from that Harry Potter!
Well done for winning NaNoWriMo – you rock 😀
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Thanks so much, and yeah the Harry Potter Illustrated Editions are beyond gorgeous. I can’t wait until all seven have been released and I have the full collection. 🙂
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Fantastic month!!!
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Thanks! 😀
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First off, congratulations on seriously kicking ass and winning NaNoWriMo for the first time! That must’ve been so exciting and I’m so happy for you, Beth!
Looks like you had a really good reading month and after seeing how much you enjoyed The City Of Brass, I just might have to push it a bit further up on my tbr too! I had featured it in my November releases but wasn’t sure when I would get to it but hearing that it is up there with ACOL? Yeah, I definitely need to read it soon!
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Thanks so much Swetlana. 🙂 Yeah it was a great achievement, one I actually never thought I’d manage to achieve either. 😀
Oh there were some incredible books I managed to read this month and The City of Brass was incredible I’d say definitely push it up your TBR list because it is well worth reading. Ha yeah the Shades of Magic series is one of my all-time favourites so the fact that I’m comparing any book to that is saying a lot I think. 🙂 ❤
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