Hello Readers! Welcome back to another monthly wrap-up. I hope you all had a spooky Halloween filled with ghostly delights and pumpkin-carving adventures. As for me, I
didn't have the chance to celebrate on Halloween itself, but I've been immersed in the Halloween spirit all month long. My favorite part of the season has been my themed Candy
Corn nail design that I've been proudly sporting.
Let's dive into the highlights of my October, including a delightful recovery from a reading slump!
The Halloween Vibes: October brought with it a sense of magic and mystery. Even though I couldn't celebrate Halloween in grand style on the day itself, the entire month was filled with eerie decorations, ghostly tales, and cozy nights spent watching classic horror movies.
Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.Beetlejuice.
I also watched the new film, "Five Nights At Freddy's," and let me tell you, I had no idea it was so popular among kids! 😄 The theater was PACKED with children. Despite it being surprisingly suitable for children, I found it to be quite an enjoyable experience, even though it had its fair share of spine-tingling moments.
A Reading Slump and Triumph: Last month, I encountered the dreaded reading slump that book lovers know all too well. It felt like a stormy cloud was hovering over my bookshelves, and I couldn't seem to find the motivation to dive into my new books! But, as they say, "This too shall pass," and it did! I'm happy to announce that I have successfully climbed out of that slump. What a relief!
Embracing the Written Word: Once the reading slump was behind me, I was eager to make up for lost time. The result? I devoured a grand total of 8 books in October, and that's not all! I also had the enjoyment of reading and reviewing 3 Advance Reader Copies (ARCs).
And what an incredible month it has been for breaking out of my reading slump! I was pleasantly surprised by the consistently high ratings I gave to all the books I read. Selecting the Book of the Month was an incredibly challenging task, as each book I read left a strong impression on me. I genuinely wish I could recommend every single one of them.
However, after much deliberation, the official winner of this month's Book of the Month (BOTM) title goes to "Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?" by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. I've shared a detailed review in my previous post, but to recap, this gem of a book crossed my path by chance. I hadn't heard of it, and no one else seemed to be talking about it at the time. I was in between books and needed something to fill the gap, and this book turned out to be an absolute hidden treasure! The storytelling was so enthralling, making it a must-read in my bookish journey.
Book Recommendations: Considering I had so many favorite reads this month, I wanted to recommend a few of my other favorite October reads:
The Perfumist of Paris (The Jaipur Trilogy #3) by Alka Joshi
If you haven't had the pleasure of reading The Jaipur Trilogy #3 yet, where have you been?! Just kidding! But in all seriousness, this trilogy is absolutely phenomenal. I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed that it's only a three-book series. While eagerly awaiting the release of the third installment, I re-read the first and second books, and let me tell you, it was well worth it. The concluding book of the series is nothing short of breathtaking, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
2. The Mini ADHD Coach by Alice Gendron
I know this might be a slightly different type of recommendation from me, but it's something I find incredibly important to highlight. This book is an invaluable resource, especially for individuals with ADHD or those who have loved ones with ADHD. Given that ADHD is often misunderstood, having access to accurate and helpful information is crucial. What sets this book apart is its practical advice and strategies for effectively managing ADHD. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate the challenges and nuances of this condition. You can find my full here!
Upcoming Plans: Looking ahead, I have a busy reading month ahead! I've already picked up a few promising novels for November, and I can't wait to see where the pages will take me.
November Hopefuls:
ARC's: The Shadow of Banshee Hill by Fionn Mac Meldrum, No, Your'e Crazy by Jeff Beamish
Book Clubs:
Therapist Procrastireaders: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
ARC Review Requests: I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible response and enthusiasm in submitting ARC review requests. Your support is greatly appreciated, and I'm honored to be part of this vibrant community.
As of now, I regret to inform you that ARC review requests for November are temporarily closed. This decision is necessary to allow me the time needed to catch up on the existing waitlist and provide each submission with the attention and care it deserves.
I kindly ask you to mark your calendars and revisit in December when I'll be reopening ARC review requests. Your patience is truly valued, and I'm excited to delve into more literary adventures with all of you.
Thank you once again for your wonderful participation, and I look forward to engaging with your exceptional works in the upcoming month. Stay tuned for the reopening of ARC review requests in December! 📚📆
That's all for this October wrap-up, dear readers. Thank you for joining me on this literary adventure. I can't wait to see what November has in store.
Until next time, happy reading! 📚🍂🎃
Bobbi
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