No, not that winter. Well, probably not.
But winter in general, yes, and the news is almost as devastating as any other kind of winter, because winter sucks, as far as I’m concerned. With the holidays coming up, and the ones that have just passed, I’ve been super busy, so of course this is late. Fashionably late, though, so it’s okay.
So here’s what I’ve been up to in November:
✦ My brother-in-law moved in with us. This is good news, because not only has he been away from family for so long that I think he’s forgotten what we’re like, but also … he cooks! Which means I’m only cooking about half the week, and I’ve begged him to never move out because I hate cooking, but apparently, this is unrealistic. *rolls eyes*
✦ I did a thing and joined the Instagram (@srbetler). I admit, this happened in December. Like, this week. But since I’m late writing this post, I’m still going to count it as a November feat, because I’m running desperately low on those and, let’s be honest, I’ll probably forget to tell you by the time I do a December wrap-up.
✦ I GOT A NEW LAPTOP! Technically, my grandfather got it for me as a split Christmas gift (he’s giving my daughter my old one for Christmas and I get the new one). And I can’t actually use it until Christmas, because apparently, there are rules or something. But still! I set it up, so it would be ready for work when I officially get it, and it’s very pretty.
✦ Hubby and I got a Switch as a joint Christmas gift! Which we did not wait to use until Christmas, because … we’re rebels and sometimes the rules don’t apply? I don’t know. All I know is that Pokemon Sword will be under that dang tree, and everybody better leave me alone that weekend so I can beat it, okay? It’s not asking too much, I’m sure.
None of these are actually bookish things, and maybe that should concern me, but November didn’t feel like a particularly bookish month anyway. But now, let’s get to the thing you all actually came here for. On to the books!
Click titles for my review.
Nothing Hidden Ever Stays (★★★☆☆)
On Turpentine Lane (★★★★☆)
Marrow Charm (★★★★★)
The Toll (★★★★★)
My Song for Him Who Never Sang to Me (★★★★☆)
The Boy With the Butterfly Mind (★★★★★)
The Family Upstairs (★★★★☆)
The Night the White Deer Died (★★☆☆☆)
Six of Crows (★★★★☆)
Change is the Only Constant (★★★☆☆)
The Wicked Deep (★★★☆☆)
Reviews This Month:
Follow me on Goodreads
✦ Nonfiction November Possibility Pile
✦ Quotes I’ve Left in Books
✦ How Blogging Has Changed My Reading
✦ 10 Bookish Things I’m Thankful For
✦ November 13
✦ November 20
✦ November 27
✦ The Book Blogger Memory Tag
✦ First Line Friday 56 || Heists and Found Family
✦ First Line Friday 56 || For The Criminally-Minded
✦ First Line Friday 56 || Witches and Temptresses
✦ Beth @ Before We Go Blog gives a really nice, in-depth guide for some helpful resources for book bloggers. Definitely recommend checking this one out!
✦ Lynne @ Fictionophile talks about good nonfiction in honor of Nonfiction November.
✦ Krysta @ Pages Unbound updates on the Macmillan e-book embargo by asking if it’s really going to help authors. She also delves into the Arc of a Scythe series (which y’all know how much I love), specifically about the Thunderhead’s role as a reflection of God.
✦ Annemieke @ A Dance With Books is hosting a 2020 Journey Through Discworld challenge. If you’re behind in your Pratchett reading (like I am), it’s a great opportunity to read it with a community!
✦ Destiny @ Howling Libraries is hosting #ARCApocalypse 2020, which is a reading challenge for all you slackers out there (*cough* like me) who are falling behind on your ARCs and want to catch up.
*listening to the new Deck the Halls video from @PTXofficial*
— Sammie (@srbetler) November 28, 2019
8-year-old: *singing* Deck the halls with bells of folly, fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Hubby: …
Me: …
Hubby: We shouldn't tell her. I like this version better.#parenting #KidsSay
CHARACTERS I CAN FALL IN LOVE WITH:
— Sammie (@srbetler) November 25, 2019
– Sweet marshmallows that need love and protection.
– Bundles of anger and sarcasm that clearly need a hug.
– Stabby McStabberpants who named his knives.
– Someone with a body count bigger than mine.
– I mean … wait, what?#amreading
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NEXT READ:
— Sammie (@srbetler) November 11, 2019
– Line the books up on the shelf. Pick the one that's judging you the most.
– Listen to the voices. They probably know what's best.
– Consult a Ouija board.
– Judge a book by its cover.
– Pick one at random. No, nvm, not that one.#amreading
THE QUERYING PROCESS:
— Sammie (@srbetler) November 8, 2019
♦️ Right before: 😍 They're gonna love it.
♦️ 10 seconds after hitting send: 😱 Wait. What if they don't?
♦️ 1 min later: 😭 Welp, they hate it.
♦️ 5 min later: 😫 I should move to Alaska and buy 12 dogs.#writerslife #writingcommunity
Look what just came in. The Toll by @NealShusterman. This will be a reaction thread as I read this because I've waited long enough and it's worth it. NO SPOILERS. Just reactions. Maybe a few quotes, so maybe avoid those if you want to be surprised on that front. #amreading pic.twitter.com/lh2LRoIGTq
— Sammie (@srbetler) November 5, 2019
Welcome to Instagram! I started one a few months ago – so many pictures ❤️
Thank you! It’s a little overwhelming, and I don’t generally take that many pictures, so I’m sure it’ll be a big learning curve, but it does seem like a fun place to be.
Okay, so I’d never heard of “Marrow Charm” but it’s officially on “the list.” You put the BEST books on my radar!
I’m so glad you like them! I have to be honest, when I picked up Marrow Charm, I was sort of definitely expecting something like the City of Ember movie, which was kiiiind of meh. I feel like this trope can so easily become cliche, so I was a little hesitant and a lot surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it!
Every time I see Verify in the store it’s all I can do… lord help me if I ever see someone try and buy that book. It might actually be worth losing my job.
Muahaha you have some serious hate for that book. xD I definitely didn’t feel as strongly about it as you do. Then again, I’m not sure anyone does. 😛
You I dont do ‘meh’ much. It is either love or hate…. lol
Happy December! I hope it all goes well with family moved in!
I did NaNo and I’m as sane as I was before November… so that’s a win? 😉
Have fun with your new laptop! And your Switch! (And now that you have a Switch… you can play the Untitled Goose Game. If you do, let me know what you think! We loved it.)
So … not at all sane, then, is what you’re telling me? xD
One of my coworkers mentioned the Untitled Goose Game after I said I was getting a Switch. I’ll have to see. I haven’t had much time to play yet, but soon, hopefully. (We’re also splitting it between three people, so that’s also a factor haha).
😀 😀 😀
If you try the Untitled Goose Game, I hope you enjoy it! One bonus to it is that it’s not a hugely long and intense game (like a Zelda) but it does have post-game goals that you can do if you finish the game and still want more. (Also, it’s a great all-ages game. My 6-year-old nephew loves it as much as I do.)
Oh, I’m glad to hear that! I’ll probably wait until my daughter’s home after the holiday, because I have to do something to keep her busy while school’s out, and it sure sounds like something she’d enjoy. xD
That sounds perfect! And it’s one of those games that’s enjoyable to watch in addition to being enjoyable to play.