Eek! It’s almost December, and you all know what that means… Christmas time! Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I have found that I love Christmas more as a parent than I did as a child. There is just something about watching your own children experience the magic of Christmas 🙂
November was a good month for me both in reading and blogging. I am very pleased with my productivity, especially after my sporadic blogging month in October. I managed to read 10 books in November! My goal in November was to have a “NetGalley November” and only read NetGalley approvals. I read 4 out of the 6 NetGalley books on my November TBR, which isn’t great but not bad either. The remaining 6 books I read this month were all audiobooks I listened to while working on my NetGalley TBR.
Best of all, I posted a few of my favorite posts I’ve ever done in my short blogging career. Hopefully I have not just jinxed my December…
What I read in November:
Summary of feelings: While I loved the concept for this one, I struggled with this book. This is my second Ray Bradbury book, and he has a very distinct writing style that I find is hard to follow at times. I think this would make for a great film adaptation however…
» Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Summary of feelings: I thought this book was unique and clever. I really enjoyed the photographs included, which really helped to set the tone. I wasn’t a big fan of the romance in this book, if you’ve read it you may guess why. I’m curious about the movie adaptation now.
» James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra by Colm McElwain
Summary of feelings: Cute middle grade read. Similar themes and elements as Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia series.
You can read my review here → Kids’ Corner: Book Review of James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra by Colm McElwain
» The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. OBrien
*3.5 Stars
Summary of feelings: This was an enjoyable YA science fiction. I was fascinated with the concept of “dream mining,” but would have liked to see more science fiction elements, particularly in the technology department. The book was supposedly set in the future (2050’s maybe?) but it felt like it was set in the present day…
» The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Summary of feelings: I think this is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. Going through some of the bad reviews for this one, I think some people are missing the purpose of this book. You should go into this book paying attention to what Whitehead is trying to convey with this book: the brutality and oppression of slavery… I literally read a bad review that said they didn’t like this book because it was too tragic… Seriously?! Of course it’s tragic! Obviously the truth is too hard for some people to hear.
» Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
*3.5/4 Stars
Summary of feelings: Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. Actually I would give the second half of this book 5 stars! What a beautiful book about self discovery. HOWEVER I struggle with the pacing in the first half of this book.
» The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
Summary of feelings: I LOVED the concept for this one. Time traveling through maps? Yes, please! Unfortunately, I had to dock it a star for the love triangle…Ugh! I would also like to add that this book has my new book boyfriend, Kash 🙂
» The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
*4.5 Stars
Summary of feelings: This is my 4th Neil Gaiman book and like all the rest, I loved it. I think this one is tied with Stardust as my favorite NG book thus far.
» The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
*3.5 Stars
Summary of feelings: This was a quick and fun little read. I really enjoyed the storyline, which was a historical fiction with mystery elements. I am not sure if you could consider this steam punk or not? I guess I am not exactly clear on what classifies a book as steam punk, but this book includes lots of machinery. After doing some research, I didn’t realize the print version of this book has gorgeous illustrations… I actually listened to this via audiobook, so I am wondering if I would have enjoyed this more had I read it in print form. I must admit, I am now curious about it.
» The Girls by Emma Cline
Ok, so technically I haven’t finished this YET, but I only have 10% to go and will be finishing this tonight. I have very conflicted feelings about this one. On one hand, it is fascinating, and on the other hand, it is horrifying.
Other Book Reviews:
Book Review: The Book of Esther by Emily Barton
Book Review: Fractured by Catherine McKenzie
Book Review: The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Book Review: Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Favorite Posts of November:
Book Event: Books by the Banks Book Festival
Kids’ Corner: How to Get Your Kids to Read More
Bookish Babble: Bookworm Stereotypes
November Book Haul:
In anticipation of Christmas, I restrained myself from buying books this month. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I sent him my Amazon book wish list which included over $200 of books… Go big or go home right? I did bring in 3 books this month. One I won from a giveaway, one is from Blogging for Books, and the last one I purchased… but I have good reasons.
I won The Summer She Was Under Water by Jen Michalski in a giveaway hosted by my friend Melanie @Grab the Lapels. It was even signed by the author and included a hand written card from the author. Thanks again Melanie!
I couldn’t help myself. I purchased this copy of A Treasury of Classic Stories while I was in my local Cracker Barrel.
I mean, do you see this beautiful illustrations? I really didn’t have any other choice but to purchase it. Plus it was on sale, so that was that. While purchasing this, I thought of my friend Millie @Milliebot Reads who has a lovely collection of beautiful children’s books. I hope she gives me her stamp of approval for this buy 🙂
cover2covermom.wordpress.com 
The illustrations are beautiful! I’m gonna go look this up now. Lol. Also I think I’d enjoy Hugo – I’ve heard the illustrations are great in that too.
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I definitely think illustrations can have an effect on whether you like a book or not. They help set the mood in a way. If I run across a copy, I’ll definitely be checking it out!
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You’re so welcome, Amanda! I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the book 🙂
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“On one hand, it is fascinating, and on the other hand, it is horrifying.” YES. Hahaha Can’t wait for your review
Happy December ❤
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Thanks Annie! Hope you have a wonderful December as well 😊
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What an awesome month! That’s really great that you managed to read a whole ten books – I only got to six in the end. Turns out NaNo was just a tad more time consuming than I had anticipated!! Not going to lie, you’ve got me really excited to read Underground Railroad. I wasn’t quite sure on what to think of it when it first came out but now I know I definitely have to get myself a copy!
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Haha well I wasn’t writing a book… so I had the extra reading time 😊
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A Treasure of Classic Stories…that’s just beautiful! Wonderful photos Amanda =)
You had a great reading month and I hope December goes just as great even with the holidays! Happy Reading =)
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Thanks Gretchen!!! I couldn’t help myself… I justified it as a book for the kids, but I’m not fooling anyone here lol Happy December to you!
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Lmao!!! I am literally giggling over here. Happy December to you as well =)
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My November reading was not great. You seem to have had a much better one. Will you be reviewing The Girls? I really want to read it in 2017. Here’s a link to my wrap-up: https://coffeeandcatsblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/november-wrap-up/
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I will be reviewing the girls! I had mixed feeling. I definitely think it’s a worth while read, but I had a few issues with it. Thanks for stopping by! I’ll check out your month!
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Your reading and blogging month was so #goals, Amanda!! You did great ❤ ❤ I'm still uncertain if I should give Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe a go because none of the reviews I've read so far made any sense, haha! If you're going to review that one, PLEASE TAG MEEEEE ❤
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Haha thanks! I’m pretty proud of myself ☺️. We shall see how December goes though lol
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As you well should!! /o/ I’m sure December will go down smoothly too ❤
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You read so many books that I want to get my hands on I can’t wait to read The Underground Rail Road and The Girl From everywhere 🙂 I liked Miss Peregrines but I wasn’t in love with it like a lot of people were also I was not feeling the romance either I mean she’s his grampa’s age in the body of a teenager? It was just all types of strange o.o The movie is really different from the book but since I wasn’t to into the book I didn’t mind the changes that much hopefully you like it when you watch it 🙂
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I think you would really like The Girl from Everywhere! It seems right up your alley.
I enjoyed Miss Peregrine’s HFPC, but like you I didn’t absolutely adore it. I really liked the concept though. Have you read the next books in the series?
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Nope I haven’t read the next books I’m just not that motivated to pick them up, I’ll read them eventually because I bought the box set as an impulse buy 🙂
I think I’ll love it as well it sounds just like my type of book + the cover is so pretty 😀
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Great job, Amanda! You CRUSHED November! I am so impressed with not only the number of books you read but the overall number of posts you published! I could learn a thing or two from you. How do you manage to make time for all that? I’m blown away.
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Haha I’m just making up for my pathetic October 😂 As far as the number of books I read, my secret is audiobooks! Out of the 10 books I read, 4 were audiobooks. The audiobooks were also shorter books (The Halloween Tree, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Hugo Cabret are all under 6 hours of listening length).
As far as blogging, I’m not sure how I got so much accomplished…. I hope I can keep up the momentum lol
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Oh! You listened to Hugo? Have you seen the book? The illustrations are a big part of the story. I read it and watched the movie- they have some significant but wonderful differences.
I hope I can pick up your momentum through osmosis. Perhaps I just keep reading your blog and gain wisdom. 😜
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Yes I listened to the audiobook, but That was before I knew the book had amazing illustrations! Had I known this, I would have read it in physical form 😕 I think I am going to hold off on reviewing it until I can get my hands on an illustrated edition!
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As you can imagine, it’s a fast read. I am certainly interested in seeing what you think knowing the story in advance when you see the illustrations. I wonder if there is anything I missed hidden in them… Foreshadowing and the like.
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