For What It's Worth


Monday, November 5, 2018

My Monday Musings: October wrap-up–november goals


The end of October went out with a bang - a lot of personal things were going on (nothing bad! Just enough to throw everything off course and leave me feeling overwhelmed) and I haven't felt like sitting at my computer or even reading.

Luckily that has all passed and I'm back on track. I've also been very bad at commenting and hope to be better with that too.

Here's the wrap-up for October and a peak ahead at my November reading...

Fun book pics:

I really loved taking creeptastic book pictures for Instagram. Starting with The Ladies of Horror Fiction Challenge a few months ago then heading up to Halloween. Here are a few more that to close out the season….


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# of books read:

I read a total of 20 books and I finished with the two biggest ALA book months – so now it’s just a handful left and a few stragglers that I missed during their release month.

I’m keeping up with my Goodreads challenge. It was 100 books but I raised it to 150 and I’m almost there!


2018 Reading Challenge

2018 Reading Challenge
Karen has read 148 books toward her goal of 150 books.
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Favorite reads:

*Click on the book cover to be taken either to my review or Goodreads page

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Audio Faves:

*I'm kinda sorta getting used to this audio thing! I'll talk about it more in another post.

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November reading Goals:

Only 3 ALA arc’s and after that WHATEVER I WANT!!!!

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I need to catch up on reviews and I want to start joining in on more memes/features – maybe start doing the Sunday Post link up. I’ll have to see how that goes. I’m also feeling quite lazy lol

Giveaway Hop:

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I’ll be joining in on Reading Reality &  Caffeinated Reviewer’s Black Friday Giveaway Hop this year. My giveaway will be international so be sure to check back. Sign ups are open until November 20th here.

How was your October reading and what do you have planned for November?

28 comments:

  1. I did better than I thought I would in October, but November might murder me Lol

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    1. I go through phases. I haven't read in a week but I'll probably read like crazy this week. Luckily I read fast and that's what keeps my #'s up.

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  2. MEMES?!?!? That means you're committing to something?!?!? Hey, body snatcher, give Karen back! 😂

    My October was the epitome of meh. I was so proud to have Halloween month covered for the first time, but of course...very few people read reviews - at least for old(ish) books no one else is talking about. And almost zero people comment on them. I should have known better, after 6 years of blogging...

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    1. I'm hoping to pick back up with TMST this month. Even though I LOVE Halloween - I don't have a lot to say as far as horror books and movies go. Weird but true lol

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  3. Love the pictures. I think the one with the skeleton is my favorite. I adored both TKQ and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story. So glad to see them on your favorites list. I read Love a la Mode this weekend. It was really cute. I hope you like it.

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    1. I love that skeleton! He will stick around all year lol

      I can't wait to read Love a la mode. IT's the kind of book I love these days.

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  4. Girlfriend I think I have up on my ARCs from Annual. I probably set 10 to the side so I only have one last one to read (and three eARCs). I will live vicariously through you!

    I'm so happy you've gotten you audiobook groove! I need to listen to my copy of Sadie sooner rather than later.

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    1. This is the first time I've been to a book conference and the books didn't sit on my shelf neglected for 4+ years! lol

      I'm not an audio convert just yet but I am finding what books do work for me. They just take SO much longer than if I just sat and read them.

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  5. You're doing really well with your reading challenge! I hope to finish mine this month too. I'm going to see how many books I can get read for Scifi month but no pressure on myself to do it!

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    1. I read really fast but I always set the # low at first then creep it up throughout the year. I've had reading slumps where I barely made 50 for the year so I never know.

      Murderbot is the sci-fi one I hope to get to this month. I'm waiting for it from my library.

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  6. I loved all your spooky pics on Instagram. You have some really fun decor!! I hope you get back your reading groove this month. :)

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    1. Thanks. I love everything about October and Halloween.

      We've been so busy with appointments and things popping up that take away from my reading time. Hopefully it all slows down.

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  7. I love your instagram pics you have here. I need to get back to doing them more, I just keep forgetting. hehe

    I can't believe October is OVER already...so sad. But I love this time of year, all my favorite holidays :)

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    1. Thanks! I love Halloween so it was fun. I'm sure I'll slack off now that's it's back to normal pics lol

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  8. Yay for getting your mojo back and hitting your ALA stack hard. Fun Insta-pics!
    I like your idea of trying to do more with memes. I've seen people take a 'when I feel like it' approach or a 'when I have time' that keeps it from being burdensome.

    Love seeing your favorite reads. Better Not Pout is one on my list still.

    Have a great November, Karen!

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    1. Yes, I can't participate in rigid memes where I need to post a lot or if it's tons of work.

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  9. 20 books is pretty awesome. I still haven't read Sadie (was going to get it when it came out, but then...didn't), and The Kiss Quotient is supposed to be pretty good I guess.

    Yay for reading what you want. :)

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    1. Sadie was INTENSE. I alternated between listening to it on audio and reading my arc.

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  10. Even audio faves! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

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  11. I hope things have settled down for you. Love the book pic with the black feathers! I just picked up This is Kind of an Epic Love Story from the library so I’m excited to see that it was one of your favorites!

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  12. Way to go on your reading challenge! I am trying to fit in all the reading I can before the baby is born. Lord knows I won't have time to read after that lol

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  13. I'm so glad you loved Jack, Epic Love Story, and Better Not Pout. I really enjoyed those three too. Yay for having just a few ALA books left. I have all November ARCS finished, so now it's just a few for December and January, which is nice, as I do want to keep reading books I already own, or just back list books in general. It's been a nice mix of that this year I think. I loved all your spooky Insta photos last month; I shall miss them!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  14. October was a poor reading month for me (understandably!) and I have no idea what November will bring but I do hope to read more... I have hopes of reaching my Goodreads challenge but I'm 7 books behind and I have been for months so I think the catching up ship has sailed. Well done on your reading this year! Raising your goal by 50 books and only being 2 off the new total is awesome.

    P.S - Your Halloween pics have been awesome. I still struggle with instagram but the Halloween pics have been great and Fonzi pics always make me smile. :)

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  15. Yay for almost hitting your second goal! Ahh on commenting. I comment bomb at this point a couple times a month. lol

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  16. I'm sorry to hear personal things have been throwing you off course, I hate that. You have a plan and no matter how hard you try nothing you can do to stick to it. And check you out raising your reading goal, I only wish I could do that. You are having a good time of reading and that is always brilliant.

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  17. Glad to hear that whatever is going on is not bad, just hectic. I love your picture of Black Wings Beating! And the spine on your arc of Wilder is really cool!

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