Month In Review: November 2019

Both November and my break flew by way too fast, and I can’t believe we are already into the last month of 2019… Nothing much happened last month to be honest. No camping trip after all either, as I’ve recently discovered I’m basically ‘allergic’ to the sun now. 😦 With the UV index in the area of Argentina I live in higher than ever, I will basically break out in hives if I spend even a small amount of time in the sun during the summer months… And with the temperatures being high even this early in the season, it looks like I’ll have a long couple of months cooped up inside ahead of me. Anyone have some spare vampire teeth I could borrow now I live in the shadows? xD

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in November: 21
• Total number of books read this year: 244
• Total number of pages read in November: 7.450
• Total number of pages read this year: 81.466

I definitely read more than I thought I would during my break, and most titles were excellent at that! Two new 5 star reads, another bunch of almost perfect reads and only four titles 3 stars or below… I’m more than happy with that.

Month In Review: October 2019

October is from now on known as #Orentober as well as Halloween month!! I had a fantastic time reading books for both, and I have so many new Orenda beauties waiting for me on my TBR after reading all those fantastic reviews… As it’s currently Spring, I’ve been spending time prepping the garden for the season as well as doing a couple of smaller DIY projects around the house. More of that will follow in the next month as well as some long overdue self-care time and a couple of trips out of town (maybe even a camping trip if the weather plays nice?). I also did the necessary baking during October, although that will probably on hold during November as I’m trying to eat healthier this month. xD

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in October: 24
• Total number of books read this year: 223
• Total number of pages read in October: 7.591
• Total number of pages read this year: 74.016

My reading definitely picked up again in October, and I think I have the Orenda beauties and Halloween reads to thank for that. I also reread two of my all time favorites… And I found a new 5 star read as well! I did have two DNF reads this month, but with those being the only two below 3 stars, I’m still very happy with the books I was able to read in October.

Month In Review: September 2019

September turned out to be quite a stressful month reading wise, mostly my own fault as I seem to be drowning in a pile of ARCs right now… It’s probably the reason I’m once again feeling that reading/blogging slump and I really need to take a break ASAP, although I’m too excited about #Orentober so it will have to wait until November. xD September also means Spring has arrived again, and I’ve been working a lot prepping the garden and doing some DIY around the house… And of course a lot of baking/cooking as well, including Dutch ‘sprits’ cookies, apple crumble, pineapple/coconut cupcakes with buttercream decoration and my famous paella valenciana. ❤

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in September: 18
• Total number of books read this year: 199
• Total number of pages read in September: 5.775
• Total number of pages read this year: 66.425

September wasn’t my best month numbers wise, mostly because I’ve been feeling slumpy these last few weeks and it was affected my reading speed. That said, the books I did read were almost all winners. Not only did I find THREE new 5 star ratings, but I also had FIVE other other fantastic titles with an almost perfect rating… And only three titles had a rating below 4 stars. Oh yes, I definitely got lucky last month.

Month In Review: August 2019

August turned out to be a busy reading month and despite trying to take a break from blogging, I can’t say I was able to relax much… I blame the #NEWTsReadathon2019 haha. August was the month of a fantastic buddy read with Nicki (The Willow Woman), lots of baking, enjoying the winter sunshine and garden preparations. I’m hoping next month will be more relaxed though! And I’m more than ready to welcome the Spring season…

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in August: 24
• Total number of books read this year: 181
• Total number of pages read in August: 8.403
• Total number of pages read this year: 60.650

August turned out to be another excellent reading month and I read way more books than expected, mostly thanks to the NEWTs Readathon. I also found myself not one, not two, but THREE new 5 star reads! On top of that, FIVE other fantastic titles were given the almost perfect rating… Oh yes, I definitely got lucky last month.

Month In Review: July 2019

July turned out to be an uneventful month and with the cold winter weather I’ve been spending lots of time cooped up instead in the company of a steaming cup of tea or coffee, a purring cat and of course the obligatory book or my kindle. With the result I managed to read a LOT! More about that below… I was also lucky enough to receive a copy of the children’s book Física Hasta En La Sopa by Hernán Grecco early July through the Masa Crítica Argentina program at Babelio, and I had a lot of fun reading it! As it’s not on Goodreads I won’t count it toward my read books this year, but in case you are interested, you can find a full review (in Spanish) here.

I also enjoyed my time baking (featured below my fruit-custard pie and ‘sunset swirl’ lemon bites), preparing homemade stuffed pasta (sorrentinos!) to freeze and other kitchen related things… My second-favorite thing to do after reading. 😉 And some of the bulbs in our garden are having flowers early this year and I love the little touch of Spring in the air! ❤

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in July: 21
• Total number of books read this year: 156
• Total number of pages read in July: 7.970
• Total number of pages read this year: 52.114

July turned out to be an excellent reading month despite another DNF, and I found myself not one, not two, but THREE new 5 star reads! On top of that, FOUR other fantastic titles were given the almost perfect rating… Oh yes, I definitely got lucky last month.

Month In Review: June 2019

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June turned out to be a cold, but busy month and I’m surprised I was able to read the amount I did. I guess being cooped up inside because of the cold winter weather does help me read more! I posted two weeks ago I was going light for the season, but so far I’ve still be able to post almost daily… You might have seen me around less on social media though and I’ve been bloghopping less as well, but I promise I’ll still be around! Here’s a photo of frenemies Delilah Bard and Jasmine to make up for my absence. 😉 ❤

I also had to scratch that creative bug last month, and I made myself a paperback booksleeve and crocheted two pairs of fingerless gloves as my hands are starting to freeze when I read or blog otherwise. xD I especially love how the gloves came out!

Now to the bookish numbers:

• Number of books read in June: 22
• Total number of books read this year: 135
• Total number of pages read in June: 6.960
• Total number of pages read this year: 44.144

June turned out to be a pretty good reading month. I didn’t get a new 5 star rating, but a whopping EIGHT books received an almost perfect rating. It’s going to be hard to pick just one favorite for the month! Sadly I did have another DNF and a few books received a lower rating, but overall I’m definitely happy with the books I was able to read.

Best of… May 2019 @Orendabooks @nholten

I had originally decided to include this new feature in my monthly wrap ups, but I just felt there were too many facts squeezed into one little post and the whole purpose of putting my favorite reads in the spotlight was lost. So this is me giving those favorites their well deserved extra attention! I had a LOT of fantastic reads in May, all worth mentioning so brace yourself for a long post. But there was one title that stood out above the rest, an easy choice for this month’s favorite. Did you guess already which one? Without further delay, May 2019’s favorite is… *drumroll*

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Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech!! I can’t believe this is only my first experience with her work, but it most definitely won’t be my last. What an absolutely fantastic read!

What I said in my review:

“The writing style is absolutely wonderful of course, but it is the characters who steal the show in Call Me Star Girl. Louise Beech should receive an award for being able to create such fascinating characters that are both flawed, strong and essentially unlikeable, but are able to win over your heart anyway.”

“Subtle twists and turns are incorporated in such a way that builds the tension and suspense without even realizing it; throwing new shocking information at you before you are getting comfortable with what you already know.”

Click here for my full review