Let’s Wrap: November

November was a bit of a weird month. Or rather, a stressful one. I’ve just been a bit overwhelmed with trying to sort out my life and then trying to nurse a sick animal – my hamster Cookie – and then he passed away. As you can expect, I’m still pretty upset about the whole thing and I really miss him; he was like a tiny dog! But he led a great life and definitely improved mine, which is all that matters. Some people don’t understand just how much personality these little animals can have, and how attached you become to each other!

So it hasn’t really been a fun month and, as a result, my blog went totally on the back burner. However, I’m now back (mostly) and have some ideas for new posts. So bear with me!

There were some plus points, I have to admit, like getting published for what I think was the seventh (???) time, which was pretty mind-blowing! It was for the HG Wells Short Story Competition and, whilst I didn’t win, just to be published was amazing.

And we also adopted a cat! She’s settled in really well and three days ago we decided to finally let her outside (she was getting very grumpy and taking it out on the furniture). Thankfully, she clearly knows her way back to the house and she seems much happier (so does the sofa).

• My Most Anticipated November Book Releases
• The Sunday Post #19
• Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I’ve Added To My Wishlist Lately
• Stacking the Shelves | I’m On a Book Winning Streak!
• Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favourite Sci-Fi Films
• ARC Review: Gilded Cage by Vic James
• The Sunday Post #20
• An Unfortunate Update
• It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #3 + Update

As you can see, this month wasn’t good for my blog, for reading, or for me in general, but thanks for sticking with me!

None! I only finished reading one novel and, whilst I started A Darker Shade of Magic in November, I finished it this month, so it doesn’t count. But if you want to check out the review, then you can find it here.

I’m currently reading Gemina and loving it! I’m about a quarter of the way through and I’m totally hooked, just like I was with Illuminae. I got a little bit confused at the beginning as to what was going on, mainly because I couldn’t quite remember all the events from Illuminae, but I’ve got a grip on it now and wow this series is just too good. So many interweaving plots yet it never feels confusing, with larger than life characters and an amazing format that really ramps up the tension.

So far, I like the two leads, especially Nik, who I probably like as much as Ezra. However, I think I prefer Kady as a lead to Hanna. I’m now just counting down the hours till the Hypatia turns up…

But what to read after? I’m thinking maybe An Ember In the Ashes as I’ve heard such great things about it. Or to change it up a bit from Sci-Fi and Fantasy and go for a YA Contemporary instead, a la How Not To Disappear by Clare Furniss. I’ll have to see what I’m feeling closer to the time. I have so many good books in my TBR pile at the moment it’s just so hard to choose!

Also, just as a little warning now, I probably won’t be posting from this Saturday to next Tuesday as my boyfriend is coming to visit and we haven’t seen each other in a few months, seeing as I bailed on him twice. But with good reason, I might add, aka a very sick me followed by a very sick hamster.

And that’s my strange and depressing month over and done with. Bring on Christmas.

How was your November? Any opinions on what book I should read next? Have you read Gilded Cage, A Darker Shade of Magic or Gemina? Let me know in the comments below!