I can’t believe it’s already November 1st. Where did the freaking time go? I remember starting a fresh spreadsheet for 2016 and I’ve already filled it up with everything I’ve read, watched and did this year. Holy cow, it’s almost 2017.
What I Did
October was the month of funerals. There were so many and my family made appearances at all of them. There was my friend’s grandson Joseph (he was a premie that didn’t make it :(), my Great Aunt and then a woman I knew since I was a baby, having gone to Church with her family for many years.
Brenna got her senior portraits and those came out really well. I’m super stoked to get some that I can share without getting sued so stay tuned for those.
The highlight of October was probably Brenna’s Homecoming Dance. She was asked by her friend Maxwell right after practice so she was surprised, but happily so and then Homecoming night was a lot of fun as she was able to spend some quality time with her girls, all glammed up and she told me that they danced the night away then finished off the night with Chick-Fil-A and non-stop laughs with all of her friends. I’m really glad that I don’t have to worry about underage drinking with Brenna and her friends.
What I Watched
Pitch: I started this show on the recommendation from Ames and I’m not at all sorry that I tried this one out. I’m already shipping Lawson and Baker hard and I’ve grown quite fond of everyone in the cast. It’s a lot of fun seeing the ins and outs of the MLB and seeing the main character Ginny try to figure things out is great…and holy cow, that last episode?? Ginny’s reaction to the news of her agent and Lawson dating? Gah. My heart can’t take it!!
This is Us: I’m still going strong with this show. It’s good stuff and I am really loving all of the little cliffhangers with each episode. Every single episode has dropped some bombs that have me so anxious for the next one. Gah, this is such a good show.
All of the Hallmark Movies: The month of October was for Hallmark movies for me. I spent quite a bit of the month watching a different Hallmark movie and enjoying the cheesiness of them all. My favorite of the bunch that I watched was with Jackson from The Originals and Italia Ricci-Amell. That was a fun one!
The Usuals: I’ve also stayed on top of my usual TV shows since they’re all back. Chicago PD, Med and Fire, The Vampire Diaries (are we seriously getting a June wedding???? YAY!), and Jane the Virgin. So far, so good on all my shows so I’ll be continuing watching them.
What I Listened To
So I got really into my Happy Planner stuff this month so I spent a huge chunk of my work day listening and watching a bunch of Planner Videos. Some of my favorites are:
These YouTubers did a great job of inspiring me to work on my own planner and I’ve gotten a lot of tips and ideas from these videos. My planner has never looked prettier. LOL.
What I Read
The Viscount and the Vixen (Hellions of Havisham #4) by Lorraine Heath | 4 out of 5
Results May Vary by Bethany Chase | 4 out of 5
The Goal (Off-Campus #4) by Elle Kennedy | 4 out of 5
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West | 4 out of 5
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne | 4 out of 5
Addicted (Outlaws #2) by Elle Kennedy | 3.5 out of 5
Keepsake (True North #3) by Sarina Bowen | 4.5 out of 5
Shadow Rider (Shadows #1) by Christine Feehan | 2.5 out of 5
Twisted Palace (Royals #3) by Erin Watt | 2.5 out of 5
Someone Like You (Oxford #3) by Lauren Layne | 5 out of 5
Ruled (Outlaws #3) by Elle Kennedy | 3 out of 5
One Snowy Night (Heartbreaker Bay #2.5) by Jill Shalvis | 4 out of 5
My favorite read of the month goes to Someone Like You by Lauren Layne. Is anyone surprised that Lauren Layne won my favorite read of the month award? Cause I’m not. She writing a lot of my favorite books this year. I’m in love with pretty much all of her stuff and Lincoln’s book was everything that I hoped it would be. Probably more. I just loved it to pieces!
My least favorite book was tied between Twisted Palace by Erin Watt and Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan. The craziness that I loved about the Royals was missing in Twisted Palace and I just could not even deal with everything going on. I spent most of that book pissed off and the same thing happened with Shadow Rider. The controlling nature of the hero pissed me off way too often in that book so my enjoyment suffered because of it.
What I Reviewed
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Three Amazing Things about You by Jill Mansell
Bedmates by Nichole Chase
Four Letter Word by J. Daniels
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West & The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot
To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne
Addicted by Elle Kennedy & Results May Vary by Bethany Chase
The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Lemmon
Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan & Undecided by Julianna Keyes
I got a lot more reviewed this month than previous months and that’s got a lot to do with me deciding to review books here on this blog as well. I need to stay on top of my reviews so reviewing on both blogs works for me.
What I Got
There is a lot of stuff in this month’s haul that I’m super excited to get to. The review books, books that I purchased because of reviews I read on different blogs, books that were gifted to me from my blog bestie Ames, just so much goodness. I’m super happy with everything that I got.
What I Loved
I bought a Kindle Paperwhite this month and I have been getting acquainted with it. I really like it. I like that it’s light and easy on my wrists but I also like that I can read out in the sunlight without glare issues. I love that it’s an e-reader because I get easily distracted from reading on my iPad with notifications from Facebook, Instagram, etc…so having this lets me focus on reading and reading alone. I also like that I didn’t get a cover for it but a bag. A really great looking bag that fits my Kindle Paperwhite so nicely. Thanks to my niece Chelsea on the hook up on that.
It’s so hard to believe that the year’s almost over – where does the time go?! Sounds like you had a very busy and fun October, Rowena. I’ve got to start watching Pitch soon, because I think you’re the sixth or seventh blogger I’ve seen recommend it. Clearly there’s a lot to love with that show!
Hi Danya! Welcome to my blog! 🙂
I can’t believe that we’re already in November. I mean, I know that I was busy but not that busy…gah. Yes!!! Watch Pitch, it’s a great show!
I know, it’s crazy how we’re in Nov already! That’s sad about the funerals. Glad your daughter had such a great time, though. I really enjoy This is Us too, even though I don’t usually care for shows like that. Hope November is another good reading month for you!
I heard that. How is it that there are only two months left in 2016? Time needs to slow down. I’m not ready for turning another year older. 🙁
I hope November treats you well, too. Thanks for stopping by!
Sorry about the funerals…hopefully November is much better.
The Hating Game and Someone Like You were my favorites of the month, soooo good!
Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
Thanks, I’ve got my fingers crossed that November will treat my family a lot better. 🙂
I can’t wait to talk freely about Someone Like You with others…I love that one so much!