Thursday, October 31, 2013

October in review

First off, Happy Halloween! Right.  2013 has been the WORST for reading slumps. And no month was as bad as October. I can't remember the last time I read as few books as I did this month. At least the books I did finish were really good, right? Here is a look at what I was reading and blogging about in October. Bring on November...

Books Read in October 2013:

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry
Far From You by Tess Sharpe
Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve
Shadows by Paula Weston
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Addicted To You by Krista and Becca Ritchie
Finding Your Inner Cherokee by Siobhan Curham
Haze by Paula Weston
Model Misfit by Holly Smale
   
Total: 9

Total for 2013:196

9 books. Wow. That's not very good by my own normal standards. But it has been sort of nice to ease up a little bit on the reading. Only picking up books that I desperately want to read and not feeling that pressure to finish a book you're only half enjoying because it was sent for review. Maybe I should challenge myself more to slow down on the reading. Maybe I'll enjoy it more and have fewer book slumps?

I honestly loved all of the books I read this month. 

What was the best of the bunch though?

September Book of the Month:



Far From You by Tess Sharpe


It could only have been Far From You by Tess Sharpe. Sadly not published in the UK for many, many months. It's a gorgeous book though. Filled with really great characters and messy, complicated relationships. I think you all will love it when you get a chance to read it.

Books reviewed in October:

Mini-reviews: Prisoner in Alcatraz by Theresa Breslin and The Fall by Anthony McGowan
Cover reveal and review: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Far From You by Tess Sharpe
The Name on Your Wrist by Helen Hiorns
The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
Shadows by Paula Weston
Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles


Guest Reviews

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
Arclight by Josein L. McQuein
Gloss by Marilyn Kaye

A very big thank you, as always, to (one of) my lovely guest reviewer, Kulsuma! Thank you for your consistent and interesting reviews! I really do appreciate it. Together, there have been more reviews on the blog this month than books I've finished! When was the last time that happened?!

Non-review posts during October:

Break-ups in YA
Introducing the Bookish Brits
NaNoWriMo

Bit sparse with non-review posts this month, sorry! I started the month strong and it all petered out over the last few weeks. I am hugely excited though about Bookish Brits, the new collab channel that I've started. Please do read that post, if nothing else.



UKYA in 2013

UKYA in October

Teaser: Trouble by Non Pratt

Sharon Jones (Celebrating British Authors)
Sita Brahmachari (Celebrating British Authors)

I really wanted to bring you more posts covering UKYA in 2013, but it just didn't happen this month (just as it didn't happen last month *hangs head*) Still! I'm trying. I really do love this series of posts I have planned, telling you about some of the new-to-me UKYA authors that I've read this year. Look out for more of those soon. 

If you are a UKYA author with a book published this year, please do get in touch about guest posting here on Fluttering Butterflies! I'd love to have you.


Waiting on Wednesday

No Waiting on Wednesday posts this month, I'm afraid. Perhaps next month if I have the energy!


Bookshelf Requirements

Marcus Segwick's Bookshelf Requirements
Melina Marchetta - Paula Weston's Bookshelf Requirements

This feature is sorely lacking participants. Please do get in touch either via comments, twitter or email if you'd like to take part in Bookshelf Requirements.


British Books Challenge update in October

Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve
Finding Your Inner Cherokee by Siobhan Curham
Model Misfit by Holly Smale

Total in October: 3
Total in 2013: 53

3 books this month! I can't complain: at least that was ONE THIRD of the books I read this month. *cries silently* Perhaps November is the month I'll find my reading mojo...

Personal challenge to read 10 non-review books a month:

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Total in October: 1
Total in 2013: 47/120

Why am I still bothering with this challenge?! One book?!

What was your favourite book that you read in October? 

8 comments:

  1. 9 books is still great, I read about half as much :( And yes, what the hell is going on this year? I've never had so many reading slumps in my life. Let's hope 2014 is going to be less stressful and more slump-free!

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    1. Oh I do so hope that next year is slump-free! That would be amazing.

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  2. I love how your rubbish book month is a good one for me! Seriously though, I know how awful book slumps are so I really hope you get out of it. I always find that reading an old favourite or just letting yourself read what you want, no pressure, always really helps me. In fact, this year where I have stopped accepting books for review, I have read more books than the previous 2 years. Really says a lot.

    Cait x

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    1. That does say a lot! Perhaps that should be where I'm headed as well...

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  3. Did you enjoy Fearsome Dreamer? I read it a few weeks ago and LOVED it, it was just so good! I may have to reread it while I'm waiting for the second book to come out...

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    1. I loved Fearsome Dreamer! It was a complete surprise as I didn't know very much about it before I started reading it...

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  4. 9 books is still really good! Especially if they were all good ones. It shouldn't always be about numbers, reviews and statistics. Read what you want to read :-) Besides, you've been thinking of some amazing ideas for Bookish Brits and I think that more than makes up for it ;)

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    1. Thanks, Debbie. It is hard to forget sometimes that it isn't all about numbers and things. I really just want to charge through a lot of books to clear some of my shelves...

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