October 2017 Monthly Highlights

Hi! So for me, October started off as a pretty good month. I read a ton of books, I still had hope for finishing most of my challenges (including my goal of reading 100 books this year, I had a plan) even though I am seriously behind on every one of my goals.

This year has been a challenging year for me. I still love reading, but it hasn't been as big a part of my life as it usually is. I've been reading less. I've had several months where I didn't read any books or only read a couple instead of several.

It also has been one of those years where things happen and it feels like a snowball that just continues to roll and grow until it starts going down a hill picking up speed and getting bigger until it is just completely out of control. Like I said earlier, I haven't been reading and blogging much this year which has been difficult for me. We've been sick, had injuries, panic attacks, a hurricane, and heartbreak.

The latest thing has been heartbreak. Which for me has been the hardest. I haven't talked about it much at all. Mostly just with my Mom, Grandma, and my husband. I've had a heart to heart with a close family friend, she is like family to me. And I did finally talk about it a little bit with one of my best friends. I hate Cancer. I have participated in Relay for Life several times and it has always moved me to tears. Cancer hurts everyone it touches, it hurts the people that have/had it. Their families. Their friends. The news when you hear a loved one is no longer in remission, hurts a lot. But you still have hope, still pray that they can fight it again. But sometimes no matter how hard that person fights, cancer wins.

My heart breaks because I love and will miss person we lost. My heart breaks for his Dad, Mom, Stepmom, and siblings, because I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, a sibling. My heart breaks for his grandparents, because I can't imagine the pain of losing a grandchild. My heart breaks because I am sad that the next time I visit, I won't see him again. 

As of now, it has been almost a month. I'm still sad, it will always bring a tear to my eye. I see things and people that remind me of him and it brings tears to my eyes. But now I am going to focus on memories. Focus on the pictures I have with his bright smiling face and remember the way he made everyone smile around him. And I am going to hope that someday in our future there will be a cure for cancer, a time where it won't come back.

1. Day 21 (The 100 #2) by Kass Morgan
2. Wish You Were Italian (If Only #2) by Kristin Rae
3. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
4. Not in the Script (If Only #3) by Amy Finnegan
5. Just Like the Movies (If Only #7) by Kelly Fiore Stultz
6. The Bachelor Prince by Debbie Macomber
7. What You Always Wanted (If Only #8)  by Kristin Rae
8. Fool Me Twice (If Only #1) by Mandy Hubbard
9. The Royal Treatment (The Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy #1) by Melanie Summers
10. The Royal Wedding (The Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy #2) by Melanie Summers
11. Rebound (Boomerang #2) by Noelle August 
12. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1) by Libba Bray
13. Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks #2) by Miranda Kenneally 
14. Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2) by Libba Bray
15. Things I Can't Forget  (Hundred Oaks #3) by Miranda Kenneally
16. Guys Do Not Do Secret Santa (Hundred Oaks #0.5) by Miranda Kenneally
17. Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally
18. Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks #5) by Miranda Kenneally
19. Jesse's Girl (Hundred Oaks #6) by Miranda Kenneally

2017 GoodReads Challenge:

***As of the end of October, I am no longer as optimistic about reaching 100 books this year. So I have lowered my Goodreads goal for the year to 75 books. Still a challenge since I am behind, but not stressful anymore. I will try 100 books again next year.*** 

57/75 books read

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl 

5/12
Read This Month:

None read this month

Hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Chelly

3/20

Read This Month:

None read this month

Hosted by The YA Book Traveler

31/75

Read This Month:

1. Wish You Were Italian (If Only #2) by Kristin Rae
2. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
3. Not in the Script (If Only #3) by Amy Finnegan
4. Just Like the Movies (If Only #7) by Kelly Fiore Stultz
5. What You Always Wanted (If Only #8)  by Kristin Rae
6. Fool Me Twice (If Only #1) by Mandy Hubbard
7. Rebound (Boomerang #2) by Noelle August 
8. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle #1) by Libba Bray
9. Stealing Parker (Hundred Oaks #2) by Miranda Kenneally 
10. Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2) by Libba Bray
11. Things I Can't Forget  (Hundred Oaks #3) by Miranda Kenneally
12. Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally
13. Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks #5) by Miranda Kenneally
14. Jesse's Girl (Hundred Oaks #6) by Miranda Kenneally

2/17

Read This Month:

None read this month

At the beginning of October, I was planning to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again this year. I have "participated" every year since 2013. Winning only once in 2013, the first year I participated. Then after things happened, I decided I didn't have it in me to participate this year. But then on October 30th, I decided I couldn't stop doing the things I want to do or love because I am sad, so I am doing NaNoWriMo. I am not on track and am way behind already. But I am writing and I see that as a win. All the words are words that I have been thinking about writing but hadn't yet, until now. So, I might not win NaNoWriMo this year, but the fact that I am writing words again and getting my weird story down is making me happy. Which I see as a personal win. 

My October reading started off great, but then I decided to lower my 2017 Goodreads goal. I probably won't reach any of my goals this year, but that is okay. Next year is another year to try. I hope everyone has a wonderful November! Happy Reading!