Has anyone else been blasting the Christmas music since Thanksgiving? (#ME)
Just had to mention it xD.
I literally don't know where to start. (except IT'S DECEMBER and I. Am. Happy! <3 <3)
My sister (Skylar, who is super musically-gifted, I can't even) performed at her orchestra concert, and it was so, so fun to go and watch her perform. Someday I'll have to get her to play something for me to record, so that you guys can hear her beautiful music <3.
Thanksgiving happened, which was AMAZING because we had family over for the entire week, and then EVEN MORE family came over on Thanksgiving day. And it was just warm enough that day to be hanging out outside, which was epic.
And the fun things we do leading up to Thanksgiving are always the best - it's been our traditional for the last few years to hand out "Thanksgiving cards" around the neighborhood a few days before Thanksgiving. It was so fun to go tromping through fallen leaves in the dark while the Christmas lights were on to give cards to the neighbors <3.
Guess who quit NaNoWriMo?
Me? NO, no no no, why would you ever think - yeah, it was me. And it was actually because I just wasn't that interested this year, AND I needed a break after hardcore editing Asher Grey for the last forever. I would have collapsed without taking some time off, so I did the smart thing for my mental health and REFRAINED from madly stressing myself out xD. So I got to about 13k words this month, and that was all xD.
But near the end of the month, I got back into the full swing of editing, and now I'm on a roll! It's great fun brainstorming ideas for Asher Grey with my betas, even though their job is technically done (I have THE BEST betas <3. Shoutouts to Julia, Sarah, Skye, Faith, Clare, Audrey, Micaiah, Soleil, and my sisters)
I've also been working on-and-off on writing more of The Testing, so perhaps I shall show you more of that in the near future? We shall see ;).
+ The Candymakers by Wendy Mass |
Okay, can we take a moment to appreciate how all the covers are giving off Autumn-ish vibes? So much pretty <3. And the insides of the books are all just as pretty as the outsides! It was a good month for reading, y'all.
- Gregor And The Code Of Claw by Suzanne Collins. So I did a big bad thing. I read the first book in this series and then went straight to the last one. And do you know what? I still enjoyed it immensely! I actually wasn't confused, and I loved the book. Suzanne Collins is an absolute MASTER when it comes to writing. I'm giving this book a lovely four stars!
- Illusionarium by Heather Dixon. I think this was a third reread? Probably? It could have even been even more than that, ha xD. But I love Illusionarium so much! Even knowing all the plot twists, even knowing where the story is going, it's AMAZING. The characters are just so amazing, I can't <3. This one gets a glowing FIVE STARS.
- Ashlynn's Dreams by Julie C. Gilbert. I actually got this from the author in a giveaway a couple months ago, and it took me forever to get to it! #shameful And, like an awful, shallow bookworm, I judged the book by the cover + spine ... and didn't expect to enjoy it very much? But I was WRONG. Ashlynn's Dreams was so good, I loved it. I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars, but it probably would be 4 if not for some formatting problems. Otherwise, it was great.
And on another bookish note - I randomly picked up a hardcover copy of Iscariot by Tosca Lee when I was out and about awhile ago (*cough* because cheap hardcovers *cough*), but I wasn't sure if I was going to like it? The premise seemed a little strange. But then I started it and OH MY. I'm not even halfway through yet, but I'm going to have to review it for you guys when I'm done to try and process my thoughts coherently xD.
- Christine posted about her beautiful novel, The Nether Isle, and it looks GORGEOUS, I need it so bad <3.
- Lisa over at Inkwell also posted about her NaNo novel, and it looks AMAZING, I can't even.
- Burning Youth put up a wonderful post called 'her heart in your hands'.
- Jonathan did an epic post on stress and why it isn't worth it.
- Micaiah created a Movie Book Tag, which looks super-cool and I'm totally going to steal it.
- Bright Eyes is still managing to come out with better and better podcasts, and I'm not sure how they keep managing to beat their own greatness? But I'm still over here flailing over them like a mad octopus, so. (if you haven't listened to Bright Eyes yet, YOU MUST)
- Renegades just recently released and I'm so excited about it, but all the people who've read it seem to think it was a bit on the 'meh' side? So I've got mixed feelings. BUT I'll give you guys aaalll my thoughts on it once I read it, fear not xD.
- Apparently another Fantastic Beasts movie is coming out next year and I TOTALLY FORGOT, so I was able to be all wildly excited again when I heard about The Crimes Of Grindewald. Even though I haven't even watched Fantastic Beasts yet. ... yeah. I is weird. Also, I need to watch it xD.
- The cover reveal for Nadine Brandes' new book, Fawkes, happened, and if you have not seen it's beauty yet, where have you been? It's gorgeous <3.
Well, I think a new Q&A vlog will be happening, as Ariel's been begging me to do another vlog xD. So be watching for a post for that in the next week! It'll be lots of fun to tape a video for y'all again.
I'm so, so excited that the Christmas season is here again, and I'd say it's my favorite time of year, but that would be cliche (IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR). I hope you guys have an EPIC December! <3 <3
~ Savannah Grace
how was your November/Thanksgiving?
what was the best book you read this month?
HOW DID NANOWRIMO GO??
I can’t wait to read Renegades either!!!!! I kind of despised Heartless, but I’m still planning to read Renegades. Maybe Meyer’s gotten back in her groove? :D
ReplyDeletePlus, IT'S A SUPERHERO NOVEL, and I've been in the mood for a superhero read lately? Here's hoping that it lives up to the hype! *crosses fingers* You'll have to tell me what you think once you finish it ;).
DeleteYou read a lot of good books this month! *coughPERCY JACKSON AND THE KANE CHRONICLEScough*
ReplyDeleteThough, have you read the PJO series before? And you're reading the sequel series at the same time? No judgement, I just have questions. XD
YES, I LOVED THOSE. And yup, I've read the whole PJO series (multiple times over xD), and I've read the sequel series, too ... it's just been so long that I've forgotten most of what happens, so it's like reading a whole new series. IT'S SO FUN xD.
DeleteHey girl! Awesome post! *high-five for being the forst to comment* My Nano went horrible, finals got in the way of my beautiful stories XD Sure you can relate lol The best book I have read would probably the 304 time I read Inkheart :) Such a good book. My sister is also musically inclined!
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well!
-Ry @ https://greenacresfarmgirlliving4god.blogspot.com/
Well you have a MUCH better reason for falling a little short on NaNo than I do! xD I hope finals went well for you. OOH, INKHEART <3 <3 <3. It's such an epic book, isn't it? Have you read the whole series? (and it's so cool that your sister likes music! What instrument does she play?)
DeleteI have read the series and re-read about 50 times lol.. she mostly plays violin, piano.. she can play pretty much anything on any instrument.. Have you read the Ink heart series?
DeleteDUDE YOUR BOOK WAS WONDERFUL NO NEED TO THANK ME for reals
ReplyDeleteWELL I'M THANKING YOU ANYWAY FOR BEING AN EPIC BETA + PUTTING UP WITH ALL MY QUESTIONS. you're epic for reals xD
DeleteHOW IS IT SEPTEMBER ALREADY, HOW, I ASK YOU!!!?
ReplyDeleteAnd, I guess I don't really need to tell you what my Thanksgiving is like, 'cuzzzzzz.......YOU WERE THERE. xD
Thanks for posting again! ;)
Jaidyn Elise<3
Pretty sure you didn't mean September ;D. Though wouldn't it be GREAT if the months went backwards just for a little bit? WE'D GET MORE TIME xD.
DeleteThanks for commenting! <3
Aww you linked to me *hugs*
ReplyDeleteI bought myself Renegades on whim and can't wait to see ... how it turns out :P whether or not that monster turns out long and slow or not it should be useful in learning what to do/what not to do when writing superheroes *nods*
Well, your novel IS pretty epic (AND I'M DYING TO READ IT xD).
DeleteOoh, YES, I saw a picture of the book itself on Nadine Brandes' Instagram and OH MY, that thing is a BEAST. You'll have to let me know if it's super slow or not, because I do NOT want to be dragging myself through a book that huge (... though, I probably will, because IT'S MARISSA MEYER xD). I hope you enjoy it!
Glad to see November went well for you! An orchestra sounds fun. :)
ReplyDelete-Amaris
It was quite fun! I love watching my sister play ;). Thanks for commenting, Amaris! <3
DeleteAw, thanks for linking to my tag! =D And Asher Grey was SO GOOD. I loved reading it!
ReplyDeleteThe best book I read this month... I've been bad at reading this past November, so I'll pick The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I've only started it, but I'm really enjoying it. =)
Micaiah @ Notebooks and Novels
You're welcome! I'm hoping to have time to snag it during December :D. And THANK YOU SO MUCH. Editing it is taking FOREVER, so I'm hoping I'll have time to juuust sneak it into the Rooglewood contest ;).
DeleteOoh, you're reading The Outsiders? I've heard SO MANY good things about that book, and yet I haven't started to read it yet? You'll have to let me know your thoughts on it when you finish it! I might have to give it a try :D.
Aaahhhh look at all those Rick Riordan books you read. <3 You're making me want to reread Percy Jackson now. XD
ReplyDeleteCongrats on caring enough about your mental health to quit NaNo. A lot of people won't do that *cough* *me* *cough*, so you should be proud of yourself. Though technically, I don't think it's quitting. It's choosing to not do it in favor of something more worthwhile for yourself as an individual. #priorities
ReplyDeleteI would love to see another vlog from you! You do such a good job with them!
I've been blasting Christmas music since BEFORE Thanksgiving and literally listening to it right now. XD I JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!! But hooooowwwww is it December already? HOW?! O_O
ReplyDeleteI would looove to hear a musical recording of your sister. That'd be awesome! :D
I am proud of you for not forcing yourself to push through NaNo! You have worked SO hard with all the writerly things and absolutely deserved to take a break. You did a healthy thing and I totally admire that!
But I am super excited to hear all the writerly things you're getting back into. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE TESTING! :D
YOU ARE SO SWEET TO LINK TO MY POST ABOUT THE NETHER ISLE. I CAN'T RIGHT NOW! <33333
You're doing another vlog? YESSSSSSHHHH. You and Ariel do the BEST vlogs. I can't wait! :D All the exciting things to come! *twirls*
Aww, don't feel too bad about quitting NaNo. I quit too. We'll be quitters together, haha. XD It was just too much, you know? I'm definitely taking a break for December. :)
ReplyDeleteILLUSIONARIUUUUUUUM. *flails forever* The characters are just agh. SO. GOOD. All the twists and turns and witty banter just ACK. So much love. <333
I've seen those mixed reviews about Renegades too. Hmm. Hopefully I'm not too disappointed. Heartless was good and I LOVE THE LUNAR CHRONICLES TO DEATH, so, here's hoping? XD
YAY you're doing another vlog! Can't wait! You have a lovely December too! ^_^