November 2015 Wrap Up

Jen

November was a really good reading month for me. I got through a lot of books, but more importantly I read books that I had really been wanting to get to and finally read some of the books that had been sitting unread on my shelves for the longest time. 
 

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines → 5/5

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines → 5/5

Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines → 5/5

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin → 4.5/5

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (audiobook narrated by Carolyn McCormick) → all 5/5

What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton → 3/5

Five Ways To Fall by K.A. Tucker → 3/5

Devoted by Hilary Duff → 4/5

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn → 4/5

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff → 5/5

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer → 4.5/5

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer → 4.75/5

November 9 by Colleen Hoover → 3/5

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines → 5/5

Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines → 3/5

Fallen by Lauren Kate → 4/5

Torment by Lauren Kate → 2/5

Passion by Lauren Kate → 4/5

Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate → 3/5

Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe → 5/5

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder → 2/5

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder → 4/5

By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder → 4/5

Mel
Whilst I did do a lot of reading this month, I've had so many books on the go that I didn't actually finish many. Oh well, I've had loads on this month like travelling down to Melbourne for some book shopping with Jen and to meet Sarah J Maas! Definitely the highlight of the month! I also picked up crochet as a hobby, which may not actually last, but hey, it's fun for the time being! I've also been reading through my friends' manuscript, which is pretty good for a middle grade book. I've also been planning my own book out a bit more, and I'm excited to really dig in and get it going! I've already changed a few things about it, like the perspective and how I want one character to act, but I'm loving the direction it's going! I hope to get a lot written over summer, because bugger going out in that heat!

The Next Together by Lauren James → 5/5
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas → 5/5

November 2015 TBR

Jen

This is probably an over ambitious TBR, but I just have so many books that I really want to read at the moment! 

Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe - I started this mammoth book in October and got a fair way through so I’ll be aiming to finish this one in November. 

Never Too Far, Forever Too Far & Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines - I picked up Fallen Too Far one day because I needed something fast paced and easy to read. I was completely hooked so I want to continue on with the series and read books 2 and 3 plus the companion novel told from the male POV. (At the time of posting I have already finished these three books and loved them!)

Devoted by Hilary Duff - I finished Elixir in October so I want to continue on and read the second book in the series.

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I read the first two books in this trilogy in October and had planned to finish this third book as well but I just didn’t get to it so I will reading it in November.

Five Ways to Fall by K.A. Tucker - This is the fourth and final book in the Ten Tiny Breaths series. I loved the first book, hated the second one and loved the third one which got me excited to read this book.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - This is the November book pick for the Perustopia Book Club and Readalongs With April groups on Goodreads. There has been so much hype surrounding this book and I'm hoping that it doesn't disappoint.

Between the Lines & Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer - It has been one of my goals this year to read all of my unread Jodi Picoult books and these are the last two on the list. I wanted to read both of these books in October but that didn’t happen so hopefully I can get to at least one of these this month and it will feel like such an accomplishment if I manage to finish them both!

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - This will be another annual re-read of the entire trilogy for me in preparation of the movie release of Mockingjay Part 2 later in November.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin - This book was only recently released and I want to read it while I’m still on my Game of Thrones kick.

Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer - This was such a surprise when it hit the bookshelves and while I haven’t heard overly positive things from those who have read it, I do still want to read it for myself and see what I think.

I am also in the mood to read some darker YA contemporary books so any of the following are options for me to choose from:

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

All The Rage by Courtney Summers

Asking For It by Louise O’Neill

What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Live Through This by Mindi Scott

Stolen by Lucy Christopher 

Mel
I got so little read in October due to assignments, so I really want to make up for it this month! In addition to the following books, I'll be reading my friends' manuscript!

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas - I want to finish this very soon, because I get to meet Sarah on the 24th of this month! I received an email from Dymocks saying that they'd organised a second event in Melbourne and OMG, only the first 300 people on the waiting list were sent the email! I accepted and got confirmation, so YAY!
The Next Together by Lauren James - this came in the October YA Chronicles subscription box and has gone straight onto my TBR because it sounds amazing!
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J Maas - another book to finish before Nov 24th!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas - same reason!
Doctor Who: After Life by Al Ewing & Rob WIlliams (writers)
Doctor Who: Revolutions of Terror by Nick Abadzis (writer) - these Doctor Who books are comic book style graphic novels and are just a quick read to help me reach my reading challenge goal.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - I've already started reading it, so I might as well continue.

Optional:
Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E Pearson
Parcy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

October 2015 TBR

Jen

A Dance with Dragons Part 2: After the Feast by George R.R. Martin 

(I started this in September after finishing Part 1 and I am so excited to finish this book and finally be all caught up with this series.)

Elixir by Hilary Duff 

(I started this book in September but I put it down to read other books and just never got back to it so I really want to finish it in October.)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon 

(This was actually one of the September picks for the Readalongs with April group on Goodreads, but I couldn’t get my hands on a copy until now so I will be reading it this month instead.)

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin 

(This is one of the October picks for Readalongs with April and I am so excited because I have been wanting to start this series for some time now. It’s actually been on some of my past monthly TBR lists but I just didn’t get to it.)

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 

(This is the October pick for the Read-a-Long with Priceiswong Goodreads group and yet another book that I’ve been really wanting to read.)

Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker 

(This is the third book in the Ten Tiny Breaths series. The second book wasn't great but I do want to continue on so I will be reading the this book.)

Between the Lines & Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer 

(It has been one of my goals this year to read all of my unread Jodi Picoult books and these are the last two on the list. Hopefully I can get to both of these this month and it will feel like such an accomplishment when I finish them!)

Harry Potter: The Character Vault by Jody Revenson 

(I pre-ordered this one and it just arrived in the mail. So excited to read this!)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay 

(I also pre-ordered this one and I cannot wait to finally get my hands on this book! I don’t think I will be reading it fully as I completed a re-read of the entire series earlier this year, but I will definitely be devouring all the beautiful illustrations.) 

Mel
I might go with whatever I feel like this month, instead of trying to read the books on my currently reading list on Goodreads. But I'm definitely in the mood for:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - I would love to finish the audiobooks (I'm almost done with Order of the Phoenix) before my copy of the illustrated edition of Philosopher's Stone arrives. I can't wait to see all of the gorgeous illustrations! I'm waiting to see if I'm in the mood to read the whole thing though. I just might!
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas. I am 1/3 the way through so far (impressive since September was a reading slump) but I will be speeding up progress through the book by skipping or skimming the witchclan chapters. I don't like those characters and I get bored reading them. If it becomes necessary to read them fully, I'll set aside some time specifically to focus on those chapters.
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan. I am up to the third book in the series and I have the Heroes of Olympus series on laybuy (I picked up over $100 worth of books, hence the laybuy) and I'm really looking forward to catching up both series before moving onto Riordan's new book.
 The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson. I finally bought this book! So I can't wait to continue the series.
Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier. I finally bought this one too! Yay!!
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. I've been seeing people review this series on Booktube lately, so now I'm in the mood to start it.