November is over. What a month.
Honestly, I’m struggling to think of what to say here, because in a year full of Bad, November somehow managed to be one of the worst months of all. I genuinely do not know how, especially since there were some really amazing things that happened (Biden won! a vaccine is coming!), but here we are at the end of the month and all I can think of is how awful it was.
Looking back, I don’t even know what I did with the month. I only read three books total, making this the worst reading month I’ve had in literal years. I took an unintentional two week hiatus from blogging because every time I tried to sit down and write a post it felt like my brain white-screened. I attempted NaNoWriMo, but basically abandoned that halfway through the month. So I didn’t read, I didn’t write, I didn’t blog—I kinda just failed at all the things I’m supposed to be good at.
I don’t know, man. It was a bad month and I don’t really have a reason for it. And December is going to be exhausting too, what with working in retail during a pandemic holiday season. I’m so tired. (Please be nice to retail workers this holiday season, everyone.)
But anyway, we should probably just get into the few things I read this month, huh?
Books I read
Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This middle grade book about a nonbinary figure skater was soooo lovely and heartwarming! Mini review to come.
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
To everyone who told me I would love this book: you were absolutely right. This was exactly the sweet, emotional read I needed this month! Mini review to come.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (reread) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I reread this one because, duh, November. Loved it just as much the second time! My review from the first time reading it is here. I was going to make November cakes this month to but never got around to it…yet another thing this month that I failed to do. 🙃
Other things
Well, we managed to vote Tr*mp out! The first week of November was basically the most stressful week of my life, but what a payoff. I think that Saturday when Biden was declared the winner was the happiest I’ve been all year (though, frankly, the bar is so low). Yes, our democracy is still in shambles and there is so much work to do, but I’d kind of forgotten what it’s like to look to the future with anything like hope. And that’s nice to get back.
NaNoWriMo was…a thing that I did. Sort of. I wrote a total of 17,840 words, which isn’t great. Well below the 50k goal. Yikes.
I wrote an entire post about this, but basically, I’m really disappointed in myself for failing NaNoWriMo for the first time in seven years, and even though I know that this year has been So Much and there were circumstances beyond my control, I can’t help beating myself up about it. Ugh.
Something that I did not at all expect to come up this month was Supernatural, a show that I stopped watching years ago! But, uh, some things happened.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I genuinely do not know how to explain it to you, or how to explain the unhinged mix of hilarity and rage that the ending of this show induced. (Actually, Sarah Z on YouTube made a 2 hour video on the subject, which I watched and thoroughly enjoyed. I love weird fandom history and conspiracy theories.) It’s not at all surprising that this is how Supernatural went out—bad writing and queerbaiting its audience until the bitter end—but it’s also infuriating just how bad it was. At least the memes were funny! Honestly, the absurdity of watching everything play out was one of the highlights of the month.
And yet even after all this, I still love Castiel with all my heart.
In completely different news, if you want a laugh, I made a Twitter thread of 2020 books I read as John Mulaney quotes which I think is pretty fun!
November blog posts
Once again: not great on the writing blog posts front. Here are the ones that I did manage to write:
Review: Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth ☁️ 10 authors that I’d love to meet ☁️ NaNoWriMo update ☁️ 8 nonfiction book recommendations
I’m truly ashamed at how little blog hopping I did in November. Seriously, it’s embarrassing. Here are a few of the posts I did read and love this month:
☁️ Marie @ drizzle & hurricane books wrote a brilliant post about why she believes that book bloggers should be paid, talking about the work that goes into it and how bloggers are under-appreciated compared to other bookish influencers.
☁️Lauren @ Twenty-Seven Letters asked several bloggers (including me!) who their favorite character is. I always love seeing the characters that others connect with, so this was such a fun post to read!
☁️ Mary @ Mary and the Words talked about why New Adult made the case for New Adult. I’m already very on board with this as a category, but Mary put it into words perfectly and included some books that could be categorized as New Adult.
If you wrote a post that you’re proud of this month, mention it in the comments and I’ll do my best to check it out! I don’t want to promise that I’ll be better about writing posts or blog hopping in December, but I’m trying so hard to get back to something like normal. Wish me luck.
December TBR
- The Book of Dragons, edited by Jonathan Strahan
- The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
- You Have a Match by Emma Lord (eARC; release: Jan. 12)
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore (reread)
Based on my reading lately, who knows how much I’ll do in December. But I do have some library books and ARCs to get to, plus I want to reread Graceling to prepare for the release of the fourth book in January!
How was your November? Did you accomplish anything that you’re proud of? Did you read any new favorites?
x Margaret
sending you love Margaret!!! 💕💕💕 I’m sorry this month was so hard for you- I wish I could be there to give you a hug 🫂🫂🫂
also PS very excited for our graceling reread!!
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Thank youuu 💕 virtual hug received!
Ahhh yesss I’m so excited to read Graceling!! Just gotta finish my library books…
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I’m sorry November did not go quite as you hoped, Margaret 💙 Don’t be too hard on yourself about NaNo, you’re a wonderful writer and this story perhaps just needed a bit more time. I’m glad you enjoyed the three books you read, and from here in the UK I was ecstatic about the election result. I hope December is a great month for you 🥰
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Thank you, Stephen! Yep, that’s definitely how I’m trying to think about the NaNo situation…the story just needs more time 😊 Hope you have a wonderful December too!
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I like how you censored out Tr*mp
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I don’t want his name sullying my blog 🤢
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Hey! I just wanted to say that is okay to have slower months and to not be in the mood to be productive all the time. I feel like sometimes we put so much preassure on ourselves to be perfect at the tihnkgs we are “good at” like reading and blogging, but just lie everbody else, we have the right to be stressed, or tired or not in the mood, and there is nothing wrong with that!
I hope you’ll feel better in December, or that you’ll allowe yourself to feel whatever you feel because that is just as valid!
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Ahh thank you ❤ That's definitely a reminder that I needed, and something I've been trying to keep in mind these last few weeks. I hope you have a lovely December too! 😊
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i’m sorry to hear november was not a good month, margaret! i really hope things perk up in december, and the month ends up surprising you!
likewise, i read foolish hearts this year, and it really was the sweetest read. it’s definitely going to be one of my comfort books for the future!
i don’t think at all you should beat yourself up for not finishing nano! 17k words is still AMAZING, especially considering you wrote all of that in a month? i think starting is by far the roughest part, and you did it, so definitely give yourself a pat on the back for it!
i’ve never watched a single episode of supernatural but the fact i know everything about this finale is…….. well, i don’t even know what to call it really, is the most 2020 thing i could’ve expected. like you said, at least we had some good memes coming from it!
i really do hope december treats you better & that you have an amazing holiday season!
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Thank you, Lais! ❤ Here's hoping December turns things around!
Isn't Foolish Hearts just the sweetest?? I think it'll definitely be a comfort read for me too 😊 And thank youu, I've been trying to feel happy with the progress I did make on NaNo and that helps! ❤
HAH I know, OF COURSE this was how supernatural would end in 2020 😂 I haven't watched the past five seasons but somehow I know exactly what happened in the last three episodes?? Absurd.
Thank you again—hope you have a lovely holiday season too!
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Supernatural really defined Nov 2020 for me. The meme of putin and destiel was an unexpected combination, but the last 2 episodes were just hilariously bad. The whole being nailed, impala going to heaven, Sam’s wig, and of course, the Spanish dub 😂 Tumblr was having a meltdown and I was enjoying every second of it 🤣 I will always have a soft spot for the show, especially the first 5 seasons, but I’m glad I didn’t force myself to continue the show years ago.
I hope December would be a better month for you! ❤
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I am NEVER going to stop laughing about the destiel putin memes tbh 😂 THE SPANISH DUB! I’m giggling all over again just thinking about it. What a wild ride. Same, I enjoyed the show at the beginning but I’m glad I didn’t continue subjecting myself to it 😅
Thank you, I hope you have a lovely December too!
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Thank you so much for sharing my post, Margaret! I was really very proud of it, so I’m glad people are loving it! I’m so nervous about the Supernatural finale. It’s honestly been my favorite show for over a decade now, and I decided the best way to end things was to rewatch the entire series. I’m in the middle of season two right now, so I still haven’t seen the finale, but everyone I know who has just HATED it, soooooo kind of dragging out my rewatch, haha.
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Your post absolutely deserves the recognition! 😊
Ahhh I’m so sorry to make you dread the supernatural finale! I haven’t watched the show in a couple years, and I didn’t watch the finale, but from what I’ve heard, it’s probably best to just stop after 15×18 😬 But I hope you enjoy your rewatch!!
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Happy December, Margaret! I’m so terribly to hear that November was the worst month of the year for you, and I certainly hope that turns around for the last month of the year and the months to follow. And not having a specific reason for a bad month can sometimes even make it worse because you don’t even know what to pinpoint as the problem and how to fix it. Nevertheless, I do hope life starts going your way (because you certainly deserve it!). Until then, you know where to find me and I am always, always here for you for absolutely anything ❤️
Out of your three November books, I’ve actually only read The Scorpio Races, and “because November” is the absolute perfect reason to have reread the story this past month. And those November cakes will gladly wait for you until you’re ready – who says you need to eat November cakes in November??
May I just say that 17K words in one month, no matter the original goal, is so unbelievably amazing?? I’m always so astounded by writers and their ability to craft fictional people and build whole worlds inside of their own brain and find the words to put all of that on paper. 17K words or 1 word, that hard work is so easily seen and that’s incredible. I know it’s hard to not beat yourself up about it, but you are simply amazing, my friend!! I also want to thank you for that John Mulaney thread, because that gave me an amount of serotonin I didn’t even know I needed.
I’ve also been struggling with blog hopping (for a while now, but we won’t get into that). Just know, that both your blog and all of your supporters will be here for you whenever you need us! Again, it’s hard to not beat yourself about that kind of stuff, I know, but you’re totally okay – I promise. Thank you for being a part of my collaboration post (for being a part of all of them, really; I really do appreciate you taking the time to write something for a blog that isn’t even your own.
I’m also hoping to read You Have A Match this month; I hope you enjoy it!
You’re a wonderful person. This is a fantastic wrap-up. I hope December is the best yet. ❤️
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Ahhh thank you Lauren!! ❤ (Sorry for taking forever to respond, the notification for this comment somehow got lost…) You are the absolute sweetest, and your kind words always mean so much. I concur that November cakes are a year round food and I really don't need an excuse to bake something delicious 😄
Even though I don't love how little I wrote for NaNo, I do think that 17k words in the midst of such a garbage year is something to be proud of! And I'm so glad that my John Mulaney thread could make you smile because I had so much fun making it. Thank you once again for creating that collaboration post—I always enjoy the excuse to ramble more about the things I love!!
I still haven't gotten to You Have a Match but I hope we both enjoy it 😊 Happy December to you too, and thank you for being amazing ❤
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Sorry to hear November was tough! Somehow it was more difficult than October for me as well. All the university work made me very tired 😴 Sending you some good vibes that December will be a bit kinder to you 💕 I managed to finally read the Trials of Apollo finale in November, though with all the assignments I had it took me until the end of the month 😄
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Ahh I hope that December has been kinder to you so far too! ❤ I can't even imagine how exhausting all that university work must be. Hooray for finishing the Trials of Apollo books, though! 😊
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Oh love I’m so sorry that November has been such a tough month. don’t beat yourself up too hard, it’s been hard for everyone and, damn, you still managed to write A LOT despite everything, so you’re doing so great. I’m always rooting for you and here for you if you need. Sending you all the love and hugs ❤ ❤
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Thank you thank you, Marie ❤ Ahh yep, I think managing to write anything during this hellyear is something, at least! Thank you for the encouragement, it means a lot ❤
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I’m sorry November wasn’t a great month for you really hope December is shaping up a bit better for you 💜💜
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Thanks so much! ❤ I hope your December is lovely as well
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so happy to see that you enjoyed Foolish Hearts – it’s truly such an adorable and heartwarming read 💞 and i hope that December was better for you! sending lots of good vibes as we head into the new year ✨💕
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Foolish Hearts was sooo good! ❤ Ahh thank you so much, Dezzy 😊 I hope you have a lovely new year as well!!
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