Last Updated on October 30, 2020 by ThoughtsStained

Hello, lovelies!

Well, October sure was something. My day job has completely ramped up, to the pint where I am now completely behind on everything else and I feel like I just can’t catch up? I haven’t blogged hopped in over a month, I missed an entire week of posts, I’ve hardly read, my personal email is completely unhinged and it’s just…

BUT. I’m hoping that the last two months are a bit more manageable. If only because I hope to take some time off in December to just get caught up on everything. Some other things that happened include:

• Wrapped up physical therapy (had to cut it short, because I couldn’t afford it anymore)
• Dovah got sick, but she’s healthy now, thank goodness!
• Was able to safely visit my parents, which I definitely needed
• Worked a lot?

Honestly, I struggled to come up with things, because work has just dominated everything. But, I’m also very grateful for my job and I do actually enjoy it. It’s just been a bit more intense than I was expecting. It’s also weird, because this is usually the time of year where I am thriving. I love the fall weather (though it’s currently more wintery-here), I love the holiday season (which stars with Halloween and then there is the month of birthdays, which is November–including mine!–and then Thanksgiving and Christmas). But this year, the election and the pandemic has sorta stolen that excitement and I’m just…here, if that makes any sort of sense. I’m okay, but I just…2020, man. 20-fucking-20.

Considering all that, but especially with the election looming next week (which also happens to be my birthday, so yay for not looking forward to my birthday for the first time 🙃), I feel like everyone’s mental health is prolly struggling right now. So, remember to VOTE, if you haven’t already (and you’re eligible to), log off of social media and take a break. Take care of yourself. We need you here.

What I Read

The Crosser’s Maze by Dorian Hart [RTC]
The Greatwood Portal by Dorian Hart [RTC]
Wueens of the Wyrd by Timandra Whitecastle [RTC]

What I Hauled

ARCS

**Please don’t just how many ARCs I got this month. I was doing so, so well…but thank you SO MUCH to Orbit for such amazing books!**

The Poison Prince by S.C. Emmett
Call of the Bone Ships by RJ Barker
The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter
Legacy of Steel by Matthew Ward
The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides

Library Snags:

**Nothing this month**

Purchased:

**Nothing this month**

Received for Review:

**Nothing this month**

Gifts:

**I got these as birthday gifts from my Mom–thanks, Mom!!**

The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson
The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Promise of Darkness by Bec McMaster
Dukes are Forever by Bec McMaster

What I Posted

In this section, I like to share posts that I personally wrote this past month that I either really enjoyed writing, am really proud of or wish might have gotten a little more attention.

🏰 How Internalized Fatphobia Fucked Me
🏰 Why I am Voting for Biden–And You Should Be, Too!
🏰 Books I Really Want to Read Before 2021

Reading Challenges Update

A new section I decided to add this year, so I can actually keep track of the challenges I signed up for (so I’ll hopefully actually complete them this time around).

2020 Discussion Challenge: 9/12 Discussion Posts

• Write What You Love
• Readings Habits: The Proud and Needs Improvement — An Inspired Post!
• Tropes I Want to See More Of
• Let’s Talk Bookish: Reviews and Self-Published Books
• Let’s Talk Bookish: Online Personas and Book Blogging
• My Quest to Become a Better Blogger
• Let’s Talk Bookish: The Three Star Rating
• Let’s Talk Bookish: What Makes You DNF a Book
• Let’s Talk Bookish: The Care and Keeping of a TBR

Year of the Asian Readathon: 4/20

I don’t think I’m going to hit my goal of 20 books this year (mostly because I’ve barely even read 20 total books and I just don’t see my reading picking up that drastically in the last three months), but perhaps I can get to five or six? I know I really want to read Jade War, Jade City, Dragon Republic and The Burning God this year, so if I can at least read those four, I’d almost be at half my goal!

StartonYourShelfathon: 14/143 (6/67 ARCs) 

Of course, this hasn’t happened the way I planned and I’ve actually ended up buying quite a few books this year, so these numbers are a bit skewed, anyway. I do still want to make this a priority, even if it takes longer than year (which, honestly, makes a lot more sense).

Black Lives Matter Reading Bingo: 0/10

Just added this one last month, but since I was trying to focus mainly on self-published books I already owned this month, didn’t make much process on it. Hope to throughout the rest of the year, though!

Goodreads: 29/150

What a slump of a reading year, my goodness.

Intentions Update

Another new section! To try and hold myself accountable, I’ll be sharing where I’m at on the goals I’ve made for myself this year, all of which I detailed in this post.

Write two novels, edit one and write for me ✔️

Excited to start edits on BLOOD PRICE again hopefully next month!

Productive Routine That Promotes Self-Care ✖️

I don’t know why this is so hard, but here we are.

Six Clients ✔️

Complete. 🙂

Read More ✖️

One day, dammit.

Cook New Recipes ✖️

Honestly, I’m counting the fact that I cooked at all a win.

Cherish Connections and Friendships More ✔️

Between texting, Zoom calls and phone calls, we’re staying as connected as we can.

Less Social Media ✖️

I WILL CONQUER THIS DOOMSCROLLNG, DAMMIT.

Finish Home Projects ✖️

Definitely going to make a new list of things to work on this winter!

Wear My Style More ✖️

My style has evolved into two pairs of yoga pants and tank tops and I am so okay with it.

Take More Pictures ✖️

Also haven’t really thought about this, but need to do so!

Posts I Enjoyed

Curious what blog posts I really enjoyed around the blogsophere this month? Check them out here:

NOTE: I haven’t blogged hopped at all this month, which is honestly driving me nuts, because I LOVE bloghopping. I hope to this weekend, so I hope next month’s post will be jammed-packed of recommended posts for you to read!!

⚔️ NONE. *sobs*

And that’s a wrap for October! For November, I’m planning to:

• Just survive, especially if Biden doesn’t win
• Use social media less
• Read more
• Continue stretching and perhaps start working out more
• Play a lot of Apex and Assassian’s Creed
• Edit BLOOD PRICE