Last Updated on December 9, 2020 by ThoughtsStained
Hello, lovelies!
So, November was…a month. It felt both like the longest month in history and the shortest in existence. I can’t believe that December is tomorrow and we are one month away from the end of 2020. Unfortunately, with the US passing 4 million cases and even with the good(ish) news from the election, I am hesitant to believe that 2021 is going to magically become better than 2020.
However, with hope, a lot of hard work and determination?
Yeah, maybe then, it won’t be so bad.
What I Read
Gods, this is embarrassing. I’ve hardly read all month (mostly focusing on client work and then playing video games in my spare time) and, despite starting The Bone Ships–which I am enjoying!!–the reading desire just isn’t there. Thanks, 2020.
What I Hauled
ARCS
**Nothing this month**
Library Snags:
**Nothing this month**
Purchased:
**Nothing this month**
Received for Review:
**Nothing this month**
Gifts:
**Nothing this month**
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.
🏰 Video Games I’m Excited For!
🏰 28
🏰 Allyship Check-In: No 9
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: 10/12 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
- Let’s Talk Bookish: Romance as a Subplot
Year of the Asian Readathon: 4/20
Considering I haven’t read anything for the past month, yeah, I’m going to fall pretty short of this goal this year….
StartonYourShelfathon: 14/143 (6/67 ARCs)
Black Lives Matter Reading Bingo: 0/10
Goodreads: 29/150
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 ✔️
Definitely going to dive actually into the novel next month. That’s one of my main priorities.
Productive Routine That Promotes Self-Care ✖️
I don’t know why this is so hard, but here we are.
Six Clients ✔️
Complete. 🙂
Read More ✖️
A 2021 goal?
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! (Still need to do this….)
Posts I Enjoyed
Curious what blog posts I really enjoyed around the blogsophere this month? Check them out here:
⚔️ Fadwa @ Word Wonders shares her guide to Notion and provides templates and it’s nothing short of amazing.
⚔️ Amber @ The Literary Phoenix shares a really awesome post about following blogs that I connected with, as well as her discussion about star ratings in book reviews!
⚔️ The Quiet Pond celebrate their 2nd birthday!!
⚔️ Kal @ The Reader Voracious shares great resources on supporting typhoon relief in the Philippines. Please help, if you can!
⚔️ Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books shares why book bloggers deserve to be paid for their work and I agree with all of it. 100%. (Also, her self-hosted site is STUNNING.)
⚔️ Shealea @ Shut Up, Shealea kills it with a wonderful post discussing not only reading diversely, but how to promte and support diverse creators both online and off.
⚔️ Chana and Malka @ Paper Procrastinators discuss why they are now affiliates with BookShop!
⚔️ Tiffany @ Read by Tiffany created this AMAZING, in-depth resource to help prep you to read The Poppy War and I couldn’t do anything but share it.
⚔️ Erika @ Erika Grandstaff shares some great writing pep talks that I need to read all of, stat.
And that’s a wrap for November! For December, I’m planning to:
- Make writing a priority again
- Complete a lot of personal, home and work projects
- Take some time off work
- Stay safe while enjoying the holidays
- Survive
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Honestly, this has been a really tough year. So whenever I see someone upset that they haven’t read more or that they didn’t accomplish whatever goals they set in the beginning of 2020, I always feel so bad because no one deserves to put that much pressure on themselves at any time, but especially with such a crazy year. I’m going to say something scandalous now, but good for you for not reading! You needed to unwind in a different fashion last month, and I’m happy that you listened to yourself, instead of forcing yourself through some books.
I know that for me these past few months, while I’ve read a bit, blogging and commenting and such all flew out the window. And I’ve made my peace with that. I’m just glad that there’s such a supportive community that understands that it’s important to take break sometimes!
Anyways, I know I’m late, but thank you so much for mentioning our post here! Since I’ve been so inactive in the book blogging world for the past few weeks, I can’t wait to check out some of the other posts that you’ve mentioned that I missed out on!
It has though, hasn’t it? But honestly (and I’m not making this up) but your comment helped me remind me SO MUCH that this kind of pressure doesn’t help anyone and it was just really helpful to read (even if I didn’t respond for like, 100 years). So thank you, so much, for that. <3
That's such a good point! I'm glad that you've been able to make peace with time being limited and being able to only do so much during each day (it's so hard to do, even though we each should be doing so) and I hope that you've had a wonderful holiday season and a great new year!