November 2017: Recap + On My Shelves
I thought I loved October, and then November came along and swept me off my feet. There were so many lovely moments and special memories made that it was hard to narrow it down to my top four below!
1. Nick Finally Home - My little boy and I did a happy dance in November because Nick finally came home from a seven-week work trip in Japan. It was entirely TOO LONG, and we missed him like crazy. We had lots of fun adventures while he was gone, but we were both so happy when he walked in the door!
2. Visiting a Georgia Landmark - While brainstorming family weekend adventures, we realized it might be fun to visit Stone Mountain. We enjoyed taking the Skyride to the top of the mountain, though it was so much colder than we expected on the day we visited! We'll have to go again in warmer weather to explore more.
3. NYC Getaway - Nick and I decided to take a somewhat spontaneous trip to New York City at the end of the month. It was our first trip together since our boy was born! We missed him so much, but we had the best few days exploring the city, seeing shows, shopping and spending quality time together.
4. Catching Up with Friends - While in New York, I was able to grab lunch with Estelle and Magan (who just happened to be in town with her mom at the same time!). And I got to see Rachel, too, when Nick and I stopped for coffee near her workplace. It was so lovely! All that was missing was Alexa and Cassie...
Read 19 Books | Favorites:
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins
The Winter Bride by Anne Gracie
“Never say no when you really want to say yes.”
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
“She always picked love; she always picked adventure.
To her they were one and the same.”
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
“But remember, child, we may all have our own story and destiny,
and sometimes our seemingly bad fortune, but we're all part of a greater story too.
One that transcends the soil, the wind, time... even our own tears.
Greater stories will have their way.”
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
“When you don't have much, you hold on to what matters.
You hold on with both hands.”
All in Pieces by Suzanne Young
“But this is the face of a woman who’s been through a lot,
a woman who has lost a lot and held on to a lot, too.
This is the face my daughters love, the face they look to for comfort
and unconditional love, for patience. For wisdom. For guidance.”
If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins
“'Why are you so quiet?' he asks. Because, you want to say,
I am a person with an interior world that you know nothing about.”
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
“I wished that love could be simple, that it was always given and returned in the same measure,
equally and at the same time, that all the planets aligned in a perfect way to dispel all doubts,
that it was easy to understand and never painful.”
The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
“She always picked love; she always picked adventure.
To her they were one and the same.”
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
“But remember, child, we may all have our own story and destiny,
and sometimes our seemingly bad fortune, but we're all part of a greater story too.
One that transcends the soil, the wind, time... even our own tears.
Greater stories will have their way.”
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
“When you don't have much, you hold on to what matters.
You hold on with both hands.”
All in Pieces by Suzanne Young
“But this is the face of a woman who’s been through a lot,
a woman who has lost a lot and held on to a lot, too.
This is the face my daughters love, the face they look to for comfort
and unconditional love, for patience. For wisdom. For guidance.”
If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins
“'Why are you so quiet?' he asks. Because, you want to say,
I am a person with an interior world that you know nothing about.”
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
“I wished that love could be simple, that it was always given and returned in the same measure,
equally and at the same time, that all the planets aligned in a perfect way to dispel all doubts,
that it was easy to understand and never painful.”
The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
I barely blogged in November, but I'm not mad about it. I wasn't blogging because I was too busy reading. Haha! I did share my October 2017 recap. And then, I wrote a discussion post that I've had on my brain for months: Five Ways to Find Time to Read When You're Busy. The idea of making the time for the things that matter to me has been a huge theme for my year, so this post was particularly meaningful for me.
Um... nothing? I'm sure I read some fun posts but apparently didn't save any of them on Feedly and am now too lazy to track any down. Oops? If there's something I *need* to read, leave a link in the comments!
Favorite Album #1: reputation by Taylor Swift
DUHHHH. I was only moderately excited for this release based on the singles,
but the full album blew me away. I CANNOT STOP LISTENING. Soooo good!
Favorite Album #2: Unapologetically by Kelsea Ballerini
This was a surprise new favorite for me! I saw a few people recommend the album
and decided to give it a listen. It quickly stole my heart and became a repeat listen!
The Mindy Project, Season 6, starring Mindy Kaling - I can't believe The Mindy Project is over! I'm sad to sad goodbye to this ensemble, though I do think it was the right time to end it. I wish I'd enjoyed this season (and the previous one) more, but this character will always be a favorite and Mindy Kaling is forever a boss babe. This show is so quotable and has always made me laugh, for which I am grateful.
Anastasia, The Musical, starring Christy Altomare, Derek Klena and John Bolton - When Nick and I decided to go to New York, we knew that seeing something on Broadway was a priority. We narrowed it down to our top three, and I picked Anastasia. I'm so glad I did! It was so fun to see it on stage, and I liked the changes from the movie. It wasn't perfect, but the performances were lovely. Such a delightful experience!
Aladdin, The Musical, starring Telly Leung, Jonathan Freeman, Major Attaway and Courtney Reed - We decided at the last minute (and I legit mean day of) that we wanted to see one more show on Broadway, and Nick chose Aladdin. While I have many complaints about the people seated around us, I quite liked the show itself! The sets were so gorgeous and creative, and the Genie was hilarious. We had a lot of fun!
Brand New Books: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Left | Right), and The Perfect Kiss and Marry in Haste by Anne Gracie
Book Depository: Every Move and No Limits by Ellie Marney
NYC Book Buys: Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza, Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny, I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella and Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
Book Outlet Black Friday: The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord, Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway, The Dish by Stella Newman and The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman and Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Used Bookstore Finds: Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess and Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella, Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter and Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas, Someone to Love and Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh, Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne, The Trouble with Mistletoe and Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
From My Mama: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
For Review: Can't Forget You by Rachel Lacey, Renegade Cowboy by Sara Richardson and Back Home at Firefly Lake by Jen Gilroy
NetGalley: Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Audible: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (not pictured -- oops!)
Kindle: On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins and The Long Way Home and Glass Houses by Louise Penny
Book Depository: Every Move and No Limits by Ellie Marney
NYC Book Buys: Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza, Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny, I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella and Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
Used Bookstore Finds: Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess and Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella, Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter and Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas, Someone to Love and Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh, Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne, The Trouble with Mistletoe and Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
From My Mama: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
NetGalley: Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Audible: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (not pictured -- oops!)
Seven Weeks! Oh my goodness — most weeks if my husband (also named Nick, btw) has any late stuff for work or plans something for a weekend day, I’m like “help!! you're gone too long!” I’m admittedly easily overwhelmed though LOL
ReplyDeleteNYC looks awesome! I’m a few hours north of the city, but growing up lived even closer— I think I got a bit spoiled having it so close — you forget what’s in your own backyard sometimes and didn’t take advantage of all I could have. Glad you got to get away though — it’s hard to leave the little guy, but good — and good to be back home :)