November 2019: Recap + On My Shelves
Happy December, y'all! I'm pretty pleased with myself for getting all caught up on monthly recaps and Quick Lit posts before the end of the year. November was a good month, and I felt so motivated to check things off my list!
1. Home From the Hospital – As I mentioned in my previous recap, my son's appendix ruptured at the end of October so we spent some time in the hospital following his surgery. A few days into November, we were able to go home. I was both relieved and a little overwhelmed – it all hit me when we got home. He had 10 days of antibiotics, so I made a sticker chart to countdown and he earned a prize earned every night.
2. Kelly Comes to Visit – Nick had to go out of town for a week right after we got home from the hospital, and I was feeling anxious about my son's recovery. It just so happened that Kelly didn't have to work during that same stretch of days because SHE! IS! A! NURSE! Yes, she cares for adults, but she's still exactly who I'd want in a crisis. So, my husband used his frequent flier miles to bring her down to Atlanta. It was the sweetest gift!
3. Starbucks Solo Night – Our son had strict instructions regarding his activity level for the first three weeks after his surgery, and he was bummed to miss out on wrestling and running and being wild. So, Nick planned a movie night with his brother and one of our nephews as a special treat. Our son was so happy! Since it was a boys night, I headed to Starbucks with my planner and computer. It was delightful, and I got so much done!
4. Mountain Vacay – We decided to spend a few days in the mountains during Thanksgiving week, and it was such a restful and relaxing time. Cozying up beside the outdoor fireplace on the back deck was the perfect time to start A Breath of Snow and Ashes, the sixth Outlander book. We also watched several movies, and I started working on some of my end of the year blog posts. It was such a fun time, even though my son and I caught colds at the end.
Read 15 Books | Favorites:
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
American Royals by Katharine McGee
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
“How lovely it felt to be liked, Matilda thought in some surprise.
One tended to imagine sometimes that only being loved was of any significance.
But there was something enormously touching, something genuine,
about being told that one was liked.”
Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh
“Whenever you say yes to something, there is less of you for something else.
Make sure your yes is worth the less.”
The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Kind,” said the boy.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
“Who said anything about forgetting?
The point of forgiveness is to recognize that someone has hurt you,
and to still love them in spite of it.”
American Royals by Katharine McGee
“People value shiny stones and lucky charms,
but they forget that the most powerful talismans of all are the stories
that we tell to ourselves and to others.”
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
One tended to imagine sometimes that only being loved was of any significance.
But there was something enormously touching, something genuine,
about being told that one was liked.”
Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh
“Whenever you say yes to something, there is less of you for something else.
Make sure your yes is worth the less.”
The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Kind,” said the boy.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
“Who said anything about forgetting?
The point of forgiveness is to recognize that someone has hurt you,
and to still love them in spite of it.”
American Royals by Katharine McGee
“People value shiny stones and lucky charms,
but they forget that the most powerful talismans of all are the stories
that we tell to ourselves and to others.”
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
November was the busiest blogging month that I've had in a while! I was motivated and productive, a winning combination. Hallelujah! I posted my July 2019 recap and August 2019 recap, but I'm most proud of the fact that I got caught up on my huge review backlog. I posted several Quick Lit mini review round-ups: May 2019, June 2019 Part 1 and Part 2, July 2019, and August 2019. And then I took a brief break from catching up to share two seasonal posts. The first was 19 things I'm thankful for in 2019, which was a great way for me to start reflecting on this past year. And finally, I shared what's on my Christmas wishlist this year, as a special edition of my So Obsessed With feature. Now, I'm really excited for the next month of blogging. So many favorite posts coming up!
I only posted on Instagram twice in November, which will probably be my new normal. For whatever reason, I just don't find that outlet as fulfilling as blogging – even though it's just as time consuming (if not more so). But I loved this photo I took while Kelly was here, since both of our books were royalty inspired! • @soobsessedblog
Favorite Song: "Walls" by ROZES and Mat Kearney
I love Mat Kearney, so I was so excited when Spotify recommended this song to me.
I can't stop listening, even though it makes me want a new Kearney album!
Favorite Album: Ocean by Lady Antebellum
I loved Lady A's CMA Awards performance with Halsey, which put their single on my radar.
Then the album released soon after, so I decided to check it off. I've really enjoyed it!
Iliza Unveiled (2019) starring Iliza Schlesinger – I watched Iliza's comedy specials for the first time last year, so I was thrilled when I spotted this new release on Netflix. Sadly, I was disappointed. It felt disjointed, some of the bits went on too long, and it's one I won't rewatch. I laughed a few times, but not like I'd expected going in!
The King (2019) starring Timoth̩e Chalamet and Joel Egerton РI didn't really know much about this movie, but we watched it one night in the mountains. It's weird because I thought it was boring overall Рbut I still liked it? I think it's because the ending was interesting, so I finished with positive feelings overall. Chalamet was great in it, too!
Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) starring Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen and Dakota Johnson – My family hyped up this movie and convinced me to watch it, even though I'm not a fan of LeBeouf or Johnson. They say I have no soul because I found it so cheesy and weird. They all found it funny and touching, so we're a house divided.
The Farewell (2019) starring Shuzhen Zhao and Awkwafina – This trailer intrigued me, so I decided to grab it from Redbox. It had more subtitles than I anticipated, and I'd intended to blog while watching it. Plus, it was a very slow, introspective film. I wasn't a huge fan, but my mood and expectations were part of the problem.
Ophelia (2019) starring Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen and George MacKay – I'm pretty sure that I read Hamlet in high school (or college?) but can't tell you anything about it. To tell the truth, I'm not a Shakespeare fan. I can't speak to this film as a retelling or reinterpretation, except to say that I didn't enjoy watching it at all.
The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show (2019) starring Kacey Musgrave and special guests – I enjoy Musgraves' music, so I was looking forward to this Christmas special. I liked the aesthetics and the music itself, but the script was so weak. Why was anyone trying to act? That didn't work for me at all! So awkward and forced.
New Releases: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand, and The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
From My Mama: Down to Earth by Lauren Leiss
Audible: American Royals by Katharine McGee
Kindle: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
NetGalley: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn, Headliners by Lucy Parker and A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn
Your library is still the coziest little room, and I love it so much! And I'm glad Kelly was able to be there for you and your son <3
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