Spooktober deserves its name. Something scary happened in October. Time disappeared. Vanished. Pouf! No, I’m not talking about the fact we entered Winter time last weekend. I’m talking about our days going missing! You blink and the month is gone. Is there someone to investigate this phenomenon??
What’s new?
No more strawberry tarts at the bakery. It’s a tragedy. Every year I dread the day they finally stop making them. Don’t they understand I need strawberries in my life? My mouth longs for the taste of the sweet shortcrust pastry covered in pistachio crumbs, the tender flesh of a red fruit, the delicious mix of cream. I won’t forget you, my dear tarts. We will meet again.
On a less yummy note, I went to my university to ask for adjustments for my exams. Instead of a big scary amphitheatre, I was authorized to take them in a small room. But for this, I had to talk to a doctor who probably has never had any issues with mental health. I don’t believe “What if you try and make an effort first, and then we’ll see if you REAAAALLY need a special treatment?” Of course, ma’am, all it takes to defeat anxiety and agoraphobia is to make an effort. Why hadn’t I thought about it before?? Thank you so much for enlightening me with your brilliant ideas. I’m always baffled to see so many doctors with so little knowledge or consideration for mental health issues. When she realized it was not the right thing to say to someone who was considering jumping out the window to escape this nightmare, she did something nice. I know have an appointment to be examined by a psychiatric nurse to see if I can be part of a therapy program, which means I might finally get a psychiatrist to help me! I don’t want to jinx it so I prefer to keep my expectations low, but fingers crossed.
Book I read in October
Queen of Shadows, Sarah J. Maas 4/5
I admit defeat. I’m hooked. Action, less girl drama, interesting character development, I finally understand why people like this series. Don’t get used to it, I heard the next book might not live up to my expectations!
Descriptions of Heaven, Randal Eldon Greene 3,5/5
My review will be up on Nov 15th and an extract available on Nov 8th. Don’t be scared of the heavy subject, it is a very interesting story with a great writing style.
Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes, Lindsay Paley
I’m waiting for my turn on the blog tour to tell you more about it!
Say Cheese and Die 4/5
No matter which language you choose, those stories never let you down!
A Suitable Lie, Michael J. Malone 5/5
My brain hasn’t recovered yet. So many emotions were involved with this book. My review will be up next week.
White Noise, Don DeLillo
Assigned reading. Not as bad as some other books (I won’t give names….)
Okay, so 6 books is not that bad when you consider the crazy first month of studying I have had. I’m quite happy with my reading. I just wish my reviews would come up online closer to my reading time. I noticed it feels like books read during a month are reviewed the next month, it’s weird.
Books I reviewed in October
How Far Would You Go For The Truth? 4/5 Review of Undertow, Elizabeth Heathcote
Head North 5/5 Review of The Ice Beneath Her, Camilla Grebe
Who Is Pulling The Strings? 3,5/5 Review of Manipulated Lives, H.A Leuschel
News Books
Books I received for review
I know, I said I wouldn’t get new ARCs! I was a good girl and stayed away from NetGalley, but I received e-packages from publishers and I just couldn’t say no.
Book of the Month Award
It HAS to be A Suitable Lie. It took me 5 days to read it because of work, but I could not wait to get back to my book when night fell. I did not know a switch in main character would have such an impact. It was refreshing, scary, so well-written, it’s a winner. And look at this simple but powerful cover!
Blogging Life
This Week In Books
- This Week In Books (October 5th 2016)
- This Week In Books (October 19th 2016)
- This Week In Books (October 26th 2016)
Tags
- Suntag! The Scavenger Hunt Tag
- Suntag: The Rapid Fire Book Tag
- Suntag: The Playlist Shuffle Tag
- Fall Activities Book Tag
- Suntag: The Pastry Book Tag
No Hype or Like Friday this month 😦 and no life posts!
Did Spooktober scare you? What did you do this month? Tell me everything!
Meggy's Bookish Corner 
A great choice for book of the month, I also choose A Suitable Lie for my October book of the month x
LikeLike
It’s a terribly brilliant one! x
LikeLike
Ugh, I can’t imagine how annoying it is that someone that doesn’t have that issue tells you to calm down and try it out… But I’m glad in the end you were allowed to do the exams in a smaller room. It wouldn’t be fair that you didn’t do well because of the location, so now you’ll definitely ace them 😀
A Suitable Lie was fantastic, can’t wait for you to read the other Orenda ^^
LikeLike
We’ll see about acing them, haha! I’m swamped with work and yet already behind on the program! But my priority is my health so I try not to put too much pressure on myself regarding the exams 🙂 Still, it’s a relief to know I won’t be stuck in a gigantic room with a hundred other students and no escape!
I’m still not over A Suitable Lie! After Lolita, I had forgotten a story could trigger so many emotions, in a good way, haha! I’ll be starting The Mountain in my Shoe soon if time allows it!
LikeLike
Yes health is always the top priority!!! 😘
Can’t wait to read your reviews. The mountain in my shoe is also a very special story!
LikeLike
Sounds like you had a great month. Glad to hear that appointment and the fact that they allowed you to change the exam room. I hope all works out for you in that regard. Happy to see The Killing Game on your new additions and congratulations on staying away from NetGalley. That is still a major struggle for me. I really need to read A Suitable Lie. Have a wonderful November. Cheers!
LikeLike
It was an eventful and tiring month, but I am happy about how things went, especially for my reading. I was dreading my studying would get in the way, but the rebel I am rejected the assigned readings to find solace in my own picks. I would have gone crazy otherwise! Your review of The Killing Game sold the book, I just had to get it 🙂 I keep the motivation for staying away from NetGalley by reminding myself I still have due ARCs and my rate is not looking as good as I wished, it helps! I can only hope you find time for A Suitable Lie and enjoy it as much as I did. Happy November!
LikeLike
Well done you for pushing to get some help. I had similar issues in school. I completely panicked before my Maths exam, not about the exam but the hall I had to sit it in, and my school let me sit most of my exams on my own in an office. Doctors were and still are no help. They wanted me to go to a group session on stress management. Do they not get how stressful that would be for someone with agoraphobia? I hope you have better luck.
LikeLike
Wow, it sounds like you also met your share of ignorant doctors! It’s hard to believe that in the 21st century, patients still have to face those remarks and behavior towards mental issues. I’m not losing hope to find the right doctor to help me out of this difficult time, but they’re a rare species!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope everything will go well, sometimes doctors are just so, not understanding, and it’s a bit crazy because they are supposed to be, aren’t they? Sending you lots of hugs and love my sweechie ❤
LikeLike
It’s a real problem to be faced with such ignorant doctors. Fingers crossed everything goes as planned and I get some help 🙂 At least I have you! 😘❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is, it makes me so mad, really. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, and YES you always have me, my sweechie ❤ ❤
LikeLike
😘 ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a pretty successful month 😘 I am very saddened to hear about the tarts though.. what a shame!
LikeLike
It’s a very busy “how did I come out of it alive” month, haha! I miss my tarts!!! But they’re making apple ones that are to die for, it helps :p
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I could live with apple tarts haha 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Booo for not having any strawberry tarts anymore. Bastards! But YAY for finally making progress when it comes to the shrink section. I am SO glad I finally gathered up the courage and ask if I could do my exams in a private room as well instead of a big hall with tons of other students. It really effects my end results. And after getting a note from a certified doctor, they were like, sure! I already did one exam this way in a small office, by myself, and BLISS, I tell ya! I hope you can get it sorted as well because it can make such a huge difference! 🙂 I bought Cut-Throat defence and confessions of a Queen B as well last month, I’m taking it we both have the same bloggers to ‘blame’ for it xD.
LikeLike
I’m wallowing with apple pies and episodes of Gilmore Girls. I want my strawberries, the breakup was too sudden, I can’t cope.
I still have no idea whether I’ll be good enough shape to take the exams but at least I know I won’t be stuck in our gigantic amphitheatre! I’m so late on the program already that I’ll never be ready on time for January. But health comes first, they say.
Hehe, they’re good, they’re really good 😀 Gotta love our blogger circle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Gilmore Girls and pastries….I know what I’ll be doing all weekend!! (mowing my lawn because the grass keeps growing because it’s TOO FREAKING WARM 😉 ). That must be a relief already. Giant amphitheatre already makes me nauseous just thinking of it. What if you get a panic attack and have to cross the entire way to get out?! *shivers* My crazy thoughts, though xD. Health first, then studies! 🙂 Awesome!!
LikeLike
I’m so glad I don’t have a garden xD
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so hard to find the right mental health professional!! It took me years to find mine and then she retired and I didn’t like the replacement so now I am in limbo… I would just say keep pushing until you find the right person 😉 I had an okay October, I am currently reading Queen of Shadows and for some reason it is taking me forever to read…
LikeLike
Damn retirement! It should not be allowed, haha! I hope you can find another one. I stopped going to yoga class, another thing that was very important for my health, because my teacher left to go live on an island. It’s hard to find the right people to work with.
Queen of Shadows can be a bit slow at the beginning, I hope it gets better for you! I really liked it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear that the doctor was an idiot, but hurray for her being decent in the end! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, too. =)
Hope the studying is going well, and you read more excellent books next month!
LikeLike
Thank you! ❤ I need lots of fingers crossed and you need to eat pop corn too! 😀
The studying is being put on the back burner way too much because of my health, but I have plenty of good books to keep my mind occupied!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry about the Doctor. You would think a medical professional would have a better understanding about mental illness & I’m sorry about your strawberry tarts too 😛 It at least looks like you had a great reading month & I’m super jealous of you having milk&honey 😊
LikeLike
I’m baffled at the number of medical professionals insensitive to mental illness, it’s crazy. Haha, my poor tarts, I just feel terrible!! I was so happy to see I’d read 6 books, it was a real surprise. Ever since I read a review for Milk and Honey I knew I had to get it. I checked it and the physical copy is just so beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha I felt the exact same way about October- I mean, what the hell happened?!? Where did it go!!! argh that’s frustrating- but that’s good news about the nurse! yeah I think the fifth tog was a step down- I loved it cos I’m so heavily invested in the series- but it is pretty much just build up for the last one. Great post!
LikeLike
Thank you! 😘 October was a ghost, it never happened!
I’m not so eager to read the next book now, I want to enjoy my happy feelings about Queen of Shadows a little longer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! haha I agree!! ahh that’s cool!!!
LikeLike
Spooktober scared me for the same reason, but to be honest the whole year has disappeared on me!! I don’t know how it’s November already!
Good luck with the psychiatrist! I can’t believe that doctor’s reaction, you’d think they’d know better
LikeLike
This year is playing hide and seek, days are hiding! It’s insane! I want them back, I haven’t done half of what I wanted to achieve in 2016!!
Thank you 🙂 Fingers crossed I can finally see someone competent!
LikeLike
Haha I love your introduction! I can’t believe it’s november already either; I feel like I’ve been pushed inside a time machine?! I love your haul and I will definitely be getting a copy of The Ice Beneath Her ASAP. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October never happened!!! I can’t wait to read your thoughts on The Ice Beneath Her, I want to see of the Nordic magic works on you too 😀 Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the doctor realized her comment insensitive comment wasn’t appropriate. Good luck on your next appointment 🙂 and good luck on your exams!
LikeLike
Thank you! I need lots of luck, and a bit of work 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get the right support for your anxiety and agoraphobia! I just have the impression that the fact that they deal with so many cases, so often, they always have this first impression with everyone that they are over-exaggerating things. Wish they’d care more than that! On an another note: Happy reading for November! October sounded like a blast! 😛
– Lashaan
LikeLike
Thank you. Actually, I went to a meeting yesterday with a psychiatric nurse and it well so well I was shocked! Fingers crossed things are slowly getting better! 🙂 Happy November!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, Goosebumps!!! I really need to reread that series. Awesome reading month, Donna!!
LikeLike
Gotta love Goosebumps ❤ October was surprisingly good 😀
LikeLike