October was so slow for me blogging-wise, but life was super busy! I’m scheduling lots of posts for November, so hopefully you’ll be seeing a little more of me this month – if you’re still here, thanks for sticking around 🙂
A colleague and I went on a bit of a road trip to Dublin this month to see One Direction in concert. I wasn’t a huge One Direction fan before the concert, but I’ve definitely become addicted to their music since. It was a brilliant long weekend that also involved staying up far too late drinking and dancing with locals. I made it home in one piece after 4 hours sleep, and have the distinct impression I’m getting too old for partying like a rock star!
Excuse the dodgy camera phone quality, but we made it to the front!
I love dressing up for halloween, and this year was no exception. After putting so much effort into my fitness craze, I finally braved an outfit I’ve wanted to wear for ages and went as Bat Woman. All of the photos have other people in them, so none to share just for the minute, but there is this gorgeous photo of the Harland and Wolff cranes and the Titanic Building in Belfast during the fireworks display:
The Books:
I got an Amazon Gift Card from my #otspSecretSister and decided to treat myself to the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Initially, I had no plans to pick this up, but Amazon are doing it for £15 with free shipping, and I started seeing it around BookTube. It is gorgeous, and I was sold. I also made an order with The Book People, and picked up the Legend trilogy, the Hunt trilogy, a Maya Angelou set, and The Taming of the Queen. Finally, I got Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Everyday Sexism from Wordery. Way of the Peaceful Warrior was recommended to me by someone I’m doing some personal/professional development with for work, and I’ve had my eye on Everyday Sexism for a while and decided to go for it. That is ALL the books for this month. Phew!
Movies and TV Shows:
I’m still re-watching Charmed in between reading and stressing over work. I have 5 weeks until the auditors are in and things get crazy this time of year. Netflix was hit this month as I watched Sleeping With The Enemy, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Rewrite. After Halloween, while nursing a hangover, my sister put on Crazy. Stupid. Love, which was hilarious. Definitely recommend all the movies from this month.
Wrappin’ It Up!
- Hazel @ Stay Bookish shares what she found out from her blog reader survey
- Laura @ Boats Against The Current asks what do you want to be when you “grow up”?
- Ceilidh @ Bibliodaze writes an open letter to J K Rowling, asking her to leave Harry Potter alone, and also discusses the fallacy of reader entitlement
- Rinn @ Rinn Reads asks how do you review books? (And also has a lovely new blog design!)
- Trish @ Between My Lines shares the 5 things that make her buy a book, 7 random ways to pick your next read, and shows us how to blog like a blogging ninja! I SO need this right now!
- Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense asks can characters become bigger than their creators?
- Becky @ A Fool’s Ingenuity tells us all about her addiction to Rainbow Rowell and asks do you play catchup with reviews when you have a review backlog?
In Case You Missed It:
I was practically useless at posting this month! I reviewed What Alice Forgot (4/5) and Kiss Me First (3.5/5).
I wrote a discussion post that was inspired by Asking For It by Louise O’Neill called #NotAskingForIt, and did a 9 Month Challenge Check In.
My most popular posts in October were my review for All The Light We Cannot See, and the interview with the cover designer for the new Bloomsbury Harry Potter covers.
How was your October? Talk to me in the comments!
Confessions of a Book Geek 
It’d been a slow October for me as well, Rachel. But yours sounded like a ton of fun compared to mine. lol. Have a great month!
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Thanks, Joy! I have a few things to post about this month, it may not be full speed ahead yet, but I’m getting there! R xx
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Going to concerts used to be a piece of cake and now the thought of going to one so late at night and the inevitable drive home exhausts me. When did I get so old? I said I was going to wait until Christmas for the illustrated edition of HP, but I ended up caving a few days ago and I don’t regret it at all. The illustrations are just so lovely, I think I spent a good half hour just flipping through the pages.
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HAHA I’m exactly the same, the thought of going made me almost not want to go, especially as I had to travel 2 and half hours there and back. I don’t usually go that far out of my way for a concert! It was definitely worth it though, ended up being a great night with great memories. I’d be tempted to make the same trip if one of my favourite authors was signing in Dublin now too. I wasn’t going to get the illustrated edition because it was £30, but Amazon doing it for £15 sealed the deal. Then my secret sister sent me a £10 Amazon GC and I definitely couldn’t say no. I hear they’re releasing one a year? Though I don’t know how they’re going to illustrate book 4! It’ll be HUGE! I haven’t seen all the illustrations yet, I kind of want to stumble upon them as I read the book. Which I plan to do over Christmas! R xx
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That sounds perfect. You’re going to love the illustrations. One every year? I know what I’ll be asking for Christmas and then promptly buying for myself before anyone else can…
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Lol! Yes, apparently so. It hasn’t been well advertised but the artist is meant to be working on the illustrations for Chamber of Secrets at the minute… I’m starting your book tonight by the way!! Excited! Not sure what to use to write with though!! Lol R xx
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BOY BANDS 4LIFE! Lol. I think it’s great that you saw One Direction. I like them. I’m not a huge fan, but I still like their music.
I saw your Halloween pics on Instagram and you look fantastic!!!
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LOL.
I wasn’t a big fan prior to seeing them, even though they were on our X Factor and so we’ve literally followed their journey since they were formed, and one of them is from Ireland, but still, I could take them or leave them. Seeing them in concert has definitely made me like them more. I’m not exactly a screaming teenager over them though… but I may have been that night 😉
Aww, thank you! ❤ You always make me feel good 😀 R xx
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I can’t believe you went to see One Direction! I admit their songs are pretty damn catchy but I just can’t bring myself to be a fan. I think it’s the teen fangirl hysteria which puts me off quite so much. I enjoy fangirling as much as the next person, but they terrify me with their passion (it is both and good and bad). And I agree, partying like a rock star is getting harder with age, but it’s nice to have finally learnt my limits with things. I am now okay that I want to get a takeaway and go home at 1am because at least I don’t feel like complete death the next day now. I love your picture of the fireworks as well, so pretty! We get nothing that good around by me, the torrential rain did deter me from leaving the house, though.
I am totally with you on the hilarity of Crazy. Stupid. Love. that film is one I wasn’t too interested in until I caught it on TV and I couldn’t stop watching. It’s just one of those films which was perfect for that moment.
Sounds like you’ve had a good month anyway. I am definitely visiting all your links, I miss links to other blogs for new things to read.
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LOL I know, either can I. Originally, the tickets were free, as was the hotel and travel expenses, so that was a big pull, but I started listening to their songs in the gym and I got hooked! After seeing them live, I’m now a tad obsessed to be honest… The hysteria does my bap in, I don’t get it at all. They’re humans for crying out loud!! I actually sat in for the first time in AGES this weekend, and I really enjoyed it. Not sure if I could do it all the time, but with Christmas season approaching, I’m booked every weekend from now til New Year… bring on the hangovers… I LOVE your takeaway and home plan, usually I get a few drinks in, start dancing, and then there’s no getting me home lol R xx
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I’m so jealous that you got to see One Direction. Back in my tween/early teen days I was obsessed with them, but that wore off. I’m getting back into their music again as their sound has matured and I’m really loving them! That picture isn’t too shabby for a phone — I would dream of being that close!
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I was never obsessed with them, but I am now. I love their newer sound too! It took a lot of work to get that close! But it was worth it. R x
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