Monthly Recaps

OCTOBER RECAP // my brain is very tired but I did (miraculously) read some stuff

November 13, 2020 / 18 Comments

*cricket chirping*

….. hi

Honestly, I am just sitting here, head empty, and can’t even remember how to blog. It feels like about a million years since I created any sort of content. I had expected to have less stuff to do in November because no exams but I was sorely mistaken. Apparently, ALL of my essays are due at around the same time so I was pulling at my hair and eating it. Fun times.

Oof was October a month. I,,, you know my brain is kind of dead right now.

I have been so drained and exhausted. This entire year has been, as well all know. But I feel like it was sort of universal that October was exhausting? Like I don’t think it was just me??

Anyways, this is late. As usual. Apparently, I don’t post recaps on time at all anymore. I would like to change that but that’s a worry for another day welp.

Also, I haven’t been keeping up with blog posts for the past few weeks so I shan’t be mentioning any this month, but I’m going to slowly catch up and I’ll scream about all the amazing work next month xoxo

Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman {★★★★½}: The very kind publishers sent the new edition of Nick & Charlie my way, it was short, so I reread. Fun times. I read it for the first time like last year and I did add on half a star. This story is just so cute and I loved the added illustrations. Definitely recommend!! Big thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers <3

 

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka {★★½☆☆}: I had to read this for class and I,,, like I get it but also I could not care less?? I’m not that interested in classics about capitalism and the like, so it just didn’t do anything for me. It was funny though. But weird by the end, and I DID NOT care about the man turning into a cockroach oh well.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren {★★★★☆}: if somebody would please like to explain to me WHY I keep going back to this book BUT ITS STUCK IN MY BRAIN. Also yes another adult romance, who is surprised?? I need to get a life now honestly. This book was just so… good!! And it’s the kind of adult romance that I’m really into. OBSESSED with the whole childhood friends to lovers trope and also the whole soulmates / “your person” dynamic now BYEEE LEAVE RECS. More in my GR review though.

 

Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills {★★★½☆}: I picked this one up on a whim after I’d heard some really great things. And tbh I’m still wondering WHAT THIS OLD ASS MAN IS DOING ON THE COVER?!?! Ew. But it was… fun?? Okay kinda forgetful, to be honest, but it was fun in the moment. Trigger warnings for sexual assault

It be halfway through the month and I have not read a thing and don’t plan to. Except for one other book for my final English essay. And maybe to FINALLY finish Ember and continue on

Jonathan Ball Publishers absolutely spoiled me last month so big thanks to them!!

Big thanks to Penguin Random House for sending a finished copy of Beach Read by Emily Henry.

And to Pan Macmillan SA for sending Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend!

Click the images to be taken to the post : )

Bro I have been watching QUITE a lot recently. I’ve been going back to my early 2000s rom-com roots a lil bit. Which has been SO FUN. My favourites have been:
  • Reality Bites
  • Drive Me Crazy
  • Definitely, Maybe (rewatch & just as good)
  • 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU!!!! (also rewatch and a masterpiece)
  • The Sweetest Thing (watched for the first time and MASTERPIECE!!)
  • A Room With A View and Maurice (we LOVE Rupert Graves in this household!!)

I also started watching Outlander for a film essay and I’m 99.9% sure I started it in October, but I might be wrong. Anyways, yes, I have since devoured it all. Yes, I did not expect to really love it. I have many critiques and it’s in no way the perfect show. However, the way they handle certain topics (others not so much maybe). But still is better than anything I’ve seen in other shows and handled with more care than most television shows out there.

ESSAYS, ESSAYS AND… ESSAYS.

My brain has not been able to focus on much else tbh. As we’ve talked about. But the semester is almost over, only about 2 weeks left. And then I’ll be done with first year and then VACATION!

Oh also, I actually upgraded to the pro version of my website theme. So there are some small changes and I plan to do more, as soon as I get more time.

I apologise for this recap being kinda… chaotic and boring. Kinda reflects my mental state right now lmao.

Hopefully going to be able to get into a better schedule during the holidays.

WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO LAST MONTH? DID YOU READ ANY GOOD BOOKS? WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE READ? DID YOU WATCH ANYTHING GOOD? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH? LET ME KNOW!

Happy reading

xo

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Hi, I'm Ruby: chaotic mood reader, aspiring writer and lover of movies. If you want to know more, feel free to peruse xx

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18 Comments

  • tasya @ the literary huntress

    November 13, 2020 at 7:07 pm Reply

    Hang in there, the end of year break is coming soon! 😀 October has been nerve wracking with my defense at the beginning of the month, peace and calm at the middle of the month, and reality hits and anxiety setting in at the final week of October. It’s the whole set of emotions 😂

  • Laura

    November 13, 2020 at 11:43 pm Reply

    Yes Outlander! It’s been a hot minute since I watched that show and I am totally with you: there are so many problems but honestly what an absorbing show! I hope the rest of your November is at least a little slower? Hopefully? 🙂

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      November 17, 2020 at 7:49 pm Reply

      Hit it right on the nose Laura! It has its a lot of issues but I also definitely think there is a lot to praise? Also kinda have not been able to stop thinking about Claire and Jamie scene lmao

      November has been going a bit better so far. Well now it is. Was a bit rushed a week or so ago.

      Wishing you a wonderful November also xoxo

  • Lais @ The Bookish Skies

    November 14, 2020 at 8:15 pm Reply

    i read the metamorphosis for class as well forever ago and it was… such a weird read. i have the absolute biggest fear of cockroaches and all insects actually, so i was just disgusted by most of it. the social commentary is interesting, though!

    AND ALL THESE ROM-COMSSSSS!!!! drive me crazy is my favorite and i’m surprised at how much 10 things i hate about you aged well despite being from the 90s. i’ve never watched reality bites, though, and i told myself i should’ve watched maurice AGES AGO (bc you know hugh grant), but i have yet to do so!

    i’m glad you’re enjoying outlander so much! i tried watching it, but i don’t think historical fiction is for me at all, plus there was just a lot of triggers and i was not entirely comfortable to keep watching. the scottish setting and accent really makes me want to go back to it, though, hahah.

    i hope you ace all your projects and that you have an amazing november, ruby!

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      November 28, 2020 at 12:32 pm Reply

      Omg hi Lais, so sorry I’m responding so late *hides*

      Okay first of all, I 1000% agree. I think the social commentary is great, I mean I did super well on my essay. But like meh? lmao I’m a great English student

      Drive Me Crazy was such a great time, though I will say I wish it was longer because it kinda lacked just a bit of development for me?? Also THE ENDING NOPE. 10 Things yes omg STILL REMAINS SUPERIOR AND NOTHING WILL TOP IT. Ugh yes Maurice is so excellent, and idk but go look up young Rupert online and YOU’LL GET THE HEART EYES

      Totally get you on Outlander. It’s not a show for everyone, heck I didn’t want to watch it for ages. And I lowkey only got obsessed because I wanted to continue watching for my assignment lmao. But yeah I kinda love the accents now, and the old language haha

      Sending you love Lais. Hope you’ve had a wonderful November also <3<3

  • Caro @ bookcheshirecat

    November 15, 2020 at 9:40 pm Reply

    I feel you, October was a lot to handle (I moved and started the semester in a new city/university) but somehow November has been even more exhausting so far 😅 Good luck with your last two weeks & get some rest afterward 💕 I still remember having to read The Metamorphosis in school and this is bringing back flashbacks 😂

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      November 28, 2020 at 12:40 pm Reply

      Welp so sorry for this late response Caro… but hope you’ve been having a better November!! Hope you’ve settled in more. I finished on Monday so have been taking this whole week off and lmao lowkey am getting bored now. I NEED TO READ AGAIN ahahaha. Oh yikes, yeah The Metamorphosis is… strange to say the least. Or as I titled my essay: The bizarre exploration of consumerism in Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’

  • Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical

    November 21, 2020 at 10:25 pm Reply

    I relate to being so overwhelmed! I still have two essays to write and I’m sooo tired, oh my god. I’m ready to flip some tables, most of my professors are being incredibly inconsiderate. I want to read The Metamorphosis one day, so it makes me SAD that you didn’t like it very much, but I’m glad there were some good parts at least? Hope your November has been going okay. 🙂

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      November 28, 2020 at 12:44 pm Reply

      Agh so sorry for replying so late to your comment! But I hope your November has gone well <3<3 And that you managed your essay. Totally feel you. I did just finish the semester earlier this week, just going to wait on my grades haha, but oof was that essay a lot of work *crossing fingers*

      Ah maybe you'll like it if its not for class? Idk I just don't care all that much about the topic, though I think I def "enjoyed" it more when I was writing the essay. Like I got it more?? If that makes sense.

      Sending love xoxo

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