
NOVEMBER RECAP // I turned 19, finished first year and start of vacation (aka great times)
Hey hey, friends!! As you can tell by the title, life’s been good. Well, November was busy with all of my final assignments but I’M DONE.
I have about 3 months of vacation ahead of me which is exciting. So hopefully lots of content. I have plans *wink wink*
Anyways, I want to get this post up on time and we have quite a bit to catch up on since my previous recap so let’s just get into what happened in November.
The Emperor’s Babe by Bernadine Evaristo {★★★★☆}: I had to read this one for my final English assignment and YO WAS IT GOOD. It’s told in verse but is set in third-century Roman London. But don’t you fret, it is so easy to read as the author tells the story through a very modern and contemporary voice. It’s funny and full of spirit and just ugh so good?!?!? I haven’t read Evaristo’s more recent releases yet but I now definitely need to. Ugh so good and I super love this kind of text, it fascinates me, and I had a great time with my essay. Definitely recommend, my friends. Click here for GR review.
–
Wrapped Up In You by Talia Hibbert {★★★½☆}: You know, I just had to pick this one up. I apparently can’t say no to Talia Hibbert anymore and read it on release day. I thought it was super cute and super great for a short story. Honestly don’t have any negative things to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and if you want something short to read for Christmas and/or to bump up your reading goal *wink wink* then this is perfect. Click here for GR review.
–
How The King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black {★★★★☆}: I just had zero self-control and decided to devour this on my phone welp. And boy was it so great. My literal only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough and it needed more!! But most short stories aren’t, so it’s not really a complaint. I mean being in Cardan’s head is a treat. We get his unfiltered thoughts which are extremely amusing and I had the best time reading this. Very excited to get my hands on a physical copy so I can stare longingly at the beautiful illustrations. Click here for GR review.
I have completed my 2020 reading goal eeeppp!! However, there are so many books I’d still like to read that I planned on getting to but just haven’t had much mental energy.
eARCS:
- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
- You Have A Match by Emma Lord
Big thanks to Penguin Random House SA for sending me The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan, the final book in the Trials of Apollo series.
And to Blackbird Books for gifting me this copy of No Be From Hia by Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda!! So excited to read it.
Yelp we missed this last month so lemme spread ALL the love!!
- Marie posted an amazing discussion about why book bloggers should be paid and I’m forever amazed at her work.
- And Cielo posted her first sponsored blog post was is so exciting!!
- Jessica walked us through her Notion setup which inspired mine a lil bit
- Xandra shared a final 2020 tbr list, and welp same
- Sumedha put together an amazing guide on the WordPress Block Editor which has so many tips I can’t wait to try out.
- May posted about books she wants more people to read <3<3
- Lais talked about her favourite fictional characters which I just absolutely adored reading xoxoxo
- Clara shared all of her comfort movies and it was so lovely to read
- Fanna chatted some of the books on her late 2020 tbr, which I’d also love to get to hehe
- Corina posted a 2020 bookish gift guide which is amazing
- Erin discussed the perks of virtual book events which I loved reading!!
- Anika posted a lovely post about redecorating her bedroom which was *insert heart eyes*
- Rhi shared her 2021 goals and it was such a great post xx
- My online twin, Rose, also turned 19 (yay!!) and shared 19 of her favourite books
- Caitlin, a queen, shared tips on getting new blog followers which is !!!!
- Stephen posted an amazing post compiling book bloggers favourite non-bookish things and it was so accurate
- My fave, Meredith, came back to blogging and shared some anticipated 2020 December releases
- Sofii shared a list of books that made her feel emotional and I can’t wait to read them all & cry also
Now before you judge me, just take into account that boy am I glad I don’t have any uni work for like 3 months. Okay, so… I rewatched Stranger Things. Folks, we all know I have zero self-control, especially when it comes to this show. Which um hi if you didn’t know is my fave ever and I’ve seen it,,, idk at least 5 times at this point. And we had a great time. I haven’t watched it since season 3 was out last year, nor have I watched from start to finish since the third season. So I was picking up on subtle hints later here and there. As well at just using my one semester’s worth of film knowledge and paying attention to the editing etc. Which is WOW KINDA EXCELLENT.
As for films, I watched quite a few. I attempted to marathon all three of the Toby Macguire Spider-Man films, but only watched the first two welp. Very nostalgic and a great time.
I also watched a couple of early 2000s rom-coms!! I rewatched 13 Going On 30 and loved the 2nd time around. As well as Just Like Heaven for the first time, which was BRILLIANT. I went through a smol Mark Ruffalo stage, as you can tell lmao.
Hello yes, I turned 19 on the 21st of November. I was actually meant to post something special but I haven’t gotten around to it yet welp. But yeah, I had a really lovely day and again wanted to thank everyone for the kind messages, especially over on Instagram. You’re all the best xoxo
Also to make you smile, here’s my dream (socially distanced) party. You’re all invited hehe
And I, of course, handed in my final assignment of the semester and thereby year, like a few days after my birthday. So I’ve now completed my first year of university eeeppp. THE RELIEF. I haven’t received my grades yet, which is causing a teeny bit of anxiety because I’m impatient. But I’m so glad to be finished and crossing fingers next year is… easier?
WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO IN NOVEMBER? DID YOU READ ANY GOOD BOOKS? WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE READ? DID YOU WATCH ANYTHING EXCITING? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? I’D LOVE TO KNOW!
Happy reading
xo
YOUTUBE // INSTAGRAM // GOODREADS // TWITTER // PINTEREST // LETTERBOXD // KO-FI


25 Comments
erin from rinsreads
Happy 19th queen!!!! So happy you had a great day, you deserve nothing less!! ♥ Not One Last Stop AND You Have a Match, I hope you love them both!! And CAPTURING THE DEVIL OMG I cannot wait to hear your thoughts (: If I have to wait more than 6 months for Stranger Things season 4 I am going to REVOLT I tell you…last 4th of July when they dropped season 3 was literally the peak of my life and I’m not sorry bout it! Congrats on finishing your first year of university!! Sounds like a great month all around ♥♥
Ruby Rae Reads
Omg so sorry this response is so late but THANK YOU I LOVE YOU!! Ugh you’re the best. Also indeed I’m jumping off a cliff when we get more ST4 news because !!! My life ended July 4th last year tbh.
You know, the Netgalley gods kinda blessed me because I also just got approved another exciting eARC and ah I need to get off my butt and read themmmm. Love you <3<3
theperksofbeingnourablog
Aww looks like you had a great month! I hope your birthday was wonderful 💖And congrats on finishing your first year of uni!
Ruby Rae Reads
Thank you so much lovely! I had a lovely day, you’re the best <3<3
Stephen Writes
Lovely wrap-up, Ruby! Happy belated birthday, I’m so happy you had a nice day 🥰 Also congratulations on finishing the first year of uni!
Have a lovely December, and thank you for mentioning my post!
Ruby Rae Reads
Thank you so much Stephen, you’re the bestest <3<3 hope you have a lovely December also, replying to this on Christmas Eve so happy holidays xoxo
Stephen Writes
You’re welcome, Ruby. And thank you so much, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying the holiday season 💙
White Rose Stories
Ah, I love your wrap up, haul and TBR! So happy you had a lovely birthday and that you’ll have time to write more blog posts! So excited to read them 🤍✨
Ruby Rae Reads
Thank you so much lovely, hope you had a wonderful birthday also. Currently replying on Christmas Eve so happy holidays xoxo
White Rose Stories
I did, thank you! Thank you, same to you! Hope you have a wonderful day with your family tomorrow. Merry Christmas! ✨ xx
tasya @ the literary huntress
Happy birthday and congratulations on finishing your first year of uni! 💚 November was quite intense for me but it provided me with the structure I really needed, so it was nice.
Ruby Rae Reads
Thank you so much!! Ah yay, I’m glad something good came out of your month and that December is going well xoxo
Jessica C Writes
Again, happy birthday !!! & Ahh I LOVE that edition of A Little Life 🤩 Thank you for sharing my post <33 Also, I think I'm going to re-watch 13 Going on 30 after reading this ahahaha!
Ruby Rae Reads
Ah Jessica, love you!! I’m not sure which edition I prefer because the other cover is kinda iconic but I’m just happy to now finally own it hehe. Omg yes REWATCH IT!!!
Caro @ bookcheshirecat
I’m currently reading Wrapped Up In You, as I needed a Christmas novella and never read anything by Talia Hibbert before! I’m listening to the audiobook though and sadly don’t like the narrator for Abbie 😅
Happy late birthday!! And congrats on finishing your first year of university, that’s amazing 🎉🥰 I’m still fully in the middle of my semester, but Christmas break is near 🙏
Ruby Rae Reads
Ah yay, have you finished it? Though ugh yes, it sucks when you don’t like the narrator.
Thank you so much Caro <3<3 hope you're enjoying your break and taking some off uni
Caro @ bookcheshirecat
Yes & I sadly didn’t like it 😔 But I’ll try the author’s other works!
Lais @ The Bookish Skies
rubyyyyyY!!!!! i am glad you had such a great birthday, and also that your uni year is officially done. i still have a few more weeks and a couple of assignments due to before i am done, but god i am counting the days. can not wait for it to be over, tbh.
i also loved that you watched so many of my favorite movies: spiderman & 13 going on 30? yes please. just like heaven is amazing and mark ruffalo looks so good!!!!! though i do think i like him better in 13 going on 30, probably? but he looks gorgeous in both, hahah.
i really hope you have an amazing december & a great holiday season!
Ruby Rae Reads
lais!!!!! LOVE YOU THANK YOUUUUU!!!!! But you can do it, you’re almost done and the break will be worth it hehe
I mean you’ve got the superior taste and HOW did I know you loved Mark hehe *wink wink* I def agree, he looks better in 13 BUT I think he had a larger role in Just Like Heaven?? The ending is better in 30 though
Hope you’re having a lovely December. I’m replying on Christmas Eve so happy holidays <3<3<3
Marie
AH HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY LOVE! I hope you had a fantastic time and I’m sending you all the love. I’m also so happy you finished uni, congratulations on that!! <3 <3
And yay! I love 13 going on 30 so much, I watched that one too many times to count 😂
I hope December has been kind to you so far <3
Ruby Rae Reads
Omg thank you so much Marie, ilysm!!! Ahahah, I loved it so much more the second time round and I can def see myself rewatching it because it’s so good <3<3 sending lots of love and happy holidays
Kay @ Hammock of Books
Happy birthday!!! and congrats on finishing your first year of university, that’s amazing!! I had no self control and devoured king of elfame too and we all need more cardan in our lives <3 <3 hope you're having a great December!
Ruby Rae Reads
Thank you Kay!! I,,, wow Holly Black I NEED MORE please and thank you. Hope you’re having a wonderful December also, happy holidays xoxo
ahaana @ Windows to Worlds
omg HAPPY *belated* 19TH!! congratulations on finishing your first year of university!! i also got a coppy of you ave a match and its such a fluffy read!! i hope you’re loving it!! one last stop is also on my tbr and i also requested an arc of that, so hopefully the publisher will get back to me soon!! i hope december’s treating you well ❤❤
Ruby Rae Reads
Oh thank you so much Ahaana, you’re the sweetest <3<3<3 EEEEP omg I CANT WAIT TO READ IT. Hope you get accepted for the ARC ahhhhh. Hope you're having a wonderful December and happy holidays