Bookwyrm Breakdown: November 2022

November felt like September in some ways but also not? It can definitely be summed up in one GIF though, only instead of no motivation to read, it sums up the universe at me.

(Also how is it December and only one month away from 2023?)

But before we dive into the wrap-up, there are some important things to talk about! Let’s jump in.

If you’re an active member of the book community, you’ve probably heard about #HCPonStrike, in which members of the HarperCollins Union have been trying to negotiate for a better contract with management for 11 months. Starting November 10, they’ve been on indefinite strike.

As someone who once aspired to work in the publishing industry (but couldn’t because of the unlivable wages) and as a blogger who’s content is primarily book-related, I believe those who work in the industry deserve so much better than what they are getting and I think other book bloggers and even readers should support them in their fight for a fair contract. Nicole from Thoughts Stained with Ink recently put a post together on why book bloggers, readers and aspiring writers should also support #HCPonStrike.

For those who are in Missouri like me, our Secretary of State is proposing a new rule that is seeking to keep books out of libraries receiving state funds (public libraries like the St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library) as it would impose limits on what books we can access. Part of the proposed rule states, “no funds received shall be used to purchase or acquire materials in any form that appeal to the prurient interest of any minor.”

In other words, libraries can’t acquire books that discuss sex and even events will be required to have ratings. It also forces librarians to enforce censorship and essentially take away the rights from parents and families to make a decision that works best for them (really, there’s a lot I could go into about this). And it doesn’t go to a vote either. A 30-day comment window opened on November 15 and closes on December 15.

November Musings

• [2 Nov] Happy 10th Birthday (Decaversary?), Bookwyrming Thoughts
• [5 Nov] Bookwyrm Breakdown: October 2022
• [8 Nov] It’s the Final Countdown: Books I Hope to Read Before the End of 2022

Books Hoarded

Just one book in November! I was not kind to my wallet considering I went on a little spree during the Steam Sale and treated myself to ProWritingAid Premium, so it was probably a good thing I didn’t go look at books even if I was tempted.

• Children of Ragnarok by Cinda Williams Chima (Publisher) – The Seven Realms series was pretty big back when I was in high school and I’ve always loved the covers for the series even though I never picked the series. But Norse mythology? I’m here for it!
  • At the moment, I’m holding off my review when I finish the book because I believe those in the publishing industry deserve to be paid living wages.

Books Devoured

November felt like September in a way that I wanted to read, but the effort to pick up a book was not there. Or, more accurately, the effort to pick up a fantasy book was not there, but I was definitely picking up romances. My end of the year TBR is going out the window really quick, but attempts were made (I finished one!)

• Ex-Appeal by Cathy Yardley – Second chance romance can be a hit or miss for me, but Ex-Appeal was so good, and I loved every moment of the book (and the entire Ponto Beach Reunion trilogy, which I recommend!).
• From the Top by Jacqueline Snowe – Right after finishing Ex-Appeal, I had zero desire to finish the whatever many books (I’m scared to look) I have in various states of currently reading. So I went on a little hunt for a new book and snooped on Sumedha’s list for romance novels on Kindle Unlimited, because I really should use that more often and not abandon it like my Netflix (my mother cannot use all my subscriptions for me, lol), and here we are.
  • I finished the book after this one, Take the Lead, just before writing this wrap-up and too bad I finished it in December, but I’m going to sneak it in here anyway.
• The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon – I loved The Boyfriend Project and thought The Dating Playbook was good (not my favorite, probably my least), but The Hookup Plan is hands down my favorite out of the trilogy.

I watched quite a bit in November, and I have a feeling December might be the same case.

• Enola Holmes 2 – I watched Enola Holmes a few months ago and enjoyed it a lot, so I was definitely looking forward to the sequel when I found out about it! This was a good follow-up to the first, and I liked the inspiration from history as well that they included (although it was mostly fictional when I went down a mini rabbit hole to learn more).
• Vampire in the Garden – Quick and bittersweet, I finished it in one evening and wanted to cry a little.
• Abominable – Probably one of my favorites of this year — I loved this so much.
• Reborn Rich – Y’all, this is so good so far and I’m looking forward to episodes coming out each week. I’m also trying my very best not to binge, and I seem to have good luck with it so far. Watch me write a 2.5k review gushing over it. Who will stop me.
• Phantom School – Unlike Reborn Rich it’s not as good, but it’s only eight episodes (each about 25 minutes long) and since I’m already over halfway (because I’m a glutton for getting hooked on finding out what happens next and the concept is pretty cool), I might as well finish and get some closure when the rest of the episodes are out.
• Avatar: the Last Airbender – I finally started Season 3! I’ve forgotten how long ago since I watched Season 2 (time is but a concept), and I am by no means close to finishing the show, but I’m making progress. I think it’s possible I could finish this before 2023, but we’ll see.

Spotify Wrapped came out and the amount of times I’ve listened to ATEEZ does not surprise me in the slightest. Neither does the amount of times I’ve listed to Wonderland by AleXa or any of the other songs listed in my Top 5.

Other Songs and Albums on my Playlist for November:

• Eye to Eye by Limelight
• Girls Gone Vogue by Alexa
• Forgive Me by BoA
• Dragon by Tempest
• BIBI Vengeance by BiBi (I loved the music video for this as well)

The Breakdown

What catastrophes have the universe handed us throughout the month? Let’s find out. 🧐

November was a little kinder to me compared to October, which I’m grateful for. I think I’m still in the throes of burnout, where I’m just irritated at everything in the universe, so I may or may not have been besties with journaling a few times (it hasn’t been helping, but it’s better than nothing). Getting up is unfortunately still difficult, and I’m still craving sleep a lot/feeling like going to sleep at 6pm that my mom may or may not have roasted me at some point. But allergies are definitely leaving me alone (at least until February/March, when we repeat the cycle again), and I’m trying my very best all things considered.

I’ve also been pretty busy in my personal life and it’s been an overall stressful month (probably obvious given that I just dropped off the middle of November without a word); I’m definitely looking forward to being less stressed about said thing, especially the nice long weekend given by pure luck of the work schedule later this month (thank you, universe, I truly needed it).

Let’s talk: tell me about your November! What are you looking forward to in the final month of 2022?