September (AKA The Month of 5-star Reads Streak) Monthly Wrap-up

I don’t know about you, but September just blurred by for me, its days bleeding together in a confused haze. It’s been a busy month for me, probably busier than July though I didn’t much feel it because by now I’ve adjusted to the grind of home, work, patients, reports then home again. Wash, repeat the cycle.

A number of good things happened last month. I was sent by our company to a week-long post-graduate course, and now I have a new certificate under my belt. I soon have to renew my BLS & ACLS certification though it’s not due ’til the end of the year. I’m thinking of maybe reserving my slot in a class some time this month or the next.

I also joined my first blog tour (3 actually!) and had my first giveaway. I had the chance to chat with my winner, Michelle, a couple of days ago and she told me she already received her prize – a hardcover of Sarah Bird’s Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen – courtesy of the good people at St. Martin’s Press.

And here’s another thing I’m really happy about.

When I stopped blogging in 2015, I was stuck in a rut, not just reading-wise but also personal. I just stopped reading all together, but I came back to it, bit by bit. I initially set a goal of 20 books in 2016, completed that, then added 10 more books to make 30 in 2017, surpassed that by 50+ books, so I added 10 more books to my goal for this year, and, well, hit that earlier than expected. This is something I’m really happy about, not just because I’ve managed to complete my reading challenge for the third year in a row, but because it means so much to me to be back doing the things I love – reading and writing – after not having even the energy and the will to even pick up a book three years ago. I’ve come a long way.

All right, well, enough of that. Here’s a little snapshot of my September in books.

Books I’ve finished:

I’ve had a great month reading really good books. I actually think this is the most 5-star ratings I’ve given, not to mention my 4-star ratings.

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird (Historical Fiction – Post American Civil War)
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen” by Sarah Bird

Also check out my quick Q&A with Sarah Bird here.

 

 

I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 // Review + Author Q&A: “I Do Not Trust You” by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz

 

 

 

White as Silence, Red as Song by Alessandro D’Avenia
My rating: ⭐⭐ // Review: “White as Silence, Red as Song” by Alessandro D’Avenia

 

 

 

Strange Grace by Tessa Graton
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “Strange Grace” by Tessa Graton

 

 

 

The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “The Deepest Roots” by Miranda Asebedo

 

 

 

Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “Give the Dark My Love” by Beth Revis

 

 

Books I’ve started:

🍂 Leverage in Death by J.D. Robb

🍂 Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

My TBR for October (aka The “Are you seriously going to be able to finish all these books” Pile):

Release dates:

October 2

Broken Things – Lauren Oliver

Shadow of the Fox – Julie Kagawa

When We Caught Fire – Anna Godbersen

October 9

The Witch Elm – Tana French

October 16

A Well-behaved Woman – Therese Anne Fowler

A new discovery:

If you want to know more about your reading habits – your most read genres, etc. – try Book Sirens. I signed up and it was so easy. I just linked it with my Goodreads profile, then they do the rest. Apparently, I’m a strict reviewer (what?!?) but that I can definitely be impressed. Anyway, I recommend that you at least give it a try. I was pretty surprised by the info it gleaned from my Goodreads profile.

P.S. There’s also a widget for the profile they make for you. I already have mine up on my sidebar. It’s pretty cool.