CW: This post has a brief discussion on COVID-19, and on hyperfixation OCD.
I am so cold. Fall is officially upon us and it seems like I won't see sunshine again until May. But, I'm actually more accepting of fall this year. I've got a lot of blankets to keep me warm, and a lot of great books to read. Here's what happened in September:
What I Read:
Latinx Book Bingo occupied most of my reading this month, which was awesome! Here are some of my favourite Latinx books that I have read so far:
In The Dream House by: Carmen Maria Machado: 5/5 stars
Don't Date Rosa Santos by: Nina Moreno: 5/5 stars
Mexican Gothic by: Silvia Moreno- Garcia: 4/5 stars
Lobizona by: Romina Garber: 4/5 stars
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by: Carlos Hernandez: 4/5 stars
A special shoutout has to go to Don't Date Rosa Santos as my favourite book of the month. I did not expect for it to have as big of an impact on me as it did. It's contemporary, but with a theme of curses, grief, love, identity. Ugh, it was so beautiful.
For those interested, Latinx Book Bingo continues until October 15. You can find all the details on Sofia @ Bookish Wanderess' blog. Here is her main post: Latinx Book Bingo Announcement
What I Blogged:
I celebrated a milestone this month, with my 500th blog post! This was a super fun post to write and I loved getting such lovely comments from everyone. Blogging is such a dream, and I love every second of it.
Favourite Blog Posts:
Tessi discusses why she No Longer Uses Bookstagram As Her Main Platform
Cee writes on LGBTQ+ Own Voices
Sofia says, It's Not Magical Realism: Fantasy Books by Latinx Authors
Life Stuff
You know, life has been hard lately. COVID cases are going up, I'm locked in, and my OCD has been driving me up the wall. I've been suffering with a lot of hyperfixation recently, which I was thinking of writing a blog post on, but I'm not sure if writing a post will contribute to my obsessive behaviour. That's what's tricky with OCD, you never know if spilling your feelings is a good thing, or if it's your attempt at obsessively seeking reassurance. Idk. But, I have switched medications and I had an awesome session with my therapist today. We push on!
I started my poetry class and things have been better than I expected them to be. I may enjoy writing poetry??? Poetry gives me an outlet to express my feelings in a stream of consciousness way, which is exactly what I need right now. It's been oddly therapeutic.
I did get up to some cool fall activities this month. I went apple picking, and I have been baking a ton. It's really comforting to be able to bake some sweet treats during these cold days.
For October, I am looking forward to watching some Halloween-themed movies, having a quiet Thanksgiving, and watching The Mandalorian season two! It's nice to have things to look forward to.
How has your month been? Are you doing anything fun for fall/Halloween?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
That's the one thing I don't like about fall- it gets too cold! I'm looking forward to Halloween- themed stuff too though. Such a fun time! Yay for baking too- that sounds pretty good.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
I am looking forward to Halloween stuff too. My family are decorating despite the fact that we might not get any trick or treaters. It’s just a fun thing to do :)
DeleteThe cases are ramping up again here as well. I'm sorry the situation has got such an impact on you. I hope the new medications will work! It's a trial and error process, unfortunately. I understand your not being sure if venting out is a healthy practice or not, but if you think it is, we're always here to listen!
ReplyDeleteSeptember was a post-scheduling month for me...what else is new? LOL. I'm thrilled about the heat finally letting up (I know, you not so much 😉), though the weather has been pretty awful - days and days of rain and wind where I live, but other places got floods and whatnot, so we're lucky!
Oh no, I had no idea they were ramping up in Italy. Fingers crossed it doesn’t go back to how it was before.
DeleteI don’t think I’ve ever asked this before, but do you live in the North or South of Italy? I know the North can get pretty chilly. I do hope you see some days of sun though, the rain is never fun!
Thanks Roberta :)
I'm in the middle, actually, and on the seaside! But the weather has gone mad everywhere these latest years.
DeleteOh dear. Hopefully it evens out for you!
DeleteThanks so much for the link Em! :) You rock.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks that your OCD is being... well, sucky. (Writer's vocabulary, that's me! Lol.) Take things slow & do what's right for you - one teensy step at the time (even though you might wanna make giant leaps, baby steps are the way forward!) *sends love*
Sucky is a technical term for sure haha! Thanks Cee. That’s a good reminder :)
DeleteSeptember just flew right on by. I cannot believe it is October already, but I am very excited because I adore fall and Halloween. I am sorry to hear you don't enjoy the cold, though. I am the opposite: I love the cold and cannot stand the heat. Congratulations on your 500th post, that is incredible. I only managed to read one book this month due to university work. My OCD and perfectionism really rear their ugly heads when school starts back up, so I definitely understand and relate to your struggles right now. But we will make it through! I cannot wait for the second season of The Mandolorian either. Happy October!
ReplyDeleteI hope your OCD gets better, Erin! Hopefully getting back into a routine will help. I actually did decorate for Halloween today so I am excited. If only Halloween could happen in the heat haha! Hope you have a great October as well :)
DeleteThe cases are going up here again. We have around 800-1000 new cases each day, which is a lot in a country of 10 million people, especially because they have stopped testing those who are not at risk. They just diagnose them, basically. With that said, the government is not really doing anything. So, haha, it's not fun! (I mean, masks are obligatory on public transport, but besides that, few regulations.) In any case, sorry your month wasn't great. :( But I'm glad to see all those highly rated books. :D Hope your October will be better and that your OCD will also get better. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible :( I hope you stay safe, Veronika! We will get through this. Hope your October is better as well.
DeleteOoh I have heard so many good things about In The Dream House, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it too! I also want to read Mexican Gothic ASAP.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 500th blog post! How exciting and what an achievement!!
How exciting also that you are enjoying your poetry class!
I hope you’re doing alright at the moment, sending you good vibes :)
I’m so happy I gave In The Dream House a try because now it is easily one of my favourite books. Also with Mexican Gothic, it is such a must-read!
DeleteThanks Sabrina! Hope you have a great October!