My sister wrote a book! 
A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold is a sweet, clean, and charming Regency romance novella inspired by Cinderella. It's available on Kindle, KU, and in paperback, so check it out! It would make my sister's Christmas if you did. :D
Have you noticed lately how many book bloggers are either taking a hiatus, or quitting altogether? I started to count up the blogging friends I've made over the years who are no longer around, but quit when my list of names hit 20 because it was just too depressing. I miss them! But I get it. Bloggers get tired, burn out, move on, find something else they want to do with their time. But it still makes me sad. I started blogging because I wanted to find a community of people who love books and reading as much as me. And it makes me sad seeing that community shrinking away to nothing. It makes me wonder how much longer the rest of us will stick around.
Some of the library books I'm hoping to read this month:
An Instruction In Shadow by Benedict jacka
The Night Woods by Paula Munier
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
Write For You by Megan Byrd
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
And my glad things last month? Honestly, November was a rough month for me with a stressful trip to the hospital with my mom, my aunt's funeral, unexpected car repairs that ended up costing $460, another stupid jury duty summons, and lots of cold, gray days. Plus, I haven't been sleeping well, so I've been running tired...and anxious. Which made coming up with a list of happy things for this post challenging. But I did think of four:
- My mom ended up not having anything seriously wrong, and the unrelenting pain in her left leg that she was experiencing has gone away, something for which I am very grateful.
- My next-door neighbor, who I don't know very well, came over when she saw the ambulance to see if we needed anything, which I thought was very kind of her.
- I won two more books from Goodreads that arrived in the mail last week: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows and Summit's Edge by Sara Driscoll. I look forward to reading both of them later this month.
- And my car's heater is working again...something much appreciated on these wintry mornings.
Oh Lark, I'm so sorry that November was so stressful for you. It's horrible when it's one thing after another and you start to wonder when it will end. *Hugs* Yes, the group of friends I have now through blogging are not the same as the ones that were around when I started in 2007. A couple are still around, like Kay, but mostly they've given up. But the current group, including your lovely self, are delightful so I'm very happy. I need to make resolution to blog a bit more next year, but it's been a difficult year for me. Hopefully 2025 will be better. I just love how determined you are to stay positive. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hugs and kind thoughts. This year has been a hard one for you, too, I know. Even harder with the holidays approaching. That's when you miss your loved ones the most. I'm very grateful and glad to have your friendship, and look forward to chatting with you about books and life in 2025. :D
DeleteSorry Lark - that it's been a heavy month on you. Aging parents is particularly tough (going thru that as well). Glad your mom is back all right. And good news about your sister's book. Congrats to her, well done. The heater in the car is a must & glad it is back. I guess I hadn't noticed lately about missing book bloggers, argh. We still have a core group that seems determined ... to spread book cheer. Keep your positive outlook and spirit, though it is tough at times.
ReplyDeleteI'm very grateful for a working car heater this week...mornings have been in the 20s. Brrr! And I love that there's still a core group of us book bloggers still around. I don't know what I'd do without all of you. :D
DeleteI'm sorry November was a rough month, I'm glad your mom is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sister on her book! That's wonderful.
I know what you mean, book blogging has changed over the years and alot of the bloggers I've become friends with over the years quit blogging. Sometimes I feel like closing up shop too, it feels like I'm talking to myself over at my blog sometimes with my book reviews lol.
Happy weekend and hope this month is better.
I've toyed with the idea of not blogging any more, too. Mostly when I'm tired, or don't really want to write another review. But I'd really miss chatting with you and the other book bloggers out there that feel like friends. So, I guess I'll stick around for at least one more year. I hope you will, too! Thanks for the kind wishes and words. :D
DeleteI'm sorry November wasn't a great month for you, but I'm so glad your mom is doing better!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that your sister released a new book. I've added it to my list. It sounds so good. And you know I love a good retelling!
I've noticed the dwindling number of bloggers lately and it makes me sad too. I'm glad to have the bookish friends that I do, though, including you! Hope you have a fantastic week, Lark! Happy reading! :D
I think you would enjoy my sister's novella. It's a cute one imo. And I'm glad you're still blogging! I would really miss your posts and your friendship. Thanks for always commenting on my posts! :D
DeleteThat was very nice of your neighbor to come over and check on you. Congrats to your sister!
ReplyDeleteIt was super nice of her, especially considering we don't know each other very well.
DeleteAwesome about your sister. So sorry about November being not so good.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm hoping December turns out to be a better month all around.
DeleteGlad to hear you have found the silver linings in what was a rough month for you last month!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is sad when bloggers stop blogging! I miss a few of them that have moved on to other tasks/greener pastures!
Congrats to your sister and her newly published book. I will have to check it out.
It was a hard month to find positive things, but I think that's when they're even more important. Being grateful for the good is what makes life better and more bearable. Thanks for your comments, and for your fun blogging posts! I'm glad you're still around. :D
DeleteThank you for the compliment about my fun blogging posts! I'm glad I'm still around too... even if I did take most 0f 2022 off from blogging.
DeleteBut you came back! Which is the most important thing. ;D
DeleteOh, Lark! I get it, I am so sorry you have had a stressful November. We had to put my daughter's car in the shop and it ended up being a little over $3100!!! I am glad your mom didn't end up having anything serious wrong with her, praising God with you on that one! My mom thought her cancer was back this month (and it still might be, according to the doctor, but we won't know for another 3 months). But, no matter what, we can always find something to be thankful for. I hope December is a much better month for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteCar repairs add up so quickly don't they? I wish I knew how to fix my own car, but sadly I don't. At least I had the money in savings to pay for the repairs. And I was very glad my mom healed up so quickly; I hope your mom's cancer hasn't come back. I will keep her and you in my prayers! And I'm going to continue to look for the positive things in life and to acknowledge my blessings...because I am truly blessed. Wishing you a lovely week, Cindy! :D
DeleteThat's great news about your sister's book! I'm sorry November was a difficult month for you, but it's good that you could still find some things to be glad about. I also miss a lot of my old blogging friends. I think some of them have moved to Instagram, but I've tried it and am happier with my blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Instagram, and I don't think I want to be. I'm happier with my blog, too. And so grateful for blogging friends like you!
DeleteHi Lark, I am sorry that November was so tough for you and very glad that your Mom is okay. And you are right to always look for the things to be grateful for especially during dark times. I once heard someone say that the way to look at life is not so much hills and valleys but a road in which at any given time there will be good things and not so good things in life.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your sister and I am loo,looking, for a good Christmas regency book so I am heading to Amazon to get a copy of A Lady Most Alluring
I like that thought looking at life like a road we're traveling...one that has both good things and bad in it. It's so true. I just wish the bad things weren't so prevalent. I'd like the good things in life to come more often, you know? And I hope you enjoy my sister's novella. I thought it was a cute Cinderella-esque romance.
DeleteGlad your mom's thing wasn't too serious. Parents getting older is tough.
ReplyDeleteHooray for your neighbour! (I've gone Canadian on my spelling...) It's nice to know your they're ok.
It is a bit sad that book blogging seems to be failing--some people are going away--of course--but also there don't seem to be that many starting. I didn't do much on Twitter and haven't tried Instagram at all, but that doesn't seem to be the same, does it?
Hope your December is better!
I hate seeing my mother age and get weaker and more frail. But she had a really good week last week over Thanksgiving, so I was grateful for that. And it makes me sad about all my blogging friends who are no longer around. I miss them. But at least there are still some of us talking books. That makes me happy. Thanks for your kind words! :D
DeleteI'm glad your mom is well and congratulations to your sister on her book. I love the Martha Washington quote. So true. Here's to a happy (and stress-free) December!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great quote? I need to put it by my mirror and read it everyday this month. And I hope you have a happy and stress-free December, too! :D
DeleteHow exciting about your sister's book! Off to check it out right after this :) I'm glad your mom is doing better, but I know how stressful and scary medical crises can be. Wishing you a much better December!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's starting off pretty good. I hope this month brings you many happy days as well. :D
DeleteCongrats to your sister! I love the title! I hope it does very well. And I hear you on the blogging. So many people have left! I even flirted with leaving myself but came back. But we've lost so many.
ReplyDeleteI am glad t ohear your mother is better.
Thank you! And I'm glad you came back and started blogging again; I missed you and your posts.
DeleteLark, I just want to come and give you a hug! You have a lot of challenges lately! Glad your Mom is OK and that your car is working better now. Don't think I was aware that your sister was a writer, but I have put her book on my list. I do have Kindle Unlimited and will try to get to it in the next few weeks. As to the blogging world and people leaving, taking breaks, etc., well, I do miss the ones that have decided to stop. That being said, you know I do take some extended breaks myself. I think I'll always come back though. I end up missing the 'sharing' aspect about my reading. So, several of us will be around I suspect - hope you are one of the 'several'. Take care, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteAt least you come back from your blogging breaks! That always makes me glad. And thank you so much for your kind words and wishes. I appreciate the virtual hugs more than you know! 💗
DeleteGood luck with your sister's book. That's a lovely book cover.
ReplyDeleteMost of my favorite bloggers aren't blogging anymore and I also sad about that but what can we do? I do notice some of them are over at social media places, just not at their blogs. But I'm grateful for the ones who are still blogging.
Have a lovely day.
It is sad when blogging friends go away, but you're right. We can only wish them well and hope they're finding happiness with their new things. But it does make me even more glad about the ones who are still around. Like you! :D
DeleteThis post hits home. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you, Regine. :D
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you've had some stressful times! I'm happy to hear your mom is okay now and that your car's heater decided to work. Having car trouble is no fun and usually expensive. :( I have stepping away from blogging once, but couldn't stay away. I enjoy our book blogger community! Seems like less drama than places like Instagram, although I do post on there, too, I'm just not as invested on that platform. I hope you continue blogging as well, Lark! I enjoy your posts and catching up with you!
ReplyDeleteI loved a couple on your TBR here: An Instruction in Shadow and Killers of a Certain Age! How fun that your sister has a book out! Love the cover. I'll check it out!
Thanks for your kind words, Rachel! I'm glad you didn't leave blogging forever; I would really miss your posts if you weren't around, especially because we read so similarly. :D
DeleteCongrats to you sister--that's an awesome accomplishment. Hope the book is well received.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a much better December. I love how you really look for that silver lining amidst the relentless gray.
It's hard sometimes to see the good, but I've been trying to channel my inner Pollyanna all year long and look for the glad in things.
DeleteThat's awesome about your sister's book and I'm so glad your mom is doing better. Unexplained pain can be so scary. There are so many bloggers I miss and I am so grateful for those that are still here. I hope December is calming and healing and as nonchaotic as possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm hoping for that this month, too. :D
Delete