Let’s do this now! October and November Wrap-Up

October and November, huh? I would say both months were amazing. One month is dedicated to reading. The other dedicated to binge-ing all of the anime that I want to watch on a whim and listening to new music. October can be considered busy and fun, because I celebrated my birthday and culminated the first term of my internship. November on the other hand, felt like a month that just passed by because of all of the breaks. Let’s see how things actually went down:

I read a total of 8 books in October, including the ones I read at work. It’s a good mix of manga, fantasy, and mystery. But sadly, I DNFed one of the books that I have been highly anticipating for this year.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Vol. 1 – 4 by Izumi Tsubaki

Each volume revolves around short but delightful comics. It’s still ridiculously funny and I was able to read some of the scenes that were cut from the anime. With the manga, I can’t help but imagine how it will go in the anime’s 2nd season. It definitely felt like a palette cleanser from all of the fantasy that I have been reading lately.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz

I have been trying to finish this one since March. But I just couldn’t get the hang of it. Don’t get me wrong though. I loved the characters, yet it gives you this vibe where you don’t know where the story is headed. I really didn’t like feeling that way. Maybe one day, I will pick it up again. Until then, it will stay at 50%.

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

I joined a blog tour organized by JM from Book Freak Revelations for this one. Overall I would say that it was cool to read about Bruce Wayne as a teenager, and the way Marie Lu described Gotham was eerily amazing.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Let’s just say that I have a love-hate relationship with this book. Some aspects are off the charts, but the one that was supposed to carry the book left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. Full review [here].

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

I had high hopes for this one. But ultimately, I was let down by a lot of reasons. I mean, it is still good. The writing was easy on the eyes, and the plot more so. It’s a Breakfast Club x murder mystery, and I love mystery thrillers. Sadly, due to pacing and trigger warnings that are cosidered spoilers, I was turned off. I still finished it though. But I have read better thrillers.

I read a total of 5 books in November, 3 of which I read at work. This one was probably caused by the amount of books that I read for October, but it was still better than the slump I was in last April – July.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

I actually started this one last September, but it was on my e-reader. The writing really moved me, so I hesitated to read more until I got myself a physical copy. Short version of the story is that I finally had the chance to get it and it blew me away. I will be posting a review of this book on Stay Bookish soon because I swear you wouldn’t want to miss reading it.

It Only Happens In The Movies by Holly Bourne

I really missed reading Holly Bourne’s books. The way they make me feel important is the best feeling ever. I did not expect to relate much to the main lead, but she came at a good time. Full review + playlist [here].

All of the series listed here were all binged in November. Now before you gasp, I just want to clarify that November here at our place had a lot of breaks. I just maximized my free time. Teehee.

Stranger Things Season 2

I started watching in October right on time for Halloween but I finished it in November. And yet, it still gave me the goosebumps! I would have to say that the Duffer brothers and everyone leveled up for the 2nd season because it was so darn good. Trust me: if you haven’t jumped on the Stranger Things bandwagon yet, you really should start thinking on hopping in because THIS SEASON IS TOO AWESOME TO MISS.

Bungou Stray Dogs Season 2

And just when I thought that Stranger Things Season 2 will put me in a series slump, I chose to watch this one next. AND OH MY POOR HEART. This show has also stepped up from the awesomeness that is Season 1. I was sobbing for the first 4 episodes, and then I was on edge for the remaining 8. My heart. My soul. MORE PLEASE.

Hitorijime My Hero

Pfft. Would you believe that this is my first BL anime? (Not counting Yuri!!! On Ice since it is under the sports anime bracket, but we have to acknowledge the canon lol) It was pretty fun for the first few episodes, but I wasn’t fully invested to go “gaga” over it. The opening song is super catchy though. It’s my new ringtone.

Boku No Hero Academia

I finally finished the first season, yay! I can say that the show grows on you, and I find the dynamics unique and refreshing. And no, I don’t think it’s like One Punch Man. Both shows have their own personality. Onto Season 2!

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

There are tons of anime in my backlog but I opted to watch this instead. I don’t know why, maybe because after HMH I wanted to watch the one that set the standards. I liked it, but there was something off. Nonetheless, it gave me the feels. Yes, Junjou Romantica is on my to watch list. Noted.

Free: Eternal Summer

The 1st season was great. The 2nd season was SO EMOTIONAL. There were too many tear-jerking moments and heavy topics for this season that I cannot deal with my own emotions. I wish that I watched it earlier, but then it also applies to my current situation. The Iwatobi and Samezuka boys got me. Darn it.

Oh November, you really are full of wonders. I think two movies are impressive, with all of the anime in the mix.

Justice League

Yes, I am a DC fangirl. When the league was assembled, I was already blown away. Though yes, it is still a bit messy and all over the place sometimes, Justice League was lighter in all aspects. When Superman smiled, I may or may not have shouted, “YES! THAT’S SUPERMAN!” I was lucky enough to have not been thrown out of the cinema. Yes, more movies from DC please. They’re improving, and with all of the criticism, I know it will only go up from there.

Saint Young Men

The premise is simple. Jesus and Buddha are sharing a room together while they spend their vacation in Japan. Hilarious and ridiculous, it’s a good movie to watch if you just to sit back and enjoy the simplicity of seeing these two religious figures.

A fancy mix of Japanese music and November releases, it has definitely been a good year for new music. But I managed to find some earlier released songs to comfort my soul. Some of it has even helped me sleep. Here are some of my favorite songs from each album / artist (but trust me, every album is so good).

Ore Shoku Sukai – RADWIMPS 2 発展途上 (Hatten Tojo) ; Developing

4645 – RADWIMPS 3 無人島に持っていき忘れた一枚 (Mujintou ni Motte Ikiwasureta Ichimai) ; The CD I Forgot To Take To The Deserted Island

Iron Bible – RADWIMPS  Ｘと○と罪と (X to o to Tsumi to)

O&O – RADWIMPS 人間開花 (Ningen Kaika) ; Human Bloom

No Peace – Sam Smith feat. YEBBA (The Thrill of It All)

Getaway Car – Taylor Swift (reputation)

Super Far – LANY (LANY)

Kaze Ga Fuku Machi – Luck Life (Bungou Stray Dogs Season 2 ED)

Heart Signal – Wataru Hatano (Hitorijime My Hero OP)

Beautiful Trauma – P!nk (Beautiful Trauma)

Flaws – Vancouver Sleep Clinic (Winter EP)

Surrender – Walk The Moon (What If Nothing) <- featured in the Love, Simon trailer just fyi

• I survived the first term of my internship! I still have hours to render for my second term, but all is well. Also, still in the same company.
• I created an account on myanimelist.net to keep track of the anime that I have been watching. If you want to add me, I’m @UltmtFangirl.
• I posted about what it feels like when I talk less about my other fandoms, and brief drama on going on a hiatus (which we all need if we’re burned out, btw)

Pfft. If I wrapped this up at the end of December, it would have been longer. Anyways, December is a time to highlight the best of the best for this year, right? So… how was your October and November? Any fun stuff we can scream about? Are you going to see Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi on opening weekend? What are your thoughts on the Love, Simon trailer? Have you made reading plans for 2018 yet?