Can someone explain to me how today is the beginning of November? And how I’ve missed posting my last three roundups? So much has happened since August.
Wine Festival
First and foremost, we moved! Todd got a new job in our home state of New Jersey, so off we went. Much (if not all) of September (and part of August) was spent packing up our life in Connecticut. It’s true what they say: you don’t realize how much you have until you need to move it all. He’s loving his new job. As hard as the move was on me (I lived in Connecticut from ages 17-27) that simple fact has made the entire thing worthwhile. I’ve been lucky enough to continue consulting for the company I was working for in CT, and I’ve also begun freelance copyediting! (The first book I copyedited, Against His Will by Nancy Kelley, is now available and I highly suggest you go buy a copy.)
My cousin and I at my cousin’s wedding! (I’m in love with our dresses)
Anyway, as packing began so did the goodbyes. Much of our time pre-October was spent with friends. There was the Connecticut shoreline wine festival, a trip to Mystic, CT, birthday parties, bridal showers, casino trips, weddings, concerts….you name it we did it. We went big, then went home. November 1st marks the end of our first month back in NJ and I have to say…it still feels odd being back. We’re slowly but surely learning about our new town and getting into our new routines.
Since moving I’ve had a plethora of energy that’s allowed me to get back into the swing of cooking. Homemade pots of sauce, roasted butternut squash, chive risotto cakes, chicken picatta, meatballs from scratch….you name it, I’ve been making it. (Todd’s in heaven in case you were wondering.) I’ve always loved cooking, so having the energy and desire to do it again? Major plus.
Kelly, Me, Tasha, and Col at the Chandelier Bar in The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas
So on to October. Probably the biggest event of my year happened last month. I finally got to meet three of my very best blogging friends on our trip to Vegas!!! Kelly of Reading With Analysis; Tasha of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, & Books; and Colleen of Col Reads all joined me for 3 fabulous days in Las Vegas. Several months ago I emailed the girls and told them I wanted to “go west” and meet them. Our trip to Vegas came at the perfect time. I was stressing over the move (which had happened the week prior), all the unpacking, etc, when I was able to just pack a suitcase and talk books with three of the most intelligent women I know. We stayed at the Cosmopolitan Hotel (across from Planet Hollywood/next to the Bellagio) which boasts a three-story chandelier bar. Seriously….you are IN a chandelier. It was the most extravagant thing I’ve ever seen in my life, which also made it one of the most awesome. We hadn’t even been together a full 24 hours before we started making plans for our next trip. NOLA 2014….get ready. Besides the amazing conversations, we ate incredible food, drank smoking drinks, and people watched!
You’re probably now saying to yourself, “Shut up, Kim! Tell us about what you read!” Closing out October my total for the year was up to 169 books (20 in August, 10 in September, & 10 in October.) I’m shockingly still ahead of pace to complete 200 books for the year. My top reads over the last three months?
- Blackmoore
- Born of Persuasion
- Ride With Me
- Emerald Green (No review on this one yet. I only finished reading it yesterday!)
Start looking for our “best of 2013” lists towards the end of next month, as well as the beginning of our 2014 challenge posts. There may even be a post about a challenge that Reflections of a Book Addict will be hosting!
I hope that you’ve all had a wonderful past three months and are looking forward to calm and stress-free Thanksgivings! Share what you’ve been doing (and reading!) in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Reflections of a Book Addict 