October Wrap-Up // November TBR | 2015

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imge source: here. edited by me.

Another month went by in a flash and now we're entering a new month, November! October especially went by very quickly for me because I was super busy and life was really hectic. And because of all that, it took me a long time to finish reading a book—that's why I didn't get to read much this month (even though I have SO many books I need to finish). I only read 6 books in October, which is a huge drop from last month's achievement; but hopefully I'll be able to make up for it this month. Even though I didn't read much, I actually posted quite a lot of book reviews for books that I read a while back. Without further ado, these are the books I've read and reviewed this month, non-review posts in October and the books I'm planning to read in November!

Sincerely Yours by Tia Widiana

Read this back in September and fell in love again with Tia Widiana's beautiful writing! I've been waiting for her next book ever since I finished her debut novel and I'm not disappointed. The story is simple and sweet, perfect for a light-read. Really thankful as well because the author sent this book for me to be read and reviewed :)) 5/5! ✮✮✮✮✮

Blue Vino by Kusumastuti Fischer

This is my first time reading Kusumastuti Fischer and I love how she's able to take me, as a reader, completely feel the setting of the story. The story takes place in Langenlois, Austria, which is famous for its' wine production. Even though I'm not fully satisfied with the story itself, I'm happy that by reading this book, I was able to travel to Langelolis through it :) 3/5 for this book. ✮✮✮

Girl Meets Boy by Winna Efendi

I was quite disappointed by this book because I had a pretty high expectation for it since Winna Efendi is one of my favorite authors. It's a story about loss and facing grief, but I don't know why I can't seem to sympathize with the characters and also the situation that they're facing. What disappointed me the most is probably the ending. Even so, I still enjoyed it pretty well so I gave it a 3.5/5. ✮✮✮½

Berlabuh di Lindøya by Kusumastuti Fischer

Another book by Kusumastuti Fischer and I participated in the blog tour for this book. The author once again offers an interesting setting for the story, which is a small island called Lindøya, located in Oslo, Norway. It's a pretty emotional story about accepting one's past and going through hardships in life. Rated this one a 4/5. ✮✮✮✮

Promises by Kristi Jo

The author sent me two books for me to be read and reviewed and I decided to pick this one up first. I absolutely love the cover, however I wasn't really satisfied with how the story progressed in the story. The topic/conflict/theme of the story is actually quite deep and dark, but I feel like the resolution of the story happened too quickly. So I can only give this book a 3/5. ✮✮✮

Pulang by Tere Liye

Here's another book by one of my favorite Indonesian authors and I have a high expectation for it because the synopsis sounds like it's right up my alley. It's an action-packed story with dark politics mixed into it. The story has a lot of emotional moments—which I loved, and a lot of life lessons delivered through the story as well. 4.5/5 for this book because the plot kind of dragged a little bit towards the end. ✮✮✮✮½

The Dead Returns by Akiyoshi Rikako

I really enjoyed Akiyoshi Rikako's previous book, Girls in the Dark, so I also expected a lot from this book. Thankfully, I ended up loving this book because the plot twist really got me! I was really invested in the mystery and found myself utterly shocked with the revelation at the end. Absolutely 5/5 because this book successfully made my jaw drop in the middle of the night. ✮✮✮✮✮

Love is the End by Christina Tirta

The author sent me this book for the blog tour that I participated in. It's a story about first love and how to get over one's obsession about it. Since the book is quite thin, the plot of the story is very simple and I feel that the chemistry between the main characters can be developed a bit further. I still enjoyed it quite well nevertheless, so a 3/5 for this book. ✮✮✮

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I have to say that this book indeed changed me, even though I don't think it's magic because it does require a lot of effort. This book changed my mindset about tidying up and organizing one's living space. For the experience and changes that this book brings me, I would totally give it a 5/5. But for the content of the book itself, I gave it a 4.5/5. You can read my thorough discussion about this book in my review :)  ✮✮✮✮½

Over the Rain by Asri Tahir

And lastly, another book that I participated in the blog tour. I absolutely enjoyed this book and found myself really immersed in the story. It's quite an emotional roller-coaster for me because the story is about a divorced couple faced with difficult decisions in life. I'm so invested in the story for the several days that I read this, and of course I would give this book a 5/5. ✮✮✮✮✮

Aside from those books, I also finished reading Operation: Break the Casanova's Heart by Aly Almario, which is a Phillipine-translated novel. The review for that book is coming really soon along with a giveaway! I finished reading The Unbroken Vow by Kezia Evi Wiadji as well, and a book review + giveaway will be published really soon! I didn't get to read much in October so I really want to make up for it this month and read as much as I can :)

Non-Review Posts in October:

Short Hiatus: I'm Going to South Korea (again)
Sincerely Yours Giveaway: Winner Announcement
[Blog Tour] Behind the Scene of Berlabuh di Lindøya
Movie Adaptation Review: The Martian
Berlabuh di Lindøya Giveaway: Winner Announcement
Top Ten Wishes I'd Ask The Book Genie To Grant Me 

My First Audiobook Experience | Audible / Overdrive App [Blog Tour] Teaser Quotes + Book Trailer Over the Rain Love is the End Giveaway: Winner Announcement

 November TBR:

Last Forever by Windry Ramadhina

Vampire Flower by Shin Ji Eun
Vampire Flower 2 by Shin Ji Eun
The Dragon Next Door by Cho (Jung Sol)
Daily Life of Clumsy Tomoko by Suzuki Tomoko

See Me by Nicholas Sparks

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The best thing that happened to me last month, and of course the highlight of October, is obviously my one-week trip to South Korea! It was an amazing week with three of my friends; we did a lot of things, ate a lot of things, and of course bought a lot of things as well. I am actually planning on making a travel post for that trip but still haven't found the time to start writing it. I have the worst memory ever, so I really need to do that soon before I forget everything about that journey. And last month I was also extremely happy because Books & Beyond finally opened a store in Surabaya! I went there and took some pictures when it was just opened, and I will be posting that on the blog too :) Other than that, life went on as usual, I guess—and am always grateful for that.

☆ Music / Movies ☆

Several of my favorite songs that I kept repeating this month are songs from Hillsong Worship's new album Open Heaven / River Wild, especially the title track Open Heaven / River Wild and Here Now (Madness). But most of the songs in that album are amazing and I've repeated the whole album multiple times this month. It's an album that really touched my heart :)) I also love Ailee's new song 너나 잘해 (Mind Your Own Business), which is an upbeat song that really complements Ailee's strong vocals. And the last song that I loved the most last month was 리쌍 (LeeSsang)'s old song that I rediscovered, 발레리노 (Ballerino). The mood is just like any other LeeSsang's songs, but I just fell totally in love with it. Gary's mellow rap is always the best.

As for movies, I'm so happy I get to watch The Martian at the movie theater last month (because I missed the screening for The Scorch Trials back in September). I really enjoyed it, and of course you can read my movie adaptation review to read more of my thoughts about it. And the other one is not exactly a movie but I'll put it in this category because it made me feel like watching one. Heavy Rain is a drama action-adventure video game that was released back in 2010. I watched Pewdiepie's play-through for this game a while ago on Youtube. The story is so emotional and got me really immersed in the story. It's got a bit of mystery in it as well so the story is very intense from beginning to end; and it seriously felt like watching some kind of thriller/mystery movie.

I'm really thrilled but also dreading this month because we're getting so close to the end of the year! I kept thinking "What have I done with my life this whole year?" and I can't really come up with a good answer. Like I said earlier, I will also try my best to read as much as I can in the last two months of 2015 because I still have SO many books I need to read! Alright, bye now!

  by.stefaniesugia♥ .