State of Mind for November

November is NaNoWriMo. For those who haven't heard of it, National Novel Writing Month is a movement created to inspire anyone who dreams of writing a book to write 50,000 words in one month. 

That's a lot. About 1,667 words a day.                        

I have never "won" NaNo, and I don't know if I will this year either, but for the last few weeks, I have been paving the way to do so. 

I have been outlining, character sketching and researching. Everything but the actual writing. 

I have nightmares about not having anything to write, about quitting because it's too hard.

What if I just like the research?

What if I don't have the skill? What if I don't have the stamina, the persistence, or the focus?

I don't think I have any of those things in abundance. What I do have is a passion for writing, and for reading. I have a love of character and story. I feel closer to my writing than I ever have before. I feel like I'm about to take a big leap where I'll either fail, or succeed, both of which are frightening.

So, if you don't hear from me in November, it might mean that I'm busy writing, or that I'm hiding under my blankets in shame. 

OR, I may just be hiding because...

I'm a worrier. And it's overwhelming lately. There's so much to worry about right now:

Covid-19: going into lockdown again

                 "living with it" through winter 

                 getting it

                                                                                                     spreading it

                                    The election: Trump winning

                                                           Trump not winning

                                                           four more years of this surreality

                                    The environment:fires

                                                                  floods

                                                                  hurricanes

                                                                  melting polar ice

                                                                  climate change

Never mind the everyday things that certainly haven't gone anywhere. 

But, I take solace in my friends, and family who I commiserate, and complain with. I can take solace in my dog, whose innocence/ignorance is sometimes enviable. 

Obligatory cute puppy photo:)

And, I have my reading and my writing, which is the best blanket to hide under. 

                                    

            

Crisp, Autumn Fiction

Halloween is right around the corner. Can you believe it??
As quickly as the time is passing, this year, it may be a blessing-hoping that things are better in the next anyway. They can't be worse, can they? The sad things is, I think they can.

But each day is a new day to change our mindset, to try again, to work for something better, to make a difference in the world. If you are like me, and feeling despondent and demoralized, escape into a book now and then. It's good for the soul.

 Here are some newly released and upcoming titles that I'm looking forward to (click on the book to take you to the goodreads.com description):

I'm really looking forward to reading this literary suspense novel. It's getting a lot of buzz since it has been long-listed for the National Book Award.

 I'm not sure what to expect from this novel about Imperial Russia. Reviews suggest to be prepared for Game of Thrones-like sex and violence.

This is going to be a long read--over 700 pages! But I'll read anything this man writes.

This is one of the highest rated books I've ever come across on goodreads.com. I'm not surprised, since Schwab has a handful of highly rated titles. She skirts the edge of adult and YA fantasy.

Though his books have gotten somewhat formulaic, I LOVE the formula! Follett takes us to the Dark Ages this time.

I'm not adding this to my list, but I know a lot of people would really enjoy this upcoming title. It's considered a Grey's Anatomy meets Scrubs read.  

This seems very different from Picoult's other books. It's an alternate worlds story about the choices we make.

I'm currently reading another of Turton's books (see below) and it's so beautifully, and cleverly written that I have to put his new one on my list too.

My current line up:

 I'm not sure how this is going to end, but so far it's a compelling mystery/magical realism that I can't put down. 

Next:

This is not what I typically read, but it's about two writers and it sounds so fun.

I'm so excited to read this, that I bought it! Historical literary fiction, set in the 20's--right up my alley!

And, coming to the big screen (or maybe just Netflix:)

 I'm excited to see this movie starring Tom Hanks.

For your younger readers:

A new middle school read by the author of The War That Saved My Life. Watch for this to be on the Newberry lists!

This is a survival tale told in verse. Think Hatchet for girls.

Coming YA:

I liked Lacour's We Are Okay. This sounds even more intriguing (and no, it's not historical fiction but I adore this cover).

This looks like it will be the perfect YA thriller!

Happy Autumn and happy reading!

What's on your to-read list?