So, I’ve made no secret out of the fact that I was very busy in September and things (on the blog and elsewhere) didn’t exactly always go according to “plan”. I did, however, start reading the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells and I love them. Their short format was ideal for my schedule and even though I didn’t get super far, I’m happy to be in the middle of the third book by now. I’ll write a whole post on them, once I’ve finished reading the books that are out so far!
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells (5 stars)
- Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (5 stars)
As per usual, click on the covers to get re-directed to Goodreads, where you are always welcome to add me as a reading buddy! OR find me on Storygraph, where I have become more active this year. My own reviews you’re able to find by clicking on the titles in the list above, if there are posts for them.
Now, with me only having read novellas all of September, and not many at that either, my reading challenges have suffered a little. I’m still ahead in terms of the total book goal I set for myself, just because I’ve accrued a nice buffer in previous months. The page count goal though? Not looking great …
As I’ve now mentioned a lot, I was booked and busy in September. A lot of it had to do with work, because I’ve had quite a lot of hours scheduled and will continue to work a bit more than usual until the end of the year. That in itself is a bit tiring, but I made some other lifestyle changes and they just really took up a lot of my time in addition to that. I quite enjoyed the format of last month’s wrap-up (where I definitely had more to talk about, check it out here, if you missed it), so I’m going to stick to it.
If you don’t want to read about my weight loss journey, you should probably skip this portion of the wrap-up. I get it, put yourself first!
Lifestyle Changes
With working from home and just not having taken the best care of myself, I’ve gained quite a lot of weight over the past year. Every body looks different and needs different things, but I just didn’t feel comfortable in mine anymore. As I’ve mentioned last month, I got a Fitbit and that was the start of my weight loss journey.
I wanted to make sure that whatever changes I made, they would be sustainable and that I wouldn’t be miserable. I really found joy in movement again and could still (mostly) eat whatever I wanted, as long as it was in moderation. I’ve definitely become the boring friend who talks about calories and workouts and how many steps I got in too much, but this takes up so much of my time that I think it makes sense that it occupies so much of my mind.
In my mind, I’m kind of still stuck pre-pandemic at being 27 years old, but in reality I will turn 30 in less than a year. I’m now working out six times a week for about 30 minutes each and have lost 2 kg/4.4 pounds in a month, which doesn’t seem like an unhealthy or rapid weight loss. I’ve decided I will make sure I’m the hottest and most comfortable I’ve ever been once I turn 30. It’s a ridiculous goal, but mostly I just want to keep having fun with this journey, because right now, it IS fun.
This is one of the videos that got me started, as it is very beginner friendly and I personally just also really like Harry Styles’ music:
Writing My Fantasy Novel
I think I’ve been dreaming more about writing this book than actually sitting down and writing it. Still, I’m going to keep including my WIP in the monthly-wrap ups for accountability. I’ve worked so hard on the outline, there’s no way I’m just going to let it disappear in a drawer somewhere, never to be seen again. I’m currently at 1,131 words, which isn’t great, but it’s something.
This is legit the slowest I’ve ever written anything and somehow I don’t feel like I’ve really found the right voice for it yet, which is why this is taking so long. BUT I’m not giving up. It’s just hard to find the time and mental capacity to sit down and write after work and work outs.
I Found a New Favorite Poet
I don’t know if you’ve ever fallen in love with someone you don’t know through their writing, but it has happened to me. I got so obsessed with some of the poems, I transcribes them into one of my gazillion notebooks, just to have them with me whenever I want to revisit them. You cannot imagine how much I would love to share some of this person’s writing with you, but I can’t. Some of you I might have confided in with his identity, but I don’t feel comfortable sharing it on here, because I’m really not entirely certain how he feels about his poetry getting out, despite him being in the public eye quite a bit.
He’s brilliant, vulnerable, poignant and relatable, but he doesn’t wish to share his stuff with the broad public right now. He might secretly be working on a poetry collection that I’m pretty sure will eventually get published AND WHEN THAT DAY COMES – YOU WON’T HEAR ME SHUT UP ABOUT IT!
I really wish I knew how to write poetry, but that’s a skill that has always escaped me.
I Watched All the Gen Z Content
We’ve established earlier on that time stops for no one and I’m approaching 30 fast. I’m a millennial through and through, but somehow I still got entranced by Gen Z content. In terms of movies, I thought Do Revenge was formidable and so much fun (even if the last quarter of the movie was a bit rushed) and I also completely got sucked in the world of Heartbreak High. Netflix’ hold on me was strong this past month! Please, give me more!!
MOST POPULAR POSTS OF SEPTEMBER 2022
Since I wasn’t very active this month, views definitely dropped by quite a lot. Here are the top visited posts of September though:
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (Book Review)
(originally posted in December 2020)
I still have no clue why this one is so popular. I’ve tried searching for it on google, but didn’t actually find anything. - Should YOU Read “The Atlas Six”? (What I learned from my reread!)
(originally posted March 2022)
The sequel releases this month and I CANNOT WAIT! - Are Chris Evans and I compatible (readers)?
(originally posted July 2021)
Interest for him comes and goes in waves. - Are Pedro Pascal and I compatible (readers)?
(originally posted December 2021)
I imagine it might have something to do with The Last of Us trailer release. - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Book Review)
(originally posted December 2021)
More people watched the movie so they might have wanted to know what the book was about? I definitely didn’t promote it anymore.
ELSEWHERE ON THE BLOGOSPHERE
I’m terribly sorry, but I’ve not gotten any better at blog-hopping. If you have a post you would like me to check out, make sure to link it in the comments!
- Lay shared the 15 Best Books of 2022 So Far on their blog.
- The Orang-utan Librarian listed some cool dark academia books.
- Caro shared books she is excited to read because of other bloggers (and she was kind enough to mention me).
- Cam returned to blogging with Vicoli and Caffè.
- Marie detailed how engagement on her blog has changed over the years.
MY OTHER POSTS
TV SHOW/MOVIE RELATED
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #33
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #34
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #35
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #36
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #37
Life and Other Disasters 
It sounds like you have some great fitness goals. Keep that up in your 30s if you can. That’s when life got busy for me and that stuff went on the backburner. It’s hard to get back to it.
LikeLike
Thank you, Deanna! I’ve definitely chosen something ambitious for myself, but I might as well do it know, when I can. I already feel like I don’t have enough hours in the day though ahahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spooky season is awesome! I’ve already taken in so much good horror and have a great costume. And now that i own a home, I can put up Halloween decorations on my front porch for the first time. It’s going to be great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I decorated my door last year, but no one in the house really did anything. Covid was still too prevalent and I understand not wanting to open your door to strangers when spreading the virus is involved.
LikeLike
I hear that. Then again, my neighborhood apparently doesn’t get that many trick or treaters, so I’m doing it mostly for myself.
LikeLike
And that’s a valid reason to decorate!
LikeLike
As someone who also feels I’m my age pre-pandemic (oh to be in my early 20s again) I totally relate to that feeling, and wanting to better yourself for the future! As long as you’re having fun, that’s good 💛 have a lovely October!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you understand that weird feeling of time having halted/been stolen from us. I’m really enjoying it so far and I think it’s helping me cope with stress a lot better. Thanks so much, Saima! I hope you have a lovely October yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to hear that you’re loving the Murderbot Diaries books, they are among my favorites!! 🥰 Good luck with your novel, you got this!! I also watched Do Revenge and it was so much fun 😄 Thank you for sharing my post! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Caro! ❤ I’m really having such a fun time with these books. Who would have thought that a sentient robot called Murderbot would be so relatable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so late here, (but I’m here, ahah!). I’m so happy to hear that you’re having fun with your new work out and I hope that it will continue this way. I so get the feeling about feeling stuck pre-pandemic, I don’t really understand how the past few years just flew by, when I’m feeling like I’m still… well, 3 years younger. I really am NOT a fan of the feeling, at all, ahah.
I loved Do Revenge! So happy you liked it as well. I found it excellent, the twists and the characters and ahh, I really, really enjoyed it. I’ll probably rewatch it someday!
And all the best of luck with your writing, I’m certain you’ll find your rhythm at some point. wishing you all the best for this month ❤
LikeLike
You know I appreciate you stopping by whenever you find the time 😉💛
In my head, the past 3 years definitely don’t exist the way they actually happened. What is up with that!?
I think I’ve seen Do Revenge like 5 times now haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have some short stories and books I need to get back into writing. Due to life and school I can never find the time to do so.
Have a great reading month.
LikeLike
I so feel you on not being able to find the time!
LikeLike