The Sunday Mix (19)

This year has simply been flying by! I've said that so, so many times already, but it's still true. In the last edition of this post, November had just started; in this edition, it's nearly at its end. I'm really looking forward to having Thursday (Thanksgiving meal, here we come!) and Friday off (I don't know if I'm doing any shopping yet), and just relaxing with my family and friends (and a book or two). And then it'll be time to put the Christmas decorations up, which I am madly excited about!

WHAT I READ

• Cee is hosting the YA Book Cover Choice Awards again! I love a pretty cover. The nomination round is over now, but the semi-final and final rounds of voting will be coming up, so keep an eye out for that. What's your favorite 2015 book cover?
• If you're on the hunt for some Christmas romances to read, Estelle has you covered. Here's her list of suggestions for this year! Have you read Christmas romances before? Share your recommendations in the comments!
• Jodi Meadows shares some ideas for how to write conflict into a story. It's always a struggle for me to let my characters suffer (which makes me Jodi's complete opposite), so I'm keeping this bookmarked to remind myself that it's okay, it's necessary and there are plenty of different ways to do it.
• Looking for some 2016 contemporary releases? Ginger put together a list of titles that she's excited to read (and she's hosting a giveaway!). Personally, I'm most excited to check out Emery Lord's When We Collided. What 2016 release, whether contemporary or another genre, are you looking forward to?
• Cee created wallpapers featuring her favorite quotes from books she's read this year. I'm particularly in love with the Six of Crows one! Which is your favorite?
• I always enjoy Rachel's Featurette posts, but I'm especially intrigued by the latest one featuring Lauren Smith. She recommended a French version of Beauty and the Beast, and I already know I'm going to do my best to find a way to watch it. Do you watch foreign films? If you do, what's your favorite?
• Josephine talks about reading in public. There are definitely moments where I spot readers in public, and I live for those moments! I always feel a sense of connection as a fellow reader. As for me, I'm generally reading a book whenever I commute or wait somewhere public. It's my preferred way to pass the time, and my favorite hobby, so it's a given that's what I'm normally found doing. Do you read in public or during your commute? 
• I love it when I can learn something from the books I read. This Bustle article shares lessons you can learn from some well-known childhood reads, and I definitely found myself agreeing when it came to the ones I've read (Charlotte's Web, The Hobbit and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe). 
• Dahlia Adler shares book recommendations for each member of the Babysitters Club, and I love the heck out of all of them (even the ones I haven't read). First of all, I love the BSC. I grew up reading about those girls (and guy, if you count Logan). Second of all, her reasons for each rec make so much sense. I personally love the Jessi/Tiny Pretty Things one best!
• "Writing isn't always easy. And that's totally okay. Just keep on writing." I really, really love Susan Dennard's thoughts on NaNoWriMo and writing; I always have! It was actually partly because of her (and Sarah J. Maas) that I ever tried my hand at NaNoWriMo in the first place, and I'll always be grateful for that.
• A Court of Thorns and Roses was optioned for film! Even though that's only the start of the process, it's very exciting stuff. And now, my only question is - who do you think they should cast in it?
• Ever wondered if your favorite Disney places were inspired by real life locations? This article puts the film location and real location side by side, and it is glorious. I just want to take a trip to visit them all.
• Who else is excited about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? I loved seeing these first photographs of the film, and I'm even more excited to see it when it's out in theaters.

WHAT I ACQUIRED

bought: The Secret Garden + A Little Princess Classic Library / The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett / A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett / Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier / Me Before You by Jojo Moyes / Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce / Book Three: Air + Book Four: Earth by Tamora Pierce / Cold Fire by Tamora Pierce / I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith / Granny Dan by Danielle Steel / Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas / The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes / The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley / Daja's Book by Tamora Pierce / Squire by Tamora Pierce / Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas / Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas / Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas / The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn / Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn / Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (Kindle book)
for review: Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown