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Friday, April 03, 2020

Killing November by Adriana Mathers and Other Stuff

I received Hunting November, a YA novel, from NetGalley.  Since it was the second novel in a series, I decided to get the first one and read it before beginning Hunting November.


Adriana Mather's Killing November is the first in the series.  When November Adley's aunt's house is broken into, her father sends her to a boarding school to keep her safe while he deals with the situation.

Academy Abscondititi is an eye-opening experience for November, not least because it appears that someone wants her dead.  It is also off the grid in what appears to be a medieval castle that has no electricity and a curriculum that focuses on physical skills like archery, poisons, knife throwing.

We all know the boarding school trope, and watching November trying to navigate this unusual and dangerous academy kept me reasonably entertained.  November needs to avoid being killed, avoid being held responsible for the murder of one of the students, and she needs to find out who she really is and why someone wants to kill her.

Now, I will proceed to Hunting November, my download from NetGalley to find out what happens next.  Right now, I'm not up to much other than a lot of  escapism.












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These were the last postcards and letters I sent in early March, before we all got worried about mail transmitting the virus.









Now, it has been weeks since I've mailed anything other than a bill or two.  I miss letters--both the sending and the receiving (which has also become very occasional).   All mail entering the house receives the same treatment as packages or groceries.  I'm cautious, but grateful for those who deliver the mail, the medicines, the online necessities.  How are you feeling about mail?


Remember the Plague Doctors?

and a more DIY version

16 comments:

  1. Love the postcards and that DIY Plague Doctor is hilarious. Those November books sound pretty good too. Thanks for making me laugh!

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  2. DIY Plague Doctor is awesome! Right now, I really am struggling to find the right books to read. Escapism is right! I love the postcards you make. I've stopped ordering non-essential items just because I feel like I need to do my part but I honestly don't know what's the right thing to do. I go back and forth.

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    1. I ordered some glycerin to make some DIY hand sanitizer. Not that I've gotten around to making it yet, but I have a recipe and will get around to it eventually. The world is pretty strange right now, and we are all trying to find our way.

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  3. I love your art! It's so great. And I love that boarding school trope, so I'll be adding Killing November to my TBR list. :)

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    1. Thanks, Lark! I like the boarding school trope as well, but the book isn't in the same category of YA authors like Sarah J. Maas, Maggie Stiefvater, or Holly Black.

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  4. Both books sound good. Those are lovely postcards. I love the artwork.

    My husband teases me about how careful I'm being with the mail and packages. I've been ordering a lot online lately though because of stuff we need but cannot find in the stores locally.

    I haven't run into any creative masks or costumes in person when out and about (not that I am out and about all that much--too and from work is all I manage). Now that we are required to wear masks in the office, the ones I've seen are all rather boring.

    I hope you are well, Jenclair. Stay safe.

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    1. I'm careful with the incoming mail now, and even the ads seem to be fewer. There are quite a few things you can't get locally now; either the stores are closed or they are out of the item. We are all making daily adjustments as we face new challenges, aren't we? Especially with a Mouse in the house :)

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  5. The November book series looks like it is good fun and just the ticket to keep one's mind entertained.

    I'm not worried about the mail at all. I did just read an article about shoes, however. I do wear slippers in the house, but am not super anal about when I put them on. Now I leave my outside shoes on the porch. I think what ever we do, if it gives us a sense of control in an uncontrollable situation, that's OK.

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    1. I try not to worry, but at the same time, my habits have changed, and I take precautions. You are right about anything we are able to do give ourselves a sense of control helps. The malaise may always be hanging over our heads (I think of Pigpen and his cloud), but we need that sense of confidence that we are doing what we can--staying home and practicing good habits.

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  6. The November books sound intriguing to me. Will keep them in mind. :)

    I'm not sure about those mail stuff. I've read articles that said they're fine since whatever are on the surface wouldn't survive given the time and the warm temperature might have killed it. But it's always better to play safe, isn't it? I think it's always good habit to wash our hands after touching anything.

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    1. My supply of hand lotion is getting low. I wasn't expecting to be washing my hands so often! :) Getting groceries, mail, even the newspaper, etc. now have new importance.

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  7. The November covers are just awesome -- and it sounds like the first one at least sounds sooo good! The things people wear out are just mindblowing!

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    1. I finished the second book. The books kept my attention, but that's about all. And yes, the things people wear range from fascinating to ridiculous and funny to practical in weird ways! I love the Plague Doctor :)

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  8. Doesn't sound like November's father did her any favors! :-)

    Your post cards are amazing. But like you, I'm a little bit concerned about the mail, and the mail carriers, for that matter. I do collect it from the mailbox every day, but if it doesn't appear urgent it sits in the garage for two or three days before I open it. Most of it is junk anyway.

    I've manufactured a couple of batches of hand sanitizer and given a lot of it away to family members. Still don't see the factory stuff on the shelves around here and don't expect to for the next few months. I do have enough raw material to make three or four more batches, and we go out so little that I expect to have enough to get us through the worst of this thing.

    Stay well.

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    1. I miss making postcards and decorating envelopes and writing letters. Checking the mail each day and doing similar precautions to yours, but quit sending any but a bill or two since our lockdown. Good for you on your diy sanitizer, Sam!

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