Happy Halloween!
It’s been well over a month since I’ve written a blog post, so tonight I decided that I just couldn’t let the month of October pass without at least adding something new to the blog. While my absence here can be partly explained by some really amazing things that have happened in October, the truth is I’ve been feeling pretty swamped by everything else that’s been going on. This fall has been one of those seasons where I feel like I’m being stretched in every direction.
I do have some books that I’ve finished reading, so I’m hoping to have some time to write those reviews and get them posted, but until then, here’s a peek into the past six weeks or so!
Finding My People: Hutchmoot 2017
The absolute highlight of my month was attending Hutchmoot, an annual event hosted by The Rabbit Room. I have always, always wanted to attend Hutchmoot, and this year it finally happened. If you’re not familiar with Hutchmoot, that’s okay! Not many people are!
Honestly, Hutchmoot is a hard thing to describe. It’s a conference, yes, but it’s so much more. Hutchmoot is days and nights of good teaching. It’s time to worship and reflect, to refocus on truth and beauty. It’s fantastic music, delicious food, and kindred spirits. It’s a God-glorifying, soul-strengthening retreat from the world, and I can’t wait to go back next October.
I’m hoping to write an entire post about Hutchmoot and share what I learned with you, but here are a few pictures to tide you over until then!!
Other October Occurrences:
October’s been full of other things, too, not just Hutchmoot! We saw Needtobreathe at the Tabernacle for my brother Joe’s 23rd birthday. Needtobreathe is one of my favorite bands of all time; they’re pretty much singlehandedly responsible for helping me decrease my mile time on the treadmill! They played at Auburn when I was a senior there, and I remember it being one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Their show at the Tabernacle was amazing. If you get the chance to see them, definitely take it!
In other news, I’m about three weeks away from finishing my capstone project (!), and only six weeks away from being DONE with my master’s degree. I can’t believe that I’m finally in the home stretch, and I honestly can’t wait to be finished with the degree.
Book News
Even though I haven’t had much time to read this month, I’ve still been able to finish a few books, so you can look for these reviews in the coming weeks. I can genuinely say that all four of these books were amazing, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you.
- The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri Nouwen
- Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- Prayer by Tim Keller
I’ve also started a bunch of other books, but haven’t been able to finish them yet. Here are just a few of the titles:
- The Disaster Artist by Greg Sesteros (Recommended to me by a student–how can you turn down a recommendation like that?)
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- Single, Dating, Engaged, Married by Ben Stuart
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (re-reading along with my students)
- The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
- The Message of the Psalms by Walter Bruggeman
- Reading for the Common Good by Christopher Smith
All Things Instagram
If you don’t follow @Book50Blog on Instagram, you’re missing out on some fun, book-themed posts! This month it’s been all about fall as I shared fun Halloween-themed books and even a post for Reformation Day.
That about wraps things up for the month of October. November also promises to be a busy month as I finish up my Master’s degree, head to St. Louis for the NCTE conference, and finish teaching Fahrenheit to my ninth graders. The stretch between October 1 and December 31 is my favorite season of the year, so I’m looking forward to all of the fun things headed my way!
Hopefully there will also be some fun things headed your way in the form of book reviews, new posts, and a new 2018 reading challenge. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything in particular you’d like to see on the blog.
Thanks for stopping by, and keep reading!
Sarah
Book Fifty 
I’m so glad for Hutchmoot and a literature chin wag that introduced me to you — and your lovely blog and insta. It’s quickly become one of my favorites!!
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