Favorite Books of 2018

I'm doing things a little different for my favorite books post today. I found this "Mid-Year Freakout Tag" on Emily's blog, who says it is a BookTube thing. I decided to make it into a full year "freakout." In her words:

The Mid-Year Freakout Tag is an annual tradition in the "BookTube" world where people make videos to do a mid-year summary of what they've read so far. Basically, ending with everyone freaking out realizing that the year is half over and no one has read all of the books they intended to so far.

Best book you’ve read this year?

Nope... can't pick just one! 

Simon vs. The Homo Sapien's Agenda- Becky Albertalli

Elineanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine- Gail Honeyman

Little Fires Everywhere- Celeste Ng

The Grownup- Gillian Flynn

The Woman in the Window- A.J. Finn

The Roanoke Girls- Amy Engel

One Of Us Is Lying- Karen McManus

Best sequel you've read so far this year?

Puddin' by Julie Murphy was the only sequel I read this year, but I enjoyed it more than Dumplin'! 

New release you haven't read yet, but want to?

I actually already have a copy of this sitting in my Kindle but I needed a break from thrillers for some light, fluffy holiday reads right now. 

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

I was on the wait list for the e-book at the library since July 31st and I just got it in time for holiday break! 

Biggest disappointment?

I wanted to like this so much more than I actually did. It had a strong premise- an intimate (fictional) account of Eleanor Roosevelt's relationship with "first friend" Lorena Hickok. While some parts were really interesting, there was too much backstory about Hick's childhood and I got bored fairly quickly.

Biggest surprise?

I picked this up due to the title alone because I thought it was cute. I thought it would be a YA romance type book, but it touched on a lot of very serious subjects. I just loved the quirky characters, their completely unlikely friendship, and the ending tugged at my heartstrings. 

 

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Becky Albertalli. Hands down. I want to read everything by her now! 

Newest fictional crush?

Dean Holder from Hopeless! So brooding, so passionate. I want to read his side of the story in Losing Hope next.

Newest favorite character?

Ruby from The Darkest Minds. I admired her strength as she grew in the camps, even with guards abusing them at every turn, and her eventual escape when all felt lost. She has both terrible and wonderful traits, and is written to show all the different aspects that make up a person...one of the best, multi-faceted characters I've read in a while.

Book that made you cry?
Books don't tend to make me cry, but this one broke my heart into a million little pieces.

Favorite book-to-film adaptation you saw this year?
I actually read quite a few book to film/TV adaptions this year- You, The Haunting of Hill House, The Darkest Minds, A Wrinkle in Time, Dumplin',... but Love, Simon takes the cake! 

Most beautiful book you've bought/received read?

Definitely Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi! 

      

What were yours favorite reads of the year?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!

Jingle All the Way- Holiday Music, Movies, Decor

Hi friends! This was supposed to go up on Monday but like everything else recently, I'm late. I feel like Christmas is coming up super fast this year and I'm still not ready! I finished wrapping everything at my house last night, but still have gifts to wrap at Blue's this weekend. Luckily we have an early dismissal today so I'll be able to get a bit of a head start on the weekend! Anyway, today I'm sharing some of my favorite holiday music, movies and ornaments. 

Movies

Elf

Love, Actually

The Holiday

It's A Wonderful Life

And of course... Die Hard

Songs

All I Want For Christmas- Mariah Carey

Santa's Coming For Us- Sia

You Make It Feel Like Christmas- Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
The 12 Pains of Christmas- Bob Rivers

Decor

This is my little pre-lit tree. It sits on top of my coffee table- that's how small it is! But it's perfect for my small apartment and I love it. My mom bought it for me from Rite Aid or CVS or one of those stores on Christmas Eve a few years ago after realizing I didn't have one. I usually put it up the week after Thanksgiving and take it down around Three Kings Day (Jan 6).

The base gets covered by fake snow and some of the heavier ornaments that I'm afraid would fall and break if I tried to hang them. Below the table sit a fake present, my two goofy little gnomes, my personal shopper nutcracker, and an angel doll that I've had forever but have no idea where it actually came from. Now for the ornaments! 

This is my oldest ornament, which I made in Kindergarten (I can tell by my shirt in the picture - always ready for a party!). The footprint is from a dinosaur. I have no idea why lol. 

One tradition I've started in the last 7 years or so is picking up an ornament from wherever I travel. Here's a whiskey barrel stopper from Bardstown, KY, a little ship with lights from Mystic, CT, a light post from New Orleans, and a Christmas ball from Hollywood. 

Aside from getting ornaments from vacation spots, I usually pick one or two up in those outdoor holiday markets, like Winter Village in Bryant Park (NY). The shiny hippopotamus on skis is one of my very favorite ornaments! The two in the middle are from my mom, and of course I gotta get my Star Wars droids up there! 

I love getting ornaments from friends too. I got a set of Starbucks red cups with a mug from a coworker, the little owl from a fellow blogger in a swap years ago, this fancy Lenox one from a family friend, and "Love the Wine You're With" from one of the Mountain Mamas. 

How do you decorate for the season? 

Linking up with TBB and Girl Chat!

Top 10: Books on my Winter TBR List

I'm back from vacation and a day late with linking up my Winter TBR list! I like reading books set in the season we're in (as in, I'm not going to be reading Summer Sisters during Christmas time- it just feels weird). With Winter (and Christmas!) upon us, I've put together a list of books I'm hoping to get through this season. You'll notice a lot of light fluffy rom com type reads, which is one of my favorite genres, but one I've neglected recently. Usually I try to read books I currently own, either digitally or paperbacks, but I don't have any of these so my library will be my BFF this time around. Here's what's on the list so far. 

Almost Midnight- Rainbow Rowell
I know this is supposed to be a TBR list, but it came in to my library earlier than expected so I read these two short stories in like an hour on my plane ride to Nashville the other day. I was super excited that they had it because I'm a really big Rainbow Rowell fan and these two did not disappoint. The first was about two high schoolers who meet on NYE at a mutual friend's party, and how their relationship progresses over the next 4 years. The second was about an 18 yo fan-girl standing on line for the latest "Star Wars" movie (yaaaas!). They were both super fast reads and if you're in the mood for something quick, light, and gives you a bit of the feels, I highly recommend! 

Nine Perfect Strangers- Liane Moriarty (currently reading)
I was planning on reading this for Erin's 10.0 Reading Challenge (starting 1/1/19), but I pre-ordered it back in July (I was #99) and it just became available to me via my library over the weekend, so of course I started reading it immediately. I'm only about 1/3 of the way through but so far I'm loving it! I've only one other book by this author, but I have a feeling  she's going to become a favorite very soon! 

The Adults- Caroline Hulse
A contemporary fiction in which a divorced couple decides that's in their daughter's "best interest" to have a "normal" Christmas holiday... with both of their new significant others in attendance! As a child of divorced parents myself, it sounded pretty funny, though (thankfully) neither of my parents did this to me! It's been compared to The Break by Marian Keyes and The Rosie Project, but I haven't read either of those so the verdict is still out on that one!

Little Women- Louisa May Alcott
Ahh, a classic I've been meaning to read for years! Not sure if this one actually takes place around Christmas or if I'm just imagining it that way, but it always seemed like a "winter" read in my head. I'm reading this one for Erin's 10.0 Challenge so it's on pause until the new year, but I'm definitely looking forward finally reading it! 

The Little Book of Hygge- Meik Wiking
The idea of Hygge has gotten very popular in recent years, and who doesn't want to add a bit of cozy happy to their lives? The singular non-fiction in the bunch, I'm hoping to learn more about Danish culture and find ways to incorporate some of their practices into my daily life this season. 

Twelve Days of Dash and Lily- Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Have I ever mentioned that 12 is my favorite number? (My birthday is 12/12 and I'm my grandparents' 12th grandchild!) Apparently this is #2 in a series, but I saw that it can be read as a standalone. While I'll most likely pick up the first one afterwards, I'm very excited to check out this YA rom-com.

One Day in December- Josie Silver
The meet-cute-esque plotline totally caught my attention, and it takes place in December! I'm a bit nervous about the ending TBH, but hoping for the best for these two star-crossed lovers. 

My True Love Gave To Me: 12 Holiday Stories- Stephanie Perkins, et. al. 
I've never read anything by Stephanie Perkins or any of the other authors featured in this collection with the exception of Rainbow Rowell, but it sounds like a bunch of cute YA short stories to be sure to this little Grinchy heart into the holiday season! 

Let It Snow: 3 Holiday Romances- John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
So I just started reading John Green this year (I know, I know, super late to the party), and I really like his work. More YA romance that may not be for everyone, but I'm curious and looking forward to more light-hearted Christmassy themed stories! 

An Almost Perfect Christmas- Nina Stibbe
Oops, I just realized I listed The Little Book of Hygge as my only non-fiction of the season, but I forgot that this is auto-biographical! 

Have you read any of these? 

What's on deck for you this season?

Linking up with The Artful Reader! 

35 Beliefs

Good morning friends! Today is my birthday- wooot! I'm not one to shy away from my birthday or hide my age or worry about getting older. Nope, I fully embrace it and try to live every day as positively as I can. Here are 35 of my other "life beliefs." 

sparkly sweater F21, jeans Express, bag H&M, necklace gift

female friendships are important

freedom

the power of music to change your mood

traveling abroad is not only exciting, but necessary to truly understanding different cultures

there is much room for growth right here in America

wishing on pennies thrown into fountains

picking up (heads up) pennies in the street

taking "me" time, regardless of how you spend it

that fleece, cotton, and jersey materials are comforting

in making a wish when blowing out candles, and not just those on a birthday cake

change is necessary for growth, regardless of whether we like it or not

in speaking my mind 

carbs. and cheese.

cheap dates

living in the moment

comfortable underwear

taking time for yourself

"work hard, play hard"

surprises

cuddles

venting

having some privacy

basic workplace etiquette

having fun

having hobbies

doing what you love

making mistakes, and learning from them

karma

randomness 

finding (or creating) happiness in every day

long distance phone calls

perfect fitting jeans

paying it forward

forgiveness

"Everything happens for a reason"

What are some of your beliefs?
Linking up my favorite outfit on TBB!

Show Us Your Books: November

This seemed like a really slow reading month, mostly because I kept slugging through Children of Blood and Bone. That's not to say it was a slow or bad story in anyway, I just have a hard time with books over 500 pages. For one thing I hate carrying them, and I read the most while commuting. For another, I got it from the library 3 times (2 e-copies, and 1 hardback) and it kept expiring before I finished, and then I had to wait for another copy to become available. I started it in October!  So yeah... it took me awhile! Here's what else I read this month.

One of Us Is Lying- Karen McManus: 4.5 Stars
library e-book

Man, oh MAN! Unlike many of you, I had no idea "who dun it," which I loved. I read the majority in one sitting because I just had to know what happened. Definitely a favorite of this year. And E! is already making it into a TV series! I can't wait! 

You find out who your real friends are when stuff like this happens. Turns out I didn’t have any, but I’m glad Cooper does. 

Some people are too toxic to live. They just are.

What If It's Us- Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera: 3.5 Stars
library e-book

This story was typical rom-com style YA between two guys. It gave me all the ooey gooey feels and made me melt but then left without any real resolution. Though I was not a fan of the ending, I really liked everything before that! 

“I like doing nothing with you.” “Me too.” And I do. I like it so fucking much. I always thought love was about the showstopper moments. No dialogue, no filler. But if the quiet parts are filler, maybe filler’s underrated." 

"You know how you open the door in some houses and a dog rocket-launches toward you with his whole trembling body? That’s Ben when he sees me. He flings his arms around me before I can say hello, and now he’s just standing here hugging me like a cobra." 

"But maybe this isn’t how life works. Maybe it’s all about people coming into your life for a little while and you take what they give you and use it on your next friendship or relationship. And if you’re lucky, maybe some people pop back in after you thought they were gone for good."

The Haunting of Hill House- Shirley Jackson: 2.5 Stars
library paperback

This was another one that was a struggle to finish, and I had to renew it several times, which is hard for even me to believe because it comes in at just 200 pages. The first half of the book nothing happens. Lots of wordy descriptions but no action. Some people like this, however I am not one of those people. It was written in an old timey style too, which was odd being that it was written in 1959, but that isn't my cup of tea either. The only reason I finished it was because I want to watch the Netflix series, and I just couldn't believe that I couldn't get through such a short book. And maybe because it took me so long to finish, but I don't really know what happened. It dealt with paranormal activity so I know that it's not supposed to make logical sense, but this one just wasn't working for me. I've heard the series was really creepy and great though, so it may be the case as is often not that the show might be better. I'll get back to you on that. 


Children of Blood and Bone- Toni Adeyemi: 4 Stars
library hardback and e-book

So yeah, it took me literally months to finish this but it was really, really good and I was able to jump right back in every time I picked it up again. I really liked the alternating narrations and it was beautifully written. However... I don't get the ending! I know that a lot of you in this link-up have already read it, so please, help me understand! 

"We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother’s arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me into its grasp."

What are you reading lately? 

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

What's New With Me: November

November was a super busy and somewhat stressful month. It started out with a work trip to the west coast for 2 days of training followed by an intense 9 page exam, which I still don't know if I passed or not. The best part of the trip (and only time I got outside the hotel) was finding Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery right around the corner from my hotel.

The following weekend I headed to a 3 day Women's Retreat up in Connecticut with my mom. We pet and fed some donkeys and goats, I tried tai chi for the first time, we attended some talks, and generally just relaxed. 

Thanksgiving break was great. We got out a little early on Tuesday due to our workplace flooding due to a broken urinal (it's on IG if you really want to see it), and then had off Wednesday-Friday. My mom and I volunteered at her church because they do a full Thanksgiving meal for anyone who walks in, and then we walked around looking at the lights in and around the WTC before heading to our respective apartments. No travel and no drama! WIN! And no pics because 1. I was busy and 2. Strangers don't need their pics taken. Black Friday I shopped online, and basically stayed in for the rest of the weekend, hermit-style. Oh, Blue's nieces came over for a game night. We played Uno and Cards Against Humanity and ate sushi and Thai in onesies and it was perfection. 

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting blogging buddies Charlotte and Lauren (and Lauren's friend and sister) at Serendipity 3. They were just as sweet and awesome as their blogs. If you don't follow these lovely ladies you totally should! 

Other November things: had our first snow day! Went to a talk and book signing with my mom, attended a "Sexy Party" (which turned out to be just a gathering of "sexy" friends; I thought for sure she'd be selling sex toys) and crawled into her dog's house for reasons I don't remember, had another game night, stumbled upon the Stock Market Exchange tree lighting, had a great dinner in an old bank, and helped Blue put up her tree.

All in all a busy but fun month! 

What's new with you? 

Currently: December

Reading: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. Still. 500+ page books are not for me! 

Watching: I just binged Married at First Sight: Happily Ever After last weekend, and looking forward to Dumplin' on Friday and Bruce Springsteen on the 15th, both coming to Netflix!

Looking forward to: my birthday next week and our trip to Nashville!

Annoyed by/at: Barnes and Noble. They've cancelled my last two orders for NO reason. Has this been happening to anyone else? UPDATE: 4 times now. They've cancelled 4 orders.

Starting: To worry about if I passed my training certification for work. I took the classes back on November 1, and checked in right before Thanksgiving, how is it taking so long to get feedback?!

Appreciating: The little things, always.

Baking: Not a thing. Blue made some baked ziti last weekend though- it was delicious! 

Decorating: My apartment! The tree is up and little touches are everywhere. I'm still trying to figure out if I want to put garland around my back patio railings though.

Singing: More like belting out some of these songs on a mix CD my friend made for me back in college.

Mailing: I used to send Christmas cards, but not anymore. 

Gifting: Alllthethings!

For our youngest Mountain Mama Candy Color Festive Fun Kit 

For a friend's birthday December Birthstone Bracelet 

For a coworker (and one for me!) Wool Lined Touchscreen Gloves 

For another coworker Plaid Blanket Scarf

For a friend Ridley's Movie Quiz Game

For my niece T Work Backpack and Glittery Mace Bag Accessory

For my niece K Teeth Whitening Kit and Utensil Key Chain

For my niece KT Hydration Reminder (that fits over any water bottle) and Guitar String Elephant Charm Bracelet

Not pictured because I forgot and I'm too lazy to go back and redo the collage, I got oversized wine glasses for my friends, The Mountain Mamas, which will be paired with a bottle of wine :) 

What are you currently up to?

Linking up with Anne and Tanya!